The final week of the NFL season is turbulent and difficult to project. That’s why the vast majority of fantasy leagues have already concluded. Still, a few savages keep the fun going all the way to the bitter end. If that’s you, our Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 18 can help navigate the madness.
With only two of the 14 postseason berths up for grabs, plenty of teams have little to play for in Week 18. That’s what makes this slate so difficult to project. Backups, snap counts, and conservative play-calling are just some of the factors that can wreak havoc on fantasy lineups.
However, the point of this great hobby is having fun. So, if you’re still playing this week, here are some Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 18 players to consider.
FAAB denotes Free Agent Acquisition Budget
Zack Moss (RB) Indianapolis Colts – Moss has taken over as the Colts’ main running back. This week, the Colts conclude a disappointing 2022 campaign at home against Houston’s league-worst run defense. If Moss is somehow available, he offers RB1 upside in Week 18.
Tyquan Thornton (WR) New England – Thornton has surpassed an 88% snap rate in New England’s last four contests. Sunday, Thornton saw a season-high 7 targets and secured his second TD grab. New England will be going all out to win in Week 18, so Thornton should once again get plenty of opportunities.
Matt Breida (RB) New York Giants – The Giants are locked into a playoff spot and have little at stake this week. There is a very good chance Brian Daboll rests his starters. That would put Breida in a good position to rack up plenty of touches.
Alexander Mattison (RB) Minnesota Vikings – It’s also possible the Vikings rest starters. If Dalvin Cook sits, Mattison will be a hot commodity. Mattison has thrived in a featured role and the Vikings are essentially locked into a home playoff game next week.
Rashid Shaheed (WR) New Orleans Saints – Shaheed has been the Saints’ top wideout for a month. Last week’s career-high 6 targets led to 79 yards. Shaheed has now topped 50 yards in 5-of-6 games. Up next, the Saints host a Carolina defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.
Greg Dortch (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Dortch has surpassed double-digit targets in three consecutive games. In Week 18, the Cardinals are big underdogs to San Francisco. That should be another recipe for plenty of passing and targets for Dortch.
Joshua Kelley (RB) Los Angeles Chargers – Like the Giants, Los Angeles is already in the postseason tournament. That could lead to more opportunities for Kelley out of the backfield. Kelley has been quite effective all season. If it were announced that Austin Ekeler was to sit Week 18, Kelley would offer solid RB2 potential.
Robert Woods (WR) Tennessee Titans – This is a de facto playoff game for the Titans. Woods led Tennessee in targets (9), and snaps (48) last Thursday. Jacksonville has also allowed the 13th most fantasy points to wide receivers. That puts Woods on the FLEX radar this week.
Royce Freeman (RB) Houston Texans – Freeman again led Houston’s backfield in snaps (30.) However, Freeman hasn’t been particularly effective, averaging under 3 yards per carry in back-to-back tilts. That said, Freeman looks like a good bet for double-digit touches in a meaningless game in Indy.
Colby Parkinson (TE) Seattle Seahawks – Stepping in for Will Dissly, Parkinson led Seattle’s right ends with an impressive 81% snap rate last week. Also, Parkinson hauled in 5-of-7 targets for 36 yards and a score. The Seahawks still have a shot at the playoffs and wrap up the regular season at home against the Rams.
Corey Clement (RB) Arizona Cardinals – If James Conner (shin) misses Week 18, Clement will step in to take the majority of snaps for Arizona. However, Arizona does travel to San Francisco, so it’s a tough match. Still, opportunity is the name of the game.
Chase Edmonds (RB) Denver Broncos – With Marlon Mack (hamstring) out, Edmonds logged a season-best 59% snap share versus the Chiefs. Edmonds also turned 10 touches into 73 yards. This is the second game in a row that Edmonds has surpassed 50 scrimmage yards since returning from IR. A meaningless finale against the Chargers could lead to another solid outing for Edmonds.
DeeJay Dallas (RB) Seattle Seahawks – A week after accumulating 8 touches, Dallas played 38% of Seattle’s snaps. Dallas also turned 10 touches in 98 yards of offense in a must-win game. If that formula continues, Dallas offers RB3/4 values against a Rams’ defense that is ailing.
Tyler Conklin (TE) New York Jets – The return of Mike White at QB paid immediate dividends for Conklin. This week, Conklin and the Jets conclude the season against a Miami defense that has yielded the third most fantasy points to tight ends.
Jarrett Stidham (QB) Las Vegas Raiders – Stidham’s dismantling of the NFL’s top defense was one of the most surprising results from a wild Week 17. The 2019 fourth-rounder threw for 365 yards and three scores in the loss. He also tossed a pair of picks but far exceeded expectations. This week, Stidham gets a Kansas City defense that’s allowed the third-most fantasy points to QBs.
Josh Dobbs (QB) Tennessee Titans – After his sold showing on Thursday, Dobbs was named Tennessee’s starter for the all-important finale. The winner of this game will host a playoff game next week so expect both squads to go all out.
Sam Darnold (QB) Carolina Panthers – Over the past three weeks, Darnold has posted QB1 numbers. During the stretch, Darnold has produced four touchdowns and no interceptions. He’ll be on the streaming radar this week in New Orleans.
Indianapolis Colts (DST) – The Texans haven’t totaled 300 yards of offense in three weeks or surpassed 215 passing yards since Week 10. Indianapolis should be able to end the Jeff Saturday experiment with a home win, making the Colts a stolid streaming option.
Also, check out our Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Week 17 or more free agents that can help you punch your playoff ticket!
