Week 18 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Preview: Keep Trusting Luther Burden
Top Fantasy WRs for Week 18
Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 18 WR Rankings.
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1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
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JSN will be main offensive weapon for the Seahawks as they fight the 49ers for the top seed in the NFC. He currently sits at 1,709 yards receiving, which is already the 14th most all-time for a single season. With the 49ers secondary dealing with injuries, he is a must-start and could have one of his best games of the season.
2. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
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Chase faces the Browns sitting third among WRs in PPR points per game. He's hit 18 PPR points in four of his past five matchups.
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET
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St. Brown is on this week's injury report with knee and ankle issues that could threaten his availability for Sunday's meaningless finale. But if he plays with no restrictions, he should have no problem piling up fantasy points against the Bears' 30th-ranked WR defense. St. Brown obliterated Chicago for nine catches, 115 yards, and three TDs back in Week 2.
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL
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Following three straight games of 100+ yards, Lamb's posted 51 and 46 over his past two. A high-volume role still keeps him high in the ranks vs. New York. Lamb posted 9-112 against the Giants back in Week 2.
5. George Pickens, DAL
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Pickens has posted lines of 7-130-1 and 4-78 over his past two. He remains a must-start in a fine matchup with the Giants.
6. Michael Wilson, ARI
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With Marvin Harrison Jr. out, Michael Wilson should step up. He has had double digit targets in 4 of 5 games with Harrison out, and even got 10 targets last week. With the Cardinals likely airing it out a ton, Wilson is a must start.
7. Jameson Williams, DET
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Last week was just Williams' second among eight games with Dan Campbell calling plays with fewer than 70 receiving yards. He gets an excellent bounce-back spot on Sunday against the Bears' 30th-ranked WR defense.
8. Nico Collins, HOU
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Collins missed the week's first practice, but it was merely listed as a rest day. Barring some announcement that the Texans plan to rest starters in a week that still holds a chance at winning the division, their No. 1 WR should remain a strong play. He posted a 5-98 receiving line in the first meeting with the Colts.
9. Jakobi Meyers, JAC
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Since he arrived in Jacksonville, Meyers has led the Jaguars WRs in route rate (89%) and target share (25%). He's been fantasy football's No. 16 WR since Week 10 and had a strong showing against this defense in Week 13. He caught all six of his targets for 90 yards and a TD in that game. In the rematch, Meyers is in WR1 territory for a surging Jaguars offense that is projected to score a slate-high 29.5 points.
10. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG
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Robinson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a rib injury. If active, he’ll command some WR1/2 attention in PPR setups. He enters the weekend with 8+ targets in seven of his past eight.
11. Zay Flowers, BAL
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Flowers was easily Baltimore's best player in the Week 14 loss to the Steelers, catching 8 of 11 targets for 124 yards. We're expecting a run-centric game plan from Baltimore in the rematch. But Flowers should be featured when Baltimore does take to the air.
12. Courtland Sutton, DEN
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This is a good spot for Sutton and Denver's offense. The Chargers are resting starters, including in their secondary. Meanwhile, Denver will be playing to secure the No. 1 seed. Sutton produced a season-high 118 receiving yards against this defense back in Week 3 and should once again lead the Broncos in targets and catches. He's a top-12 fantasy option in Week 18, with top-6 upside.
13. Stefon Diggs, NE
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Diggs is now in legal trouble, but he’s expected to suit up vs. Miami. He projects as a fringe WR1 in a plus scoring matchup.
14. Luther Burden III, CHI
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Burden suffered a quad injury on the final play of last weekend's loss to the Bears. But it's reportedly not serious, and the rookie got in a limited practice on Wednesday. Assuming he suits up this weekend, Burden will boast exciting upside against a struggling Lions defense that ranks 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs over the last five weeks.
15. Tee Higgins, CIN
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Higgins enters the weekend with 8 TDs over his past eight outings.
16. Tetairoa McMillan, CAR
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The Panthers are poised to win the NFC South in a showdown with a Tampa team that they defeated 23-20 in Week 16. McMillian caught 6-of-10 targets for 73 yards and a TD in that game. Tampa is league average, allowing 23.1 PPR points per game to WRs, so the matchup remains solid for McMillian. He remains a mid-range WR2 who is a must-start if you're still playing in Week 18.
