Last Minute Waiver Wire Pickups Week 18: Sam Darnold, Jordan Mason, Demarcus Robinson and More

The waiver wire period has come and gone and you may have missed out on the guy you wanted. The waiver wire darlings everyone was clamoring for are long gone and you're still looking to fill out your roster and maybe even your lineup. These are the late waiver wire adds that you should be picking up. Everyone listed is rostered in less than 50% of leagues.

Last Minute Waiver Wire Pickups

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers

Rostered: 0.4%

The 49ers have already ruled out Brock Purdy for Week 18 and Sam Darnold has been named the starter. Of course, starting Darnold in your fantasy championship without a number of his weapons isn't ideal, but that's what happens in Week 18. At the very least, if you're desperate for a QB this week because you've lost someone due to rest or injury, you can at least get a quarterback who is playing in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense. 

Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens

Rostered: 0.2%

Lamar Jackson also won't play this week and Huntley will slide into his starting role. Again, not an ideal situation for your fantasy championship. However, we have seen him have success as a starter in the past. He's not Jackson, nevertheless, he's a competent player with a decent floor thanks to his mobility. He is a bit riskier though because he has to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers who can cause all types of problems for opposing quarterbacks, especially since they are playing for something and Huntley will be missing key pieces around him. 

Running Backs

Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers

Rostered: 0.8%

This is why you pay close attention the entire week to what is going on around the league. All week we told you to make sure you picked up Elijah Mitchell because he's the start of the week. Welp, now that doesn't appear to be the case. Mitchell has been out of practice this week with an illness and reports are now that Mason is expected to see the expanded role and not Mitchell. This is a situation you should monitor right up until game time because it's a very fluid situation. Nonetheless, as of now, Mason is the guy that should be rostered and started. 

Melvin Gordon, Baltimore Ravens

Rostered: 0.1%

We have decided that we are going to roll with Gordon in the Ravens' offense this week. First and foremost, the team signing Dalvin Cook will have no impact this week. We also don't expect to see Gus Edwards out there much, if at all. Justice Hill is a question mark. We just aren't quite sure how much he'll play this week. Either way, even if Hill plays we still expect a time-share with Gordon. However, there is also a chance Hill doesn't play at all, which would leave all of the work for Gordon. This week we're opting for the safer option in Gordon. 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

Rostered: 19.3%

It's unlikely Isiah Pacheco will play this week. The team plans to bench their stars and we fully expect them to rest Pacheco. He is clearly their best running back at a position that is thin, with Jerick McKinnon currently on injured reserve. He also recently returned from shoulder surgery and a concussion so it would make all the sense in the world to give him a week off. That means CEH should see a full workload. Every time he's gotten the chance to be the guy this season he's been productive. He is a borderline must-start in Week 18. 

Wide Receivers

Cedrick Wilson, Miami Dolphins

Rostered: 0.1%

Of the receivers listed here, Wilson is by far the riskiest. However, there is a method to the madness. The Buffalo Bills have consistently made a massive effort to slow down Tyreek Hill when they play the Dolphins and they've had success. That means another receiver will have to step up. With Jaylen Waddle sidelined, the lead candidate is Cedrick Wilson Jr. If you are in a deep league and need to find someone who is almost definitely on waivers then Wilson is a sneaky good pick. Despite the numbers here, there is a good chance the next two receivers have already been scooped up in competitive leagues. 

Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams

Rostered: 9.6%

If Robinson is still out there, your league mates need to do better. He has been on fire for over a month now. Last week he continued his hot streak when he was targeted 10 times and caught six passes for 92 yards. Over the past five games, he has seen 34 targets which he's turned into 319 yards and four TDs while adding a 23-yard carry. Last week was his first game without a TD during this stretch and his lowest yardage output was 46 yards.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants

Rostered: 1.0%

If you need an upside play who has been red-hot then grab Slayton. He's been a different wideout since Tyrod Taylor took over in New York. Over the past two weeks, he has caught seven passes for 196 yards and two TDs including 80 and 69-yard TD passes. If you go back one more week he caught four passes for 63 yards with a 33-yard reception. He has become a big play threat. If you are trailing in a multi-week championship or are a heavy underdog and need to make up points then Slayton is a great option, especially if your league gives out bonuses for big plays or weekly milestones.