Week 18 Fantasy Football Rankings: Position-by-Position Outlook for Season Finales
The final week of the regular season has arrived. While many season-long fantasy leagues have already held their championship games, some larger leagues may still be finishing up their postseasons.
Unfortunately, this week promises to be one of the toughest of the entire fantasy calendar. Some teams have absolutely nothing to play for this week, while others may be actively trying to lose for draft positioning.
It's hard to know which teams will rest their biggest stars in Week 18, and the early week has proved little insight. The Philadelphia Eagles, for example, are locked into the NFC's No. 2 seed and have yet to make a public decision.
"Still sorting through things right now at this particular moment," head coach Nick Sirianni said, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The Eagles are of particular interest because running back Saquon Barkley has been one of the most consistent producers in fantasy this season. He's also 101 yards away from breaking Erick Dickerson's single-season rushing record.
Backing the players who have the most left to play for is a sound Week 18 fantasy strategy. With this in mind, let's dive into the top point-per-reception (PPR) plays of the week and examine a few potential sleepers.
Quarterback
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
7. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
10. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sleeper: Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
While some playoff teams are locked into seeds, the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still battling for their respective division titles.
Expect top-tier fantasy options like Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson and Mike Evans to shine in Week 18.
The Falcons need a win and a Buccaneers loss to reach the postseason. However, Atlanta is no threat to rest starters, as it will play concurrently with Tampa.
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. should be a viable fantasy option against a Carolina Panthers defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2024.
While Penix did throw an interception against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, he also tossed his first career touchdown pass and topped 200 yards through the air. Expect Penix, who is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues, to have his best game yet in Week 18.
Running Back
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
4. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
7. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
8. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
9. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
10. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sleeper: Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
There's one wild-card spot available in the AFC and three teams alive in the hunt. The Denver Broncos have the simplest path, needing only a win over the Kansas City Chiefs to secure it.
Normally, that would be a daunting challenge. However, Kansas City has already secured the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The Chiefs have nothing to gain by exposing stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to injury risk. Therefore, they probably won't.
"It's very likely, we're told, that the Chiefs will rest key starters in a Week 18 game at Denver," ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio wrote on Sunday.
Kansas City has been solid against the run this season, and no team has allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs. If the Chiefs primarily play backups, however, Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin could have a strong outing.
McLaughlin tallied 76 scrimmage yards and two receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, and he should have a similar floor against Kansas City's reserves. McLaughlin is still available in over 80 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Wide Receiver
1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
4. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
5. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
8. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
9. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Sleeper: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Managers can double down on Broncos players this week by scooping up receiver Marvin Mims Jr., who is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Mims has developed a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Bo Nix and has become an integral piece of the passing attack down the stretch. The second-year wideout has seen at least four targets in each of his past five games.
Against the Bengals in Week 17, Mims caught eight passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He also logged a rushing attempt for the seventh straight game.
Kansas City has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, though if its starters rest, Mims should be in line for another strong fantasy performance.
Tight End
1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
3. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins
4. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
5. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
6. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
7. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
8. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
9. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
10. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sleeper: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals can still make the postseason, but they need a win and losses by the Broncos and Miami Dolphins to do it. Fortunately for fantasy managers, the Bengals will play on Saturday, while Miami and Denver will both play on Sunday.
Expect Cincinnati to give its best effort against the Steelers, who could already be out of the AFC North race by Saturday night. If the Baltimore Ravens win in Saturday's opener, Pittsburgh will be locked into a wild-card spot.
While the Steelers may not rest starters, at least not early in the game, they should provide a favorable matchup for Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki. Pittsburgh has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.
Gesicki has been an inconsistent fantasy option this season, but he is coming off of a 10-catch, 86-yard performance. He's also available in over 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information via FantasyPros