Week 18 marks the end of the NFL regular season. In this week's recap, I'll provide some closing thoughts on the fantasy season we just completed. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL depth charts, and don't miss the weekly projections to see how the upcoming matchups shape up.
Buccaneers 16 Panthers 14
It was a surprisingly good season for the Panthers. Still, with Bryce Young throwing for less than 200 yards almost every week, betting on the pass catchers was dicey, especially once Jalen Coker returned to take work from Tetairoa McMillan. That left minimal yardage to be split between the receivers. The offensive line was excellent for the first half of the season but faded late, which left Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard less effective down the stretch.
The Buccaneers really missed coach Liam Coen. I also have to believe Baker Mayfield was playing hurt from Week 6 on. Without the offensive magic of 2024, Bucky Irving's inefficiency caught up with him late in the season, and he'll likely be overdrafted again next year. I remember when Emeka Egbuka looked like one of the biggest steals of fantasy drafts, then I remember him failing to top 40 yards in almost every game after Week 5. Back to Mayfield: he's a strong bounce-back candidate assuming improved health. However, determining which wide receiver we can trust on a weekly basis will be a hot offseason topic.
Seahawks 13 49ers 3
Christian McCaffrey has now been healthy in three of the last four seasons. Still, his efficiency dipped while handling a massive workload. I was all-in this year, but I'm concerned about another year of aging. Health issues across Brock Purdy and the pass catchers plagued the season. When available, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall showed the talent we expected. Kittle is the only one I feel confident betting on next year. Purdy's ADP will ultimately determine how aggressively he's targeted.
It was a legendary season from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and he'll obviously be a top-six pick next year. Still, be cautious because his target share may not be repeatable. There's also the question of how much we continue to trust Sam Darnold. And once again, we'll hear a new set of narratives about why Kenneth Walker is finally going to have his massive season. And for another year, I'll be pleading with people not to buy into it.
Falcons 19 Saints 17
It looked like the Saints were giving up on the season when they benched Spencer Rattler for Tyler Shough, except they weren't. New Orleans may have actually found their quarterback of the future. Chris Olave had a career year, though some of his biggest games came late in the season after Devaughn Vele was lost for the year. Olave's ADP will soar next season, but he's still a star I'm willing to invest in at the higher price. Just don't expect the late-season target share to stick. I loved Juwan Johnson entering the year, and while he performed well, he still didn't see the target volume he deserves.
One of the few early draft picks who truly earned his ADP was Bijan Robinson. Despite a few quieter games before the fantasy playoffs, he was a stud all season. Drake London was on pace for a monster year with elite volume until a knee injury derailed things. While London was limited, Kyle Pitts had the best stretch of his career, right up until Week 17, when fantasy managers needed him most. With Michael Penix hopefully back healthy next year, expect the Falcons to return to a Robinson-London-centric offense.
Browns 20 Bengals 18
There isn't much to say about the Bengals. We knew the defense would be terrible, and the offense would benefit from favorable game scripts. Joe Burrow suffered another injury, which will understandably make fantasy managers nervous to select him in drafts. Tee Higgins missed time as well, and his inability to stay healthy continues to complicate his annual draft value. After a slow start, Chase Brown became one of the most reliable PPR running backs in the league. The concern for next year is Samaje Perine (if he returns) playing roughly 40 percent of the snaps. Unless Brown's efficiency remains elite, it'll be tough to justify his ADP.
There were two bright spots for the Browns' offense. Harold Fannin looks like a future superstar and could be a PPR monster for years. Quinshon Judkins has similar upside, but unless the offensive line improves and the team fields a quarterback defenses respect, his ceiling will be capped. Finally, it's mind-blowing that Jerry Jeudy went from a 1,229-yard receiver in 2024 to essentially unusable in 2025.
Vikings 16 Packers 3
I thought Justin Jefferson was quarterback-proof. I avoided him in drafts because I prioritized running backs early, but even so, I couldn't have been more wrong. A Vikings offensive line we expected to be improved also suffered horrific injury luck all season. If Minnesota doesn't solve its quarterback situation, the skill-position players are staring at another lost year.
An under-reported story was the Packers' offensive line regression. Between injuries and diminished performance, Green Bay became difficult to trust every week. The best story was Christian Watson returning from a late-2024 ACL injury and producing the best stretch of his career. His ADP will be fascinating next year, given his lengthy injury history.
Giants 34 Cowboys 17
The biggest fantasy boost Dallas received was trading Micah Parsons, which constantly forced the offense to push the pace. Dak Prescott bounced back from an injury-plagued 2024, and George Pickens thrived with one of the league's best deep passers. Investors in Javonte Williams were also rewarded, as he beat the odds with a rare third-year post-ACL breakout. Meanwhile, between injuries and Pickens' emergence, CeeDee Lamb ended up providing value on his high draft cost.
