Most Fantasy leagues ended in Week 17, but some of you are brave enough to hold your championship game during the final week of the regular season. Kudos to you. We're not going to leave you hanging, so we'll still do our usual waiver wire suggestions right here.
Week 18 is tricky because of all the playoff implications. We could see plenty of star players resting for the postseason, which could impact many Fantasy rosters.
The Packers are locked into the No. 1 seed in the NFC, so it's unlikely most of their regulars will play much if at all at Detroit. The Eagles also are likely to sit their starters in Week 18 against the Cowboys since they can only improve to the No. 6 seed at best.
Dallas, which is the No. 4 seed but could improve to the No. 2 seed if the Rams and Buccaneers lose, plans to play its starters at Philadelphia -- for now. And the Bengals might decide to sit their starters Sunday at Cleveland if the Chiefs beat the Broncos on Saturday, which would leave Cincinnati most likely as the No. 3 seed.
There's a lot to keep an eye on prior to Saturday and Sunday. But based on what we know now, here are the best waiver wire options for you in Week 18.
Editor's note: For this waiver wire column, we are only looking at players rostered in less than 65 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
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Week 18 Waivers
WAIVER WIRE
Quarterbacks
- Injuries: Joe Burrow (leg), Lamar Jackson (ankle), Kirk Cousins (COVID), Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb), Teddy Bridgewater (concussion), Drew Lock (shoulder), Jared Goff (knee), Mike Glennon (wrist) and Justin Fields (ankle).
Quarterback
Week 18 Priority List
Lance did OK in his start against the Texans in Week 17 with 22 Fantasy points. He passed for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and he ran for 31 yards. We'll see if he starts for Garoppolo again in Week 18 at the Rams in a huge game for the 49ers playoff hopes, and he would be considered a low-end starter in all leagues in a tough matchup.
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Huntley struggled in Week 17 against the Rams with 10 Fantasy points, passing for just 197 yards with an interception, but he also ran for 54 yards. We'll see if he starts again for Jackson in Week 18 against the Steelers, and Huntley would be a low-end starter in that matchup.
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Minshew could start in Week 18 against the Cowboys if the Eagles opt to rest Jalen Hurts for the playoffs. The problem is Philadelphia would likely rest other offensive starters as well, which wouldn't be great for Minshew's outlook, and Dallas could be playing its starters. But Minshew did score 22 Fantasy points in his lone start in Week 13 at the Jets, and he could be a decent flier in a desperate situation in Week 18 if he starts.
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Heinicke is likely making his final start for Washington with the team expected to find an upgrade in 2022. And he could go out with a positive performance against the Giants since he scored 23 Fantasy points against them in Week 2. He hasn't scored more than eight Fantasy points in three games in a row, but this is a matchup where Heinicke can have success if you need a Fantasy starter in a deeper league.
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I'd be surprised if Aaron Rodgers played much, if at all, in Week 18 at Detroit. That could give Love extended playing time against the Lions if you need help in a two-quarterback or Superflex league. He scored 13 Fantasy points in his lone start in Week 9 at Kansas City, but hopefully he'll fare better against Detroit, even if the Packers would likely rest other starters along with Rodgers.
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WAIVER WIRE
Running Backs
- Injuries: Damien Harris (hamstring), James Conner (heel), Antonio Gibson (COVID), Ronald Jones (ankle), Ke'Shawn Vaughn (ribs), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder), Kareem Hunt (ankle), Michael Carter (concussion), Miles Sanders (hand), Boston Scott (COVID), Jordan Howard (COVID), David Johnson (COVID), Mark Ingram (knee), Alex Collins (abdomen), DeeJay Dallas (thigh) and Tevin Coleman (COVID).
Running Back
Week 18 Priority List
The Buccaneers won't have Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and could also be without Jones and Vaughn this week. That would leave Bell as the potential starter, although Bruce Arians said there's a chance Giovani Bernard (11 percent rostered) could return this week from his stint on injured reserve because of his strained hip and MCL sprain. Vaughn (6 percent rostered) could also prove healthy enough to play, so keep that in mind when considering Bell, who just had three carries for 5 yards and three catches for 30 yards on three targets in Week 17 at the Jets. Whoever starts for Tampa Bay against Carolina in Week 18 would be a flex at best.
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Gibson should be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for Week 18 at the Giants, but Washington could opt to keep him out because of the toe and hip injuries he's been dealing with of late. If that happens then Patterson would be considered a must-start Fantasy option in all leagues. With Gibson out in Week 17 against Philadelphia, Patterson had 12 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, along with five catches for 41 yards on five targets. And if Gibson plays then Patterson still has flex appeal in deeper formats.
