By Winsto (12/30/2025)
If you are in a fantasy league that plays in Week 18, then welcome to this week’s article. Welcome to the madness! There will be teams who will not be playing several of their starters in Week 18, so we do have to be mindful of the reports this week. Here are players who can help tip the balance in your favor.
NOTE: Reminder here that these are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Tyler Shough (NO)–He has at least 1 TD (passing/rushing) in 5 straight games, is coming off back-to-back 300 yard passing games, and squares up against an Atlanta defense that average in fantasy against opposing QBs this season.
Shedeur Sanders (Cle)–His 57.4% completion rate is not good, and his YPA (6.8) is also not good. What is good, then? His rushing potential and a Week 18 match-up against Cincinnati’s defense. The caveat to this add, however, is the health of Harold Fannin Jr. (TE-Cle), as his absence would downgrade Sanders.
Cam Ward (Ten)–Don’t look now, but he has now gone 4 games in a row throwing for 2 TDs. The passing yardage is not topping out, but he may be a steady play against a middle of the pack Jacksonville secondary in Week 18.
Deeper League Adds:
Kirk Cousins (Atl)–He fared well in Week 15 against Tampa Bay (373 passing yards and 3 TDs) and played solidly in Week 16 against Arizona (197-2-1). Week 18 may be a bit tough against a decent New Orleans defense, but he should still have some success.
Josh Johnson (Was)–He is going to start in Week 18 against Philadelphia. Normally, I would not remotely recommend, but there is a chance Philly sits a considerable amount of players in this game—more information will come about in the next few days whether this is true. IF Philly does not care whether it is the 2 or 3 seed, Johnson may have some success.
RUNNING BACK
Malik Davis (Dal)–Javonte Williams (RB-Dal) continues to battle through injury, but Dallas may choose to sit Williams in a meaningless game against a generous NYG defense. Davis would be the beneficiary, and he is my priority add of the week. UNLESS….
Jaydon Blue (Dal)–…the coaching staff wants to take a good luck at the rookie for next year’s season, which is, honestly, what I would do. In that case, Blue is the add. I would pay attention to reports regarding this matter.
Tank Bigsby (Phi)–There is talk of Philadelphia approaching Week 18 against Washington with the idea that they can win while still resting a few key players, like Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi). IF this proves to be true, Bigsby is the add.
A. J. Dillon (Phi)–This is contingent on news breaking that Philadelphia decides just to rest everyone instead and be content with the #3 seed. In that case, I would expect Dillon, who is, in the minds of the coaching staff, the most expendable back-up running back they have, as the others play more of a role. Even with back-ups on offense, Dillon could find success against a vulnerable Washington defense in Week 18. And, even if Bigsby plays, Dillon could factor in.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Was)–He has scored a TD in 5 of his last 8 games he has played and has seen double-digit touches in 5 of the last 6. Like Johnson mentioned above, Week 18’s match-up against Philly may be much better if starters wind up sitting.
Blake Corum / Jarquez Hunter / Ronnie Rivers (LAR)–In a normal situation, Corum is the add. He has had at least 48 rushing yards and a score in five straight games. In addition, if your league goes into Week 18, Arizona would be the opponent. That said, he left Week 17 with injury, so he may be held out for Week 18 as precaution. If the Rams decide they do not care whether they are the 5th seed or 6th seed, we could be seeing Kyren Williams (RB-LAR) and Corum both sitting, leaving Ronnie Rivers (RB-LAR) and rookie Jarquez Hunter (RB-LAR) to see action. Of the two, I “think” I lean toward Hunter. Just be aware that the latter two would be playing with other back-ups. That said, the opponent for Week 18 will be Arizona, so there is fantasy potential here.
Devin Singletary (NYG)–He continues to see goal line work, and Dallas’s 7th most generous defense to RBs is up next in Week 18.