17. Mike Evans, TB
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Evans has topped 12 PPR points in all three of his games since returning from IR. He's scored a TD in back-to-back outings, including a Week 16 contest against the Panthers. Carolina's defense has played well, allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but Evans has tormented Carolina. In his last 10 games vs. the Panthers, Evans has averaged 100.3 receiving yards and 1.2 TDs.
18. Drake London, ATL
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London has totaled just four catches for 31 scoreless yards on 10 targets (18.2% share) in two games back from injury. He's clearly not at 100% and is struggling to connect with QB Kirk Cousins. London at least got back up to a 95% route rate last week, which should keep him in most fantasy lineups.
19. Justin Jefferson, MIN
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Jefferson has disappointed all season and gets one more game with Max Brosmer to cap his season. After last weeks’ debacle, it is hard to trust the Vikings’ passing game, but the Packers will sit some defenders. Jefferson could be a high upside (and low floor) flex play.
20. Parker Washington, JAC
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Jacksonville still has plenty at stake in Week 18, needing a win over Tennessee to clinch the AFC South while maintaining an outside shot at the No. 1 seed. Washington’s routes have increased in four straight games, and the matchup is favorable against a Titans defense allowing the 8th-most fantasy points to WRs. He exited early with a hip injury in Week 13 but has topped 50 receiving yards in every game since returning, making him a viable WR2 this week.
21. Ricky Pearsall, SF
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Pearsall’s 8 targets last week were his most since Week 3, and it paid off with him going 5-85-0. A disappointing, injury-plagued season overall for Pearsall, but he is finally healthy and implemented into the 49ers’ game plan. He can be a WR2 this week with the chance for similar volume.
22. Jauan Jennings, SF
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Jennings did very little early in the game last week against the Bears, but a late 38-yard TD gave Jennings’ fantasy day some life. He will go up against a stout Seahawks secondary, which lowers Jennings’ floor. He should be trusted as a WR2 who likely needs a TD to have a good day.
23. Jaylen Waddle, MIA
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Waddle (ribs) returned to a limited practice on Thursday, giving him a shot to suit up vs. New England. He posted 5-68-1 vs. New England in Week 2, albeit alongside Tua Tagovailoa.
24. D.J. Moore, CHI
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We gotta imagine Moore's 1-catch, 7-yard Week 17 dud was at least partly due to the illness that landed him on the injury report on Sunday morning. He'd posted 4-69-2 and 5-97-1 receiving lines over his previous two games. This weekend brings a prime bounce-back spot against a Lions defense that ranks 25th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs over the last five weeks.
25. Jerry Jeudy, CLE
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Jeudy has drawn a decent 18% target share in six starts alongside Shedeur Sanders. Treat him as a WR3 against the Bengals.
26. Chris Godwin, TB
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Godwin has scored 10-plus PPR points in four of his last five games. The only game he failed to reach double digits was in Week 16 against the Panthers. Carolina allows the ninth-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but Godwin's volume keeps him in-play as a WR2/3 in Week 18. Godwin leads Tampa with an 84% route rate and ranks as the overall WR15 since Week 11.
27. Terry McLaurin, WAS
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McLaurin faces a challenging spot if the Eagles play their usual CB alignment. If they choose to rest Quinyon Mitchell, though, the matchup gets much friendlier. McLaurin has fallen short of 50 receiving yards just once among his past seven appearances.
28. Brian Thomas Jr., JAC
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Thomas has fallen behind Jakobi Meyers and, more recently, Parker Washington in Jacksonville's target hierarchy. However, Week 18 offers a solid chance for Thomas to rebound against a Tennessee defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs. The Jaguars will go all out to wrap up the AFC South, so Thomas should command enough targets to be a viable WR3.
29. Tre Tucker, LVR
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In four games without TE Brock Bowers this season, Tucker has averaged 5.8 targets, 4.8 catches, and 53.5 yards with 0 total TDs. It's tough to get excited about the ceiling here, but Tucker is a low-end, volume-based Week 18 fantasy option vs. the Chiefs.
30. Deebo Samuel, WAS
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Samuel sits behind teammate Terry McLaurin in our rankings after catching three passes or fewer in three straight games. The matchup improves for both of them, though, if the Eagles elect to rest top corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
31. Puka Nacua, LAR
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Nacua has been a stud all season, but he may sit for at least part of the game with the Rams only playing for seeding. Even half a game of Nacua could be a better option than most back-ups playing a full game though. Nacua could be a flex play if you are desperate.
32. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ
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Mitchell ranks 14th among all WRs in target share since joining the Jets for Week 11. Of course, just two of those seven games have found him catch more than three passes, reach 50 yards, or score a TD. Mitchell remains a fringe WR3, though there's upside against a Bills D that should be resting some starters.
33. Chimere Dike, TEN
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Dike has scored 10-plus PPR points in three of his last four games. He's caught three-plus balls in all four of those games and has a pair of TDs during the stretch. Jacksonville held Dike to one catch for eight yards in Week 13, but the Titans have played better on offense since that 25-3 loss to the Jags. View Dike as a decent WR3/Flex option in Week 18 against a Jacksonville defense that cedes the 14th-most PPR points to WRs.
34. Jalen Coker, CAR
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Carolina's lack of passing volume keeps Coker's output muted, but he has caught multiple receptions in seven straight games, including a 3/47/0 line against Tampa in Week 16. Coker doesn't offer much upside, but he should see a handful of targets in a must-win game. View Coker as a WR3/Flex option in deeper leagues.
35. Jahan Dotson, PHI
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Dotson heads toward Sunday as the best bet to lead the WR corps for an Eagles team planning to rest at least some starters. A near-identical scenario in Week 18 of last season propelled him to a 7-94 receiving line on 11 targets, with Tanner McKee at QB.
36. Michael Pittman Jr., IND
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Pittman's target counts suffered with weaker-armed Philip Rivers at the helm. But when Riley Leonard took over after Daniel Jones went down, Pittman drew 10 targets vs. five for his nearest teammate. Leonard's stronger arm should favor Pittman over the shorter-range Josh downs. The Houston matchup, however -- and the fact that this will be Leonard's first NFL start -- keep Pittman from being an attractive fantasy play. The matchup will improve if Houston misses CB Derek Stingley Jr. or CB Kamari Lassiter. Both guys opened the practice week sitting out with injuries.
37. Kevin Austin Jr., NO
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Austin has been a full-time player in New Orleans' offense the last two weeks and totaled 8 targets, 6 catches, 70 yards, and a score. He has a chance to be even busier in Sunday's finale against the Falcons with Chris Olave out. Atlanta ranks 27th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.
38. Jordan Addison, MIN
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Addison came through with a 65-yard run for a TD last week, but that was his only touch in the game. With the weak Vikings’ passing game led by QB Max Brosmer, Addison should be a sit this week.
39. Kayshon Boutte, NE
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Boutte is on track to return from a Week 16 concussion. The second-year pro hasn't topped 40 yards since Week 8.
40. Darius Slayton, NYG
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Here are Slayton's target counts over his past six games: 4, 2, 3, 10, 2, and 3. He's a fantasy WR4, with room to rise if Wan'Dale Robinson (ribs) is sidelined.
41. Tre Harris, LAC
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The Chargers are expected to rest their top-three WRs, giving Harris a chance to fill in as the club's No. 1 wideout. However, he'll be getting targets from Trey Lance and facing a fearsome Denver defense that will be playing all-out to secure the AFC's No. 1 seed. The Broncos allow the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, so view Harris as a WR4/Flex option, at best.
42. Alec Pierce, IND
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Pierce gains some target-share upside with stronger-armed Riley Leonard taking over for weak-armed Philip Rivers. But we're not betting on a low-volume WR with a first-time NFL starter against the league's third-toughest WR defense (by adjusted fantasy points allowed).
43. Josh Downs, IND
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Downs got a boost in target volume across Philip Rivers' three starts. That made sense with Downs' shorter-range game fitting Rivers' weak arm. This week's shift to rookie Riley Leonard likely changes that. And the matchup with Houston makes all Colts WRs less attractive.
44. Isaac TeSlaa, DET
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TeSlaa's role has grown late in his rookie season. He's posted 58% and 71% route rates over his last two games, totaling 11 targets, seven catches, 101 yards, and two TDs. He's a fun flier in daily contests against the Bears 30th-ranked WR defense.
45. Cooper Kupp, SEA
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Kupp only went 1-6-0 last week, but did drop a pass in the end zone. If the Seahawks do fall behind, it could benefit Kupp from a higher passer volume. With the weirdness of Week 18, he could be a flier in one of the few meaningful games of the week.
