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FFT Express - EARLY Week 18 Waiver Wire TARGETS! (12/29 Fantasy Football Podcast)
00:16:34
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- [00:00]
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- [01:12]
Adam Azer
If you're playing into week 18. Good for you. You're a brave soul. We've got your waiver wire advice right now. This is Fantasy Football Today Express. Adam Azer and Jamie Eisenberg before we get into the waiver wire. What a game last night.
- [01:30]
Commercial Announcer
Woo.
- [01:30]
Adam Azer
That was fun, huh?
- [01:32]
Jamie Eisenberg
It was fun. It was great to see Brock Purdy have another solid, amazing game. For anybody that listened to us on Sunday, you know I was very high on Jake Tonjas and he came through with a great game. Amazing to see Caleb Williams have another great game. Amazing to see Luther Burden look like the potential star that he could be. And the same with Colston. Loved one. So Bears have themselves a very nice offense not just for this season, but also for the years to come. Juwan Jennings scores another touchdown. Christian McCaffrey has another good game. Deandre Swift monster game. So it was, it was great to see a lot of the the guys that either we've been talking about for the entirety of the season or recommending for the championship week come through. So that was fun.
- [02:11]
Adam Azer
And Luther Burden could be Someone you're picking up now. We hope he plays. He's 34 rostered, he faces Detroit, who gives up the second most fantasy points to wide receivers. So we'll talk about wide receivers to pick up. I'm sure burden will be a name to know. Just he did hurt his quad and apparently minor injury, but hopefully he's back for for week 18. So which teams are you most concerned about resting players in week 18?
- [02:35]
Jamie Eisenberg
So really I think at this point you can only focus on the playoff teams because we don't know what the non playoff teams are going to do. We'll hopefully get some updates throughout the week. But I think anybody that has lingering injuries, for example, I'd be surprised if Javante Williams plays. Dealing with the shoulder injury, I'd be surprised if Harold Fannin plays. Dealing with the groin injury, you know, things of that nature. So expect those guys to probably sit. I think the two that you have to be the most concerned about right now would be the packers in the NFC and the Bills in the afc. And so for the packers, they're locked into the seven seed, obviously dealing with a lot of injuries right now. So my guess is Josh Jacobs probably will not play Jordan Love if he clears the concussion protocol. If he plays, he probably won't play much. If you're counting on Malik Willis for another week, who knows if they run him out there because of the shoulder injury, you know, just wanting to make sure he's okay. So a lot of moving parts with the packers for the Bills with Josh Allen dealing with the foot injury, will he play Buffalo can still conceivably get to the five seed, which is important in the AFC because then you're playing the winner of the AFC north, which I think is the easiest opponent at least of the remaining playoff teams.
- [03:40]
Adam Azer
I don't know about that. You want to go face Lamar Jackson if it him?
- [03:44]
Jamie Eisenberg
Well, I mean if your choices are to go play Lamar Jackson and what that team has looked like for the majority of the second half or the Steelers right now, would you rather do that or would you rather go play New England or Denver or Jacksonville or one of those teams depending on who.
- [04:00]
Adam Azer
Gets rather play Jacksonville. But this, it's really worth debating but I'd much rather play the Steelers than the Ravens. So if I'm Buffalo or any if I'm a wild card team has a chance at the five seed, I'm definitely rooting for the Steelers.
- [04:14]
Jamie Eisenberg
Personally, I think that's the, the smart play. But you know, prior to week 17 when they didn't have their best receiver. They did look like a very strong team recently because of how they've been performing. I mean, beating Baltimore the way that they beat Miami, you know, they just looked like a much better team.
- [04:29]
Adam Azer
One in Detroit. It won in Detroit. Was very impressive.
- [04:32]
Jamie Eisenberg
Winning in Detroit. Yeah. Yeah. All right.
- [04:34]
Adam Azer
Yeah. Okay. So we'll keep an eye on it throughout the week. It's gonna be the major storyline for week 18. And let's talk about waiver wire quarterbacks.
