Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 18 (Fantasy Football)

While the majority are currently celebrating securing their league’s championship, a select few are diving into Week 18’s pursuit of victory. For those who have tirelessly navigated seventeen strenuous weeks to get to this point, the pinnacle is now within reach. Your unwavering dedication has crystallized into a coveted spot in the fantasy football championship round. Yet, in this pursuit of glory, only one team will emerge adorned with the crown and proudly lifting the trophy high into the offseason. Meticulous draft preparation, savvy waiver wire maneuvers, and strategic lineup adjustments converge into this defining moment. Without further ado, let me unveil Week 18’s golden pickups, poised to propel you to championship glory.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Running Backs

Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears – Predicting the primary running back for the Chicago Bears has become increasingly challenging this season. As Week 16 approached, D’Onta Foreman‘s absence opened the door for Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert to step into the spotlight. Although both players performed well in a victory against the Arizona Cardinals, it was Herbert who truly stood out. Taking on the majority of the team’s rushing duties, he ran the ball 20 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, complemented by a nine-yard reception. Surprisingly, Foreman was a healthy scratch in Week 17, allowing Herbert to secure another significant role. He continued his impressive streak in the Week 17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, rushing 18 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. Herbert has now secured top-ten running back finishes in consecutive weeks, reaching 100 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown in each game. Given his substantial volume, Herbert emerges as a solid RB2 with upside in the week ahead, particularly in a favorable matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18.

Elijah Mitchell & Jordan Mason, RBs, San Francisco 49ers – Following the Philadelphia Eagles‘ unexpected loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers secured the coveted number-one seed. With no remaining stakes in the final week of the regular season, the team plans to rest their key players in Week 18, creating opportunities for those typically overshadowed on the depth chart. While replicating Christian McCaffrey‘s consistent production is a challenge, either Elijah Mitchell or Jordan Mason is poised to assume a significant fantasy role this week. Mitchell, the primary backup, is expected to receive valuable touches, but the possibility of resting him due to his potentially crucial role in the upcoming playoffs adds an element of uncertainty. This narrative gained added intensity after McCaffrey left Week 17 a bit hobbled. Once a sought-after young running back in fantasy football, Mitchell still retains substantial potential with sufficient volume. Despite Mitchell being the primary choice, Mason warrants consideration, especially if unforeseen news indicates he will be the team’s main back in the upcoming week. Regardless of the chosen player, the team faces a vulnerable Carolina Panthers run defense, presenting an extremely exploitable opportunity.

Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints – Throughout the season, a recurring and unfortunate narrative has been the prevalence of star players succumbing to injuries. Week 17 was no exception, as Alvin Kamara fell victim to an unfortunate ankle injury caused by a dirty hit, sidelining him for the remainder of the game. Despite the likely absence of their star running back, the New Orleans Saints still have significant stakes in play, as their playoff hopes remain alive. If Kamara is indeed sidelined in the upcoming week, Jamaal Williams is poised to step into the role of the team’s primary starter. In the aftermath of Kamara’s exit during the Week 17 crucial victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams achieved season-highs in carries (19), rushing yards (58), targets (four), receptions (four), and receiving yards (13). Given the limited competition on the depth chart, Williams is expected to receive ample volume in Week 18, making him a viable fantasy starter for those in need of a running back in their championship matchup. Unfortunately, the team faces the Atlanta Falcons, who have surprisingly been stout against the run this season. Despite this potential challenge, Williams, the previous season’s leader in rushing touchdowns, appears to be a likely candidate to have his first score of the year in Week 18.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Wide Receivers

Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Certain players are just easy to root for, and Greg Dortch is certainly one of them. Despite sporadic usage, Dortch consistently steps up when needed, showcasing his ability to seize pivotal moments. Recent injuries for the Arizona Cardinals thrust Dortch into a significant role in the receiving game over the past few weeks. In the Week 17 statement win against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dortch delivered his best performance of the season. Playing a crucial role in staging the surprising upset, he caught all seven of his targets for 82 yards. As Dortch continues to play a vital role for the team, there is little indication that his increased opportunities will diminish in the season’s finale. With another favorable matchup in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, Dortch emerges as a reliable option with a solid floor, and there is potential for even more if he manages to connect for a touchdown.

