Honestly, the last week of the NFL season is a total mess. You've got teams resting starters because they’ve already locked up a playoff spot, and then you have teams like the Cowboys who are just playing out the string but suddenly losing their lead backs to injury. It’s chaos. If you’re still grinding for a Week 18 championship or playing in a playoff-carryover league, the standard rankings basically go out the window. You aren't looking for "good" players anymore; you're looking for warm bodies with guaranteed touches.
Finding the top waiver wire adds right now requires you to be part-scout and part-detective. You have to figure out who actually has something to play for and who is just trying to get to the offseason without a torn ACL.
The Running Back Lottery: Volume Over Everything
If Javonte Williams is out with that shoulder injury he picked up against the Commanders, Malik Davis is the absolute priority. He stepped in and touched the ball 20 times for over 100 yards last week. That’s not a fluke; it’s a workload. Dallas is playing the Giants, a team that has basically checked out and can’t stop the run anyway. You don't need Davis to be Emmitt Smith. You just need him to fall forward for four yards 20 times.
Emanuel Wilson is another name that feels like a "must-grab" because of the situation in Green Bay. The Packers have the No. 7 seed locked up. Why on earth would they push Josh Jacobs and his banged-up knee? They won't. Wilson has already proven he can handle a heavy load against the Vikings, having gashed them for 107 yards and two scores earlier this year. He’s the kind of high-leverage play that wins leagues while your opponent is stuck starting a "star" who gets pulled after the first quarter.
Then there’s Audric Estime in New Orleans. The Saints finally gave him the keys in Week 17, and he responded with nearly 100 yards and a touchdown. It looks like they’re moving on from the older vets and seeing what the kid has. Facing a Falcons defense that’s been middle-of-the-road against the run, Estime has a floor that most waiver guys dream of.
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Wide Receivers: Chasing the Hot Hand
Luther Burden III is the real deal. I know, "rookie wideouts in Week 18" sounds like a trap, but look at the targets. He’s had at least six targets in four straight games and just exploded for 138 yards against a very good 49ers defense. With Rome Odunze dealing with a foot injury, Burden has become Caleb Williams' go-to guy. If he's sitting on your wire, fix that immediately.
Parker Washington is doing a similar thing in Jacksonville. He’s basically turned into Trevor Lawrence’s security blanket over the last two weeks, racking up 260 yards in that span. It’s rare to find a guy with that kind of momentum this late in the year. He’s not just a deep threat; he’s a target hog right now.
- Malik Davis (DAL): High-end RB2 if Javonte Williams is ruled out.
- Emanuel Wilson (GB): The clear beneficiary if Green Bay rests Josh Jacobs.
- Luther Burden III (CHI): Elite rookie talent seeing WR1-level volume.
- Tyler Shough (NO): The best streaming QB option left, especially in a dome.
Tight Ends and the Safety Valve Theory
Tight end is usually a wasteland, but Colston Loveland is making it look easy. He’s had at least three catches in 11 straight games. In the world of tight ends, that kind of floor is gold. He’s basically a receiver who happens to have a "TE" next to his name. With the Lions’ secondary struggling with injuries, Loveland should be a focal point again.
If you’re desperate, Jake Tonges in San Francisco is a name to watch. This is entirely dependent on George Kittle’s status, but we saw last week that the Niners will still use the tight end position heavily regardless of who is in there. Brock Purdy trusts the system, and the system loves the tight end.
The Quarterback Streamer You Actually Want
Tyler Shough has been surprisingly good. He just put up back-to-back 300-yard games and gets to play in a dome in Atlanta for the finale. For a waiver wire quarterback, he has a weirdly high ceiling because he’s willing to run. If you lost your starter or you’re just tired of getting 12 points from a "safe" veteran, Shough is the swing for the fences you need.
It's sort of funny how fantasy seasons end. You spend months obsessing over first-round picks, and here you are in the final week praying that a guy like Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets 10 carries for the Commanders. But that's the game.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically watch for "DNP" (Did Not Practice) tags for Josh Jacobs and Javonte Williams. Their absence turns Wilson and Davis into RB1s.
- Scout the Incentives: Look for players who are close to contract bonuses (1,000 yards, 10 TDs). Teams often go out of their way to help players hit those marks in Week 18.
- Aggressive Bidding: If you have FAAB left, spend it all. There is no next week. A $0 bid is a wasted resource right now.
- Block Your Opponent: If your opponent needs a tight end, pick up Loveland or Michael Mayer just so they can't. It’s not mean; it’s strategy.
Make sure you've confirmed your starting lineup at least an hour before the Saturday games kick off, as late-season scratches happen fast. Focus on the players with the clearest path to 15+ touches or 8+ targets, and ignore the names on the back of the jerseys.