- [04:40]
Jamie Eisenberg
Who do you like? So I. I kind of wrote the column the same way we always do. I don't want to shortchange anybody playing in week 18. I did a poll on Twitter, by the way, or X of who still plays in week 18. I think of like 2, 000 votes. We had like 7 or 8% of people still say they play in week 18. I got some comments say that they have two week championships that go into week 18. So there are some people clearly that are still paying attention. For what that's worth, Tyler Shock has got to be number one. Just the way that he's performed. It's funny because six of his last seven games, he's been 19 fantasy points or more. The one game where he was under that total was against Atlanta. I don't think anybody fears the Falcons right now, or at least they shouldn't again. We'll see what happens Monday night. But Chuck, to me as a top 12 quarterback, you know, I liked him as a top 12 quarterback going into the matchup against the Titans. I think he finishes the year strong. By the way, he's now the betting favorite to be rookie of the year. So strong finish for him. Offensive rookie year at least. Next would be Bryce Young, who was absolutely miserable against Seattle, understandably so. But only 54 passing yards, did have a rushing touchdown. He gets a rematch against Tampa Bay. Last time we saw him against Tampa Bay, week 16, 21 fantasy points. So we know what Tampa Bay's past defense has been like. It's now six games in a row. I'm sorry, eight quarterbacks in row. Excuse me, eight in a row. 19.8 fantasy points or more that they've allowed. So could be another good game for Bryce Young if you're stuck. And then I don't like the matchup, but I like the way that he's playing. Cam Ward, 19, rostered since facing Jacksonville in Week 13 where he only scored 6.3 fantasy points. Four straight games with two touchdowns, three in a row. Of 19 fantasy points or more. My guess would be if Jacksonville is Locked into a wild card spot and they're winning the game. They probably start to pull some guys, especially after losing a couple defenders recently. So maybe Cam Ward in the fourth quarter can compile some stats. But just the way he's played lately, I think you got to give him some credit. He's really finished the season much stronger than he started. And I think the the Titans have a pretty solid quarterback going into 2026.
- [06:28]
Adam Azer
All right, we're going to take a break. Talk running backs, receivers, tight ends, DSTs for week 18 after this.
- [06:34]
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- [07:04]
Adam Azer
I need her, I think I know where we're going at running back. I think it's going to be up in my neck of the woods. Who's our top waiver wire?
- [07:11]
Jamie Eisenberg
Running back Malik Davis. Yeah, you know, taking on the Giants, he's had a really strong game against the commanders and again, I do not expect Javante Williams to play. That could change, but I don't know why they would risk him, why he would want to play. I believe he's going into free agency so, you know, not wanting to risk, you know, getting hurt. He's been banged up the last, you know, three weeks with shoulder, neck, you know, just different ailments. After him. It's a little bit of a guessing game for me at least right now. So I have Dylan Sampson second just with the way that he was the lead back for the Browns. A little bit of an easier matchup if you can believe that. Going from the Steelers to the Jaguars, even though Jacksonville's defense played great. But I think his role in the passing game will. Will become a little bit more prominent.
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Adam Azer
Sampson.
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Jamie Eisenberg
Huh?
- [07:55]
Adam Azer
Dylan Sampson.
- [07:56]
Jamie Eisenberg
Yeah.
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Adam Azer
Going to the Bengals facing the bank.
- [07:58]
Jamie Eisenberg
I'm sorry, that. Excuse me. That's what it was. Going to the Bengals. Excuse me. So Dylan Sampson, we saw what he didn't in week one against them. We know their fantasy production. We had this conversation yesterday. I don't think the Bengals are as bad as they've been for the season, as bad lately. But Samson's opportunity there, the third guy would be Emmanuel Wilson. Again, I think that the packers will be smart and rest Josh Jacobs. Probably going to rest some offensive linemen but still Wilson getting an opportunity to be the starter. Tough matchup against Minnesota, but I still think he's worth a look just given his expected role. I have Isaiah Pacheco, Audrey Estimate, Devin Singletary and Ray Davis next Pacheco taking on the Raiders. That run defense look bad against the Giants and I think Pacheco will get an opportunity to be the lead running back again for the Chiefs. Estimate coming off a very strong game. I know it was basically the strength. The majority of that was one big run. But yeah, still not a bad matchup against Atlanta and then Singletary getting the touchdown in the in the game for the Giants. Maybe he gets a little bit more work as well in tandem with with Tyrone Tracy and then Ray Davis. Just again with the thought of maybe the Bills resting guys. I think Davis would get the lead running back role ahead of Ty Johnson.
