Fantasy Football Week 18: Final Rankings, Projections, Early Waiver-Wire Tips

The biggest question for fantasy managers entering the final week of the regular season is just who will actually take the field for their teams in Week 18.

With so many teams having their playoff fates decided by now, and nothing left to really play for, several fantasy studs may not see playing time as their coaches look to rest them ahead of much more meaningful games.

Still, there are a handful of squads who still have plenty to play for, with division crowns still yet to be decided and playoff seeding of the utmost importance. For those teams, star players such as Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Bills running back James Cook, and Eagles wideout AJ Brown are must-starts.

Where do those players rank and what might their production project as in the final week of the 2023 regular season?

Which waiver wire options could net fantasy managers a win ahead of their league playoffs?

Find out with this preview of the week in fantasy.

---

All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise stated

Flex Rankings and Projections

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before kickoff against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Flex rankings for Week 18 are as follows:

1. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (10 rec., 170 yds, 2 TDs)
2. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (75 yds, TD, 4 rec., 40 yds, TD)
3. AJ Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (9 rec., 90 yds, 3 TDs)
4. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (9 rec., 155 yds, 2 TDs)
5. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (80 yds, TD, 3 rec., 25 yds, TD)
6. Kenneth Walker II, RB, Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (120 yds, TD, 5 rec., 30 yds)
7. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans (90 yds, TD, 5 rec., 25 yds)
8. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (7 rec., 80 yds, TD)
9. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (65 yds, TD, 6 rec., 60 yds)
10. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (70 yds, 4 rec., 60 yds)

Waiver Wire Pickup: Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints

Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr #4 hands off the ball to Jamaal Williams #21 of the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Saints lost starting tailback Alvin Kamara late in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and with his status uncertain for the final week of the regular season, look for New Orleans to turn to Jamaal Williams to help fill the void.

Williams is no stranger to producing for fantasy managers. In 2022, for the Detroit Lions, he found paydirt 17 times and produced a thousand-yard season. To say he has been one of the most disappointing free-agent signings this season would be a massive understatement.

Williams has played in just 12 games, carried 92 times for 280 yards and no touchdowns. It has been tough sledding in his first year with the Saints but he will have an opportunity for a statement game in Week 18, against an Atlanta Falcons team that gives up an average of double-digit points to backs per game.

He will get the touches, especially in the red zone, so do not be hesitant to add him as in one of your roster's flex positions. The Saints have plenty to play for Sunday against Atlanta, including an NFC South title. They will need to lean on playmakers and, despite the abysmal season to this point, Williams is exactly that.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Giants

Mike Lawrence/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on December 31, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images)

Tyrod Taylor had one of the best Week 17s of any quarterback in fantasy, nearly stunning the Los Angeles Rams with a 319-yard performance in which he passed all over the NFC West squad and nearly pulled off a significant upset had it not been for Mason Crosby's last-second field goal miss.

Taylor was very good against the Rams' leaky secondary and will have an opportunity to repeat that performance while creating chaos in the Giants' division.

The G-Men may be out of the playoff hunt, but they match up against a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team, fresh off a 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and still in contention for a division title.

The defending NFC Champions give up the most points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy at 21.2 and, even against a team lacking the playmakers that the Giants do, should continue that trend.

Taylor should be able to find his receivers against a defense that gave up 232 yards and three touchdowns to Kyler Murray and a bad Cardinals team. In their Christmas Day showdown, Taylor did just that, completing just seven passes but accumulating 133 yards and a touchdown.

As the starter from the opening whistle, expect a big day for the veteran journeyman.