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Week 18 Free Agent Focus

By Alex Korff | Updated on Tue, 01 Aug 2023 . 2:07 PM EDT

Boston Scott, RB, Eagles

Scott hit Sunday rostered in just 23% of ESPN leagues. He’s worth a pickup if still available in your league after garnering 18 touches to Jordan Howard’s 11 in Sunday’s win over Washington. There was some luck involved in him happening to claim both of Philly’s TDs for the game. But those scores came from 1 and 2 yards out. So he looks like the committee leader and is getting value touches. That included 4 of the team’s 5 backfield targets Sunday.

Rex Burkhead, RB, Texans

It wasn’t close to his massive Week 16, but Burkhead compiled 79 total yards on 22 touches (16 carries, 6 catches) in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. Burkhead has now tallied 15+ opportunities (carries + targets) in 6 of his last 7 games, including 19+ in 3 straight. He’ll be a volume-based RB3 in Week 18 vs. the Titans.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Le’Veon Bell, RBs, Bucs

We’ll see exactly who’s available in Tampa’s backfield this coming week. We know Leonard Fournette won’t be, but Ronald Jones (ankle) and Vaughn (ribs) are both uncertain after getting hurt against the Jets. Bell is the Bucs’ only healthy RB right now. He and Vaughn are worth stashing until this picture clears.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Jets

Coleman remains on the COVID list at the time of this writing, but he should be cleared in time for Week 18. Coleman might find himself as the Jets’ lead back for that one if Michael Carter is unable to clear the concussion protocol. The matchup vs. the Bills is less than ideal, though, so Coleman would only be a RB3 or flex option.

Jaret Patterson, RB, Washington

Antonio Gibson should be back from the COVID list for the regular-season finale at the Giants. But he has dealt with multiple lower-body injuries throughout the season. If Washington elects to sit its 2nd-year RB in a meaningless game, Patterson would assume lead duties against a Giants team that plays the run soft and looks done. Patterson went 12-57-1 on the ground in Sunday’s loss to Philly, with another 41 yards on 5 receptions. No other Washington RB garnered more than 6 touches.

Patrick Taylor, RB, Packers

The Packers clinched the NFC's #1 seed with their win over the Vikings on Sunday night. That gives them the option to rest starters in the regular-season finale. If they decide to sit RBs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, Taylor would find himself with a big role in a plus matchup vs. the Lions.

Gabriel Davis, WR, Bills

With Emmanuel Sanders sidelined, Davis snagged 3 of 3 targets for 40 yards in Sunday’s win over Atlanta. It's disappointing output for sure. But we also witnessed Josh Allen post a completion rate of just 42.3% in perhaps his worst performance of the year. If Sanders’ knee issue keeps him out of Week 18 vs. the Jets, Davis will retain WR3 value.

Zay Jones, WR, Raiders

Jones hauled in 8 of 10 targets for 120 yards in Sunday’s win over the Colts. Those were all season highs, but it marked Jones’ 4th straight game and 5th among the last 6 with 5+ catches and 7+ targets. He’ll be in the WR3 mix for the regular-season finale vs. the Chargers.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens

Marquise Brown entered Sunday’s game questionable and finished it with 2 fewer targets than his rookie teammate. Bateman led Baltimore with 10 looks and 7 receptions on a day of limited offense. Bateman hasn’t been a consistent bet for targets, but he and the Ravens face a soft Pittsburgh defense in Week 18.

Braxton Berrios, WR, Jets

He turned in a big fantasy outing vs. the Bucs, catching 8 of 12 targets for 65 yards and a score and carrying twice for 12 yards and another TD. Berrios has now hit paydirt 4 times over the last 3 weeks – although 2 of those have been rushing and another on a kick return. We can’t count on those going forward, but we can count on nice target volume if WR Jamison Crowder remains out for the finale vs. the Bills.

Marquez Callaway, WR, Saints

Callaway has heated up down the stretch. With a 6-97 line on 10 targets Sunday, he has now totaled 24 targets, 16 catches and 255 yards over his last 3 games. Callaway closes the regular season with a plus matchup against the Falcons.

Cedrick Wilson, WR, Cowboys

Stepping in for Michael Gallup against the Cardinals, Wilson caught all 6 of his targets for 35 yards and a score. Gallup is done for the season with his torn ACL, putting Wilson in the WR3 mix for Week 18. He’s been efficient this year, with a 69% catch rate and 13.2 yards per reception. We'll have to see if the Cowboys on playing all their starters in Week 18. They've clinched the NFC East but would need a lot of help to move up from the #4 seed.

Cyril Grayson, WR, Bucs

He hauled in the game-winning 33-yard TD against the Jets, 1 of his 6 catches for 81 yards. Grayson also made a big 62-yard reception last week and should be earning some of those coveted Tom Brady brownie points. With the Bucs now missing WRs Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, Grayson has a chance to maintain a significant role in Week 18 and the playoffs.

Antoine Wesley, WR, Cardinals

He scored his 2nd and 3rd TDs over the last 2 weeks in Sunday’s win over the Cowboys. His 2nd at Dallas was an impressive leaping grab over a defender from 19 yards out. Wesley has a modest 17 targets over the last 3 games without DeAndre Hopkins, so he’s a TD-or-bust fantasy play in Week 18 vs. the Seahawks.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers

He’ll return from his concussion Monday night vs. the Browns. We’ll see how that goes. But Freiermuth will close his rookie campaign with a plus matchup against the Ravens. Baltimore came into Week 17 ranked 27th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs – and then coughed up a 6-69 line to Tyler Higbee.