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Gainwell might be the Eagles' only healthy running back in Week 18 against the Cowboys with Sanders out and Scott and Howard on the COVID list. But we also have to see if Philadelphia will rest its starters for the playoffs, which would put Gainwell on the field with other backups. In either scenario, Gainwell has flex appeal if he starts, but his outlook would be better if Hurts and the Eagles regular offensive linemen are on the field as well.
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The Bengals could opt to sit Joe Mixon if they have nothing to play for in Week 18 at Cleveland, which could be the case if the Chiefs win Saturday against Denver. Perine would likely see extended action, albeit with other backups, but he would be at least a flex option in that scenario. He has two games this season with at least 11 carries, and he scored at least 14 PPR points in each outing.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers rested Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon in Week 18 at Detroit. That could put Taylor in line for a heavy workload, and he would be a flex option against the Lions. He would likely be playing with other backups for the Packers, but it's a great matchup against Detroit. Taylor just had six carries for 18 yards in mop-up duty in Week 17 against Minnesota.
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Burkhead doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 18 against the Titans, but he's performing well right now and is worth consideration as a flex option in all leagues. After scoring 28 PPR points in Week 16 against the Chargers, he followed that up with 13 PPR points at San Francisco in Week 17. He had a season-high six catches in that game, and hopefully he stays active in the passing game, especially if Johnson is still out.
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Ogunbowale split touches with Ryquell Armstead in the first game without James Robinson (Achilles) in Week 17 at New England, and Ogunbowale ended up with 14 PPR points behind nine carries for 36 yards, along with two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown on two targets. He has a difficult matchup in Week 18 against the Colts, but Ogunbowale should once again be considered a flex option in all leagues.
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Coleman could be the starter for the Jets in Week 18 at Buffalo if Carter doesn't clear the concussion protocol. Coleman also has to get off the reserve/COVID-19 list as well, but if that happens as expected then he would likely be the lead running back in New York if Carter is out. That was the case when Carter missed three games with his ankle injury earlier this year, and Coleman had at least 14 total touches in two of those outings. Austin Walter and Ty Johnson would also have a role, but you can consider Coleman a flex option in deeper leagues if Carter is out.
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WAIVER WIRE
Wide Receivers
- Injuries: Jerry Jeudy (COVID), Tim Patrick (COVID), Michael Gallup (knee), Elijah Moore (COVID), Jamison Crowder (calf), Emmanuel Sanders (knee), Rondale Moore (ankle), Karadius Toney (shoulder), Nelson Agholor (concussion), Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and Tre'Quan Smith (chest).
Wide receiver
Week 18 Priority List
Osborn scored in Week 17 at Green Bay with three catches for 50 yards on five targets, and he caught the touchdown from Sean Mannion. We expect Cousins to return in Week 18 against Chicago, and Osborn should benefit in a big way with Adam Thielen (ankle) on injured reserve. Osborn has at least 14 PPR points in four of his past five games, and he's a borderline must-start receiver in all leagues if Cousins is back under center.
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Davis had a down game in Week 17 against Atlanta in his return from a one-game absence on the reserve/COVID-19 list, finishing with just three catches for 40 yards on three targets. Prior to going on the COVID list, he scored at least 15 PPR points in consecutive games, and he should get back on track against the Jets. He had three catches for 105 yards on three targets against the Jets in Week 10.
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Grayson has stepped up the past two weeks with injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, as well as Antonio Brown leaving the Buccaneers in the middle of the game against the Jets in Week 17. Godwin (ACL) and Brown aren't coming back in Week 18 against Carolina, and Grayson should be a top target for Tom Brady once again. He had three catches for 81 yards on three targets in Week 17 at Carolina when Godwin and Evans were out. And in Week 18, with Evans back but Brown leaving the field, Grayson finished with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. He will likely be third at best in targets behind Evans and Rob Gronkowski, but Grayson should be considered a borderline starter in all leagues with Godwin and Brown not playing. In deeper leagues, you can also look at Tyler Johnson (8 percent rostered) after he had four catches for 50 yards on six targets against the Jets last week.
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Keep an eye on the health of Crowder and Moore, and if both remain out then consider Berrios a borderline must-start Fantasy receiver in PPR and a flex in non-PPR leagues. He has at least six targets in three of his past four games, including two outings with at least 10 targets. And he scored at least 10 PPR points in three of his past four games, including 25 PPR points in Week 17 against Tampa Bay. He also has at least five catches in three of his past four outings. Zach Wilson is leaning on Berrios, but that could change if Crowder and/or Moore return. For now, pick him up where available, and hopefully he remains the No. 1 target for Wilson in Week 18.
