Recommended Fantasy Football Week 18 Waiver Wire Pickups

If your league’s fantasy football extends through Week 18, then you have one final chance to set your lineups to achieve glory. This isn’t for the faint of heart though, as the availability of many NFL players is in question with the playoffs right around the corner. We’ll hone in on players that will have the chance to shine to close out the regular season.

49ers fans are hoping that starting running back Christian McCaffery will be ready to play in the NFC Divisional Round, but San Francisco will turn to Mitchell and Mason to finish the regular season. It seems like Mitchell is going to have the best chance to lead the team in carries, but San Francisco is high on Mason as well.

In what was a lost season for the Patriots, their defense has still come to play on a consistent basis. Head coach Bill Belichick has a lot of pride on that side of the ball, and will look to stymie the New York Jets in the season finale. New England held them to 10 points when the two teams met earlier this season.

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The Packers have reached deep into their depth chart to find replacements at wide receiver, and Melton was the next man up on Sunday night. With Christian Watson already sidelined, and Jayden Reed going down, Melton broke out for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He could replicate that performance in Week 18.

It’s somewhat surprising to hear that Kirk may be available for Jacksonville’s crucial Week 18 game. Most thought that he would miss the rest of the regular season with a groin injury, but reports indicate that the wide receiver may give it a go on Sunday. If he’s in, and Trevor Lawrence starts, rolling the dice on Kirk in fantasy football wouldn’t be a bad idea.

The Broncos have made it clear that they want to evaluate Stidham down the stretch, and the young quarterback will start the season finale. While Stidham may not be the most talented passer, his playing time for a rebuilding Denver team is guaranteed, which is something that cannot be taken for granted in Week 18.

As the Cardinals play out the remainder of their schedule, players like Dortch will have a chance to shine. Marquise Brown missed Week 17’s contest with an injury, and there won’t be much of a reason to rush him back for Week 18. Dortch should command a decent target share, which puts him squarely on the flex line this week.

The Buccaneers had an embarrassing performance at home last week with the division on the line. Fortunately for them, Tampa Bay closes out the campaign with a matchup against the lowly Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers defense should be able to feast against a Carolina offense that failed to get on the scoreboard last week in Jacksonville.

Herbert has shown flashes of impressive play during his brief career, with another one having come last week. Chicago’s final game of the year might give the team a chance to showcase their younger players, which Herbert still qualifies as. He could be a running back that wins fantasy managers a championship with a late season surge.