Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 18? Mike Evans, Luther Burden III, Jauan Jennings, Omarion Hampton, Audric Estime, Ashton Jeanty, Justin Jefferson, Woody Marks, Jaylen Warren

Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (quad) suffered a quad injury on the last play of the game in his team's Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that will require additional testing. However, initial reports indicate that the injury is not thought to be serious, which could give Burden III a chance to play in his team's Week 18 match against the Detroit Lions. Before getting hurt, Burden III had a massive game against San Francisco, hauling in eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown on nine targets.

With Bears wideout Rome Odunze (foot) sidelined by a foot injury, Burden III has emerged as an integral part of his team's passing game. Across three games played without Odunze, Burden III has recorded 18 receptions for 289 yards and a score on 22 targets. Given that they already have the NFC North crown locked up, Chicago could choose to be cautious with Burden III and hold him out of Week 18. However, he would profile as a must-add player off the waiver wire if further reporting indicates he's healthy enough to play.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings caught two of four targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears. With the score, Jennings has visited the end zone in five straight games and in seven of the 49ers' last eight contests. Jennings had a quiet night until the 38-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter.

The play ended up being the game winner in the shootout with Chicago. Jennings' nose for the end zone has been his saving grace in fantasy football in 2025. Sunday's performance was the tenth time in 14 games played where he failed to reach 50 receiving yards. With one week to go in the regular season, Jennings is sitting on a 51-608-9 line. He and the 49ers face the Seahawks in Week 18.

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime had a breakout game in Week 17, recording 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. With Saints running backs Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle), Kendre Miller (knee), and Devin Neal (hamstring) all sidelined, the team has an opportunity for backfield contributors to emerge. Estime appeared to step into that void in Week 17, as his 14 rush attempts were nearly triple that of running back Evan Hull and tight end Taysom Hill combined (5).

Estime also dominated running back playing time against Tennessee, playing 76% of the Saints' offensive snaps. Miller and Neal are on Injured Reserve, while Kamara has a chance to return in Week 18. However, Kamara has missed five straight games, and there's not a ton of incentive for the 6-10 Saints to bring him back this season. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Estime should be a waiver-wire target heading into his Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was held to single-digit fantasy points in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. Jeanty has been held to 10 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games, disappointing fantasy managers in the playoffs. Despite the great matchup, he had a relatively inefficient day, turning his 16 rush attempts into 60 yards and corralling both of his targets for just 13 yards.

The rookie ball carrier was the Raiders' workhorse back, with Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) ruled inactive before gametime, but he did cede some third-down snaps to running back Zamir White in the second half. The Las Vegas Raiders will host the reeling Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, whose defense is a top-10 matchup for opposing running backs. Jeanty still has big play potential and, as the Raiders' bell cow back, should continue to see starting lineups in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished Thursday's 23-10 victory against the Detroit Lions with four catches on five targets for 30 yards, a modest output despite the Vikings' inability to do much of anything in the passing game. Playing without starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) and already missing backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) for the season, the Vikings turned over the keys to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, which went as expected.

Brosmer threw for 51 yards and lost 48 yards to sacks, leading to just three net passing yards. A heroic performance from the Minnesota defense, which forced a whopping six turnovers, gave the offense a chance, and two rushing touchdowns were just enough. For managers rostering Jefferson, however, it was yet another frustrating outing limited by the offense around him. Of note, the superstar is 53 receiving yards from 1,000 with one game to go. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has made reaching the milestone a stated goal, so the gameplan may heavily feature Jefferson in a Week 18 game against Green Bay.