One more week. That's it. And if you made it this far playing in a 12-14 team league, there are still some streaming options out there to grab before championship weekend. Remember, we are looking at players who are currently rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues. And I'm trying to find the targets who have some upside heading into the Week 18 NFL schedule.
So, let's start it off with Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who threw for 365 yards last week against an upper-tier 49ers defense -- in his first pro start.
Quarterbacks
Jarrett Stidham, Las Vegas Raiders (0.6% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
Stidham's Week 17 tape -- against the 49ers defense -- tells us that he can function and produce in Josh McDaniels' schemed passing game. Stidham dropped 26.0 fantasy points on San Francisco, hitting verticals, in-breakers and showcasing his movement (34 yards rushing). We saw tight end usage, play-action, plus one-on-one balls to Davante Adams. Stidham completed 67.6% of his throws, with three touchdown passes against one of the best defenses I've studied this season. Looking at the Week 18 matchup against Kansas City, who plays Cover 2, Cover 1 and blitz-man coverage, Stidham fits as a deeper league option for managers who have quarterbacks that could potentially sit this weekend.
Running backs
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts (47.3% rostered; vs. Texans)
Moss is a volume/matchup play against the Texans in Week 18. He has seen at least 13 touches in each of his past three games, with two games of 70 or more rushing yards. While his numbers don't really jump out and he needs to find the end zone, his consistent volume and Houston's inability to limit opposing running backs gives Moss some upside as a flex option. He can get downhill and run through arm tackles at the second and third level.
Wide receivers
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans (42.2% rostered; at Jags)
I'm intrigued by Burks' Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars -- with a ticket to the postseason on the line. Burks saw eight targets against Dallas with Josh Dobbs at quarterback, finishing with 66 yards on four receptions. He added another 20 yards on a rushing attempt, too. While Derrick Henry will be back, we know how Burks fits in this Titans passing game as a play-action target or isolated on slot/outside fades. He can also play through contact on quick game throws. I'll take Burks as a WR3.
Tight ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (46.9% rostered; vs. Panthers)
Given how shallow this position has been all season in fantasy, I'm sticking with Hill here for the second straight week -- because I can count on his deployment as a runner. In the Saints' Week 17 upset win over the Eagles, Hill saw a season-high 14 carries, rushing for 46 yards and a touchdown. He has now logged a rushing score in back-to-back weeks, with at least seven carries in each of his past three games. He's a rugged, downhill runner in scoring position and the Saints seem committed to his usage on designed carries (wildcat alignments) in the red zone. With four straight games of double-digit PPR production, I'm willing to bet on Hill in Week 18 against the Panthers.
Defense/special teams
Seattle Seahawks (25.7% rostered; vs. Rams)
The Seahawks might have just played their best defensive football game of the year during the Week 17 win over the Jets. They had six points allowed, four sacks and three takeaways, good for a season-best 16 defensive fantasy points. While the Rams' run game does give me some pause here because Sean McVay can scheme daylight for Cam Akers, but I like the pass rush and secondary matchups for Seattle against Baker Mayfield. The Seahawks should be able to generate pressure and attack the ball in a must-win game.