There are a lot of different fantasy football formats these days. And a lot of those run through Week 18. Maybe you have a two-week championship. 

Or heck, maybe you just LIKE playing your championship in Week 18. You like that challenge. We’re not going to judge you. And we’re still here for you if you have fantasy football waiver wire moves to make!

 

 

 

2024 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 18 Top Targets

We usually split this into three different articles - the top waiver adds, the streamers, and the stashes. But the time for stashing guys is done. And there’s no point in really using the “streamers” label if it’s one last game for all the marbles.

In fact, the FAAB recommendations are probably out the window as well - you’ll really want to just look at what your opponent has and spend whatever it takes to get the guys that might crack your lineup. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson - Pittsburgh Steelers, Yahoo: 44% | ESPN: 47% | Sleeper: 50% 

He’s out there in roughly half of leagues depending on your platform. This game against the Cincinnati Bengals has playoff implications for both teams. George Pickens is back so Russ has his number one weapon once again. And the last time he faced the Bengals he threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

In a week where many teams have nothing to play for, these are the kinds of matchups we want to target. A bunch of quarterbacks are expected to sit or play a limited amount like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen so you might need to spend big. 

  • Waiver Priority: Low or Free Add
  • FAAB: 0-5% (more if he starts for you)

Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers, Yahoo: 18% | ESPN: 13% | Sleeper: 25%  

We had Bryce Young here as an option last week, especially for folks who lost Jalen Hurts. He had a good matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And though the Bucs won big, he actually did alright for us. 

He put together another 200+ yard passing game with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s now thrown at least one touchdown pass in 9 straight games while also running for one in three of his last five. This week he gets the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

And the Panthers aren’t going to squander their momentum now while it’s picking up a little. Not when they can play spoiler for a division opponent. He’s not our top option but he’s more widely available than Wilson.  

  • Waiver Priority: Low or Free Add
  • FAAB: 0-5% (more if he’d start for you right away)
     
  • Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Joe Flacco vs. JAX, Drake Maye vs. BUF, Michael Penix Jr vs. CAR

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver Wire Running Backs

Khalil Herbert - Cincinnati Bengals Yahoo: 7% | ESPN: 4% | Sleeper: 9%

This one is fairly straightforward. Chase Brown suffered a high ankle sprain late in the game on Saturday. He might not be able to go this week. If he does, it could be in a limited capacity. 

That leaves the door open for Herbert to be the starting running back for the Bengals in a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. That is a spot we have to bet on. 

  • Waiver Priority: High or first priority
  • FAAB: 25-50%

Ameer Abdullah - Las Vegas Raiders 49ers, Yahoo: 33% | ESPN: 32% | Sleeper: 39%


There’s no ignoring what Ameer Abdullah was able to accomplish this week. We already knew he had the pass-catching chops. But there was some worry that Alexander Mattison would get the bulk of the workload.

Instead, Abdullah had 20 catches for 115 yards and doubled the touches of Mattison on the day. Injuries to Zamir White and Sincere McCormick really thinned the options this team has, and it looks like Ameer Abdullah is the top dog going into the final week. 

  • Waiver Priority: Medium to Late
  • FAAB: 5-10%

Ray Davis - Buffalo Bills, Yahoo: 18% | ESPN: 11% | Sleeper: 20%

There are a number of opportunities to start backup running backs. You’ve got some guys nicked up where there is no sense playing them. You have others that have a playoff spot locked up. 

Ray Davis deserves the extra recognition that he also gets to play the lowly New England Patriots this week. I know the Bills won’t be rolling out most of their starters, but the Chargers just beat this team by 33 this past week. 

  • Waiver Priority: Late or Free Add
  • FAAB: 0-5%
     
  • Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Antonio Gibson vs. BUF, Rasheen Ali vs. HOU

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Romeo Doubs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Yahoo: 47% | ESPN: 42% | Sleeper: 19%

If Romeo Doubs is available, he’s the priority play for us. He’s out there in about half of leagues. When healthy (or not suspended briefly), Doubs has led this team in snaps, routes, and targets. Last week he was the clear focal point catching 7 of 11 targets. 

The Packers are still playing for seeding and they would MUCH rather face either the Rams or Buccaneers as the 6th seed than face the Eagles in Philadelphia as the 7th seed. 

  • Waiver Priority: Top Priority
  • FAAB: 25-50%

Mavin Mims - Denver Broncos, Yahoo: 3%| ESPN: 4% | Sleeper: 6%

We’ve been waiting all year for someone to emerge behind Courtland Sutton as a top option for the Broncos. And Mims hasn’t quite run away with the job yet as they still rotated him with Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin. 

But he’s clearly become the next best fantasy option after Sutton. Besides actually doing something with his targets lately, Mims has also separated himself from the pack with his usage in the run game. He actually has 12 carries over his last 7 games and, although he hasn’t done much with them, those extra touches give him additional upside. 

After last game where he caught 8 of 8 for 103 yards and 2 scores, I think he deserves more touches. They have a must win game against a Chiefs team that will be resting their starters. 

  • Waiver Priority: Medium to late priority
  • FAAB: 10-15%
     
  • Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Wan’Dale Robinson vs. PHI, Alec Pierce vs. JAX, Demario Douglas vs. BUF, Bradin Cooks vs. WAS

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver Tight Ends

Chig Okonkwo - Tennessee Titans, Yahoo: 29% | ESPN: 31% | Sleeper: 26%

Chig had another solid game this week catching 5 of 7 for 42. But it could have been MUCH bigger if Mason Rudolph didn’t overthrow him down the sideline. That would have been an additional 30+ yard touchdown on top of things. 

We’ll still take 7 targets from a guy who had 20 targets over the previous two weeks. So, Okonkwo is absolutely the play here if he’s available. 

  • Waiver Priority: Mid to high
  • FAAB: 15-20% 

Juwan Johnson - New Orleans Saints, Yahoo: 12% | ESPN: 15% | Sleeper: 19%

Johnson was much more involved than usual this week. So, we can’t bank on him getting 10 targets again. 

We could say he got all that work because the Raiders are a great matchup for tight ends, but Tampa Bay has actually been an even BETTER matchup for tight ends. So, Juwan Johnson isn’t a bad look here, especially with the entire offense essentially injured. 

  • Waiver Priority: Late or free add
  • FAAB: 15-20% 

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver DST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers DST, Yahoo: 45% | ESPN: 51% | Sleeper: 60%

I know we just recommended Juwan Johnson against this defense but he’s really the only starter the Buccaneers have left from their weapons. 

The Saints have been absolutely brutal so you can essentially start any defense against them. 

Atlanta Falcons DST, Yahoo: 30% | ESPN: 24% | Sleeper: 32%

We were going to suggest the Titans, but it looks like the Texans plan to send their starters out there to play this week, despite there being no implications. 

The Panthers have been better as of late so this isn’t a slam dunk, but the alternatives really are not that great. 

  • Honorable Mention or Deep League Options: Colts vs. NYG, Seahawks vs. CHI, Jaguars vs. TEN

 

 

 

NFL Week 18 Waiver Kickers

Zane Gonzalez - Washington Commanders, K, Yahoo: 14% | ESPN: 5% | Sleeper: 19%

Because he returned during fantasy playoffs, there simply were not many teams that needed a kicker. 

So, he remains widely available in leagues despite being a great option. Funny how that happens. 

Will Reichard - Minnesota Vikings, K, Yahoo: 13% | ESPN: 24% | Sleeper: 12%

You can basically copy and paste what we said above about Gonzalez for Reichard. 

These are kickers for two of the best offenses that both have something to play for this week in terms of playoff implications. Easy adds.