Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups - Fantasy Football Free Agent Adds (2025)

Andy's Week 18 fantasy football waiver wire pickups, adds, and sleepers to target for 2025. His top waiver wire adds for Week 18 at RB, WR, TE, QB, K, D/ST.

The final week of the regular season is here. After a long season of navigating injuries, breakouts, and busts, managers are preparing their final lineup for the NFL season.

Even though we only have one more slate of action to analyze, there was plenty of injury news that presents many top options on the waiver wire for Week 18.

Be sure to also check out our free Who Should I Pickup? tool and compare up to four free-agent players at once -- we'll tell you who to pick up. Now, let's get to the best waiver wire adds for Week 18.

Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Malik Davis, Dallas Cowboys - 5% Rostered

One of the biggest injury stories of Week 17 was regarding Javonte Williams. During their victory over the Commanders, Williams exited with a shoulder injury, which paved the way for the No. 2 option, Malik Davis, to carry the load.

In this contest, Davis took 20 carries and totaled 103 yards. He was also targeted twice in the passing game but was unable to bring in any of them. With the Cowboys out of the playoff picture and only playing for pride in Week 18, do not be surprised if they shut down Williams ahead of this game. Additionally, Williams was dealing with a neck injury this month and was at risk of not being available in Week 17.

Since Week 11, Davis has claimed the No. 2 role behind Williams, who has been very impressive despite his limited workload. Over 49 attempts, he averaged a strong 5.0 YPC and punched in two rushing scores.

Malik Davis goal line TD puts the Cowboys ahead

MINvsDAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/Phhj6xjBZZ

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025

He has a smash matchup against the Giants' defense that is allowing the second-most PPR points to opposing RBs.

Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints - 11% Rostered

Audric Estime was expected to carry the load in Week 16 following a season-ending hamstring injury to Devin Neal. However, in this game, utility man Taysom Hill led the backfield, prompting many managers to cut ties with Estime ahead of Week 17. However, during their victory over the Titans, Estime was deployed as the preferred option and did not disappoint.

In this victory, the 22-year-old logged 14 carries for 94 yards and punched in a touchdown. As a pass catcher, Estime brought in his lone target for an additional four yards. Opportunities were not a concern for Estime as he took a hefty 79% of the RB snaps while No. 2 option, Evan Hull, logged only 17%. Hull logged only three carries.

Estime carries a high-floor RB2 value facing an inconsistent Atlanta defense.

Devin Singletary, New York Giants - 25% Rostered

The final running back we will spotlight this week is Devin Singletary of the New York Giants. During Weeks 10 through 13, the veteran RB carried modest FLEX upside as he averaged a solid 13.0 PPR points per game during this stretch. However, coming out of their Week 14 bye, Singletary took the backseat to Tyrone Tracy Jr.

In Weeks 15 and 16, Singletary averaged just 4.0 PPR points per game and totaled just 30.0 yards per game. However, this past weekend, Singletary saw an uptick in opportunities as he took eight carries for 45 yards and a score. He also saw a rather high four targets in the passing game and managed to bring in all four for another 25 yards.

While Tracy remains the lead option, Singletary should continue to see nearly 40% of the snaps. In a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who are allowing the seventh-most PPR points to opposing RBs, Singletary carries high-end FLEX value for those in deeper formats.

Other Running Backs to Pick Up:

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS
• Chris Rodriguez Jr., WAS
• Dylan Sampson, CLE
• Blake Corum, LAR - monitor injury report

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears - 25% Rostered

Luther Burden III enjoyed his long-awaited breakout game on Sunday night. During their loss to the 49ers, Burden brought in a season-high eight catches for 138 yards and a score. This was the first time he cleared the 100-yard mark since Week 3 and just the second total time he found the back of the end zone this season.

CALEB TO LUTHER BURDEN III.

CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/6u5uwTe724

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025

However, in the game's final frame, Burden exited the contest with a quadriceps injury. While reports on Monday morning suggested he has avoided a significant injury, the Bears could monitor his workload to ensure he is a full-go for the postseason.

Despite this, there is a chance Burden suits up next weekend and could be given another hefty target share with top wideout Rome Odunze (foot) still on the sidelines. Managers should continue to closely monitor his status, as he could hold WR2 upside, facing a struggling Detroit secondary that is allowing the second-most PPR points to opposing WRs.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars - 35% Rostered

The other wide receiver to consider picking up is Parker Washington of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Washington has enjoyed a productive stretch of play over the final month of the season and did not slow down on Sunday. During their victory over the Colts, Washington caught eight of his 10 targets for 115 yards.

This was the second-straight game in which Washington led the team in targets and receiving yards. Despite playing alongside Jakobi Meyers, Brenton Strange, and Brian Thomas Jr., Washington has emerged as Trevor Lawrence's go-to option.

