Top Players to Add in Week 18
Some of you may go beyond the normal Week 17 games, and that is when you could take advantage of some teams’ situations. Even in Week 18, it’s essential to pick up players who help your team or even block your opponents from taking them.
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Here are my top five targets, as well as some honorable mentions, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important consideration: this article focuses on players who are rostered in 50% or fewer of leagues. There could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available in your league. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up on too early.
1. Parker Washington – If you didn’t take advantage of Parker Washington last week, you missed out in a big way. Washington exploded in Week 16 and followed it up again in Week 17 with 115 yards on 8 receptions, firmly establishing himself as a trusted underneath option for Trevor Lawrence in the passing game. His role has been consistent, especially on short and intermediate routes where Lawrence is clearly comfortable going when pressure arrives. In Week 18, Washington draws a favorable matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, a secondary that has fallen apart down the stretch. That breakdown opens the door for Washington to finish the season with one more strong fantasy performance. With the Jacksonville Jaguars still fighting to secure the AFC South, this shouldn’t be a rest-heavy or conservative game script. Unless Jacksonville jumps out to a massive early lead, Washington should continue to see steady volume and profiles as a strong Week 18 FLEX or WR3 option to close out the season.
2. Tyler Shough – If you’re worried about your quarterback situation in Week 18—whether due to rest concerns or limited snaps—Tyler Shough is a strong contingency plan to consider. The rookie has delivered QB1 fantasy performances in three of his last five games, and despite a lack of high-end weapons around him, Shough has still produced 300 passing yards in back-to-back outings. His confidence and command of the offense have clearly improved as the season progressed. In Week 18, Shough draws a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons‘ secondary. While Atlanta has been average for most of the season, this isn’t a unit that should scare you off—especially with Shough playing aggressively and pushing the ball downfield. With several teams potentially limiting starters, Shough offers both stability and upside. If you need a late replacement or Superflex option, he’s very capable of putting up 20+ fantasy points in an important Week 18 matchup to close out the season.
3. Malik Davis – If you’re desperate for a widely available running back in Week 18, Malik Davis is a name worth grabbing and monitoring closely. Javonte Williams suffered yet another injury in Week 17, and with the season winding down, the Dallas Cowboys could choose to shut him down to avoid further damage if they’re considering bringing him back next year. When Williams exited last week, Davis stepped in and delivered 20 carries for 103 rushing yards, showing he can handle a full workload if needed. The matchup also works in his favor. Dallas draws the New York Giants in Week 18, and while New York has been more competitive against the run lately, Week 17 marked only the second time since Week 6 that they haven’t allowed an opposing running back to top 80 rushing yards. If Davis earns the start or leads the backfield again, the volume alone puts him firmly on the RB2 radar with upside. In a week full of uncertainty, Davis is exactly the type of late-season swing that can pay off if the usage breaks right.
- Luther Burden III – If Luther Burden hadn’t gotten banged up in Week 17, he likely would have been at the very top of this list. The good news is Burden is still expected to be available for Week 18 in a high-stakes game with the No. 2 seed on the line, so motivation won’t be an issue. Burden is coming off a monster performance against the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in 8 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown, showing he’s fully capable of dominating even strong defenses when healthy. In Week 18, the Chicago Bears face the Detroit Lions in what should be a highly competitive game. While Detroit can score enough to keep pressure on Chicago to throw, their secondary has been a mess, creating an ideal environment for Burden to thrive. If he’s active and not limited, Burden profiles as a high-upside WR play in Week 18 with both volume and big-play potential in a game that should stay aggressive for four quarters.
5. Jake Tonges – This one is worth monitoring closely, as it hinges on the availability and usage of George Kittle in Week 18. There’s a strong chance Kittle is active, but the San Francisco 49ers could still choose to limit his snaps or even sit him one more week to ensure he’s fully healthy for the playoffs—especially after Jake Tonges delivered a dominant performance in Week 17. Tonges finished with 60 yards and a touchdown, more than enough production to justify giving him extended run if San Francisco opts to be cautious. The matchup also works in Tonges’ favor. The Seattle Seahawks have been a bottom-five defense against tight ends this season, consistently allowing production at the position. If Kittle is limited or inactive, Tonges immediately becomes a streamable Week 18 TE option with touchdown upside. Even if Kittle suits up, Tonges could still see enough involvement to matter in deeper leagues—making this a situation fantasy managers should watch all the way up to kickoff.
