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Week 18 waiver wire pickups

The widely available players worth a week 18 claim, ranked by matchup and value over replacement, with a suggested FAAB bid for each and the roster spots worth clearing.

Scoring

Week 18 · Jan 5 – Jan 11 · 20 ranked adds

#PlayerMatchupPriorityFAABWhy
1Jauan JenningsWR · SF@ ARISmash spotstreamer6%Jauan Jennings draws @ ARI (smash spot) and still projects 156 points on the season with 36 over replacement at WR.
2Khalil ShakirWR · BUFvs NYJSmash spotstreamer6%Khalil Shakir draws vs NYJ (smash spot) and still projects 150 points on the season with 30 over replacement at WR.
3Deebo SamuelWR · WASvs DALSmash spotstreamer6%Deebo Samuel draws vs DAL (smash spot) and still projects 140 points on the season with 20 over replacement at WR.
4Ricky PearsallWR · SF@ ARISmash spotstreamer6%Ricky Pearsall draws @ ARI (smash spot) and still projects 134 points on the season with 14 over replacement at WR.
5Keon ColemanWR · BUFvs NYJSmash spotstreamer6%Keon Coleman draws vs NYJ (smash spot) and still projects 128 points on the season with 8 over replacement at WR.
6Brian Robinson Jr.RB · WASvs DALSmash spotstreamer6%Brian Robinson Jr. draws vs DAL (smash spot) and still projects 122 points on the season with 0 over replacement at RB.
7Jerry JeudyWR · CLE@ CINSmash spotstreamer6%Jerry Jeudy draws @ CIN (smash spot) and still projects 172 points on the season with 52 over replacement at WR.
8Tyler AllgeierRB · ATL@ CARNeutralspeculative2%Sits directly behind Bijan Robinson with 72% of that workload transferring. Allgeier has already been a 1,000-yard back when Bijan sat.
9Isaac GuerendoRB · SF@ ARISmash spotspeculative2%Sits directly behind Christian McCaffrey with 75% of that workload transferring. Highest-leverage handcuff on the board given the injury history.
10Brock PurdyQB · SF@ ARISmash spotstreamer3%Brock Purdy draws @ ARI (smash spot) and still projects 302 points on the season with -8 over replacement at QB.
11Will ShipleyRB · PHI@ NYGGood matchupspeculative2%Sits directly behind Saquon Barkley with 62% of that workload transferring. Philadelphia's line makes any starter behind it startable.
12Dallas GoedertTE · PHI@ NYGGood matchupspeculative3%Dallas Goedert draws @ NYG (good matchup) and still projects 152 points on the season with 28 over replacement at TE.
13Rashee RiceWR · KCvs LVGood matchupspeculative3%Rashee Rice draws vs LV (good matchup) and still projects 146 points on the season with 26 over replacement at WR.
14Isiah PachecoRB · KCvs LVGood matchupspeculative3%Isiah Pacheco draws vs LV (good matchup) and still projects 152 points on the season with 30 over replacement at RB.
15David NjokuTE · CLE@ CINSmash spotspeculative3%David Njoku draws @ CIN (smash spot) and still projects 124 points on the season with 0 over replacement at TE.
16Travis HunterWR · JAX@ INDNeutralspeculative3%Travis Hunter draws @ IND (neutral) and still projects 162 points on the season with 42 over replacement at WR.
17Aaron JonesRB · MINvs CHINeutralspeculative3%Aaron Jones draws vs CHI (neutral) and still projects 158 points on the season with 36 over replacement at RB.
18David MontgomeryRB · DET@ GBToughspeculative2%Sits directly behind Jahmyr Gibbs with 68% of that workload transferring. Already a standalone starter — the rare handcuff you draft on merit.
19Jameson WilliamsWR · DET@ GBToughspeculative1%Jameson Williams draws @ GB (tough) and still projects 164 points on the season with 44 over replacement at WR.
20Tucker KraftTE · GBvs DETNeutralspeculative1%Tucker Kraft draws vs DET (neutral) and still projects 146 points on the season with 22 over replacement at TE.

Drop candidates for week 18

Justin Herbert QB · LAC

@ DEN is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Caleb Williams QB · CHI

@ MIN is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Michael Pittman Jr. WR · IND

vs JAX is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Najee Harris RB · LAC

@ DEN is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Bo Nix QB · DEN

vs LAC is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Colston Loveland TE · CHI

@ MIN is a nightmare draw and there is a better add above him at the same position.

Planning week 18

Claims are decided before the matchup, so read this board on Tuesday and set your bid before you know how anyone else feels about the name. The score behind each player is the same one used all season — value over replacement adjusted for the defense he faces — which means a player can be a must-add in week 18 and a bench hold two weeks later without anything about him changing.

If a bye week is thinning your lineup, fill the hole from the drop list first: moving a player you were never going to start is cheaper than winning a bidding war.