Over his last five games, Washington has averaged 82.0 yards per game and tallied 15.1 PPR points per game. He is a must-start facing a Tennessee secondary that just surrendered 119 yards and scored to Chris Olave on Sunday.

Other Wide Receivers to Pick Up:

• Chimere Dike, TEN
• Jayden Higgins, HOU
• Calvin Austin III, PIT - monitor injury report

Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears - 45% Rostered

With Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) out of action on Sunday night, Colston Loveland took on a larger target share like the previously mentioned Burden. In this defeat, Loveland reeled in six of his 10 targets for 94 yards and a score. This was the first time in his debut season that he saw double-digit targets in a single contest.

Since his breakout game in Week 9, Loveland has consistently remained a consistent force in this passing attack, averaging 5.7 targets per game and totaling 56.2 yards per game with 13.0 PPR points per game.

Given that Burden now appears to be in danger of missing Week 18, Loveland could be in for a stellar encore facing a struggling Detroit defense, potentially operating as the No. 2 option alongside DJ Moore.

Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers - 5% Rostered

Another tight end who benefited from the injuries on his roster was Jake Tonges. With star tight end George Kittle (ankle) sitting out, Tonges served as the clear TE1 in San Francisco during their thrilling victory over the Bears. In this high-scoring affair, Brock Purdy leaned on Tonges as he brought in seven of his 10 targets for 60 yards and a score.

Purdy finds Tonges and this one is tied! pic.twitter.com/dgNIwqe9Xh

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2025

Kittle missed time earlier this season as well, and Tonges was able to provide low-end TE1 upside in those weeks, suggesting he could have similar plug-and-play upside in the season finale if Kittle remains out. In the games in which Tonges logged at least 30 offense snaps, he averaged a solid 10.9 PPR points per game and punched in three scores (across six games).

Given that the 49ers have already booked their ticket to the postseason, do not be surprised if they keep Kittle inside on Saturday night when they face the Seahawks. If they do, Tonges has top-10 value on the slate.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders - 5% Rostered

Noticing a trend here? Michael Mayer was bumped up to the No. 1 TE slot on the roster as Brock Bowers (knee) was placed on the IR leading up to their Week 17 contest. During their loss to the Giants, Mayer did not disappoint as he tallied 89 yards on nine receptions (10 targets). Mayer's targets, yards, and receptions all paced Vegas pass catchers.

Given that the Raiders lack a proven WR1 (Tre Tucker has averaged just 27.3 yards per game over his last six), do not be surprised if Mayer paces all receiving categories once again. Managers who lost Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) to injury on Sunday should prioritize Mayer on the waiver wire as he should carry a safe floor and produce top-12 numbers, despite facing a tougher Kansas City defense that is allowing the seventh-fewest PPR points to opposing TEs this season.

Other Tight Ends to Pick Up:

• Colby Parkinson, LAR
• Brenton Strange, JAC

Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints - 25% Rostered

Managers needing a QB should target New Orleans rookie Tyler Shough. Shough has quietly put together a strong finish to the season and is emerging as a weekly top-12 option at the position. Since Week 13, Shough has totaled at least 20.0 PPR points in each game and averaged 22.6 PPR points per game. During this five-game stretch, Shough has posted an 8:2 TD:INT (six passing) with 259.2 passing yards and 23.8 rushing yards per game.

In Week 18, Shough will face an Atlanta defense that ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of PPR points allowed to opposing QBs. Given his rushing upside, Shough is a viable streaming option in all standard leagues.

Other Quarterbacks to Pick Up:

• Malik Willis, GB

Team Defenses (D/ST) - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 18

• New Orleans Saints @ ATL
• Los Angeles Rams vs. ARI
• Kansas City Chiefs @ LVR
• New England Patriots vs. MIA
• Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ

Waiver Wire Parameters for This Article

A few rules and notes about this weekly waiver wire article. Every league is different, with varying roster formats and sizes. That makes this one of the more challenging articles because every league’s waiver wire can look dramatically different. Even the host site you use matters. ESPN has rankings that differ from Yahoo! 's, which in turn differ from CBS's or Sleeper's, and all of this affects which players are drafted and which are not.

We only identify quarterbacks and tight ends with a roster percentage of 60% or less. For running backs and receivers, that number drops to 50%. We don’t delve too deeply into defenses, but I highlight a few streamers to target each week.

Positions are also categorized into different groups, such as RB3 or a potential league-winner. You’ll need to know your roster and what to look for on the waiver. From there, each positional group is arranged based on who you should prioritize first at that position. We use ESPN’s roster percentages for this article.

Know your team and your team’s needs. If you’re healthy and your starting roster is strong, shoot for upside.

More Waiver Wire Analysis