You will not be shamed here if you have skin in the game in Week 18.

A lot of people in the fantasy industry cluck their tongues at fantasy leagues that play all the way into Week 18. Yes, it can be a wildly unpredictable week with so many NFL teams having questionable motivation levels.

But, hey, not everyone has the same preferences. Different strokes for different folks.

Some fantasy leagues have always held their championship games in the final week of the regular season and don’t want to change. Some leagues have two-week championships. Some leagues do Week 18 free-for-alls for bonus money. Some leagues have their Toilet Bowl championships in Week 18.

Whatever the reason, you’re here reading a waiver article in Week 18, and we’re not going to scold you for it. We’d rather just give you our favorite waiver recommendations. (And we’ll include at least one or two low-rostered players at each position in case you’re in a deep league.)

Let’s get to it.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 17

(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)

RUNNING BACKS

Ameer Abdullah (LV): 35% rostered

• Next Opponent: LAC
• True value: $10
• Desperate Need: $18
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: Over his 10-year career Abdullah has never had more than 780 scrimmage yards of five touchdowns in a single season. But the diminutive RB has been a force down the stretch for the Raiders. Over his last three games, Abdullah has piled up 298 yards from scrimmage and has scored two touchdowns. He had 20 carries for 115 yards against the Saints on Sunday, adding three catches for 32 yards. Abdullah has become the Raiders’ lead back down the stretch and should get plenty of touches this week in the season finale against the Chargers

Antonio Gibson (NE): 12% rostered

• Next Opponent: BUF
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo had talked openly about the fumbling problems of RB Rhamondre Stevenson and how they could decrease playing time. In Week 17, we saw a decrease in playing time for Stevenson. Gibson out-snapped Stevenson 29-24 and out-carried him 12-6 in the Patriots’ 40-7 loss to the Chargers. It’s hard to tell how the New England RBs will split the workload in Week 18, but it’s a good bet that Gibson will be prominently involved. He gets a Week 18 matchup against a Bills defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs.

Michael Carter (ARI): 3% rostered

• Next Opponent: SF
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: RB James Conner played only 12 snaps for the Cardinals in Week 17 before leaving with a knee injury. Rookie RB Trey Benson has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. If neither Conner nor Benson is able to go in Week 18 — and there’s really no incentive for the Cardinals to rush either back into action — Carter will likely operate as Arizona’s lead RB against the 49ers. Carter had 13 carries for 70 yards against the Rams on Saturday, adding two catches for 11 yards. Carter is a dual run-catch threat who had almost 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a rookie for the Jets in 2021.

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): 14% rostered

• Next Opponent: KC
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Denver backfield has been messy all season, but McLaughlin seems to be the preferred choice of Broncos head coach Sean Payton these days. Against the Bengals last Saturday, McLaughlin led the Denver backfield in touches with 12, finishing with 10 carries for 69 yards and a pair of catches for 7 yards. He’s had double-digit carries in three of his last four games, and he gets a Week 18 matchup against the unmotivated Chiefs, who have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and presumably will be resting starters.

Tyler Allgeier (ATL): 31% rostered

• Next Opponent: CAR
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Allgeier might be a backup to Bijan Robinson, but Allgeier still gets around 10 carries most games, and he could get more work in Week 18 depending on the Falcons’ playoff possibilities. If Atlanta loses its chance for a playoff spot at any point next weekend, the Falcons would likely sit Robinson and let Allgeier carry the load against a woeful Carolina defense that has given up the most rushing yards and fantasy points to RBs.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Alec Pierce (IND): 14% rostered

• Next Opponent: JAX
• True value: $7
• Desperate Need: $12
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Colts QB Anthony Richardson is dealing with foot and back injuries that kept him out of action in Week 17. With the Colts now eliminated from the playoffs they will almost certainly sit Richardson in Week 18 and give Joe Flacco another start. Flacco is a hyper-aggressive downfield thrower who’ll throw interceptions in bunches but will also pile up passing yardage, giving the Indianapolis pass catchers a big boost for fantasy. Pierce is a dangerous vertical receiver who caught 6-of-9 targets from Flacco on Sunday for a team-high 122 yards and a touchdown. Now, Pierce gets a juicy Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars and their atrocious pass defense. Pierce had three catches for 134 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 5.

Marvin Mims (DEN): 3% rostered

• Next Opponent: KC
• True value: $6
• Desperate Need: $11
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: Mims seems to be blossoming down the stretch. He’s had two 100-yard receiving games over the last four weeks, and he’s scored four touchdowns over his last six games. On Saturday, Mims forced overtime against the Bengals with a spectacular 25-yard TD catch with just 8 seconds left in regulation. Not only is Mims turning into a dangerous receiver, but he’s also a factor in the running game. He’s had at least one carry in each of his last seven contests. Mims is an intriguing Week 18 option in a matchup against the Chiefs, who have nothing to play for after clinching the top playoff seed in the AFC.

Romeo Doubs (GB): 47% rostered

• Next Opponent: CHI
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Packers’ target distribution is highly unpredictable from week to week, but Doubs is ostensibly Green Bay’s No. 1 receiver. He had a team-high seven catches on 11 targets for 58 yards Sunday in the Packers’ 27-25 loss to the Vikings. Doubs could be prominently involved again this week against the Bears, particularly if Packers WR Christian Watson continues to miss time with a knee injury.

DeMario Douglas (NE): 21% rostered

• Next Opponent: BUF
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Douglas is a high-floor, low ceiling fantasy option who’s most valuable in full-point PPR formats. He’s had at least four catches in all but one of his last eight games, yet he hasn’t exceeded 62 receiving yards in any of those games. Douglas has, however, scored a touchdown in two of his last three games.

