Fantasy Football Week 18 Rankings: Examining Lineup Options After Injury Reports
The final week of the NFL regular season brings with it uncertainties surrounding the availability of star players as some teams opt to rest starters amid the start of playoffs next week, not to mention injuries.
It becomes more important than ever for fantasy managers to keep an eye on injury reports and scour the waive wire to find any potential last-second replacements if a head coach decides to sit a key contributor to the team.
Ahead of the potentially volatile Week 18, these are the flex rankings for the slate of games and two potential replacements to keep an eye on in the event you need a game-changing offensive player.
All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise noted.
Flex Rankings
1 of 3
Rankings for Week 18 flex players are:
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kenneth Walker II, Seattle Seahawks
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
- AJ Brown, Philadephia Eagles
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills
- Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
- Breece Hall, New York Jets
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
- De'Vone Achane, Miami Dolphins
Lineup Option: Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
2 of 3
With Amari Cooper out for Cleveland against Cincinnati, fantasy managers may be looking for a quick replacement for the star wide receiver. Look no further than Tutu Atwell for the Rams.
After clinching a playoff position a week ago, the Rams have made it clear that they plan on sitting their starters and with Carson Wentz getting the nod at quarterback, he will likely be looking for the best wide receiver on the field.
Assuming Puka Nacua sticks around only to try and accumulate the 29 yards needed to establish the new rookie receiving record, that player could be Atwell.
A dynamic, fast, speedy receiver with an ability to stretch the field or make plays out of the backfield for Sean McVay's explosive offense, he can be a factor against a San Francisco 49ers team giving up 27.8 fantasy points per game.
Look for him to return to that early-season form in a game where he will not have three other wideouts ahead of him on the depth chart.
Lineup Option: Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints
3 of 3
With uncertainty surrounding the availability of Alvin Kamara, and a playoff spot on the line, look for the Saints to turn to backup running back Jamaal Williams early and often.
Fantasy managers should, too.
Williams had a season-high 19 carries for 58 yards against the Buccaneers in Week 17 and against Atlanta in the regular season finale, he should have as many, if not more, opportunities.
The Falcons have been a stingy defense against opposing running backs, allowing just 16 points per game, but Williams is a wrecking ball. He may not see a ton of coverage between the 30s, but inside the red zone, he is a difference-maker with a penchant for finding the endzone.
Look no further than the 17 touchdowns he scored for Detroit a season ago.
No, Williams has not been the same guy as he was last year, thanks to a new system that does not utilize him like Dan Campbell did and injuries that have slowed him down, but he still has that game-changer potential.
He has yet to have a double-digit points day this year, but that could change as Dennis Allen and Co. look to beat Atlanta and keep their slim playoff chances alive.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
