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
January 3, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington has enjoyed a breakout season in his third year in the league, catching 53 of 87 targets for 760 yards and four touchdowns. The 23-year-old wideout has produced his two best performances of the season in the last two weeks, posting a 6-145-1 line on 10 targets in Week 16 against the vaunted Broncos defense before following it up with eight catches for 115 yards on 10 targets last week in Indianapolis. His 260 yards during that span are third in the league, only trailing
Chris Olave (267) and
Puka Nacua (272). While the Jaguars have multiple pass-catchers capable of producing big games, Washington has established a solid floor and should be in line for another productive game in the regular-season finale against a Titans defense that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points per game to wide receivers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) is considered unlikely to play in the regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Adams has been out since tweaking his hamstring in Week 15's win over the Lions and was able to return to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. However, the Rams are expected to hold the 33-year-old out one more week to ensure he is good to go for the playoffs. The six-time Pro Bowler has had a terrific first season in Los Angeles, recording 60 receptions (114 targets) for 789 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns.
Konata Mumpfield and
Xavier Smith should continue to see increased opportunities behind
Puka Nacua in Week 18 with Adams sidelined.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jeremy Fowler
January 3, 2026
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) is up in the air to play in Saturday's divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Williams missed every day in practice this week, and they will see how he feels in pre-game warmups. The star tackle should be good to go for the playoffs, but he is on the outside looking in to suit up for the regular-season finale. The 12-time Pro Bowler tweaked his hamstring during last week's win over the Chicago Bears, and it will be tough for him to play with no practice on a short week. Backup tackle Austin Pleasants is in line to make his first career start on Saturday, with the top seed in the NFC on the line.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jeremy Fowler
January 3, 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Week 18's matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but head coach Raheem Morris is optimistic about his chances to suit up. London has delivered his two worst games of the season over the past two weeks, catching just one of two targets for four yards last week against the Rams and three of eight targets for 27 yards in Week 16 versus the Cardinals after returning from a PCL sprain. The star wideout will look to get back on track and close out the season on a high note against the Saints, though that could be tougher as New Orleans has allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season. London missed Atlanta's Week 12 meeting with New Orleans, but he totalled 14 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets in two games against them last year. He is ranked as RotoBaller's WR13 for the season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back
Jaydon Blue could play his most snaps in a game this season in Week 18's regular-season finale against the New York Giants, with both
Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) and
Malik Davis (calf, eye) ruled out. The fifth-round rookie has only been active for four games this season, with his most recent appearance coming back in Week 8 in the loss to the Denver Broncos. He has recorded 22 carries for 65 yards to go with one catch (one target) for five yards. Blue eventually lost his backup role to Davis after Week 8, but he could be set up for a big day on the ground on Sunday against the 30th-ranked Giants run defense. The Cowboys will likely use fullback
Hunter Luepke more with Williams and Davis out, but Blue has big upside as a flex option for the final game of the regular season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
January 3, 2026
Despite losing 13 of their last 14 games, the general sense is that Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will return in 2026, according to NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Gannon spoke this past week and said that he felt "good" about his job status. The 42-year-old head coach will likely receive another year and the opportunity to select a new quarterback to lead the team, with the general expectation being that Arizona will move on from
Kyler Murray in the offseason. Gannon hasn't achieved a winning record in his three seasons as head coach in Arizona, owning a 15-35 record. He was hired after the Eagles' 2023 Super Bowl run, where he spent two seasons as their defensive coordinator. However, Gannon's defenses in Arizona have been at the bottom of the league since being hired, ranking 32nd in success rate over the past three seasons combined. If Gannon stays, there may be changes coming to the staff after another disappointing year.