46. Adam Thielen, PIT
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The Steelers need WR Adam Thielen to step up in Sunday night's must-win game vs. the Ravens, with WR D.K. Metcalf and TE Darnell Washington out. Is the 35-year-old capable. We're not very optimistic. Thielen has turned his 11 targets with the Steelers over the last four weeks into just 74 yards.
47. Pat Bryant, DEN
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Bryant logged back-to-back full practice sessions and looks ready to return to the lineup after sitting out Week 17 with a concussion. Bryant has caught 3-plus balls in his last four outings and out-snapped Troy Franklin during the stretch. The Broncos will be playing to win, so Bryant is back on the Flex radar against a Chargers' defense that will be resting starters.
48. Ryan Flournoy, DAL
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Flournoy is on track to return from a knee injury after putting in a limited practice on Wednesday. Still, he's a fantasy long-shot behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
49. Elic Ayomanor, TEN
Like his teammate Chimere Dike, Ayomanor has a pair of TD grabs in Tennessee's last four games. However, Ayomanor's 14% target share from Weeks 14-17 trails well behind Dike's 21% rate. The Jaguars have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to WRs, but held Ayomanor to just five yards in Week 13. Look for Ayomanor to rebound in Week 18, putting him in Flex range in deeper leagues.
50. Khalil Shakir, BUF
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Shakir leads our Bills WR projections this week, but only because it's impossible to like anyone else. You'll notice that even he sits well outside of starter range for normal-sized leagues. This is not an offense to trust in Week 18.
51. Jayden Higgins, HOU
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Don't overrate the 88 yards and a TD for Higgins last week. He did that on just 2 catches among four targets, mostly thanks to an early 75-yard TD. Higgins' downfield ability presents some deep upside in a non-scary matchup. But he also hasn't exceeded 3 catches in a game since Week 13 or five targets in a game since Week 12.
52. Troy Franklin, DEN
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Franklin has 4-plus grabs in Denver's last three games and will be in a good position to extend that streak in Week 18. The Chargers allow the 13th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs, but will be resting starters in the secondary. Denver will go all-out to clinch home-field advantage, setting up Franklin to see good volume. He's a solid Flex option with WR2 potential.
53. John Metchie, NYJ
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Metchie has gone five straight games without a TD, averaging just 3.2 catches and 24.6 yards per game over that span.
54. Rashid Shaheed, SEA
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Shaheed appears set to play this week as the Seahawks try for the top seed in the NFC. His deep threat ability can always mean a long TD, but Shaheed's usage has been slowing. He is a sit this week.
55. Xavier Worthy, KC
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Worthy has totaled just two catches on six targets for 41 scoreless yards sans Patrick Mahomes the past two weeks. Hopefully you don't need to rely on this Chris Oladokun-led passing game in Week 18.
56. Dante Pettis, NO
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Pettis posted a 3-53-0 line on four targets and a 77% route rate last week. He has a chance to get even more involved in Sunday's finale with Chris Olave out. Pettis is on the radar for daily tournaments against Atlanta's 27th-ranked WR defense.
57. Jalen McMillan, TB
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McMillian has been in on 54% of Tampa's snaps since he debuted in Week 15. He's posted a respectable 14% target share in his three games. Last week, he exploded for 7 catches for 114 yards against the Dolphins. This week's matchup against the Panthers looks less appealing, but McMillian should continue to see enough snaps and targets to warrant Flex consideration in deeper leagues this week.
58. Kyle Williams, NE
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Mack Hollins was recently placed on IR, opening up a 15% target share and a 62% route rate. That opens the door for Williams to see elevated rotational snaps, even with Kayshon Boutte on track to return from a Week 16 concussion.
59. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, PIT
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Valdes-Scantling led the Steelers with nine targets last week. In typical MVS fashion, he turned them into three catches and 21 yards. Pittsburgh could use him to step up with WR D.K. Metcalf and TE Darnell Washington out for Sunday night's must-win game vs. the Ravens. But we've seen more than enough of Valdes-Scantling to count on it.
60. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC
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Smith-Schuster leads Chiefs WRs with an 89% route rate over the last two weeks -- but it's resulted in just four catches for 28 scoreless yards. Hopefully you don't need to rely on this Chris Oladokun-led passing game in Week 18.
