FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode Title: Jake Ciely’s Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 18
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Joey P. (Joe Pisapia)
Guest Analyst: Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 18 waiver wire strategy, focusing on viable last-ditch pickups for fantasy football leagues still playing championships. The hosts, Joey P. and Jake Ciely, address the unique chaos of Week 18—when injuries, playoff rest, and unpredictable workloads can turn the waiver wire into a minefield. They provide analysis, reasoned takes, and commiseration for those still grinding, with special attention to players most likely to offer value as teams rest starters and backups get their shots.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Week 18 Challenge

• Joey P. immediately sets the tone:
  “If you're still playing fantasy football in week 18, you’ve made some bad life choices… Week 18 is full of landmines.” (00:35)
• Both agree that Week 18 is about opportunity, not star power. Many top players are resting, so managers must make savvy pickups, even among unheralded names.

2. Running Backs to Target

Audric Estime (Atlanta Falcons)

• Jake Ciely:
  “Estimate, he’s an above average… if you’re doing a scale of 10 and 5 was actually average. I’d put Estimate like 5.5 out of running backs.” (02:16)
• Estime’s recent good game suggests some upside, but expectations are tempered. He projects as an RB2 in a week where volume trumps talent.
• “By the end of this list, potentially a lot of running backs that aren’t even going to be playing in week 18.” (02:44)

Malik Davis (Denver Broncos)

• Joey P. highlights Davis’ surprise performance:
  “20 rushes for 103 yards… That kind of came out of nowhere for folks. So could he be a difference maker in week 18?” (08:02)
• Ciely:
  “Malik Davis will probably be out there for most of the game. …Would it surprise you… if he finishes as a top 10 running back again this week? No.” (09:07)
• Davis is set to benefit from injuries and Denver likely avoiding their starters.

Emmanuel Wilson (Green Bay Packers)

• Ciely:
  “Emmanuel Wilson’s the obvious name. He’s been the obvious name for some time. …Assuming Jacobs rests. Most of the Packers… are set [in playoff seeding].” (09:38)
• Wilson projects for big volume as the Packers are expected to rest Josh Jacobs and others.

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Plays

Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts)

• Ciely:
  “Michael Pittman left the game… Why push back Michael Pittman in Week 18… now you’re down to Alec Pierce and Downs as your top two options. Even if it’s Riley Leonard [at QB], …he’s just going to be in play as a top 40, 45 wide receiver.” (04:03)
• Downside is volume-driven, dependent on Pittman’s status and who’s playing QB.

Jimaré DK (Tennessee Titans)

• Running joke about “the only DK playing in Week 18.”
• Ciely:
  “It’s these wide receiver fours… You’re not going to get production every single week. ...But you mentioned it’s been the connection with Cam Ward. He’s had more good games than bad games in the second half of the season.” (05:02)
• DK is a boom-or-bust WR4, but with the potential for a good game, particularly with rivalry motivation.

Isaac Tesla (Detroit Lions)

• Brief mention as a possible fill-in if Amon-Ra St. Brown is rested:
  “Isaac Tesla is in play, as we’ve seen so far.” (10:32)

4. Tight End Option: Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders)

• Ciely:
  “Yeah, he was viable last week. He’s viable this week. Had more points than Taysom Hill. Had a lot more points than Taysom Hill.” (06:23)
• Mayer is a streaming candidate, especially in desperate situations. Jokingly notes the volatility of trusting tight ends in Week 18:
  “Watch, this will be the week where everybody goes to Mayer and he scores like two, and then Taysom Hill has one of his 15 point games.” (07:03)
• Suggestion to stop chasing Taysom Hill altogether for 2026:
  “Can we just put Taysom Hill to rest and not talk about him [in] 2026?” (07:25)

5. Quarterback Deep Cuts

• Riley Leonard (Colts) as a potential Superflex option:
  “Technically was the third string quarterback to start the season that we might get another this week. …If you need a quarterback, Riley Leonard, that’s what we’re going to be looking at.” (10:58)
• Expect more backup QB news as teams officially announce rest days.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joey P.:
  “If these names don’t get you excited, well, guess what, you shouldn’t be playing in week 18. But if you are, we’re still here to help you. Regardless, we don’t judge here at Fantasy Pros.” (11:45)

• Jake Ciely:
  “Wide receiver fours are not going to be perfect. But… he’s had more good games than bad games in the second half of the season.” (05:31)

• On Taysom Hill Streamers:
  “I want him to ride into the sunset and remember him fondly.” — Joey P. (07:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:35 – Setting the tone: Why Week 18 is chaotic
• 01:09 – Audric Estime breakdown and waiver landscape
• 03:43 – Josh Downs’ Week 18 opportunity
• 04:37 – Jimaré DK’s role and discussion of WR4 realities
• 06:02 – Michael Mayer discussion and TE streaming volatility
• 08:16 – Malik Davis as the Broncos’ possible bell cow
• 09:38 – Emmanuel Wilson and Packers’ expectations
• 10:58 – Deep cut QBs: Riley Leonard and more
• 11:45 – Parting encouragement for brave Week 18 managers

Episode Flow and Style

The hosts take a playful but pragmatic stance, with an undercurrent of commiseration for fantasy players still battling in Week 18:
"But if you are, we're still here to help you. Regardless, we don't judge here at Fantasy Pros."
Their advice is laced with self-aware jokes—they know how strange and perilous Week 18 can be. They dissect the fallout from injuries and playoff seeding with expert clarity, highlighting opportunity over star power and advocating for aggressive, opportunistic streaming.

Final Takeaways

• Week 18 is about seizing opportunity as backups ascend due to bizarre playoff and injury situations.
• Priority adds: Audric Estime (RB), Malik Davis (RB), Emmanuel Wilson (RB), Josh Downs (WR), Jimaré DK (WR), Michael Mayer (TE), and possibly Riley Leonard (QB, Superflex).
• Stay vigilant; monitor injury reports, team updates, and news on player rest leading into the weekend.
• The podcast’s tools—Waiver Central and the Fantasy Pros app—are still useful even in the last week.

Useful for: Fantasy managers seeking last-minute advice, especially in leagues with Week 18 championships, and anyone interested in the strategic intricacies of navigating one of fantasy football’s trickiest weeks.