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 Tryone 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
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) is listed as questionable for the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, but is trending in the right direction to play after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday. Vidal missed last week's game against the Texans, but he will likely take over as the lead back to finish the regular season with
Omarion Hampton (ankle) ruled out. The outlook for the second-year back and the Chargers offense isn't as favorable with backup QB
Trey Lance starting in place of
Justin Herbert (rest), but it could lead to a more run-heavy game plan. With fellow running back
Hassan Haskins (concussion) also questionable, Vidal could be in line for a big workload, assuming he plays. It's a tough matchup, however, as the Broncos have allowed the fewest PPR points per game to running backs this season, making Vidal more of volume based RB2 option in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Denver Broncos running back
R.J. Harvey has been producing as a top-five back in fantasy since the Week 12 bye. With
J.K. Dobbins (foot) suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 10, Harvey has stepped into a workhorse role for the Broncos. Over the past five games, the rookie second-rounder is averaging 19.3 PPR points per game, scoring six total touchdowns. The UCF product hasn't been overly dynamic on his touches, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, but has been very involved in the pass game, catching 18 balls during that five-game span. Harvey profiles as a strong RB1 again in Week 18, though it is a tough matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth fewest PPR points per game to running backs this season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter has operated as the starter for the last two weeks, but has delivered disappointing results, scoring just 6.5 and 6.3 PPR points. With
Bam Knight (ankle) going down for the season in Week 15, Carter was expected to handle the lion's share of the work in Arizona's backfield. However, he's played just 49.1% of the snaps and handled 20 touches, with
Emari Demercado mixing in with a 40.9% snap share and 12 touches. Arizona's offense hasn't been as exciting in recent weeks with
Jacoby Brissett under center, and now they head on the road to face a Rams team that they scored just 17 points against back in Week 14. Carter projects as a decent RB3 option for the regular season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence is in the midst of the best stretch of his career. Over the past five games, the 26-year-old signal caller has completed 61.1% of his passes for 1,345 yards, 12 touchdowns, and one interception with a 109.7 passer rating while adding 26 carries for 138 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He's totalled 138.6 fantasy points during that time, by far the most in the league, with
Brock Purdy being next closest at 115.1. Lawrence has run for a touchdown in three straight games, including two last week in Indianapolis, and projects favorably again in a soft Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Lawrence is ranked as RotoBaller's QB2 for the regular season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby is expected to be the starter for the regular season finale against the Washington Commanders, with the team resting their starters before the playoffs. Bigbsy has served as the primary backup to
Saquon Barkley after being traded to the Eagles from Jacksonville following Week 1. The 24-year-old has been one of the most efficient runners in the league on his small sample of carries, handling 47 attempts for 281 yards and a touchdown. His 5.98 yards per carry is the highest in the league among running backs with at least 45 carries. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has a prime opportunity to produce in Week 18 against a soft Washington Commanders defense that has allowed the fourth most PPR points per game to running backs this season. Bigsby will likely share touches with
Will Shipley, but should receive the bulk of the carries. He is ranked as RotoBaller's RB20 for Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow dominated in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, completing 24 of 31 pass attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old has been excellent over his last two outings, throwing for 614 yards and six scores without committing a turnover. However, Burrow has a difficult matchup in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland enters the week ranked second among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (2,984) and third in sacks (51). In Burrow's first matchup of the season against the Browns, back in Week 1, he completed just 14 of 23 pass attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown, and was sacked three times. Burrow is averaging over 275 passing yards per game and has thrown 12 touchdown passes over his last five contests, so he remains a high-upside quarterback. However, he profiles more as a mid-tier fantasy QB1 in Week 18 against Cleveland than a must-start player at the position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Across 16 games this season, Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton has recorded 73 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets. The 30-year-old has re-emerged as his team's clear WR1 in recent weeks, earning 42 targets across four games in the month of December. Sutton had a down game in Week 17, recording just four catches for 40 yards. However, he had logged 323 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs across his last four games heading into the week. In Week 18, Denver will take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have been a very tough pass defense so far this season, ranking fifth in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,173). However, Los Angeles may be resting key pieces on defense in Week 18, such as safety Derwin James and defensive end Khalil Mack, in preparation for the playoffs. Sutton should see plenty of targets and profiles as a high-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy enters Week 18 on an absolute heater. Over his last three games, the 26-year-old has thrown for 893 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions. However, Purdy will face a difficult matchup in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle enters the week ranked first among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.1) and ninth in passing touchdowns allowed (20). Making matters even tougher, Purdy could be without star left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring), whose status for Week 18 is unclear due to a hamstring injury. Still, the 49ers offense is firing on all cylinders, as the team is averaging 42.3 points per game over its last three contests. Purdy will also get back star tight end
George Kittle, who missed Week 17 due to an ankle injury. Fantasy managers should have some reason to be concerned about the matchup for Purdy in Week 18. However, given how well he has played lately, Purdy remains a solid fantasy QB1 against Seattle.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. has been one of the more disappointing players in fantasy football in 2025, recording 45 catches for 658 yards and two touchdowns on 86 targets across 13 games. The 23-year-old remains a key piece of his team's offense, as he's earned at least six targets in three out of his last four games. However, Thomas Jr. has struggled to turn his opportunities into consistent production, recording just six catches for 57 yards over the last two weeks. In Week 18, Thomas Jr. will get a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Entering the week, Tennessee ranks 25th among NFL defenses in total passing yards allowed (3,950) and tied for 21st in passing touchdowns allowed (27). Perhaps most importantly for Thomas Jr. and his role as a downfield receiver, Tennessee has allowed 54 pass plays of 20 or more yards across 16 games in 2025. Given the big-play opportunity and the favorable matchup overall, Thomas Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. has battled injury and inefficiency for much of the 2025 season. However, the 29-year-old had a breakout performance in Week 17, recording seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the Miami Dolphins. Godwin Jr. also led all Buccaneers wide receivers in snap share, playing 79% of his team's offensive snaps. In Week 18, Tampa Bay will face the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has been a solid pass defense so far this season, ranking 11th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,454) and ninth in passing touchdowns allowed (19). Still, Godwin Jr. should have his chances to produce. Over his last four games played, Godwin Jr. is averaging just under seven targets per contest. Given the likely target opportunity and his encouraging performance last week, Godwin Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 3, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Audric Estime delivered the best game of his career in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, handling 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch (one target) for four yards. The Saints leaned more into the second-year back in Week 17 after giving tight end
Taysom Hill 16 touches in the final home game of the season in Week 16. Estime broke off a 32-yard touchdown to essentially ice the game for the Saints, and he figures to be a key part of the offense in the season finale against the Falcons, with multiple starters ruled out, including
Alvin Kamara (knee). The Falcons rank in the middle of the pack in PPR points per game allowed to running backs this season, but they concede the seventh-most yards per carry (4.6). Estime should be in line for around 15 touches, making him a viable flex option in Week 18.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries that sidelined him for two games in Week 17 and recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) on Injured Reserve, Sampson should have a chance to lead his team's backfield once again in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has been one of the NFL's worst rush defenses in 2025, ranking 30th in the league in yards per carry allowed (5.2) and 32nd in runs of 20 or more yards allowed (19). Sampson will likely split touches with Browns backs
Raheim Sanders and
Trayveon Williams in Week 18, which limits his ceiling. However, Sampson has recorded 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across his last four games, which provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a low-end flex option in Week 18 against Cincinnati.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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