Dylan Sampson / Raheim Sanders (Cle)–Quinshon Jenkins (RB-Cle) will miss the remainder of the season. Somebody has to carry the ball. Cincinnati, Cleveland’s Week 18 opponent, is very generous to the RB position. In the first game without Jenkins and all three were healthy, the playing time for the three went as follows: 35% versus 42%. The touches went as follows: 14 versus 9. Total yardage-wise, 27 total yards versus 31. Sampson, however, was the only one to see Redzone targets/touches (3). I think Sampson is the best bet here, but both are flex worthy options in Week 18.
Tyler Allgeier (Atl)–He has double digit touches in NINE of the 15 games Atlanta has played this season, and he has also scored a TD in seven of those games, with 8 total TDs on the season. He is a decent flex play, and he seems clearly locked in as part of this offense and the hand-cuff to Bijan Robinson (RB-Atl). The Week 18 matchup, New Orleans, is not scary.
Deeper League Add(s):
Sean Tucker (TB)–Do you want someone who is a good bet to get 6-8 fantasy points due to goal line usage who could also easily give you zero points? Tucker, the apparent goal line back for Tampa Bay, is someone to consider.
Michael Carter (Ari)–He is the only left standing here in this backfield, with Bam Knight (RB-Ari) probably missing some time and Trey Benson (RB-Ari) not returning this season. Emari Demercado (RB-Ari) and Cory Kiner (RB-Ari) will see some snaps, but Carter is pacing this backfield. Unfortunately, that has not provided much fantasy success. If LAR do sit players in Week 18, he could maybe provide some fantasy help.
Brian Robinson Jr. (SF)–He has seen 5+ touches per game the last seven games. In addition, he may see more work in Week 18 as reports are that Christian McCaffrey (RB-SF) is having some back issues.
WIDE RECEIVER
Parker Washington (Jax)–My main hesitation here had been the playing time—he has not seen more than 56% of the snaps when both Brian Thomas Jr. (WR-Jax) and Jacobi Meyers (WR-Jax) have played UNTIL Week 17, where he topped out at 81%. In addition, 10 targets in back-to-back weeks for 260 total receiving yards and a TD during that stretch needs attention. What also deserves attention is the remaining defense: Tennessee.
Luther Burden III (Chi)–I think we saw what Burden III is capable of in Week 17, exploding for 8-138-1 on 9 targets. Rome Odunze (WR-Chi) looks unlikely to play in Week 18, so Burden should continue to see opportunities as long as he can return from injury himself, as he hurt himself on the last play of the game against San Francisco. As was the case last week, this week’s opposing offense, Detroit, could force Chicago into a passing game script, as this has another shoot-out potential.
Isaac TeSlaa (Det)–Staying with that same potential shoot-out, initial reports are that Detroit will be playing their starters. However, Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR-Det) was banged up coming out of Week 17. If St. Brown misses, TeSlaa has top 15 WR potential for Week 18.
Deeper League Add(s):
Chimere Dike (Ten)–His playing time has increased the last few weeks, and his return yardage and scoring 3 TDs in the past 6 games is noticeable.
TIGHT END
Jake Tonges (SF)–As the case last week, this is dependent on the health of George Kittle (TE-SF). If Kittle were to miss, Tonges has already proven himself capable of relevant fantasy success earlier in the season when Kittle missed time. Honestly, though, I would be surprised if Kittle misses Week 18, given the importance.
Colston Loveland (Chi)–In a normal week, if you want 4-7 targets for about 40-60 yards and maybe a TD, he is your guy. In a week like Week 18 against Detroit, where there is a chance that Chicago will be without multiple wide receivers, Loveland has nice ceiling, as demonstrated by his performance in Week 17 (6-94-1 on 10 targets).
A. J. Barner(Sea)–Speaking of highly important games, Barner faces the same San Francisco defense that gave up all those fantasy stats to Loveland in Week 17. Barner also has a TD in back-to-back games.
Deeper League Add(s):
Chig Okonkwo (Ten)–Cam Ward (QB-Ten) is playing better, and Okonkwo has benefited. He has seen 6+ targets in three straight games, and he has 132 receiving yards and 2 TDs during that stretch. Jacksonville has given up the 8th most fantasy points to the TE position.