December 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo has finished as a top-five fantasy tight end in back-to-back weeks, helping to secure titles for the few brave managers who dared to stray from the consensus start/sit path. Okonkwo played a similar championship-winning role last season, gathering 22 receptions for 182 yards from Weeks 15-17. For fantasy managers still playing in Week 18, he becomes an interesting name on this week's waiver wire as the Titans prepare to face a Jaguars defense that has been a bottom-10 unit at defending the position. An important thing to note is that in Week 18 of 2024, Okonkwo saw only a 5% snap share. However, with an interim head coach and an unlikely shot at the number one overall pick, there is a greater expectation that Tennessee will play its starters on Sunday.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Philadelphia running back
Tank Bigsby is rostered in fewer than 20% of redraft leagues, but depending on how the Eagles approach the final week of the regular season, he could be a league winner for fantasy managers with a Week 18 title game. Philadelphia is locked into either the number two or number three seed in the NFC playoffs, and it remains unclear how much matchup manipulation they intend to take into Sunday. If the Eagles opt to rest their starters against a Commanders defense that has been the fourth most favorable matchup for fantasy running backs, Bigsby could be in line for a huge week. In a Week 8 win over the Giants, in which
Saquon Barkley saw his lowest snap count of the year, Bigsby ran for a season-high 104 yards and finished as the RB20 on the week. If Barkley is rested for the final game of the year, Bigsby has RB1 potential and should be a waiver wire priority in any league that has yet to be settled.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie running back
Raheim Sanders was a popular waiver wire add in Week 17, with
Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) lost for the year and
Dylan Sampson's status uncertain heading into a divisional matchup with the Steelers. Sampson was eventually cleared to play despite his hand injury, and neither rookie was able to do much in a 13-6 win. Approaching a Week 18 matchup with the Bengals with no playoff implications, we've reached the point in the year where many teams opt to see what they've got in some of their unproven rookies. Unfortunately, Sampson also fits into this category, so another frustrating split is entirely possible. However, if either back is given the majority of the work, Cincinnati has been the most generous defense to opposing running backs all season long, providing an opportunity for one final RB1 performance.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine has finished as a low-end RB2 in each of the past two weeks without cracking a 40% snap share. If the Bengals opt to rest or limit their starters, including the surging
Chase Brown, Perine could be in line for a solid workload in a Week 18 matchup against the Browns with nothing but divisional pride on the line. Even if Perine maintains only his usual change of pace and mop-up duties, he has enough of a floor to keep him in consideration for a flex role against a Cleveland defense that just allowed 131 yards on the ground to a Steelers offense with no threat of a passing attack. Readily available on most waiver wires, Perine should be a top priority in any league with a Week 18 title game.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have a chance to move up to the No. 2 seed for the NFC playoff picture, but NFL Network's Mike Garafolo believes that the Eagles will rest some starters in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that the team has not decided what they will do this weekend. If Philly does decide to rest some starters to keep them fresh for the postseason, fantasy managers could be without the likes of quarterback
Jalen Hurts, running back
Saquon Barkley, and wide receivers
A.J. Brown and
DeVonta Smith. If Hurts sits this weekend,
Tanner McKee would get the starting nod under center for the Eagles. Running back
Tank Bigsby could be a popular DFS play in Week 18 if Barkley is rested against the Commanders.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
December 30, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys released cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Diggs will go through the league's waiver process, and if he's unclaimed, he'll become a free agent. The 27-year-old defensive back missed more time due to injury this year -- he missed eight games due to a knee injury -- and the Cowboys had seen enough. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of Alabama had a league-high 11 interceptions for Dallas in 2021 in his second year in the league, but Diggs has had six interceptions since and has struggled to stay healthy. In his eight games played in 2025, he had 25 tackles (18 solo), one tackle for loss, and no interceptions. Diggs has $8.5 million remaining on his salary and also has the potential to make $34 million in 2027 and 2028, so he's highly unlikely to be claimed by another team off waivers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about the availability of wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) for Sunday night's big divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin was inactive for the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game in which Pittsburgh was also without
DK Metcalf (suspension). Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers really struggled with a receiving corps consisting of
Adam Thielen,
Marquez Valdes-Scantling,
Scotty Miller,
Roman Wilson, and
Ben Skowronek. Metcalf will be out again for Sunday night's game that will decide the AFC North division, but it looks like Austin could be back. The 26-year-old has done very little for fantasy managers in 2025 (28 catches, 317 yards, two touchdowns), but he could operate as the Steelers' WR1 against Baltimore.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt's (lung) chances of playing this Sunday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "We'll work him up over the course of the week and let the amount of participation and quality of participation be our guide. I'm more optimistic than I've been in previous weeks," Tomlin said. Watt has missed the last three games after having surgery to fix a partially collapsed lung. Pittsburgh could really use one of the best pass-rushers in football for a contest that will decide the AFC North division on Sunday evening. The loser will go home. Tomlin previously said Watt wouldn't play unless he put in a full week of full practices, so we'll keep a close eye on his status this week. The 31-year-old was limited all of last week before being ruled out. If Watt is active in the regular-season finale, he almost certainly won't be at 100%.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Darnell Washington (forearm) had surgery on his broken forearm on Tuesday morning and will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he has "some level of optimism for everyone else." The expectation was that Washington would not play after he broke his arm in the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Not only will the 24-year-old not be available for the winner-take-all game this Sunday night against the Ravens, but Washington is unlikely to be able to return for the playoffs if the Steelers take care of business this weekend. It means that
Pat Freiermuth will become a slightly more attractive TE streamer in fantasy, as will
Jonnu Smith. Washington's third season in the NFL will finish with 31 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown in 16 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that the team will play its starters for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday versus the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, and with another loss to Arizona in the final week of the regular season, they'd fall to the No. 6 seed in the NFC postseason picture and have to go on the road against either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. A win for the Rams on Sunday, coupled with a Seahawks win over the 49ers on Saturday night, would give L.A. the No. 5 seed and a matchup on the road against either the Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McVay said that playing his starters in Week 18 is more about wanting to play well going into the postseason.
Puka Nacua is also still in the running to be the leading WR in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
December 30, 2025
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (thigh) played through a thigh injury in his team's Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. The rookie linebacker has started all 16 games for Cleveland so far this season, recording 67 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus grades Schwesinger as the 21st-best linebacker out of 86 qualified players at the position in 2025, so his presence on the field is key for the Cleveland defense. If Schwesinger remains limited by the injury in practice this week, there may not be much incentive for the 4-12 Browns to push him to play in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Should Schwesinger be sidelined, Browns linebackers Jerome Baker and Easton Mascarenas-Arnold would both likely see more playing time against Cincinnati.
--Will BradySource: Akron Beacon Journal - Chris Easterling
December 30, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs has been charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from an incident in early December, per Frank O'Laughlin of Boston 25 News. O'Laughlin reports that Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on January 23, two days before the AFC Championship game is scheduled to take place. The 32-year-old wideout has recorded 82 catches for 970 yards and four touchdowns on 99 targets across 16 games in his first season in New England. It's unclear whether these charges will impact Diggs' availability for the postseason, but any absence would obviously be a major loss for the Patriots' offense. New England recently placed wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) on Injured Reserve, so the team's depth at the position may be tested going forward.
--Will BradySource: Boston 25 News - Frank O'Laughlin
December 30, 2025
Across 16 games in 2025, Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt has recorded 719 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 173 touches. While the 30-year-old lacks explosive upside, he remains an effective short-area and goal-line rusher. Hunt's touchdown production has dried up in recent weeks, as he's failed to find the end zone in any of Kansas City's last three games. However, Hunt's playing time spiked in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos, as he earned more snaps (24) than fellow Chiefs running backs
Isiah Pacheco and
Brashard Smith combined (21). Additionally, the Chiefs will face a significantly easier matchup in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Even with third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun under center, Kansas City could have a chance to move the ball against Las Vegas. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams. Hunt could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Across 14 games this season, Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson has recorded 39 receptions for 372 yards and six touchdowns on 49 targets. The 26-year-old has seen his role in the Rams' offense grow in recent weeks. Over his last four games, Parkinson has hauled in 16 catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 23 targets. He's also played at least 78% of his team's offensive snaps in each of his last three outings. The Rams have been without star wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) for two straight games, and there's a chance Adams remains sidelined for Los Angeles' Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals as well. Without Adams, Parkinson has a chance to function as one of the primary targets for Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford in the red zone. Parkinson carries streamer appeal in Week 18 against Arizona and could be a player worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in leagues with 12 or more teams.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed has now played in four games since returning from collarbone and foot injuries that sidelined him for nearly three months. The 25-year-old has provided modest production in that stretch, hauling in 16 receptions for 162 yards on 17 targets. From a playing time perspective, Reed has mostly functioned as Green Bay's WR3 behind
Christian Watson and
Romeo Doubs, which limits his production upside. However, the Packers are now locked into the number seven seed in the NFC playoffs heading into their Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay could choose to rest starters or limit their playing time in the season's final week, which might provide Reed with a pathway to more opportunities. In PPR fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Reed could be a player worth targeting on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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