The Week 18 waiver wire is quite unique as the running back position. The primary targets are backup running backs on teams that are going to rest starters. Here are a few potential RB targets for fantasy football managers on the wire this week.
Top RB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 18
Pierre Strong Jr., Cleveland Browns (1% Rostered)
With the Baltimore Ravens’ win over the Miami Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed. They’ve made it clear they will rest starters if they have nothing to play for, and well … they have nothing to play for.
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In a game where the backups are in, we know Jerome Ford would sit. I’m pretty confident Kareem Hunt would be held out as well, leaving Pierre Strong Jr. as the lead back. Strong could very well see 20+ touches against the Cincinnati Bengals’ horrendous run defense.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (2% Rostered)
Due to the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers have clinched the No. 1 overall seed, which means they’ll be resting starters in Week 18.
Elijah Mitchell is the clear RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey when healthy. So, there’s risk that he ends up getting the start. However, I think he’s important enough that they may hold him out as well.
That would set the stage for Jordan Mason to handle a heavy workload against the Carolina Panthers’ awful run defense. Mason would be a high RB2 (at worst) if we get word he’s going to be the starter.
Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints (18% Rostered)
Alvin Kamara was the latest unfortunate victim of the definitely-getting-banned hip-drop tackle. He injured his ankle and did not return.
The New Orleans Saints’ playoff hopes remain alive. Therefore, they will try and have all hands on deck in Week 18. Unfortunately, the nature of Kamara’s injury suggests he’s probably not going to play.
If Kamara can’t go, that would set up Jamaal Williams to be the lead back. Williams handled 19 carries and saw four targets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he’ll be a volume-based RB2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams (0% Rostered)
With the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Los Angeles Rams have clinched a playoff spot.
During his entire tenure as head coach, Sean McVay has never played his starters in the preseason. With the Rams locked into a Wild Card spot, I fully expect them to sit everyone.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
We should find out more during the week, but my preliminary guess is that Ronnie Rivers won’t be treated as a player who gets rested. There’s a chance we see Royce Freeman as the lead back, but I think it will be Rivers.
The Rams get a 49ers team that will also be resting starters with the top seed in the NFC clinched. Although Rivers will be playing with backups, he’ll also be playing against them and could see 20+ touches, making him well worth starting.
Melvin Gordon III, Baltimore Ravens (0% Rostered)
This is only for the truly desperate. The Ravens clinched the AFC’s top seed and will be resting starters.
Given Baltimore’s injuries at running back, Gus Edwards is definitely going to sit, and it seems probable Justice Hill will as well. We could be looking at a full workload for Melvin Gordon III against a Steelers defense that struggles against the run.
Now, I’m not quite sure what Gordon can do at this point in his career (even with significant work), but volume is king. He could be a worthwhile starter next week.
La’Mical Perine, Kansas City Chiefs (0% Rostered)
You probably don’t want to start La’Mical Perine regardless of whether he’s the guy in Kansas City or not. Nevertheless, the Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed and will almost certainly be resting starters in Week 18. That will obviously include Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Such a scenario would set up Perine to be the lead back in a game where Kansas City will be playing all backups. He’s at least worth a speculative add to see who the Chiefs end up starting at RB.
Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions (1% Rostered)
The Detroit Lions’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night mathematically eliminated them from the No. 1 overall seed. While the sample size for how teams treat playoff seeding when a bye isn’t involved is small, what we’ve seen is coaches don’t seem to care about where they’re seeded.
The Lions are going to be the No. 2 or 3 seed in the NFC. At this time, we don’t know if Detroit cares about the difference. But we do know that the Lions’ path to the No. 2 seed is extremely unlikely.
The Cowboys are probably not losing to the Washington Commanders, and the Eagles are probably not losing to the New York Giants. As a result, Detroit’s Week 18 game is a glorified scrimmage.
We do have plenty of evidence on how head coach Dan Campbell handles the preseason. He doesn’t care — at all. Since taking over as head coach, Jared Goff hasn’t played a single preseason snap.
If the Lions do opt to rest starters, neither David Montgomery nor Jahmyr Gibbs is going to play. That would set up Craig Reynolds to serve as the lead back, and likely a three-down one at that, making him worth adding in fantasy.
Which RB Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Pierre Strong Jr. or Javonte Williams?
It’s not always a good idea to just assume backup running backs thrust into a starting role will be productive. But we have a unique scenario with Strong facing a very unimposing Bengals defense. With volume, he really could be in for a big day.
Obviously, Javonte Williams is the more established RB. However, he hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire recently. Over his past seven games, he’s scored 11+ fantasy points only once.
The Denver Broncos want to close the season out on a high note. They will play their healthy guys and play to win.
There’s no concern about Williams being held out. However, Strong’s role projects to be better than Williams’. Combine that with Williams’ lack of production, and I prefer Strong for Week 18.
Should You Roster Ronnie Rivers or Brian Robinson Jr.?
Brian Robinson Jr. returned from a hamstring strain to reclaim his lead RB role. Unfortunately, it didn’t go so well.
Robinson saw nine carries and four targets, turning his 13 touches into 76 scoreless yards.
The Commanders have a brutal Week 18 matchup against a Cowboys team that needs a win to clinch the NFC East and will be as motivated as ever.
Meanwhile, Rivers could be the every-down back in a glorified preseason game where both teams are resting starters. I will trust Rivers more if he’s the guy.
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