While most fantasy football leagues wrap up in Week 17 or earlier, some leagues push all the way to the final week of the regular season. If your league fights to the end, you may need to hit the waiver wire in Week 18 to fortify your roster. Don’t worry! DK Network has you covered for one more week of waiver wire work as we look at some of the top names who emerged in Week 17.
Lots will likely change throughout the week, and DK Network will have you covered with potential waiver wire pickups and strong plays for Week 18 all week long. Be sure to stay tuned to the outstanding coverage from the whole team. This post is designed to be an early look at some of the names to keep an eye on coming into your preparation for Week 18.
One key factor to keep a close eye on every week is new injuries. Here are some new situations to monitor moving forward:
Players with new injuries from Week 17 to watch:
- QB Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
- QB Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
- WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
- WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
- WR Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
- TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
- TE Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers
With those injuries in mind, here are some of my early names to watch if you’re shopping on the Week 18 waiver wire.
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs will take on the Panthers in one of the most meaningful games of Week 18, and Jalen McMillan showed he has a high ceiling in the team’s Week 17 loss to the Dolphins.
McMillan (21.4 FPTS) missed most of the season with a neck injury from the preseason but has quickly climbed the depth chart, passing rookie Emeka Egbuka, who started fast but has disappeared late in the season.
Against the Dolphins, McMillan set new season highs across the board with seven catches on nine targets for 114 yards. He didn’t get into the end zone but did set a new career-high with his 114 receiving yards.
In his return during Week 15, he had two catches for 38 yards against the Falcons and also had two catches for 15 yards against the Panthers. McMillan has the trust of Baker Mayfield and gets enough looks near the goal line that a score is realistic against the Panthers in Week 18.
While he’s boom-or-bust since he hadn’t done much until Week 17, he still makes sense as a potential pickup from the waiver wire Week 18.
Some other receivers with low ownership who had big weeks were Parker Washington (22 FPTS), Jayden Higgins (16.2 FPTS) and Kevin Austin Jr. (15.2 FPTS).
RB Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints
The Saints rallied past the Titans to win their fourth straight game in Week 17. First-year coach Kellen Moore has gotten the offense rolling, and Audric Estime (16.8 FPTS) was the primary ball-carrier in this week’s win, taking 14 carries for 94 rushing yards and an impressive touchdown, while also bringing in his only target for four yards.
Estime looks like a strong play from the waiver wire in Week 18, since he should lead the backfield in the season finale, when the Saints take on the Falcons. Atlanta will be on a short week after playing Monday Night Football, and it’s ranked in the middle of the pack against running backs this season.
Estime is playing for future opportunities with Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee), Devin Neal (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (knee) all done for the season.
Other strong options at running back on the Week 18 waiver wire include Devin Singletary (17 FPTS), Malik Davis (13.3 FPTS) and Brashard Smith (9.5 FPTS).
QB Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
Despite his team’s loss on Saturday night, Malik Willis (32.5 FPTS) impressed, posting the highest score of all quarterbacks coming into Sunday and Monday night’s games.
Willis ran for two scores and 60 rushing yards on nine carries and completed 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown.
It’s uncertain whether Willis will play in Week 18 since he suffered a shoulder injury and Jordan Love (concussion) could return. If Love is out again and Willis starts, he’ll have a very high ceiling with his dual-threat upside on the road against the Vikings.
Other quarterback options to consider from the waiver wire in Week 18 include the surging Tyler Shough (24.9 FPTS) and his fellow rookies Cam Ward (18 FPTS) and Quinn Ewers (15.8 FPTS).
TE Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
With Brock Bowers out, Mayer stepped up and hauled in nine of his 10 targets for 89 yards. He led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards against the Giants.
Bowers is on the IR, so he’ll miss next week’s season finale against the Chiefs in a divisional contest. Mayer should be a high-volume option for either Geno Smith or Kenny Pickett in that matchup, and he has both a high floor and a high ceiling. He has been stuck behind Bowers most of the season, but he’s proving he can be a starting option, and could earn a bigger shot in another offense. He has one more year on his Raiders’ contract before becoming a free agent, but he is definitely opening eyes with his production while Bowers is out.
Greg Dulcich (16.1 FPTS) was a great play for the Dolphins, while Chig Okonkwo (14.5 FPTS) had a highlight-reel touchdown for the Titans, as he continues to work with rookie Cam Ward.
Jaguars DST
Streaming a defense in Week 18 is wild, since it’s hard to determine too far in advance who is playing and who is resting. One great option that is available in about half of leagues is the Jaguars DST, who take on the Titans in Week 18.
The Jags had two sacks and two interceptions against the Colts in their Week 17 win.
Jacksonville’s defense has allowed 20 points or fewer in seven straight games with 19 total sacks and 13 takeaways during that span. The Titans have been one of the best matchups for defenses all year, so the Jags should be in a smash spot as they look to lock up the division title.
Other streaming plays to consider based on matchup and current form include the Ravens (at PIT), the Packers (at MIN) and the Cowboys (at NYG).