- [09:04]
Adam Azer
Okay, how about wide receivers? Who are your favorites on the waiver wire?
- [09:09]
Jamie Eisenberg
Luther Burton, like you said, coming off the game that he had, I think by all reports I both Schefter and Rapaport seem to indicate that he's fine. We'll keep an eye on the practice reports there but I mean how can you not look at this guy Especially if Romo Dunes is out giving the matchup against Detroit and they may start to rest some guys just knowing that they're out of the playoffs. Parker Washington, you know we had this conversation. Who's going to be the best Jaguars wide receiver in week 17? Well, after what he did in week 16 against Denver, he follows up with a strong game in Week 17 against the Colts. And I think it's all systems go for how Trevor Lawrence is leaning on Parker Washington right now. Jalen Coker would be next for me, you know. Good game against Tampa Bay first time around. We'll see how he does in in the rematch here. I'm sorry did not have a good game against Tampa Bay the first time but good match up here. So I think Jalen Coker is worth a look. Chimary dk it says every other week. So he didn't score a touchdown last week. So he's due three touchdowns in his last six games prior to week 17. But he had a good role and again the way Cam Ward is playing right now, I think he's worth a look in deeper formats. Trey Tucker. I don't know who's gonna be the quarterback for the Raiders. I'd be surprised if a Geno Smith but another decent game for him against the Giants. I think he's worth a look. Again, deeper leagues. We're talking deep league options at this point. And then Jaylen McMillan and Kyle Williams would be the next two guys. McMillan coming off an amazing game for Tampa Bay, but who knows how that will carry over from week 17 to week 18 given Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and all those guys still active. But McMillan definitely played well with his performance against Miami. And then Kyle Williams, I know he didn't have a touchdown despite the fact that Drake May threw a billion of them, but did have five targets. We'll see if Case on booty is able to play. We know that Matt Collins is out, so Williams, they get five targets. Maybe if May throws the ball a little bit more against Miami or gets a deep shot, Kyle Williams could come through in this performance.
- [10:48]
Adam Azer
Okay. By the way, it seems like it's going to be Kenny Pickett for the Raiders. Pete Carroll said it's gonna be tough for Geno Smith with a higher sprain to come back this week. All right, tight ends.
- [10:59]
Jamie Eisenberg
So again, this is another position. Look at the shallowly guys. Joanne Johnson, Colson Loveland, Dalton Schultz, Brenton Strange. All roster between 76 and. But once you get past those guys, it's really a tough call right now because I think if you were to say that there is no George Kittle, Ton just should be number one. But Kittle was reportedly close to playing. Huge game, obviously against Seattle, you would expect him to be out there. Just keep an eye on the practice reports. Again, you don't know who might want to pick up both these guys, but Michael Mayer coming off the game that he just had, you know, Brock Bowers we know is shut down. So Meyer with the nine catches, he would be the preferred choice for me to go get first after Tanjis. It's AJ Barner. Rashid Shahid's in the concussion protocol. San Francisco last night got beat up by San Francisco's. Excuse me, San Francisco last night I got beat up by Chicago's tight ends. I think Barner has proven at times when he gets targets, he's a decent fantasy option. So deep league guy there. You can look at Colby Parkinson. We'll see what the Rams decide to do. But this will be a much easier matchup depending on what he does Monday night against the Falcons. But the Cardinals, we know, have been bad against tight ends the majority of the season. And then it's kind of just. I really haven't settled on who I like next. But around a Gaston we'll see what the Broncos decide to do. But Gaston, coming off a strong game this past week, we know that there's no DK Metcalf and now no Darnell Washington. Both tight ends for the Steelers will be in play. Friarmouth had the better yardage game. John who Smith had five catches for 18 yards, so I don't know how much you want to buy into that, but the catches were there. And then Chico Conquer is coming off two straight strong games, and we don't know if Dalton Kincaid will play for the Bills, but Dawson Knox, I'm sure will be in play depending on what Buffalo decides to do against the Jets.
- [12:36]
Adam Azer
All right, Jamie.
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Commercial Announcer
Oh, DST.
- [12:38]
Adam Azer
Sorry. DSCs and kickers.