--Kyle McCarthySource: NFL.com
January 3, 2026
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy will return to the Vikings next season as expected, but he won't be guaranteed to be the starter, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. McCarthy had a disappointing sophomore season after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. He was dropped into a highly favorable situation with an excellent play-calling head coach in Kevin O'Connell and an elite wide receiver duo in
Justin Jefferson and
Jordan Addison. However, the 2024 first-round pick was one of the least efficient quarterbacks in the league, ranking last out of 36 quarterbacks (minimum 275 plays) in EPA/play (-0.134), with the highest interception rate (5.5%) and the third-highest sack percentage (10.93%). It doesn't help McCarthy's case that he was also unavailable for seven games this season because of ankle, head, and hand injuries. Minnesota was hoping for proof this season that their first-round investment is the long-term answer, but they now plan to explore established QB options via trade or free agency to compete with McCarthy.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
January 3, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are leaning towards moving on from two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski at the end of the season, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports. The Browns are expected to retain general manager Andrew Berry and have done some background work on potential head-coaching candidates. Stefanski has coached the Browns to a 4-12 record after finishing 3-14 last season, and all signs point to the team choosing a new direction heading into 2026. Cleveland's offense has ranked in the bottom five in both points and yards per game in each of the last two seasons, though the quarterback play is a significant reason for that. The Browns reportedly had internal discussions about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, but he ultimately announced that he's staying at Notre Dame. Stefanski holds a 41-46 record (including playoffs) since being hired in 2020 and looks likely to be the eighth Cleveland head coach to be fired since 2010.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Dianna Russini
January 3, 2026
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle (toe) does not have an injury designation heading into the team's Week 18 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dowdle appears to be in a 60-40 timeshare with fellow running back
Chuba Hubbard, with the latter seeing the vast majority of third downs over the past three games. The Panthers hosted the Buccaneers in Week 16, and Dowdle was held to just 29 yards from nine rushing attempts, but did earn 14 receiving yards from his four receptions off six targets. Even though Dowdle has been absent on nearly every third down over the last two games, he still managed to earn more targets and run six more routes each game than Hubbard. Dowdle profiles as a low-end RB2 against a middle-of-the-road Buccaneers run defense in the 2025 regular season finale.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was unable to find the end zone in Week 17, which led to a disappointing fantasy day. Still, the young rookie should continue to see steady volume against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18. Henderson was able to clear the league's concussion protocol and suit up in Week 17 against the New York Jets, logging 82 yards from his 19 rushing attempts, but failed to see any targets in the passing game. Against the Jets, fellow running back
Rhamondre Stevenson was the headliner, even though the veteran back saw fewer opportunities, as he was able to score two touchdowns. There is a possibility that the Patriots rest some starters in the second half of this game, with an eye on the postseason. However, New England is still playing for seeding, and head coach Mike Vrabel will probably want to get the rookie additional reps before the playoffs. Henderson profiles as a low-end RB1 with a high ceiling and big-play potential in Week 18 against a Miami Dolphins defense that has been a bottom-10 matchup against opposing running backs since Week 10.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson should reassume his WR1 production against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18, with fellow wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) placed on IR after Week 17. In the four games without Harrison Jr. in the latter half of the 2025 season, Wilson hauled in 41 of his 60 targets for 499 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 27.2 fantasy points per game. When the Cardinals faced the Rams in Week 14, Wilson had his best fantasy game of the season, racking up 37 PPR points from his 11 receptions off 16 targets for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Since that Week 14 tilt, the Rams' pass defense is a top-five matchup for opposing wide receivers. Wilson is a top-10 wide receiver with high upside for fantasy managers playing in Week 18, especially in PPR formats, or those looking for a reliable DFS option to close out the regular season.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
January 3, 2026
Atlanta Falcons kicker
Zane Gonzalez converted two of three field goal attempts and made all three of his extra point tries in Monday's win over the Los Angeles Rams. It was the fourth time this season that Gonzalez had scored nine or more points. Gonzlaez will look to keep things rolling in Sunday's divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Since signing with the Falcons in Week 10, the 30-year-old has been a solid option for fantasy managers, making 15 of 18 (83.3%) of his field goal attempts over eight games. The Saints are a neutral matchup and rank in the middle of the pack in points allowed to kickers this season. Gonzalez is ranked 16th among all kickers in the latest RotoBaller Week 18 rankings and can be used as a streamer for managers in deep leagues with some fantasy championships still on the line for Week 18.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
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