January 3, 2026
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the season, as he has firmly placed himself in the thick of the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. During the Saints' four-game win streak, the 26-year-old rookie has completed 71.1% of his passes for 1,057 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception with a 102.9 passer rating while adding 21 carries for 101 yards and two more scores on the ground. Shough will be without his top target in
Chris Olave (illness) for the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, which could limit his fantasy appeal, considering Shough struggled against Atlanta in their first meeting back in Week 12. It was the only start of his career in which he didn't record a touchdown, and also marked his lowest yards per attempt at 5.7. Shough is RotoBaller's QB16 for the week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
The New York Giants have placed wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson (ribs) on Injured Reserve, ending his season. Robinson put together a career season in what could be his final year in New York as an upcoming free agent, hauling in 92 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 140 targets. The 24-year-old wideout's per-target efficiency rebounded to 7.2 this season after a poor 5.0 mark last season, and he has remained one of the top target earners in the league since being drafted in 2022. The former second-rounder is one of only 12 wide receivers since 2022 with multiple seasons of 140+ targets. With Robinson ruled out, the Giants will rely on
Darius Slayton and
Isaiah Hodgins as the top wideouts in Week 18's divisional matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. At the same time,
Dalen Cambre,
Jalin Hyatt (illness), and
Gunner Olszewski are also likely to see increased playing time.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Schefter
January 3, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has been one of the best fantasy values in PPR leagues this season, recording 62 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. His 62 catches trail only
Christian McCaffrey,
Jahmyr Gibbs,
Bijan Robinson, and
De'Von Achane at the running back position. The 26-year-old back continues to split touches with
Jaylen Warren, but has maintained a strong fantasy profile due to his high-value touch role. Despite Pittsburgh's only legitimate receiving threat in
D.K. Metcalf (suspension) missing last week's game against the Browns, Gainwell totalled his fewest yards from scrimmage (38) since Week 10. The former Philadelphia Eagle should be expected to bounce back in a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens to decide the AFC North. Baltimore ranks middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to running backs, and Gainwell caught six balls and found the end zone against them back in Week 14.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson has enjoyed a breakout campaign in his age-29 season, setting career highs in targets (98), receptions (74), and yards (828) entering Week 18's season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson has recorded at least four catches in seven straight games and in 12 of 16 contests on the year. His 35 receptions since Week 10 rank fifth most among tight ends. New Orleans is dealing with multiple injuries on offense, particularly at wide receiver, with
Chris Olave (illness) and
Devaughn Vele (shoulder) both out for this game. The Saints' available wide receivers on Sunday are
Kevin Austin Jr.,
Dante Pettis,
Ronnie Bell, and
Samori Toure, which sets Johnson up to see a heavy dose of targets. With how well rookie QB
Tyler Shough has been playing and plenty of targets up for grabs, Johnson ranks as RotoBaller's TE3 for Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange has been a reliable piece of the offense all season, recording 40 catches (54 targets) for 488 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. Both of those scores have come since he was activated off Injured Reserve in Week 12, and he's recorded at least three receptions in five of six games during that time. The 25-year-old tight end will look to finish out the season strong in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed the 15th most PPR points per game to tight ends this season. Strange caught his first touchdown of the season in Jacksonville's first meeting versus the Titans in Week 13 and will look for a repeat performance as the Jaguars aim to lock down a division title.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams has finished as a top-eight fantasy quarterback in back-to-back games, including a QB5 finish in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers. In Week 18, the Bears face a Lions defense that ranks among the most fantasy-friendly to opposing quarterbacks. The Bears are locked into either the number two or three seed in the NFC playoffs, but a win on Sunday could mean the difference between playing a banged-up Packers seven seed or a more daunting matchup with the Rams or 49ers. With neither
Luther Burden III (quad) nor
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) carrying an injury designation into the weekend and
Rome Odunze (foot) questionable following a limited practice on Friday, Williams could have as close to a healthy stable of receivers as he's had in some time. He is RotoBaller's QB3 for the final regular-season game of his impressive sophomore campaign.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
DJ Moore followed up back-to-back top-seven fantasy performances in Weeks 15 and 16 with a one catch, 25-yard outing in Week 17 that was good enough for WR97 in Half-PPR formats. All of this came after finishing Week 14 with negative yardage. Although he came into Week 17 with an illness that threatened to keep him sidelined, this has been the DJ Moore experience for most of the season, alternating brilliant performances with colossal letdowns. For fantasy managers still competing for a Week 18 championship, Moore is hard to trust, even against Detroit's bottom-three pass defense.
