Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Early Must-Adds for Week 18
For fantasy football managers who are playing in Week 18, here are our final waiver wire must adds for the 2024 season.
Week 17 marks the end of the fantasy football season in many leagues. But there are leagues that go all the way to Week 18, and with that mind we’re here for your with some final must-adds off the waiver wire for this season.
Note: Yahoo! scoring (0.5-point PPR) is the scoring cited unless otherwise noted.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with their win over the New York Jets on Sunday. So with that, they are sure to rest starters in Week 18 against the New England Patriots and Davis is in line for plenty of work in James Cook’s place.
When Cook was out back in Week 6 against the New York Jets, Davis became the lead back for the Bills and he delivered nicely (20 carries for 97 yards, three catches for 55 yards). With a similar role in store, a much easier matchup is coming for Davis in Week 18.
The New England Patriots entered Week 17 allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs, then they allowed 147 total yards to the Los Angeles Chargers’ running backs on Saturday.
On the clear assumption the Bills will rest starters, Davis is as slam-dunk of a fantasy must-add as there can be for Week 18.
ESPN Ownership: 11.2%
Yahoo! Ownership: 18%
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McMillan had five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. He has scored in four straight games now (six total touchdowns), with more than 50 yards in all four.
No matter what happens with the Atlanta Falcons against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, the Buccaneers are lined up to have to win the ensure the NFC South title in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints entered Week 17 allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, before allowing two touchdown to Las Vegas Raiders’ wide receivers on Sunday.
McMillan is producing solid catch and yardage totals along with having Baker Mayfield’s trust when the Buccaneers are within range of the end zone. He’s an easy must-add for Week 18.
ESPN Ownership: 39.4%
Yahoo! Ownership: 54%
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
Okonkwo had five catches for 42 yards, on a team-high seven targets, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Sunday. He also had a carry for 17 yards, and a near-miss touchdown late. The headline is this: He has 22 receptions on 28 targets over the last three games, with at least five catches in each.
On the surface it’s not a great-looking matchup for Okonkwo in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. But Houston has allowed eight touchdowns to the tight ends this season (third-most in the league, with a possibility the Washington Commanders tie them on Sunday night).
Okonkwo has become a viable fantasy tight end with Mason Rudolph under center for the Titans. Week 18 is no different, for those who have to fill out a lineup and need an option.
ESPN Ownership: 31%
Yahoo! Ownership: 29%
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
Robinson had five receptions (on six targets) for 71 yards (tied for his season-high) and a touchdown on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. He has topped 60 yards in back-to-back games, with at least six targets in four straight (38 total targets over that span).
If things were normal, or it were a different week on the schedule, it’d be a tough matchup for Robinson in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles. But the Eagles are lined up to rest starters in a meaningless regular season finale for them, making it easier for the Giants.
As usual, Robinson’s fantasy appeal is rooted in volume-and PPR formats. But it’d be foolish to ignore him if you have to make a Week 18 fantasy lineup and need a viable wide receiver option.
ESPN Ownership: 38%
Yahoo! Ownership: 31%
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Abdullah had 20 carries for 115 yards and three catches for 32 yards against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. It’s the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. He left the game late with a foot injury, but the Raiders were leading by two scores so it’s unclear how severe it is.
Week 18 brings a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Week 17 allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. But the Chargers are among the most generous teams in the league to running backs in the passing game, and that’s where Abdullah typically makes the most hay.
If there’s any question about Abdullah’s availability for Week 18, Alexander Mattison (58.3 percent rostered in ESPN leagues, 53 percent rostered in Yahoo! leagues) would become the Raiders’ lead back and have some volume-based appeal.
ESPN Ownership: 33.3%
Yahoo! Ownership: 35%
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner (knee) left Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams early in the second quarter, and Trey Benson (ankle) was inactive. So the door was opened for Carter to be the Cardinals’ No. 1 back, and he finished with 13 carries for 70 yards along with two catches for 11 yards.
There’s a possibility the playoff-eliminated Cardinals shut Conner down for Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers, and Benson would be hard to count as a workhorse if he plays. So Carter should maintain some kind of a solid role no matter what (seven receptions over the last two games), with a path to being the lead back again in a nice matchup.
Week 18 fantasy lineups present a challenge, and require a willingness to dive deep if necessary. Carter is along that line, but he has a path to another productive outing that shouldn’t be ignored.
ESPN Ownership: 1.1%
Yahoo! Ownership: 3%
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Young went 15-for-28 for 203 yards and two touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, along with eight rushing yards. He has multiple passing touchdowns in back-to-back games, and he has accounted for multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games.
Week 18 brings a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who entered Week 17 allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Some big games against them have skewed that, aided by allowing 28 passing touchdowns this season (tied for third-most in the league, with a Sunday night game to play in Week 17 as of this writing).
Young has looked more like the quarterback Carolina thought it was drafting lately. For fantasy managers in need of a viable quarterback for a Week 18 lineup, he’s about as good as it gets.
ESPN Ownership: 12.9%
Yahoo! Ownership: 18%
Please consider supporting All The Balls in any or all of the ways below:
