The waiver wire is rarely rich at the QB position, and the options are thinner than ever with more teams starting backups in Week 18. Hopefully, guys like Tyrod Taylor and Mason Rudolph can help propel some fantasy football managers.
Top QB Waiver Wire Targets in Week 18
Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants (4% Rostered)
If you’re looking for quarterbacks to stream next week, it’s going to be tough. Yet, Taylor just threw for 319 yards and a touchdown, while adding 40 yards on the ground.
The New York Giants get the Philadelphia Eagles next week. Taylor replaced Tommy DeVito at halftime when these teams met in Week 16. In just one half of football, Taylor put up 10.4 fantasy points.
The Eagles have the worst pass defense in the NFL, putting Taylor firmly on the streaming radar.
Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers (3% Rostered)
Let’s call it like we see it. Kenny Pickett has lost his job to Rudolph. There’s no way head coach Mike Tomlin is going back to Pickett after the way Rudolph has played and won the two games he’s started, with a playoff berth on the line.
MORE: Week 18 Waiver Wire Targets — RB | WR | TE
On the surface, Rudolph’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens is awful. However, the Ravens have locked up the bye, and they’re going to rest starters. That means Rudolph and the Steelers will have everything to play for and will be doing so against backups.
Rudolph’s Week 17 was awful for fantasy because Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris took all of the touchdowns. Even give him one through the air, and he would’ve posted passable QB2 numbers. He can easily throw for 200 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens’ backups.
Which QB Should You Roster in Fantasy Football?
Should You Roster Tyrod Taylor or Derek Carr?
Believe it or not, Taylor led the NFL in passing yards last Sunday. Derek Carr, meanwhile, didn’t even get to 200 yards in a game the New Orleans Saints won handily.
Taylor is going to play hard against the Eagles as he tries to spoil their waning NFC East championship hopes. Carr has a home game against the Falcons, who just saw their season end.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
While that may seem like a good thing, it could mean the Saints just run over the Falcons and don’t need to throw much.
Additionally, Carr offers nothing with his legs. Taylor provides a stable floor, and in Week 18, I believe he offers a higher ceiling. I would start Taylor.
Should You Roster Mason Rudolph or Baker Mayfield?
Rudolph has played better than anyone could’ve anticipated these past two weeks, leading the Steelers to two wins. With everything to play for against backups, he should be in a good spot to produce, as long as touchdown variance doesn’t smack him in the face again.
With that said, Baker Mayfield has been really solid for most of the season. He’s scored 18+ fantasy points in four straight games.
Unfortunately, Mayfield has a tough matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who held him to 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception when these teams last played.
The Panthers are a run-funnel defense, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should win handily. That means we should see more Rachaad White and more running.
Even so, it’s hard to trust Rudolph, as the Steelers also do not want to throw the ball if they can avoid it. I would stick with Mayfield, but the real answer is probably neither.
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