- - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Parker Washington among top adds for leagues with a Week 18 title matchup

Ben ZweimanDecember 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM

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For many of us, the fantasy football season ended in Week 17 with being the championship round. But there are small percentage of leagues that trickle into Week 18 despite the potential for players to rest before the NFL playoffs. If you're among the managers in one of those leagues, you may be in need of some waiver wire advice. Let's help you sort through the options with some top adds at each position.

As a general reminder, it's not clear which teams will be resting players or rolling with starters in Week 18 as of this writing. That is the most important factor of the week — be sure to monitor the news and injury reports to see who is active and inactive, adjusting your lineup and waiver strategy accordingly.

Fantasy Football Week 18 Waiver Wire PickupsQuarterbacksTyler Shough, Saints (21% rostered)

Shough has been one of the better stories of the second half of the season and should give Saints fans and prospective fantasy managers plenty of hope for the future. Over the past four weeks, Shough has been a top-10 QB in fantasy scoring and is coming off 333 passing yards and two TDs (21.92 fantasy points) in Week 17 versus the Titans.

The Saints play the Falcons in Week 18, giving Shough the chance to finish the season on a high note and continue to prove to the franchise he should start at QB in 2026. If you're in need of a streaming option at QB for whatever reason in Week 18, Shough is likely the best option available.

Note: As stated, keep in mind teams resting starters. We could see a quality backup in a good offense emerge.

Other Options: Aaron Rodgers, PIT (29%), Shedeur Sanders, CLE (12%)

Running BacksMalik Davis, Cowboys (2% rostered)

The Cowboys lost starting RB Javonte Williams to a shoulder injury in the second quarter in Week 17 versus the Commanders. His status for the season finale versus the Giants will likely be up in the air. Replacing Williams was Davis, who finished with 103 yards on 20 carries against Washington. If Williams ends up sitting, Davis should get the majority of the touches out of the backfield and would be a decent RB3/flex option. The Giants are one of the best matchups for RBs in fantasy this season.

Devin Singletary, Giants (24% rostered)

If you want to attack the Giants-Cowboys game from the New York side, you can snag Singletary, who should be available in most shallow leagues. He's been splitting work with Tyrone Tracy Jr. but has been the goal-line back. Jaxson Dart is a threat to steal TDs but the Giants also want to protect their young QB. Singletary has double-digit touches in back-to-back games and the Cowboys were just gashed for 138 yards and two scores on just 16 carries by the Commanders in Week 17.

Other Options: Blake Corum (47%), Audric Estimé, NO (11%), Dylan Sampson, CLE (29%)

Wide ReceiversParker Washington, Jaguars (37% rostered)

You may have been worried about adding/playing Washington given how many receivers the Jaguars like to use. But he's had 10 targets in back-to-back weeks and is the clear No. 2 receiving option behind Jakobi Meyers. Washington finished Week 17 versus the Colts with eight catches for 115 yards. Jacksonville's passing game can clearly sustain multiple receivers at this point and the Jaguars will be looking to lock up the AFC South division title in Week 18 versus the Titans, which is a fantastic matchup.

Luther Burden III, Bears (23% rostered)

The Bears and Niners gave us a classic on MNF in Week 17 with a combined 80 points. Burden took advantage of injuries to Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus by hauling in eight of nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Bears can no longer get the No. 1 seed in the NFC, so there's a chance they rest some players in Week 18 against the Lions. But if Burden is active and Odunze and Zaccheaus sit again, he'll be in another great game environment. Keep an eye on the injury report, specifically Burden, who sustained a quad injury in the loss to San Francisco. He's expected to be OK though.

Isaac TeSlaa, Lions (6% rostered)

The Lions are eliminated from playoff contention, so there's no reason to rest starters versus the Bears in Week 18. Detroit still should be somewhat motivated to finish the season strong and maybe knock Chicago down a seed in the playoffs. Anyway, let's talk about TeSlaa.

The rookie wideout has scored a touchdown in four of the past five games. He finished with three catches for 49 yards and a score on Christmas Day versus Minnesota. He's played at least 52% of the snaps in each of the past five games and there's a chance he gets a longer look in the season finale. The only thing to monitor is the weather in Chicago, but TeSlaa could be a sneaky add, especially if Amon-Ra St. Brown ends up sitting after being attended to by trainers in the final minute of Week 17's loss.

Other Options: Jalen McMillan, TB (2%)

Tight EndsJake Tonges, 49ers (9% rostered)

This pickup is tied to the status of George Kittle, who missed Week 17 due to a mid-to-low ankle sprain. With Kittle sidelined against the Bears, Tonges was heavily involved again, catching seven of nine targets for 60 yards and a score. Tonges has a knack for getting in the end zone with five TDs in limited action this season. The Niners can steal the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over Seattle in Week 18, so there's still plenty to play for. If Kittle sits again, Tonges is a great TE streaming option.

Chig Okonkwo, Titans (17% rostered)

Okonkwo entered 2025 as a trendy late-round sleeper at tight end after the Titans drafted Cam Ward. That sentiment didn't end up panning out but Okonkwo has a chance to finish the campaign on a good note. He's posted back-to-back double-digit fantasy point outings with a 6-44-1 line in Week 16 and a 3-55-1 mark on Sunday versus the Saints. The Titans have a tough draw against a Jaguars team looking to shore up an AFC South division title. But Okonkwo should be a safety valve for Ward and has been getting a lot of looks in the red zone the past few games.

Other Options: AJ Barner, SEA (18%), Michael Mayer, LVR (12%)

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Source: “AOL Sports”