Fantasy WR Rankings Week 18: Who to start, sit at wide receiver in standard, PPR fantasy football leagues

Nick Musial

Fantasy WR Rankings Week 18: Who to start, sit at wide receiver in standard, PPR fantasy football leagues image

It’s finally Week 18, and while most leagues ended last week, there are a select few of you still vying for fantasy football greatness. Whether you're prepping for your Week 18 championship or getting a head start on advice for DFS contests, our Week 18 fantasy WR rankings for standard and PPR leagues can guide you in the right direction.

Throughout the week, we’ll be amending our rankings once news breaks regarding fantasy-relevant WRs playing statuses. While we’re unsure of which WRs will actually start, you’d be wise to start WRs playing against the Bears, Lions, Falcons, Raiders, and Seahawks. Entering Week 17, those five defenses ranked at the bottom of the league in highest EPA/drop-back allowed.

Conversely, the Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Broncos, and Cowboys rank atop the league in the fewest EPA/drop-back allowed, so avoiding WRs playing those teams could be a smart move. Again, with a lot of news still to break and moving parts, it’s tough to project exactly how this week will unfold.

WEEK 18 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

With the Eagles failing to clinch the top spot in the NFC, it’s likely both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith (vs. Giants in Week 18) suit up this week. That also means CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Noah Brown (@ Commanders) will play with Dallas still in the running for the NFC’s top seed. San Francisco’s also got a shot at the No. 1 seed, meaning Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel (ankle) could play in Week 18.

Additionally, we know Christian Watson, Allen Lazard, and Romeo Doubs (vs. Lions) will play in a win-and-in matchup against the Lions. While Detroit’s defense has improved over the second half of the season, they still rank dead last in EPA/play, making all three viable starting options depending on the size of your league. That also means Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond and Jameson Williams (@ Packers) will be suiting up opposite Green Bay.

We probably won't see any key Buccaneers WRs suit up with Tampa locked into its playoff spot, so don't be alarmed when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin aren't included in this week's rankings, but Russell Gage, Scotty Miller, and Breshad Perriman (@ Falcons) all loom as potential sleepers. There's a shot the Chargers WRs suit up with a chance at the fifth seed in the AFC, so Keenan Allen and Mike Williams owners can roll them out in their starting lineups.

The Giants are locked into the sixth seed in the NFC, but Brian Daboll dismissed the idea of resting starters in Sunday's post-game press conference. Whether it's gamesmanship or not, Richie James Jr., Isaiah Hodgins, and Darius Slayton (@ Eagles) are in our initial rankings. It's also still too early to gauge how the non-playoff teams will approach the week, so for now their respective WRs are in our initial rankings.

On the sleeper front, Treylon Burks (@ Jaguars), Tyquan Thornton (@ Bills), Trenton Irwin (vs. Ravens), Van Jefferson (@ Seahawks), Jauan Jennings (vs. Cardinals) and Hunter Renfrow (vs. Chiefs) could make their way into flex spots in 12-man leagues, assuming they're trending toward playing. Thornton, Irwin, Jefferson, and Renfrow are better suited for PPR leagues while Burks and Jennings profile as better standard league plays. Again, Week 18 is the hardest week to project with news breaking in the days leading up to kickoff, and we’ll do our best to alter our rankings accordingly.

Note: We'll be updating these WR rankings as needed throughout the week, so check back for the latest changes.