Luther Burden III (quad) carries no injury designation into Sunday after being carted off the field at the end of Chicago's Sunday Night loss to the 49ers, and
Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) has been a full practice participant after missing the same game with an illness of his own. Moore is RotoBaller's WR26 for the week, but he comes with considerable risk.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. is the RB9 in Half-PPR formats after posting his third 1,000-yard season in four years, and he is a must-start for fantasy managers still competing into the final week of the season. The Jaguars can lock up the AFC South and a home playoff game with a win on Sunday against the Titans, with the AFC's number one seed also still in play, even if unlikely. With meaningful stakes on the line and a plus matchup against Tennessee's bottom-10 run defense, Etienne should be involved early and often, and if he is rested late in the game, things will have likely gone well for Jacksonville's offense. Etienne is RotoBaller's RB6 for the week.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
New York Jets running back
Breece Hall (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 18 matchup with the Bills, effectively ending his season and potentially his time with the Jets. Hall is now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent and will likely draw a top-of-market deal as the headliner of the running back free agent class. Still only 24 years old, Hall's best football could still be ahead of him, making him an intriguing name in dynasty and a player whose value could skyrocket depending on landing spot. He finishes the 2025 campaign with a career-high 1,065 yards on the ground, along with 350 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
January 3, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams put up a disappointing 37 yards in a Week 17 loss to the Vikings, but any fantasy managers who survived that outing and are still playing for a Week 18 championship can start him with confidence in another divisional matchup with the Bears. Chicago has allowed more fantasy points above expectation to the receiver position than every team except the Cowboys, and Williams could find himself as the focal point of the Lions' passing offense on Sunday.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee, ankle) was clearly banged up near the end of that loss in Minnesota, and he carries a questionable tag into the season finale. With nothing left to play for, it would come as no surprise for Detroit to rest its two-time All-Pro, clearing a path for Williams to get back on track after two subpar performances. Williams is RotoBaller's WR9 for the week.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
The Miami Dolphins have elevated veteran running back
Jeff Wilson Jr. to the active roster ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup with the Patriots. Pro Bowler De'Von Achane (shoulder) had been listed as doubtful after failing to practice this week with a shoulder injury, and the move suggests he will not be active for the team's final game of the season. Should Achane miss Sunday's game, Wilson will slot in behind
Jaylen Wright and
Ollie Gordon II on the depth chart. With the Dolphins coming into the game as double-digit underdogs and facing a potential running back timeshare, neither Wright nor Gordon should inspire confidence in fantasy managers still competing for a Week 18 championship.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) was a late addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury, and he is now considered doubtful for the team's Week 18 matchup with the Cardinals. Ferguson has scored in back-to-back games, with a third touchdown taken off the board by a controversial penalty call, but it appears his regular season has come to an end. If so, he will finish his rookie year with 231 yards and three touchdowns on 11 receptions. Veteran tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) was activated from Injured reserve on Saturday after missing the last six games with an ankle injury, and he could be thrust into a larger-than-expected role should Ferguson miss the season finale.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) has been activated from Injured Reserve and is expected to play in the team's Week 18 matchup with the Cardinals. Higbee has not played since a Week 11 win over the Seahawks, but he was a full practice participant this week as his ankle injury appears to have healed in time for one last tune-up game before the NFL playoffs. Given the long absence, Higbee is a difficult fantasy play for teams still competing for Week 18 championships. Rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring), who has scored in back-to-back games, was downgraded to doubtful ahead of the divisional matchup, and with
Davante Adams (hamstring) a long shot to return this week, Higbee could become a necessary piece near the goal line. That said, fantasy managers who have made it this far likely have more reliable options at hand.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson is coming off one of his best games of the season, having put up 113 yards and a touchdown in a Week 17 loss to the Ravens. Unfortunately, with the loss, Green Bay is locked into the NFC's seventh seed regardless of how things play out this weekend. With the Packers already on record that starting quarterback
Jordan Love will sit out one more game despite clearing the NFL's concussion protocol, it seems unlikely that the rest of their starters will get much run, if any, in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Vikings. Fantasy managers in leagues playing through the final week of the season should be looking for pieces from games with clearer stakes.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
New York Giants running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has seen at least 16 opportunities in three straight games since the team's Week 14 bye, and he should be in store for another high-volume, safe-floor performance in Sunday's Week 18 matchup with the Cowboys. Despite a stronger showing down the stretch, Dallas enters the final week of the season as the second-most-exploitable defense for fantasy running backs. Tracy has averaged over 77 yards from scrimmage across his last three games, and although he's only scored once in that span, he has seen an average of five looks per game from within the 20. He profiles as a low-end RB2 in Week 18, but if he's able to convert on one of those red zone opportunities, he could help propel fantasy managers to championships in leagues still playing until the final whistle.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
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