Others Receiving Votes
AJ Barner, SEA (32% ESPN, 18% Yahoo!) – If you need another tight end option in Week 18, AJ Barner offers sneaky upside in a tough-looking matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Barner is coming off back-to-back touchdown games and has posted at least 40 receiving yards in both contests, showing growing trust in the offense. While San Francisco is known for its defensive reputation, opposing tight ends have consistently found success near the goal line—TEs have scored touchdowns in five of the last seven games against the 49ers. As his role continues to solidify in the Seattle Seahawks offense, Barner profiles as a reliable plug-and-play TE option for Week 18, especially for managers dealing with rest, injuries, or limited alternatives at the position.
Raheim Sanders/Dylan Sampson, CLE (1%/26% ESPN, 1%/29% Yahoo!) – If you’re still hunting for a running back option in Week 18, take a look at the Cleveland Browns backfield. While the Cincinnati Bengals‘ defense has played better overall down the stretch, their run defense remains a favorable matchup for opposing backs. With it being the final game of the season, Cleveland could lean more into evaluating younger players. That sets up Dylan Sampson as a player to monitor closely. Sampson is a strong candidate to see increased work in Week 18 and profiles as a flex-worthy option if you’re thin at running back. In deeper leagues, Raheim Sanders is also worth consideration. He’s already seen meaningful touches, and if the Browns commit to the run or rest key pieces, Sanders could see enough volume to be usable.
Wait & See FLEX Approach – It’s still early in the week, so keep a close eye on practice reports and injury designations as teams finalize their Week 18 plans. Late-week scratches and “rest” decisions can open the door for backups to step into meaningful roles, especially with playoff seeding already locked in for several teams. We’re already seeing it happen with Trey Lance drawing a Week 18 start, and it wouldn’t be surprising if more teams follow suit and sit veteran starters. That kind of late news can swing defensive matchups and create sneaky value plays across the board. Players like Blake Corum, Treylon Burks, Emanuel Wilson, Kyle Williams, and Konata Mumpfield are all names to watch this week.
Defense Wins Championships
Cincinnati Bengals (2.9% owned) – If you’re streaming a defense in Week 18, the Cincinnati Bengals stand out as one of the most widely available sneaky options on waivers. Since Week 12, the Bengals defense has scored 5 or more fantasy points in six of their last seven games, quietly providing a usable floor during the fantasy playoffs. This week, they get a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns, an offense that hasn’t given fantasy managers much to fear. Cleveland could be without their top receiving option, Harold Fannin Jr., and their run game has been a major disappointment down the stretch. With limited offensive firepower on the other side, Cincinnati should have opportunities to create pressure, force mistakes, and grind out another serviceable fantasy outing. If you’re short on defensive options in Week 18, the Bengals are a perfectly reasonable plug-and-play with modest upside.
Kansas City Chiefs (30.6% owned) – The Kansas City Chiefs defense may have felt like a drop candidate after their Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos, but they bounce back into streaming consideration this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas appears to be firmly in tank mode, and Kansas City should be facing Kenny Pickett while going up against a bottom-five offense. Even with some inconsistency this season, the Chiefs still bring enough defensive pressure to generate sacks and force turnovers. With little left to play for other than pride and momentum, Kansas City’s defense profiles as a solid Week 18 option with a respectable floor and upside for splash plays.
Minnesota Vikings (43.2% owned) – If there’s a good chance the Minnesota Vikings defense is still sitting on waivers, they’re a strong pickup for Week 18. They draw an excellent matchup against the Green Bay Packers, who likely have nothing to play for and could rest several starters ahead of the playoffs. Even if the presence of Malik Willis gives you pause, he suffered an injury last week, which raises the possibility that Green Bay trots out a third-string quarterback just to get through the game. That scenario would give the Vikings defense solid upside for sacks, turnovers, and a safe fantasy floor in championship week.
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads | @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)