Week 18 fantasy WR rankings for standard leagues

These rankings are for standard, non-PPR leagues

Rank    Player
1    Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ Bears
2    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Commanders
3    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Ravens
4    Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Chiefs
5    Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Packers
6    A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Giants
7    Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Patriots
8    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Jets
9    Keenan Allen, Chargers @ Broncos
10    Amari Cooper, Browns @ Steelers
11    Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Ravens
12    Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Cardinals
13    Mike Williams, Chargers @ Broncos
14    DeVonta Smith, Eagles vs. Giants
15    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Jets
16    DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Rams
17    Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Chargers
18    Zay Jones, Jaguars vs. Titans
19    Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Dolphins
20    Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Cowboys
21    D.J. Moore, Panthers @ Saints
22    Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Cardinals
23    Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Rams
24    JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ Raiders
25    Christian Watson, Packers vs. Lions
26    Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. Browns
27    Chris Olave, Saints vs. Panthers
28    Drake London, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
29    Allen Lazard, Packers vs. Lions
30    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Texans
31    Brandin Cooks, Texans @ Colts
32    Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns @ Steelers
33    Adam Thielen, Vikings @ Bears
34    Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Titans
35    Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Commanders
36    Jahan Dotson, Commanders vs. Cowboys
37    Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Chargers
38    Gabriel Davis, Bills vs. Patriots
39    George Pickens, Steelers vs. Browns
40    Marquise Brown, Cardinals @ 49ers
41    DJ Chark, Lions @ Packers
42    Treylon Burks, Titans @ Jaguars
43    Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Falcons
44    Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Falcons
45    Russell Gage, Buccaneers @ Falcons
46    Noah Brown, Cowboys @ Commanders
47    Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Lions
48    Hunter Renfrow, Raiders vs. Chiefs
49    Trenton Irwin, Bengals vs. Ravens
50    Jauan Jennings, 49ers vs. Cardinals
51    Tyquan Thornton, Patriots @ Bills
52    Demarcus Robinson, Ravens @ Bengals
53    Kadarius Toney, Chiefs @ Raiders
54    Rashid Shaheed, Saints vs. Panthers
55    Joshua Palmer, Chargers @ Broncos
56    K.J. Osborn, Vikings @ Bears
57    Scotty Miller, Buccaneers @ Falcons
58    Marcus Johnson, Giants @ Eagles
59    Chris Moore, Texans @ Colts
60    Richie James Jr., Giants @ Eagles
61    Isaiah Hodgins, Giants @ Eagles
62    Darius Slayton, Giants @ Eagles
63    Dante Pettis, Bears vs. Vikings
64    Kendrick Bourne, Patriots @ Bills
65    Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
66    Van Jefferson, Rams @ Seahawks
67    Tyler Boyd, Bengals vs. Ravens
68    Robert Woods, Titans @ Jaguars
69    DeSean Jackson, Ravens @ Bengals
70    Parris Campbell, Colts vs. Texans
71    Quez Watkins, Eagles vs. Giants
72    Elijah Moore, Jets @ Dolphins
73    Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Commanders
74    Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs @ Raiders
75    DeAndre Carter, Chargers @ Broncos
76    Breshad Perriman, Buccaneers @ Falcons
77    Randall Cobb, Packers vs. Lions
78    Corey Davis, Jets @ Dolphins
79    Mack Hollins, Raiders vs. Chiefs
80    Isaiah McKenzie, Bills vs. Patriots
81    Nelson Agholor, Patriots @ Bills
82    Ray-Ray McCloud, 49ers vs. Cardinals
83    Byron Pringle, Bears vs. Vikings
84    Jameson Williams, Lions @ Packers
85    Chase Claypool, Bears vs. Vikings
86    Amari Rodgers, Texans @ Colts
87    Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers @ Saints
88    Marvin Jones, Jaguars vs. Titans
89    Keith Kirkwood, Saints vs. Panthers
90    Kalif Raymond, Lions @ Packers
91    Damiere Byrd, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
92    Brandon Johnson, Broncos vs. Chargers
93    Tutu Atwell, Rams @ Seahawks
94    Alec Pierce, Colts vs. Texans
95    Trent Sherfield, Dolphins vs. Jets
96    Josh Reynolds, Lions @ Packers
97    Brandon Powell, Rams @ Seahawks
98    Jamal Agnew, Jaguars vs. Titans
99    Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ Texans