- [12:39]
Jamie Eisenberg
Vikings would be number one, taking on the Packers. I mean, it's hard to overlook the way that their defense is played now. Playing backups. The Ravens taking on the Steelers. Their offense just looked bad, obviously against the Browns. So hopefully Baltimore's defense comes to play if you need them. And then the Chargers against the Broncos. I know the Chargers gave up too long touchdowns to C.J. stroud, but they. Their defense really buckled down after that. And I think in a game, if they decide to play, which my guess is they will, taking on Bo Nix, who's been a little turnover prone recently as well. Kickers, it's almost the same list from a week ago. Eddie Pinero still in a percentage range that you want to buy into him against Seattle. Will Lutz taking on the Chargers and Andres Boregales taking on the Dolphins at home?
- [13:18]
Adam Azer
Yeah, I, you know, I get this.
- [13:21]
Jamie Eisenberg
I.
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Adam Azer
Well, I wouldn't say. I just think there's a chance. The Chargers are resting guys. They've been eliminated from the division. They've clinched a playoff spot. So they're just playing for seating.
- [13:30]
Jamie Eisenberg
And I.
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Adam Azer
Why would Justin Herbert play? I mean, I feel like Justin Herbert, who re. Aggravated the hand injury early in that game against Houston, that. That is one that scares me a little bit. So just something to keep an eye on, maybe.
- [13:41]
Jamie Eisenberg
I don't. I don't think that's a bad thought. You know, again, there. There's Buffalo. We don't know what they'll do. Chargers, we don't know what they'll do. How much does the five seed matter? Because if the Texans lose and the Texans have the tiebreaker against the Bills, if the Texans lose, then you have a shot at the five seed. Texans win. Even the Jaguars when the Texans are locked into the five. Yeah.
- [14:08]
Adam Azer
So in the nfc, the five seed is pretty valuable. You know, Carolina's immensely valuable and or Tampa Bay, to me is a much more appealing matchup than I would say the Ravens. I think the Ravens are better than the Steelers, you know, but I wouldn't want to face a healthy Lamar Jackson in that team, you know, the way Derek Henry's running. But I, yeah, I don't know. I'd be, I'd be more likely if I were coaching, it'd be more likely to be playing for the 5 seed in the NFC than I would in the AFC. I feel like the AFC just kind of be careful what you wish for anything.
- [14:42]
Jamie Eisenberg
There's also, it's not clear in the AFC who's going to get the 5 seed because you need, not only do the Texans have to lose, but even if the, if the Texans win, then the Jaguars lose, then they're locked into the five no matter what.
- [14:58]
Adam Azer
So the six lose. They're the five seed.
- [15:01]
Jamie Eisenberg
Well, it, yeah, they're 12 and three right now, right? Or no, they're.
- [15:04]
Adam Azer
They're 12 and four.
- [15:05]
Jamie Eisenberg
They're 12 and four right now. So they have a better record than both Buffalo and the Chargers, right.
- [15:12]
Adam Azer
Well, the bills are 11 and 5. So if the Jaguars lose and the Bills win, they'll have the same record. And the Chargers also. Chargers are 11, 11 and 5.
- [15:22]
Jamie Eisenberg
The Jaguars beat the Chargers.
- [15:24]
Adam Azer
Okay. But if there's a three way tie, I don't know how that factors in.
- [15:27]
Jamie Eisenberg
Yeah. So there's a lot of moving parts.
- [15:28]
Adam Azer
For them, conference record and stuff like that.
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Jamie Eisenberg
The Rams control their own fate to face the NFC south winner. Yeah.
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Adam Azer
If the Jaguars lose and the Chargers and Bills win, all three teams are going to be 12 and 14 five with the conference. What would Texas. Oh, I forgot about the Texas.
- [15:46]
Jamie Eisenberg
Right.
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Adam Azer
They're facing the Colts. All three teams will be 12 and 5 with a conference record of 9 and 3. Texans would be 12 and 5. The Texans would win the division if they finished tied with the Jaguars.
- [15:55]
Jamie Eisenberg
Right? Yeah. Yes. Must be the case.
- [15:57]
Adam Azer
So, yeah, I don't know what would happen with the seating there. I'm sure, I'm sure that's published. We'll figure it out by Tuesday's show. For sure. Thanks everybody for watching and listening for Jamie. I'm Adam. Talk to you tomorrow on Finish Football Today.
- [16:14]
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