Are you reading? No, that’s not a smarmy jab at skipping everything I write. I’m wondering how many people are even playing in Week 18. Maybe you’re looking for some one-off fun — I’m doing the same. That’s why I’m here. But also… no fun ranks intro this week because…

THANK YOU!

I know I’ve said similar things during Thanksgiving time, but I wanted to again. You all deserve it for the appreciation you showed me. For every snarky #CheckTheLink, “Read the italics,” or “My fun ranks rule,” there are about 10 thank yous in my head for you all helping me (and all of us) do this for a living. I hope we helped you win titles this year! If not, I hope it was just unavoidable luck and not some bad call we made. Heck, if you are actually reading this, you definitely deserve a thanks for supporting us all year long.

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Don’t forget! Don’t go anywhere! Fantasy football is year-round and how you become a top-notch manager. There will be “Way too Early” ranks, offseason breakdowns, look-backs, breakout candidates, free agency analysis, NFL Draft coverage and then, before you know it, it’s draft kit season again!

#CheckTheLink-age
Waivers | True SOS (APA — Wednesday update)
Strategy and Advice (Get In My Brain!)
Athletic Pod | All in Football (video pod)

🚨 REMINDER 🚨
Updated every day except Saturday all the way up to kickoff, Sunday
Sleepers are upside, often riskier, picks. Don’t bench players ranked higher… unless you’re shooting for upside

2021 Week 18 Fantasy Football Sleepers

READ THIS! As with sleepers, these will not mimic my rankings 100%. This is chasing upside and often carries more risk, but based on APA matchups, you can “go for broke” if needed.

QUARTERBACK

POSSIBLY START: Taysom Hill, NO — While Hill ended his two-touchdown per game run in Week 14 and bombed in Tampa Bay, he had a solid bounce-back with 17.4 points last week. He rushes enough for a “free passing touchdown,” has the rushing touchdown potential any week, and the Falcons defense is poor, even with rushing quarterbacks (Trevor Lawrence 5/39, Cam Newton 10/47/1 and Josh Allen 15/81/2) in the past five games.

RUNNING BACK

HAIL MARY START: Patrick Taylor, GB — Speaking of playing at all, as mentioned in waivers, the Packers could… pack… up shop (I’ll see myself out). Aaron Rodgers has been dealing with the toe injury, and there is little reason to risk any starter in a meaningless game outside of maybe a few first quarter plays. That includes both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, putting Taylor in play against the Lions’ (lack of a) run defense.

WIDE RECEIVER

POSSIBLY START: Gabriel Davis, BUF — The Bills game involved some weather, and it impacted the passing game, as Davis had 3-for-40, even with A.J. Terrell shadowing for the first time all year (Stefon Diggs). Well, the Bills get the Jets, and as of now, the temp should be in the 40s. As long as the weather doesn’t get worse, Davis is in line for a Top 25 week.

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HAIL MARY START: Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — Baker Mayfield is done for the year, which might be a quarterback upgrade given how banged up he’s been. Plus, Case Keenum has shown downfield aggressiveness, and the Browns get the Bengals in Week 18. There is some concern that if the Chiefs win, the Bengals rest starters, but that would include some defenders. So, while the Bengals offense might not push the pace — as much — the defense could be more vulnerable.

TIGHT END

POSSIBLY START: Dawson Knox, BUF — See: Davis, Gabriel. Knox had a goose egg in Week 17, but he’s been in the TE1 conversation more often than not. And again, the Bills passing game shouldn’t fall flat again.

HAIL MARY START: Pat Freiermuth, PIT — That’s two quiet games in a row for Air Freier, but he suffered the concussion in the Week 15 game (5.7 points) and did see six targets in his return. Granted, the ghost of Ben Roethlisberger managed about two air yards, having Freiermuth finish 5-for-22. That’s why it’s a bit of a Hail Mary… we’re hoping for a score if the yards aren’t there, but at least the Ravens have been a tight end haven in fantasy.

Week 18 Fantasy Football Rankings

ECR: Stands for Expert Consensus Rank. Don’t focus on it too much, as not all experts update consistently/constantly

(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)