Wan’Dale Robinson & Darius Slayton, WRs, New York Giants – At various points throughout the season, Wan’Dale Robinson has showcased fantasy relevance with the New York Giants. However, predicting these standout performances has become increasingly challenging. In a Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the sophomore wide receiver demonstrated his skills by catching six of nine targets for 55 yards and adding a remarkable 24-yard rushing touchdown. Despite his smaller stature, Robinson has proven his ability to excel when given ample opportunities, earning seven or more targets in three of his last four games. Interestingly, he is not the only receiver on the team currently with fantasy potential. On the opposite end of the field is the speedy vertical threat, Darius Slayton. During this week’s Sunday live stream on YouTube, Andy recommended starting Slayton for those in need of a high-upside starter, a suggestion that paid off significantly. Unlike Robinson, Slayton does not require many targets for a fantasy-relevant performance. This was exemplified by him turning nine targets into seven catches for 196 receiving yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. Slayton’s potential is notably boosted with Tyrod Taylor as his quarterback, showcasing strong chemistry on deep ball connections. Both receivers deserve attention heading into a Week 18 matchup against the vulnerable Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary. Robinson presents a safer floor play, while Slayton offers high-ceiling, boom-or-bust potential.

Bo Melton, WR, Green Bay Packers – Being a native of New Jersey, witnessing Rutgers’ own Bo Melton excel at the professional level brings me immense joy. After a lackluster rookie season, Melton has started to make a name for himself in recent games with the Green Bay Packers. His increased role is a result of various injuries on the team’s depth chart, including Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks. Playing a season-high 66% of snaps, Melton had an explosion of a performance in Week 17, catching six of nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. This statement performance was enough to earn him the WR6 spot for the week. While acknowledging that this level of production may be unsustainable, he at least had another solid game a week prior, catching four of six targets for 44 yards. For those participating in a nasty Week 18 championship, including a “Nasty Boy” like Melton might add a bold touch. Starting an unproven player in such a crucial matchup might require steel underpants, but if in a bind, Melton could potentially continue his hot streak in the Week 18 showdown against the Chicago Bears.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers – Finding reliable streaming options at the tight end position can be a challenge, but Tucker Kraft has emerged as a dependable choice in recent weeks. The talented rookie notably recorded four receptions for 57+ receiving yards in each of the three games leading up to Week 17. His increased role in the offense earned him our top spot as the tight end pickup of the week in last week’s article. In Week 17, Kraft continued to showcase his talent, securing all six of his targets for 48 yards. The injury-riddled Green Bay wide receiver room has created additional opportunities for targets, and Kraft appears to be a significant beneficiary of this situation. With Jordan Love performing at a high level, Kraft instills confidence heading into a Week 18 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints – Football’s dynamics can be amusingly simple to explain at times. When you provide highly athletic players with increased opportunities, exceptional production often follows suit. Week 17 perfectly illustrated this principle for the remarkably athletic Juwan Johnson. In the New Orleans Saints‘ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson had a stellar performance, securing eight receptions out of 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown, earning him the top spot as TE1 for the week. Remarkably, he has now achieved top-ten tight end finishes for three consecutive weeks, finding the end zone in each. While there were high expectations for Johnson to have a breakout season from the start, it appears he might have just arrived fashionably late to the party. For those seeking a streaming tight end in the upcoming week, Johnson should be toward the top of the list, especially in a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Final Thoughts

I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who placed their trust in me this season. My first year writing for The Fantasy Footballers has been nothing short of a dream come true. Guiding you through the weekly quest for the best waiver wire pickups, from Puka Nacua to Kyren Williams, has been an incredible ride. As judgment day arrives with the championship round beginning, remember to seize the moment. Ensure your bench is fortified with every possible advantage to claim the top spot. Personally, I have made it a tradition to pick up Ryan Fitzpatrick each season for that extra championship push. Though he is no longer active on the field, his magic has proven pivotal for my team in several seasons. May you discover your own magic in the week ahead and emerge triumphant in your league’s championship.