Week 17 Surprises that can Help your Fantasy Football Team in Week 18 | Darius Slayton, Bo Melton, Alex Erickson, Khalil Herbert, Justice Hill and More

Most fantasy football leagues are done for the season, but there are still a few leagues out there that play their final matchups in week 18.

That means you could still be searching the waiver wire for some potential starters. Let’s dive into the target/touch tool to determine a few options that are likely available in your league.

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Wide Receivers to Target

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton enjoyed a strong game in week 17, catching four of his six targets for 106 yards and a touchdown. 

It was Slayton’s third straight game over 50 receiving yards - he’s made at least three grabs in that span, and has scored twice. 

Slayton has a very favorable matchup ahead against the Philadelphia Eagles. Slayton had 90 receiving yards and a score on three catches and targets just two weeks ago against Philly.

Green Bay Packers’ Bo Melton came out of nowhere and tallied 105 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches and nine targets. He became the first Packers’ pass catcher to go over 100 yards this season.

Melton had four catches for 44 yards on six targets the previous week. Before that, Melton only had one grab on two targets for 7 yards.

Melton is taking advantage of extra playing time because of injuries to several wideouts on the team. Keep an eye on the Packers’ injury report as this week continues, as Melton’s fantasy outlook wouldn’t be nearly as favorable if they are at full strength.

Melton and the Pack face off with the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon with a playoff spot on the line. The Bears’ defense isn’t a very favorable matchup, but again, if several wideouts are out, someone needs to catch passes, and Melton seems like a decent bet after last week’s showing.

Los Angeles Chargers’ Alex Erickson delivered his best game of the season after making seven grabs on eight targets for 98 yards. 

Erickson has made at least one catch in the past seven games, but his season high in catches was two before week 17. He caught a touchdown three weeks ago, and went for a (then) season high 31 yards before his 98-yard performance last week.

Erickson is another guy taking advantage of opportunities because of injuries to several teammates. Keep an eye on the team’s injury report. If a couple guys are out, Erickson is a decent guy to target. He’ll be taking on a tough Kansas City Chiefs’ defense in week 18.

Los Angeles Rams’ Demarcus Robinson has really come on strong over the past several weeks. He tallied 92 receiving yards on six catches and 10 targets as the Rams clinched a postseason spot in week 17.

Robinson has over 40 receiving yards in five straight games, including two straight games over 80 yards. He had his four-game touchdown streak snapped last week, but should remain involved for the Rams in week 18 and in their playoff games.

Los Angeles is still playing for seeding, so all the regulars should be in action against the San Francisco 49ers in week 18. It’s a pretty average matchup for Robinson, who played just six offensive snaps in the team’s first matchup.

Arizona Cardinals’ Greg Dortch is another receiver to potentially target. Dortch went for 82 yards on seven grabs and targets in week 17 without Marquise Brown in the picture.

Dortch has come on strong down the stretch. He’s had at least one catch in each of the past six games, with three games over 40 receiving yards. His seven catches and 82 yards were new season highs.

His matchup with the Seattle Seahawks in week 18 is an average one. He played just four offensive snaps in the team’s first matchup.

Some Tight Ends to Prioritize

New Orleans Saints’ Juwan Johnson tied for the fourth-most targets (12) in the NFL in week 17. He made eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.

It was Johnson’s third straight game with a score. He set a new season high in catches and yards. He’s tallied at least 35 yards over the past three games.

In week 18, the tight end faces an Atlanta Falcons’ defense that allows 13 fantasy points per game to the position. Johnson went for 45 yards on four grabs and seven targets the last time the teams met.

Rams’ Tyler Higbee was another pass catcher that delivered for the team in week 17. He caught six of his seven targets for 62 yards. 

The only problem is that Higbee dislocated his shoulder, which puts his week 18 status up in the air. He would face off with the 49ers’ defense that allows opposing TEs to score 11 fantasy points per game.

Seattle’s Noah Fant made five catches on six targets, going for 59 yards in week 17. 

It was the most catches Fant has made in a game, and his yardage was his second most. He still hasn’t scored this season.

His clash with the Cardinals in week 18 is a pretty average one. He made a 25-yard catch on his lone target the first time these teams played.

Minnesota Vikings’ Johnny Mundt caught 4-of-7 targets for 39 yards and a score in week 17. He got extra playing time after the season-ending injury to T.J. Hockenson.

Mundt will face off with the Lions in week 18. Detroit’s defense allows opposing TEs to score 12 fantasy points per game.

Running Backs Out There

San Francisco’s Elijah Mitchell looked good filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, and Mitchell will likely be starting for him in week 18.

Mitchell had 80 rushing yards and a score on 17 attempts last week. He wasn’t targeted in the passing game.

Unfortunately, Mitchell’s matchup is a tough one, as the Rams’ defense only allows 16 points to backs. Mitchell is probably still worth the add in a game that the 49ers will run the ball quite a bit in.

Chicago’s Khalil Herbert had a second straight big game. He rushed for 124 yards and a score on 18 attempts and added 5 receiving yards on two grabs and three targets.

That’s now two straight games with over 100 rushing yards and a score for Herbert. His matchup with the Packers in week 18 is a decent one on paper.

Baltimore Ravens’ Justice Hill got just eight touches in week 17, but went for over 100 total yards. He rushed three times for 48 yards, while catching all five of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Hill now has back-to-back games with at least 50 total yards. He should remain a focal point in week 18, even though the Ravens will be resting some players after locking up the No. 1 seed. I’d expect Baltimore to use a RB committee, with Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordan also getting plenty of looks. In this Ravens’ offense, it really only takes a couple touches to deliver a nice fantasy outing - like Hill showed last week.

A matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers ends the regular season. It’s a decent matchup for Hill.

Be sure to check back later in the week for more sleeper starting options for week 18, as things are likely to change between now and then.