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.

Running Backs

Khalil Herbert, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – When scouring the waiver wire this late in the season, it is smart to focus on players from teams still fighting for a playoff spot. The Bengals, though facing long odds, will leave it all on the field in Week 18. Unfortunately, their hopes of having Chase Brown in the backfield took a hit after he suffered a high-ankle sprain, an injury that typically requires multiple weeks to heal. If Brown is sidelined, Khalil Herbert is the clear next man up. While Herbert’s opportunities in Cincinnati have been limited, he flashed efficiency in Saturday’s win over Denver, turning four carries into 23 yards. His past success in Chicago as an explosive runner makes him an intriguing option. Should Brown be sidelined, Herbert could bring legitimate RB2 upside in a pivotal matchup against the Steelers.

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Las Vegas Raiders – All aboard the Abdullah Express! At 31 years old, Ameer Abdullah is proving he still has plenty left in the tank, delivering when fantasy managers need him most. His latest performance was a standout, racking up 115 yards on 20 carries and adding three catches for 32 yards on four targets. While there was some early speculation about the backfield hierarchy between Abdullah and Alexander Mattison, it is now evident that Abdullah has emerged as the go-to option in Las Vegas. With three consecutive games of 16+ fantasy points, he is positioned to stay hot in a Week 18 matchup against the Chargers, assuming the foot injury he sustained on Sunday does not sideline him.

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Many rushed to grab Michael Carter off the waiver wire last week, anticipating James Conner would sit out Week 17 with a knee injury. Despite Arizona being eliminated from playoff contention, Conner was surprisingly ruled active, dashing hopes of starting Carter. However, Conner aggravated his injury early in the game, clearing the path for Carter to step in as the lead back. Carter delivered, rushing for 70 yards on 13 carries and catching both of his targets for 11 yards. If Conner and Trey Benson are sidelined in Week 18, Carter should see more than enough volume to be a viable fantasy option against the 49ers.

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams – With their latest victory, the Rams have clinched the NFC West and secured the NFC’s number-three seed, setting the stage for Los Angeles to rest key starters in Week 18, including Kyren Williams. This opens the door for rookie Blake Corum to see an expanded role. While Corum has played second fiddle to Williams all season, he has flashed his potential in limited opportunities. His dominance at the University of Michigan showcased his ability to thrive in a lead role, and Week 18 against the Seahawks could be his chance to shine. If Williams sits, Corum becomes an intriguing option for starting lineups, with a breakout performance well within reach.

Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills – Following Sunday’s dominant win over the Jets, the Buffalo Bills have secured the number-two seed in the AFC, leaving them with little incentive to play their starters in Week 18. While this could spell trouble for fantasy managers relying on Josh Allen or James Cook, it sets the stage for Ray Davis to take over as the lead back. Back in Week 6, Davis excelled as Buffalo’s RB1, racking up 97 rushing yards on 20 carries and adding 55 receiving yards on three catches. With Cook likely to sit, Davis has a golden opportunity to deliver for fantasy managers in a favorable matchup against the Patriots, one of the most generous defenses to running backs this season.

Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings – The Minnesota Vikings dominated their Week 17 victory over the rival Packers, but it came at a price. Veteran Aaron Jones suffered a quad injury, which has the potential to sideline him in Week 18 as the team prioritizes his health for their playoff run. While Ty Chandler should see his share of touches, Cam Akers stands to benefit the most in this backfield. After Jones exited, Akers took on an expanded role, rushing six times for 18 yards and adding two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown. If Jones is indeed out, Akers becomes a viable starting option for a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Lions.

Julius Chestnut, RB, Tennessee Titans – Tony Pollard sat out Week 17 with an ankle injury and the flu, but he might be back for the season finale, especially with contract incentives on the line. On the other hand, Tyjae Spears has been ruled out for Week 18 after suffering a concussion, which could open the door for Julius Chestnut to take on a larger role in the Titans’ backfield against the Texans. However, the extent of Chestnut’s fantasy value could depend heavily on whether Pollard is cleared to play. For now, he stands out as an intriguing speculative pickup to see how the practice reports shake out this week. 

Wide Receivers

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jalen McMillan just keeps finding the end zone. Fantasy managers who took a chance on the rookie in Week 17 were handsomely rewarded, as McMillan hauled in all five of his targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns, adding nine rushing yards for good measure. He now has six touchdowns over his last four games, showcasing undeniable chemistry with Baker Mayfield. Benefiting from the defensive focus on Mike Evans, McMillan is carving out a significant role in the offense and seeing enough targets to warrant weekly fantasy consideration. Heading into a favorable Week 18 matchup with the Saints, McMillan offers plenty of upside for those in need of a difference-maker.

Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos – When you need a high-upside play to swing a matchup in your favor, Marvin Mims is the type of player who can deliver. While inconsistent for much of the season, he exploded in Week 17, catching all eight of his targets for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Mims has been quietly earning a larger role in the offense and remains Bo Nix’s most dangerous deep threat, with Nix’s tendency to take shots downfield working in his favor. With the Broncos facing a must-win Week 18 matchup against Kansas City, expect the offense to come out aggressive. Mims is an intriguing spot start for those chasing his big-play potential.

Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts – When it comes to delivering random explosive performances, few have been better this season than Alec Pierce. While he has had his share of quiet games, Pierce now boasts three outings with over 100 receiving yards. His latest came in Week 17, where the speedy wideout caught six of nine targets for 122 yards and a touchdown. Impressively, Pierce has shown that he can produce big games with either Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco as quarterback. This versatility will be key as the Colts’ Week 18 starter remains uncertain. No matter who is under center, Pierce offers intriguing boom-or-bust potential in a favorable matchup against the Jaguars.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers – If you are going to deliver the best performance of your rookie season, doing it on the Monday Night Football stage in Week 17 is the way to make a statement. Ricky Pearsall has faced his share of challenges in his first NFL season, but he put the league on notice with a breakout performance when the lights were brightest. Pearsall hauled in eight catches on 10 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the talent that earned him first-round draft capital.

Even though the 49ers are out of playoff contention, they should be motivated to finish the season strong. However, Brock Purdy’s late exit with an elbow injury could put his Week 18 availability in question. Monitor the quarterback situation, but Pearsall appears to be a compelling option in a favorable matchup against the Cardinals.

Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Washington Commanders – While many fantasy managers are still searching for signs of Terry McLaurin after his Week 17 vanishing act, those who rolled the dice on Olamide Zaccheaus are riding high. In Sunday night’s thrilling win over the Falcons, Zaccheaus delivered his best performance of the season, catching eight of nine targets for 85 yards and a touchdown, with an additional eight rushing yards. The veteran wideout has now posted back-to-back games with 70+ receiving yards and has emerged as a reliable target for Jayden Daniels. Though Zaccheaus appeared to tweak his ankle late in the game, he could remain a strong fantasy option in Week 18 if healthy, especially with a favorable matchup against the Cowboys on tap.

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans – Chigoziem Okonkwo has been a surprising hero for many fantasy teams during the playoffs. While his Week 17 outing was not as flashy as his previous two, he still delivered a solid performance, catching five of seven targets for 42 yards and adding 17 rushing yards. With a remarkable 28 targets over the past three weeks, few tight ends are seeing this level of involvement. Given his consistent opportunities, Okonkwo should be considered a strong Week 18 starter against Houston, unless you already have one of the elite options at the position.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals have not prioritized the tight end position in recent years, but few in their system have matched the athleticism of Mike Gesicki. Paired with Joe Burrow’s elite arm talent, Gesicki has delivered standout performances this season, including a critical showing in Week 17. In Saturday’s must-win game against the Broncos, he turned a season-high 12 targets into 10 catches for 86 yards.

While his opportunities are inconsistent in a crowded offense, Gesicki has repeatedly stepped up when called upon. He has been a reliable weapon over the middle, especially when defenses focus on trying to stop Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Expect him to play a key role again in Week 18 against Pittsburgh, a team that has surprisingly struggled to contain tight ends this season.

Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets – For those in deeper leagues, Tyler Conklin stands out as an intriguing streaming option at tight end. Over the past two weeks, his involvement in the offense has noticeably increased. In Week 17’s blowout loss to the Bills, Conklin was the lone bright spot, hauling in all eight of his targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. If you are looking for a sneaky play with the potential for more volume than most streaming options, Conklin is well-positioned to deliver in a favorable Week 18 matchup against Miami.

Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

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 or 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. 

I wanted to personally thank you all for trusting us throughout this season. Writing this series for a second year has been an incredible experience, and I take real pride in helping guide you toward victory each week. Here’s to crushing it in Week 18 and celebrating your success. I can’t wait to do it all over again next season!