Hope you’re not playing for your fantasy football championship this week. Sure, play a week-long draft (for fun), DFS lineup… whatever… but as you’ll see, the Week 18 waiver thread is as complicated as it gets. There are many squads that are uncertain for use with multiple factors in play. Hopefully we’ll have more clarity later in the week, but this is the current list of mics that could help and/or squads with in-game saves.
HEADS UP
- This week is different, given that it’s week 18 with many moving (and uncertain) parts.
- There are still RB and WR global waivers, but I will have a team-by-team list of names that may see limited or no action.
WAIVER WIRE RETURNING TO THE RANKS
- Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, SF – Christian McCaffrey is a doubt for Week 18. Mitchell is set to return to training, but that doesn’t guarantee a return to play. If he does return, he should lead, but it would be risky. If Mitchell doesn’t return, Mason will likely lead but with more of a Davis-Price share than CMC. Someone has the Top 15 upside down, but the trick is we might not know who it is until game time (4p).
- Zack Moss, IND – Leading, and 7.5 and 7.4 fantasy points, respectively, over the past two weeks.
- Chuba Hubbard, CAR – Continues to share the work in a serious breach.
- Damien Harris, NE – The Patriots have something to play for and he could get some goal-line work for a touchdown prayer.
- Jaylen Warren, PIT – Split is already happening, facing the Browns defense, and the Steelers could rest Najee Harris for 2023 if the game gets out of hand anyway.
- Ty Johnson, NYJ “Out with Michael Carter?”
- Chase Edmonds, DEN “Meh, but Marlon Mack is injured, so Edmonds is in his place.
ROWS OF WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVERS
- DJ Chark, DET – Didn’t have a huge game, but Chark was Top 25 more times than not when he was 100% healthy.
- Rashid Shaheed, NO – Averaged 4.8 targets, 4.3 receptions and 72.5 yards over the last four games.
- Treylon Burks, RTE – The Titans are winners and Burks has an upside weekly top 25 with a touchdown and big play potential.
- Van Jefferson, LAR – The Rams’ de facto No. 1 wide receiver.
- Tyquan Thornton, NE – Used as a full-time player alongside Jakobi Meyers and delivered a 7-3-60-1 line last week.
- Kadarius Toney, K.C. – Even when running only 33.3% of the routes, Toney shot 4-4-71 in Week 17.
TIGHT ENDS OF WAIVER WIRE
Top Streamers
Possible Week 18 substitutions and resting players
FCA
- Broncos – Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Greg Dulcich out/limited injured – Kendall Hinton and Albert Okwuegbunam are next, with only Big O relevant.
- Browns – Could rest Nick Chubb, throw Kareem Hunt in the ground, assess Jerome Ford, etc. Messy, as Amari Cooper could also see rest for next year.
- Foals – Moss is fine, and they might be looking to get one last boost for Alec Pierce before his sophomore year, but the quarterback’s situation is disgusting.
- Jets “Tons of injuries this year, so they could limit Garrett Wilson. Zonovan Knight would be no more than second-best behind Breece Hall next year, so he could still lead, and they could “out” Elijah Moore for trade hopes.
- Raiders – They’ve already benched Derek Carr, meaning Davante Adams and Darren Waller could be next. Josh Jacobs would hit the bench if they wanted to attempt a re-signing. Who knows what that would do for the backfield, but Mack Hollins would get a boost.
- Texas – Brandin Cooks has already missed a few games. Chris Moore is back with some potential.
NFC
- Bear – Justin Fields is their answer, so it would be wise to avoid the risks given his injuries this year. David Montgomery is a free agent, so similar to Jacobs, they could kick him out or look to Khalil Herbert for the 2023 lead.
- Buccaneers – Locked in in fourth place, Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are likely to give up playing time to substitutes, which also doesn’t guarantee Rachaad White, Julio Jones and Russell Gage aren’t restricted.
- Cardinals – James Conner, DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown could see limited or no action. Corey Clement and Greg Dortch are behind them.
- Commanders — Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson have health issues that warrant rest. Jahan Dotson has already run out of time. Jonathan Williams and Cam Sims are next after the starters.
- Falcons – Desmond Ridder has only played a few games, so the Falcons are likely giving him, Tyler Allgeier and Drake London more experience… but no guarantees for a full game.
- giants – Locked in the sixth seed, putting Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and the receivers in a place to rest. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell could part ways, while receivers after substitutions already in play are hard to like with Tyrod Taylor.
- Panthers – The main concern here is whether the Panthers are looking to protect DJ Moore. Shi Smith and Terrace Marshall could benefit.
- Rams – Cam Akers’ season has been anything but normal, and it’s unclear whether Sean McVay will protect him for next year. Maybe they get more looks for Kyren Williams.
- Saints – Alvin Kamara could rest and Chris Olave has a high likelihood of limited action with injury. David Johnson and Rashid Shaheed are up next, but even Shaheed is no guarantee.
TL; DR (players who could potentially sit out)
- Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Greg Dulcich—DEN
- Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper — CLE
- Garrett Wilson—NYJ
- Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs — LV
- Brandin Cooks — HOU
- Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Cole Kmet—CHI
- Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin—CT
- James Conner, DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown — ARI
- Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel—WSH
- Cam Akers—LAR
- Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Isaiah Hodgins, Richie James, Darius Slayton — NYG
- DJ Moore—CAR
- Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave — NO
DST RANKING IN STREAMING
- NO against CAR
- BAC to DEN
- PIT versus CLE
- MIA vs. NYJ
- CIN versus BAL
- JAX versus TEN
- CAR at NO
NOTE: We understand the gravity of Damar Hamlin’s situation and our prayers are with him, his family and everyone involved in this situation. If there are any game impacts we’ll update, but the main focus is obviously his health. ❤️🙏🏼
(Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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