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We'll see how Jones does now that Darren Waller (knee) is expected to return for the Raiders in Week 18 against the Chargers. Jones has at least seven targets in five of his past six games, and he scored at least 11 PPR points in three games in a row, including 20 PPR points in Week 17 at the Colts. I'm hopeful he remains a top target for Derek Carr against the Chargers, but Waller's potential return could be a problem. If Waller remains out, consider Jones a borderline must-start receiver in all leagues, but he's just a No. 3 option at best if Waller is active.
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Meyers has done a nice job lately with at least 10 PPR points in three games in a row, including 21 PPR points in Week 17 against Jacksonville when he scored his second touchdown of the season and his career. He has at least eight targets in four of five games, and he scored 10 PPR points in Week 1 against the Dolphins with six catches for 44 yards on nine targets. He's a safe PPR receiver in Week 18 and a low-end No. 3 receiver in non-PPR formats.
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Callaway has actually been great with Taysom Hill, and hopefully that continues in Week 18 against the Falcons. In the past two games with Hill, Callaway has at least nine targets, six catches and 97 yards, and he scored at least 15 PPR points in each outing. It's nice to see Callaway finally playing well, and he could be a borderline starter in all leagues in Week 18.
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Treadwell has done a nice job as the best receiver for the Jaguars this season. He has at least 10 PPR points in four of his past five games, and he scored 14 PPR points in Week 17 at New England with six catches for 87 yards on six targets. Like Meyers, Treadwell is a safe PPR receiver in Week 18 and a low-end No. 3 receiver in non-PPR formats.
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Wilson gets a bigger role with Gallup out for Week 18, and hopefully Wilson can build off his performance from Week 17 when he had six catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The Cowboys plan to play their starters in Week 18 against the Eagles, and Wilson can be considered a No. 3 receiver in deeper leagues, especially if Philadelphia plans to rest starters in that game.
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Wesley has stepped up with DeAndre Hopkins (knee) out as a red-zone target for the Cardinals. He has three touchdowns in his past two games against the Colts and Cowboys with nine targets, six catches and 59 yards over that span. He won't help you if he doesn't score, but he could be worth using in deeper leagues in Week 18 against Seattle.
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WAIVER WIRE
Tight Ends
- Injuries: Kyle Pitts (hamstring), Hayden Hurst (COVID), Dallas Goedert (COVID), Darren Waller (knee), Ricky Seals-Jones (concussion) and James O'Shaughnessy (hip).
Tight End
Week 18 Priority List
Higbee is coming off a strong game in Week 17 at Baltimore with six catches for 69 yards on nine targets. He has at least six targets in three games in a row, and he scored at least nine PPR points in each outing. He faces the 49ers in Week 18, and he had three catches for 20 yards and a touchdown on five targets at San Francisco in Week 10. He's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues.
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Everett had a down game in Week 17 against Detroit with just three catches for 36 yards on five targets, which snapped a three-game streak of scoring at least 10 PPR points in a row. Hopefully he can get back on track in Week 18 against the Cardinals, although it's a tough matchup, and Everett only had three catches for 37 yards on four targets against Arizona in Week 11. Still, he's worth using as a low-end starter in most formats.
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Kmet is still looking for his first touchdown this season, but he can be considered a low-end starter in PPR leagues this week against the Vikings. He had six catches for 71 yards on nine targets against Minnesota in Week 15, and we'll see if Andy Dalton or Fields goes back to Kmet again in the rematch in Week 18.
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Bates could be the lead tight end for Washington this week if Ricky Seals-Jones is out, and Bates is an option in deeper leagues against the Giants. He scored a touchdown in Week 16 at Dallas, which was his best outing of the season, but he has a favorable matchup in Week 18 against New York. Hopefully, Heinicke leans on Bates if Seals-Jones can't go.
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Hurst could see an uptick in targets if Pitts doesn't play in Week 18 against the Saints, but Hurst also has to clear the reserve/COVID-19 list. If that happens as expected, consider Hurst a streaming option in deeper leagues if Pitts is out. It helps that Hurst has scored a touchdown in two of his past three games.
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WAIVER WIRE
DST
- Chiefs (53 percent rostered) vs. DEN
- Football Team (20 percent rostered) vs. NYG
- Titans (59 percent rostered) at HOU
- Bengals (25 percent rostered) at CLE
WAIVER WIRE
KICKERS
- Mike Badgley (48 percent rostered) at JAC
- Brett Maher (4 percent rostered) at ATL
- Randy Bullock (24 percent rostered) at HOU
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