Roster percentages taken from ESPN leagues.
Just one week remains in the NFL regular season, and many fantasy championships have already been wrapped up. For those that are still going strong and battling through to win their fantasy football championship in week 18, we are still here to help you pick through the waiver wire values.
The Ravens and 49ers have both secured the number one seeds and with some teams already locked into their playoff spots, many of our fantasy stars will be staying on the bench this weekend. That can be very frustrating for Christian McCaffrey owners, but it also provides us with some rare opportunities for waiver wire value in Week 18.
Let’s roll through the waivers one last time for the 2023 NFL season, and offer some fantasy football tips for Week 18.
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor – New York Giants (2% rostered)
It has been the season of backup quarterbacks, and Tyrod Taylor is the latest name to offer up some production in relief of the starter. Taylor capitalized on a juicy matchup by passing for 319 yards and a touchdown against the Rams, also adding 6 carries for 40 rushing yards.
Taylor is an experienced quarterback and capable of making some nice throws. His deep touchdown to Darius Slayton was a thing of beauty, and they will have plenty of opportunities to recreate it in their week 18 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are giving up the second most points to quarterbacks this week and were just hit for 35 by the Arizona Cardinals. Taylor is your man if you need a quarterback.
Running Backs
Zamir White – Las Vegas Raiders (39% rostered)
Zamir White has been very good when covering for an injured Josh Jacobs. Given that the Raiders have now been eliminated from playoff contention, there is very little reason for Las Vegas to bring Jacobs back for Week 18. Therefore, I think it will be another heavy dose of Zamir White.
White had 71 rushing yards to go along with 5 receptions for 35 yards this week. He has taken over the full bell-cow role and posted three good fantasy outings in a row. For the final game of the season, White gets the dreamy matchup of the Denver Broncos. Only one team is giving up more fantasy points to the running back position this season, so if you can get Zamir White on waivers, he is close to a must-start fantasy option.
Elijah Mitchell – San Francisco 49ers (23% rostered)
The 49ers locked up the number-one seed this weekend and did so without Christian McCaffrey for much of the game. They will almost certainly be resting him in their Week 18 clash with the Rams, which begs the question as to who will run the football for the 49ers in Week 18.
In his absence, Elijah Mitchell took 17 carries for 80 yards and a score. He is a very useful running back who figures to see a lot of work in week 18. The Rams are a tough matchup for running backs, but the 49ers are an elite offense, even with many of their stars on the bench.
Roschon Johnson- Chicago Bears (24% rostered)
This is the time of year when playing your rookies makes a lot of sense. Roschon Johnson has had at least 7 carries and 3 targets in each of his last two games, also receiving 6 targets three weeks ago. This week’s performance against the Falcons was his best fantasy outing since week one, and the Bears rookie running back should see more action in Week 18.
The Packers are the Bears’ next opponents, and their defensive efforts have been the focus of many jokes this year. They are a bottom-10 defense against running backs this year, so I fancy Johnson to have a good game against them next week.
Wide Receiver
Demarcus Robinson – Los Angeles Rams (10% rostered)
I don’t think anyone saw a late-season surge from Demarcus Robinson coming this year. He has had double-digit fantasy points in each of his last 5 games and is fresh off a 10-target game versus the Giants this weekend. Matthew Stafford is playing at an elite level, making the Rams one of the better offenses in the NFL.
The Rams get the 49ers in Week 18. Both teams have already clinched playoff berths, which means players will likely be rested. The 49ers defense will get weaker, and Robinson could see more targets if Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are rested. Granted, Matthew Stafford will probably also sit on the bench, but there should be opportunities for Robinson to see a bigger role.
Darius Slayton – New York Giants (3% rostered)
Slayton has had back-to-back games with over 18 fantasy points, helped out by long touchdowns in each game. He remains a risky play, but there is no doubt that he is still a very dangerous deep threat, and he clearly has a good connection with Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor was our recommended pick-up at quarterback, thanks to the matchup against Philadelphia. Slayton is a great pick-up for the same reason. The Eagles are giving up the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. If you can get him, Slayton is a very good option at wide receiver this week.
Greg Dortch – Arizona Cardinals (3% rostered)
Who was the leading receiver in the game between Philadelphia and Arizona this weekend? Not AJ Brown, not DeVonta Smith, but Greg Dortch. The diminutive receiver always seems to deliver when asked upon, and his 7 receptions for 82 yards proved pivotal. He caught every single ball that was sent his way, leading to his second solid fantasy outing in two weeks.
In week 18, Greg Dortch will go up against the Seattle Seahawks, who just conceded 207 yards to the duo of George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. I like Dortch as a pick-up-and-play option this week.
Jauan Jennings – San Francisco 49ers (1% rostered)
With the 49ers likely to sit their stars in week 18, Jauan Jennings could prove to be a useful pick-up. He has proven himself to be a capable wide receiver behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and some extra targets should be coming his way in week 18.
The Rams are giving up the 9th most receiving yards this season, which makes this an intriguing matchup for Jennings. It is worth monitoring what Kyle Shanahan says about playing his starters because Jennings could be a handy player to add off the waiver wire.
Tight End
Tucker Kraft – Green Bay Packers (12% rostered)
Tucker Kraft has become a very consistent provider for us in fantasy. He has topped double-digit points in four consecutive weeks, which is something we love to see at the tight end position. If you are still fighting in week 18 and need tight end value on waivers, Kraft is a fantastic option. The Chicago Bears’ defense has been brilliant in recent weeks, but they are attackable via the tight end position. Kraft should continue to be involved, which makes him a great option in fantasy.
