Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 18 (Fantasy Football)
While many are celebrating securing their league championships, a dedicated few are gearing up for one final battle in Week 18. Seventeen grueling weeks of strategy, persistence, and resilience have led you to this moment: the fantasy football championship round. The finish line is in sight, but only one team will rise above the rest, claiming the crown and carrying the trophy into the offseason. Every draft pick, waiver wire steal, and tilting lineup decision has built toward this defining moment. Now, let’s dive into Week 18’s golden pickups, the final keys to securing your championship.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
5
3
1
3
4
4
8
7
1
5
4
4
6
6
6
6
3
7
5
8
8
8
7
5
7
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders – Never a doubt. After weeks of looking like a missed pick, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is finishing the season as proof that belief in him was never wrong, only early. The rookie delivered a monster Week 17 performance against Dallas, ripping off 105 rushing yards on just 11 carries while scoring twice. With momentum on his side, the man nicknamed Bill should remain a viable RB option in Week 18, even in a challenging matchup against Philadelphia.
Audric Estime, RB, New Orleans Saints – After a quiet debut as New Orleans’ lead back, Audric Estime bounced back in a big way in Week 17. In Sunday’s win over Tennessee, he logged 94 rushing yards and a TD on 14 carries, adding four more yards on his lone reception. With his role reestablished, Estime should see enough volume in a Week 18 matchup against Atlanta to remain firmly in the starting conversation.
Malik Davis, RB, Dallas Cowboys – After a quiet season, Malik Davis finally broke through in Week 17. With Javonte Williams limited by a shoulder injury, Davis handled a sizable workload against Washington, carrying the ball 20 times for 103 yards. If Williams is unable to suit up in Week 18, Davis would be positioned for another strong outing against the Giants.
Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns – Dylan Sampson struggled to get anything going against Pittsburgh on Sunday, totaling just 27 yards on 14 touches and disappointing managers who trusted him in a crucial week. A bounce back remains in play in the finale, though, with Cincinnati’s soft defense on deck. Sampson’s best outing of the season came in Week 1 against the Bengals, when he hauled in eight receptions and flashed the fantasy ceiling this matchup can offer.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
4
6
4
5
5
5
5
4
6
4
6
7
7
7
7
6
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – After a brief midseason lull, Parker Washington has put his season back on track. He followed a 145-yard performance with eight catches for 110 yards in Week 17 against Indianapolis. With double-digit targets in back-to-back games, Washington should once again see enough volume to deliver a strong outing against Tennessee in Week 18.
Luther Burden, WR, Chicago Bears – A familiar name in our articles, Luther Burden continues to showcase his immense potential and fantasy upside. In Sunday night’s thrilling loss to the 49ers, the rookie erupted for 138 yards on eight catches and a TD. This is exactly what we look for from rookies who heat up down the stretch, and Burden fits that profile perfectly. He suffered a quad injury on the final play of the game, but if he’s able to suit up, expect him to remain highly productive in a Week 18 showdown with the Lions.
Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans – After spending much of the season on the fringe, the Texans have suddenly emerged as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, with the offense beginning to catch up to their elite defense. In Week 17’s win over the Chargers, rookie Jayden Higgins made his presence felt, hauling in two of four targets for 88 yards and a TD. His usage remains inconsistent, making him a boom or bust option, but he carries upside in a Week 18 matchup against the Colts.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions – Isaac TeSlaa is a big play waiting to happen. Even with limited opportunities, the rookie has repeatedly shown he can win on any target, especially in the red zone. That carried into Week 17, when he turned three catches into 49 yards and a score in a Christmas Day loss to Minnesota. Teslaa has now found the end zone in four of his last five games. If Amon-Ra St. Brown sits after getting banged up last week, Teslaa could be in line for a productive outing against Chicago in Week 18.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
4
2
2
3
5
3
3
4
2
5
6
5
6
4
4
6
3
6
7
7
7
7
5
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears– After early questions about whether he had that dawg in him, Colston Loveland has been barking loudly to close the season. In Sunday night’s loss to San Francisco, the rookie posted 94 yards and a TD, hauling in four of 10 targets. Loveland has quickly become a trusted safety valve for Caleb Williams, and his run-after-the-catch ability adds real fantasy juice. If you need help at the position, Loveland should remain heavily involved against Detroit in Week 18.
Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders – Michael Mayer once looked like one of the league’s most promising young TEs. That momentum stalled when the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers, pushing Mayer into a reduced role. With Bowers placed on IR, Mayer finally had room to breathe in Sunday’s loss to the Giants and reminded everyone of his ability. He hauled in nine of 10 targets for 89 yards, standing out as one of the offense’s few bright spots. With that opportunity back in front of him, Mayer has a chance to carry this momentum into a Week 18 matchup against Kansas City.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
4
2
3
3
1
5
5
4
3
3
4
5
5
4
6
6
6
6
2
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
3
1
2
3
1
4
3
2
2
5
4
6
4
2
5
4
6
3
6
5
5
6
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
The journey has been grueling, the battles relentless, and now, it all comes down to this. Every decision, every move, every sacrifice has brought you to the doorstep of greatness. As the championship looms, remember that fortune favors the bold. Trust your instincts, make the tough calls, and fight for every point as if your legacy depends on it. Leave nothing behind; no stone left unturned, no opportunity unseized. This is your moment to etch your name in your league’s history. Now, it is time to take back what is rightfully yours.