Fantasy Football Week 18 Rankings: Matchups and Projections for Players We Love

Fantasy football can be a game of attrition as much as anything.

That will be as true as ever during Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season.

Beyond the normal lineup obstacles of the always climbing injury count, we also must navigate around all of the inactives whose teams don't have enough on the line to warrant the risk of playing them. So, these rankings will look considerably different than normal, as your lineups assuredly will, too.

Quarterback

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass against the Washington Commanders during the first half at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

Top 10

1. Dak Prescott, DAL (at WAS)

2. Josh Allen, BUF (at MIA)

3. Jalen Hurts, PHI (at NYG)

4. Justin Fields, CHI (at GB)

5. C.J. Stroud, HOU (at IND)

6. Kyler Murray, ARI (vs. SEA)

7. Geno Smith, SEA (at TEN)

8. Jordan Love, GB (vs. CHI)

9. Trevor Lawrence, JAX (at TEN)

10. Baker Mayfield, TB (at CAR)

Matchup we love: Dak Prescott at Washington Commanders

After a couple quiet-by-his-standards outings, Prescott pounced on a favorable matchup with the Lions in Week 17 and skyrocketed his stats. His 26 completions, 345 passing yards and 68.4 completion percentage were all his highest marks of December, plus he threw a pair of touchdowns for the second consecutive game after his Week 15 goose egg.

Well, this matchup is even better, as the Commanders are one of two teams (along with the Eagles) to allow more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Lions, per Yahoo. When these clubs last collided on Thanksgiving, Prescott shredded Washington to the tune of 331 passing yards and four scores.

Projected stats: 25-of-35 passing for 301 yards and three touchdowns

Running Back

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 22: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on October 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Top 10

1. Saquon Barkley, NYG (vs. PHI)

2. Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. ATL)

3. Breece Hall, NYJ (at NE)

4. Rachaad White, TB (at CAR)

5. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. MIN)

6. James Conner, ARI (vs. SEA)

7. Kenneth Walker III, SEA (at ARI)

8. Joe Mixon, CIN (vs. CLE)

9. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at NO)

10. James Cook, BUF (at MIA)

Matchup we love: Kenneth Walker III at Arizona Cardinals

Walker's second season has been defined by consistent inconsistency, and it surely doesn't help that he's been fighting a shoulder injury of late. Still, he piled up 75 scrimmage yards and a score on only 13 touches Sunday, so he could be ready to roll if this injury doesn't get in the way.

Hopefully, he's good to go, because this is a dream matchup. The Cardinals have allowed the most fantasy points to the position this season, and Walker is part of the reason why, as he tallied 26 carries for 105 yards when these squads squared off in Week 7.

Projected stats: 15 carries for 71 yards, three receptions for 22 yards, one touchdown

Wide Receiver

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after a reception in the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Top 10

1. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at WAS)

2. Justin Jefferson, MIN (at DET)

3. Tyreek Hill, MIA (vs. BUF)

4. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs. MIN)

5. A.J. Brown, PHI (at NYG)

6. Nico Collins, HOU (at IND)

7. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (vs. HOU)

8. Davante Adams, LV (vs. DEN)

9. Mike Evans, TB (at CAR)

10. Stefon Diggs, BUF (at MIA)

Matchup we love: Justin Jefferson at Detroit Lions

Injuries to himself and his starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, have impacted Jefferson's play this season. Minnesota turning back to Nick Mullens should be a good thing, though, as his willingness to take shots gives Jefferson more chances to make plays.

So, too, should another date with this Detroit defense. When the Vikings and Lions, who've allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers, last tussled in Week 16, Jefferson turned his 10 targets into six receptions for 141 yards and a score. That game, perhaps not coincidentally, was also Mullens' most recent start.

Projected stats: Seven receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown

Tight End

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 25: Darren Waller #12 of the New York Giants makes a catch against James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

Top 10

1. Evan Engram, JAX (at TEN)

2. Trey McBride, ARI (vs. SEA)

3. Sam LaPorta, DET (vs. MIN)

4. Dallas Goedert, PHI (at NYG)

5. Jake Ferguson, DAL (at WAS)

6. Darren Waller, NYG (vs. PHI)

7. Dalton Schultz, HOU (at IND)

8. Cole Kmet, CHI (at GB)

9. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (at MIA)

10. Tucker Kraft, GB (vs. CHI)

Matchup we love: Darren Waller vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Waller's first season in New York will go down as a disappointment, as he again dealt with injuries along with some less-than-stellar quarterback play. His tremendous talent has still occasionally popped, though, as he's thrice finished with at least six receptions for better than 75 yards.

His good games are tough to predict, but there's at least a basis for hope here. The Eagles have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to the position.

Projected stats: Five receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown