By Winsto (12/31/2024)
If you are reading this, then your league is still going. I congratulate you and your league mates in embracing the madness that is the final week of the regular NFL season to impact your league results. Some fantasy writers abhor having Week 18 impact fantasy results, but not I—I relish it. Is it pandemonium? Yes, a bit. But, here is the reality: why would you shorten something that you like when you do not have to. I feel sad for all of those poor people who are just going to watch football in Week 18 without any fantasy ramifications whatsoever. That will not be you or me. We will continue to watch with fantasy excitement to the very end!
One thing to consider is going with players whose team is definitely playing for something. Thus, Detroit, Minnesota, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Miami, and Denver are all playing for either a spot in the playoffs, the division championship, or the #1 seed. These teams are going to go all out to win. Then there is Pittsburgh, who would only be playing for seeding if Baltimore wins in the earlier game on Saturday, Pittsburgh would then just be playing for seeding. As for Los Angeles Chargers, Washington, Green Bay, and Los Angeles Rams, they could play for seeding, but there is concern that may not be as important to the coaching staff as player rest. Kansas City, Buffalo, Houston, and Philadelphia are all locked into their playoff seed, so I would avoid players from those teams for Week 18.
As a reminder, the following players are rostered by less than 50% according to Yahoo Fantasy.
QUARTERBACK
Russell Wilson (QB-Pit)– I am a fan of rolling with him in Week 18 against the generous Cincinatti defense that gives up the 6th most fantasy points to the QB. However, if Baltimore wins in the earlier game, I would keep an eye on the reports pre-game regarding whether or not the coaching staff decides to rest starters.
Joe Flacco (QB-Ind)–He will not be denied fantasy relevance, as he will probably be under center in Week 18 against Jacksonville. I could see him having a nice game here.
Bryce Young (QB-Carolina)– He has looked okay in his last 3 starts, having multiple TDs (rushing and/or passing) in each of them. He faces a generous defense in Week 18 v. Atlanta.
Michael Penix (QB-Atl)–Facing Carolina in Week 18 is enticing. The concern would be Atlanta being very conservative with the play calling and being heavily reliant on the rushing attack.
Aaron Rodgers (QB-NYJ)–Simply put, he has not looked good as of late. He does face a Miami defense, one he threw for over 300 yards against back in Week 14, in Week 18. If you are in desperate need of a QB for this week, he is a QB.
RUNNING BACK
Ameer Abdullah (RB-LV)–He has now had three straight weeks of solid RB production and may face a Charger defense that is resting starters in Week 18.
Michael Carter (RB-Ari)–If James Conner (RB) is ruled out for Week 18, Carter will get the nod again against a solid, but not elite, SF defense. Trey Benson (RB) has already been placed on the IR.
Khalil Herbert (RB-Cin)–If Chase Brown (RB) winds up unable to play in Week 18 against Pittsburgh, Herbert is the next man up. Just don’t expect as much passing game involvement.
The following options are intriguing, but please understand that they will be playing with back-ups, not with the starters. Thus, expectations should be tempered.
Will Shipley/ Kenneth Gainwell (RB-Phi)–If the coaches decide to not try and help Saquon Barkley (RB) get the rushing record, these guys will get the carries against a pourous New York Giants defense.
Ray Davis/Ty Johnson/Frank Gore, Jr. (RBs-Buf)–They will rest James Cook (RB-Buf) and other starters, leaving Davis, Johnson, and Gore to probably handle rushing duties. Honestly, I might lean toward Gore here in a meaningless game, but check pre-game reports.
WIDE RECEIVER
Ricky Pearsall (San Francisco)–It was quite obvious that the coaching staff made a concerted effort to get him the ball for experience going into next season. Even with Brock Purdy (QB) not expected to play in Week 18, I do not think that approach will change. The ceiling, however, is just lower.
Alec Pierce (Indianapolis)–If Flacco is under center, Pierce becomes very relevant, and Jacksonville’s porous defense is the opponent in Week 18.
Rashod Bateman (Baltimore)–Bateman is the quintessential boom or bust receiver. You know how this works. He will typically see 3-5 targets, so you are banking on a long play/TD. There is a decent ceiling here, but virtually no floor.
TIGHT END
Chig Okonkwe (Ten)–The good news is he has 28 targets in the last 3 games, showing a strong connection with Mason Rudolph (QB). The bad news is there is talk of both Rudolph and Will Levis (QB) both playing in Week 18.
Mike Gesicki (Cin)–It’s all hands on deck for Cincinnati in what could turn into a shootout against Pittsburgh. He is a boom or bust option.
Juwan Johnson (NO)–I mean, someone has to catch passes in this offense, right? As almost everyone else is injured, Johnson has a chance at fantasy success against a generous Tampa Bay defense.
IDP
Micah McFadden (LB-NYG)–If he plays, he is my top option here, but he has a neck injury that may prevent that from happening.
Edgerrin Cooper (LB-GB)–This is contingent on the health of Quay Walker (LB), but the rookie is starting to flash his 2nd round draft talent.
Chandler Wooten (LB-Car)–As long as Josie Jewell (LB) misses, then Wooten is a steady option.