Week 18 fantasy WR PPR rankings

These rankings are for full-point PPR leagues

Rank    Player
1    Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ Bears
2    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Commanders
3    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals vs. Ravens
4    Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Chiefs
5    Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ Packers
6    A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Giants
7    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Jets
8    Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Patriots
9    Keenan Allen, Chargers @ Broncos
10    Amari Cooper, Browns @ Steelers
11    Tee Higgins, Bengals vs. Ravens
12    Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Cardinals
13    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Jets
14    Mike Williams, Chargers @ Broncos
15    DeVonta Smith, Eagles vs. Giants
16    DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Rams
17    Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Dolphins
18    Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Chargers
19    Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Cowboys
20    Zay Jones, Jaguars vs. Titans
21    Tyler Lockett, Seahawks vs. Rams
22    Diontae Johnson, Steelers vs. Browns
23    D.J. Moore, Panthers @ Saints
24    Drake London, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
25    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Texans
26    JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs @ Raiders
27    Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Cardinals
28    Christian Watson, Packers vs. Lions
29    Chris Olave, Saints vs. Panthers
30    Allen Lazard, Packers vs. Lions
31    Adam Thielen, Vikings @ Bears
32    Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Titans
33    Brandin Cooks, Texans @ Colts
34    Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns @ Steelers
35    Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Commanders
36    Jahan Dotson, Commanders vs. Cowboys
37    Gabriel Davis, Bills vs. Patriots
38    Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Chargers
39    George Pickens, Steelers vs. Browns
40    Marquise Brown, Cardinals @ 49ers
41    DJ Chark, Lions @ Packers
42    Treylon Burks, Titans @ Jaguars
43    Kadarius Toney, Chiefs @ Raiders
44    Hunter Renfrow, Raiders vs. Chiefs
45    Mike Evans, Buccaneers @ Falcons
46    Chris Godwin, Buccaneers @ Falcons
47    Russell Gage, Buccaneers @ Falcons
48    Tyquan Thornton, Patriots @ Bills
49    Noah Brown, Cowboys @ Commanders
50    Trenton Irwin, Bengals vs. Ravens
51    Jauan Jennings, 49ers vs. Cardinals
52    Romeo Doubs, Packers vs. Lions
53    Demarcus Robinson, Ravens @ Bengals
54    Rashid Shaheed, Saints vs. Panthers
55    Joshua Palmer, Chargers @ Broncos
56    Chris Moore, Texans @ Colts
57    Scotty Miller, Buccaneers @ Falcons
58    Marcus Johnson, Giants @ Eagles
59    Dante Pettis, Bears vs. Vikings
60    K.J. Osborn, Vikings @ Bears
61    Kendrick Bourne, Patriots @ Bills
62    Isaiah Hodgins, Giants @ Eagles
63    Richie James Jr., Giants @ Eagles
64    Darius Slayton, Giants @ Eagles
65    Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
66    Van Jefferson, Rams @ Seahawks
67    Tyler Boyd, Bengals vs. Ravens
68    Robert Woods, Titans @ Jaguars
69    DeSean Jackson, Ravens @ Bengals
70    Parris Campbell, Colts vs. Texans
71    Quez Watkins, Eagles vs. Giants
72    Elijah Moore, Jets @ Dolphins
73    Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Commanders
74    Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs @ Raiders
75    Isaiah McKenzie, Bills vs. Patriots
76    Breshad Perriman, Buccaneers @ Falcons
77    DeAndre Carter, Chargers @ Broncos
78    Randall Cobb, Packers vs. Lions
79    Corey Davis, Jets @ Dolphins
80    Mack Hollins, Raiders vs. Chiefs
81    Nelson Agholor, Patriots @ Bills
82    Ray-Ray McCloud, 49ers vs. Cardinals
83    Byron Pringle, Bears vs. Vikings
84    Jameson Williams, Lions @ Packers
85    Kalif Raymond, Lions @ Packers
86    Amari Rodgers, Texans @ Colts
87    Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers @ Saints
88    Marvin Jones, Jaguars vs. Titans
89    Keith Kirkwood, Saints vs. Panthers
90    Damiere Byrd, Falcons vs. Buccaneers
91    Chase Claypool, Bears vs. Vikings
92    Brandon Johnson, Broncos vs. Chargers
93    Tutu Atwell, Rams @ Seahawks
94    Alec Pierce, Colts vs. Texans
95    Trent Sherfield, Dolphins vs. Jets
96    Josh Reynolds, Lions @ Packers
97    Brandon Powell, Rams @ Seahawks
98    Jamal Agnew, Jaguars vs. Titans
99    Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ Texans

Nick Musial

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Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.