QUARTERBACKS

Joe Flacco (IND): 6% rostered

• Next Opponent: JAX
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: With the Colts out of the running for a playoff spot, it’s almost a lock that the Colts will start Flacco in Week 18 rather than their QB of the future, Anthony Richardson, who missed Week 17 with foot and back injuries. Flacco is an aggressive (some would say reckless) downfield thrower who piles up passing yardage and interceptions. In five starts this season, Flacco has averaged 265.8 passing yards, 1.8 touchdown passes and 1.4 interceptions. He gets a terrific matchup this weekend against the Jaguars, who have given up more passing yardage than any other team and have the worst opponent passer rating in the league.

Bryce Young (CAR): 18% rostered

• Next Opponent: @ATL
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Young has shown improvement over the second half of his second NFL season. He’s thrown at least one TD pass in nine consecutive starts, with two TD passes in each of his last two games. Young has also run for a touchdown in three of his last five games. He’ll close out the regular season against an Atlanta defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to QBs.

Russell Wilson (PIT): 44% rostered

• Next Opponent: CIN
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Wilson’s productivity has slowed down of late — although, in fairness, Wilson was playing without stud WR George Pickens for most of the last month. A matchup against the Bengals could perk up Wilson. When he faced the Bengals in Week 13, Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

Drake Maye (NE): 16% rostered

• Next Opponent: BUF
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Maye has been impressive as a rookie, putting up solid numbers despite a lousy supporting cast. He’s averaged 16.8 fantasy points over his 11 starts. Although he’s still looking for his first 300-yard passing game, Maye has thrown for at least 200 yards in all but three of his starts. He’s also provided ample rushing value, with 421 rushing yards and a pair of TD runs. He’s a viable Week 18 fantasy option against the Bills, who are locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC and are likely to rest starters in Week 18.

TIGHT ENDS

Chig Okonkwo (TEN): 29% rostered

• Next Opponent: HOU
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Okonkwo has really clicked with Titans QB Mason Rudolph down the stretch. Over his last three games, Okonkwo has been targeted 28 times and has 22 catches for 182 yards. His heavy involvement gives him a sturdy fantasy floor for Week 18.

Mike Gesicki (CIN): 14% rostered

• Next Opponent: @PIT
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Gesicki’s involvement in the Cincinnati offense has ebbed and flowed this season, but it flowed in Week 17, when he caught 10-of-12 targets for 86 yards against the Bengals. Although Gesicki could disappear in any given week, there’s undeniable appeal to pass catchers who play with Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ quarterback has averaged 331 passing yards and 3.4 TD passes over his last eight games.

Will Dissly (LAC): 23% rostered

• Next Opponent: @LV
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Dissly returned from a shoulder injury in Week 17 and had two catches for 21 yards in the Chargers’ 40-7 drubbing of the Patriots. Dissly gets an attractive Week 18 matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to TEs.

DEFENSES

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 45% rostered

• Next Opponent: NO
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The Bucs’ defense may not be elite, but it’s good enough to lock up below-average offenses, as we saw last week in Tampa Bay’s 48-14 win over the Panthers. The Bucs sacked Panthers QB Bryce Young five times and held Carolina to 204 yards of offense. Now the Bucs get a home date with the Saints, who are likely to be quarterbacked by rookie Spencer Rattler. In six games, Rattler has thrown five interceptions and absorbed 20 sacks. The Saints have averaged 11 points on Rattler’s five starts.

New York Jets: 47% rostered

• Next Opponent: MIA
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Jets defense hasn’t lived up to its promise this season and has no-showed far too often. But the Jets have an undeniably good Week 18 matchup against Miami. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa missed Week 17 with a hip injury, and with nothing to play for in the regular-season finale, the Dolphins are sure to sit Tua and give Tyler Huntley another start. Miami has averaged 14.3 points in Huntley’s four starts this season, and Huntley has averaged just 150.5 passing yards in those four games.

Washington Commanders: 35% rostered

• Next Opponent: @DAL
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: The Washington defense is outside the top 20 in defensive fantasy scoring, but it’s still a viable Week 18 streaming option against Dallas. The Cowboys’ offense is completely toothless with WR CeeDee Lamb out for the rest of the season. Dallas was trucked by Philadelphia 41-7 on Sunday, committing four turnovers.

KICKERS

Brandon McManus (GB): 29% rostered

• Next Opponent: CHI
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: McManus has missed only one kick since joining the Packers in October, going 17-of-18 on field goals and 29-of-29 on extra points. He gets a Week 18 home game against the hapless Bears, who have lost 10 straight. The weather forecast for Green Bay on Sunday calls for chilly conditions but with light winds and no snow.

Will Lutz (DEN): 16% rostered

• Next Opponent: KC
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Lutz has gone six consecutive games without missing a kick, converting 12-of-12 field goals and 22-of-22 extra points over that span. He’s averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game, putting him in the top 10 in that category. Lutz will have a Week 18 home game against the Chiefs, who are locked into the No. 1 seed and figure to be playing backups most of the game.

Will Reichard (MIN): 12% rostered

• Next Opponent: @DET
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Reichard missed a pair of FG attempts against the Packers on Sunday, but he’s made multiple field goals in eight of his 11 games this season. Reichard gets a weatherproof dome matchup against the Lions to close out the regular season.

Cade York (CIN): 5% rostered

• Next Opponent: @PIT
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $1
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: York isn’t exactly Mr. Reliable. He’s 5-of-9 on field goals this season and has a career FG percentage of 69.8%. He missed a 33-yarder in overtime last Saturday against the Broncos, but the Bengals managed to win anyway. The appeal here is that the Bengals are an offensive juggernaut, averaging 32.3 points over their last eight games.