It had to be thrilling for fantasy players to watch Jaxson Dart play so well, until his 1.3-point fantasy disaster in Week 16. Dart's career will hinge on his ability to avoid head injuries. If he can stay healthy, a future featuring Dart, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo could be exciting, assuming smooth recoveries for the latter two.
Jaguars 41 Titans 7
Brian Thomas was the one Jaguars player fantasy managers bet on heavily, and he busted hard. Meanwhile, those who invested in Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence were far more likely to be competing for championships. It'll be interesting to see how Jacksonville deploys Travis Hunter next season. Also, will it actually consider moving Thomas? Regardless, Liam Coen has this franchise trending upward.
Aside from Tony Pollard's late-season surge, the Titans' skill players were not very useful for fantasy. If the pass-catchers develop, Cam Ward could take a major second-year leap. And don't forget about Chimere Dike — he has legitimate breakout potential if featured properly.
Texans 38 Colts 30
The Texans' defense was a joy to watch. That Thursday night game when they sacked Josh Allen seven times was unforgettable. Unfortunately, the offense didn't provide many fond memories. While the line improved somewhat late in the year, it still limited C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins. On the bright side, rookies Woody Marks and Jayden Higgins showed real promise. Offensive line decisions will heavily influence how we value this unit in 2026.
Around mid-season, the Colts looked like AFC South favorites and even Super Bowl contenders after getting Charvarius Ward back and acquiring Sauce Gardner. Then Daniel Jones got injured. Offensive line injuries piled up, Jonathan Taylor cooled off after a fantasy-MVP first half and Tyler Warren's breakout fizzled. With Jones coming off an Achilles injury, quarterback uncertainty looms large. Buckle up for a messy offseason.
Bills 35 Jets 8
Josh Allen and James Cook were fantasy superheroes most of the year. Unfortunately, Allen saved his only awful game for Week 16, and Cook did the same in Week 17. Still, both deserve premium draft status next year. I remain out on Dalton Kincaid after another injury-marred season and an unacceptable snap-share decline. Finally, Buffalo desperately needs an outside difference-maker at wide receiver.
The Jets were predictably frustrating. Refusing to trade Breece Hall was a mistake, and hopefully the team doesn't compound it by tagging him. "Set Hall Free." Garrett Wilson once again suffered from dreadful quarterback play before being shut down with a knee injury. I knew better than to invest here — maybe I'll finally learn next year.
Lions 19 Bears 16
The Bears had an excellent real-life season, but the fantasy results were volatile. We never knew when coach Ben Johnson would emphasize the passing game. The revamped offensive line exceeded expectations, leading to strong seasons from D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. DJ Moore's usage was baffling. Few players oscillate between 20-point explosions and sub-five-point duds like he did down the stretch. Luther Burden and Colston Loveland were clearly eased in, but the second half offered plenty of optimism. Along with Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams, the passing attack is intriguing for 2026. Just don't bet on Moore — I'm finally relinquishing truther status.
I spent all offseason warning about Detroit's interior line turnover and an inexperienced play caller. While it mattered, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and a second-half Jameson Williams were still fantasy gold. Defensive injuries once again crushed the Lions, but they also created favorable fantasy scripts. A few tweaks could lead to another dominant offense.
Broncos 19 Chargers 3
Denver's strangest fantasy stretch was four weeks of Troy Franklin out-targeting Courtland Sutton, followed by Pat Bryant leapfrogging Franklin immediately afterward. After J.K. Dobbins went down, RJ Harvey overcame inefficiency to show real dual-threat upside. I was never sold on Bo Nix's 2024 fantasy success — his footwork remains inconsistent, leading to accuracy issues. Without mechanical improvement, he won't elevate his teammates consistently.
It's nearly impossible to fairly evaluate the Chargers' skill players after losing both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Justin Herbert deserves immense credit for keeping the offense functional despite constant pressure and injuries. If this team ever stays healthy, Los Angeles could be a fantasy gold mine. Omarion Hampton and Oronde Gadsden could emerge as stars, while Ladd McConkey looks to rebound in 2026.
Raiders 14 Chiefs 12
Just as Rashee Rice was nearing a return in Week 7, the Chiefs offense began to click, briefly. Then the line collapsed, defenses adjusted, Kansas City fell out of contention, and Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Offensive coaching has slowly declined, and this year the talent couldn't overcome it. Mahomes' recovery will be closely monitored. Also, the Chiefs' coaching staff needs to re-imagine the offense.
I always believed hiring Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly was a mistake. Culture matters, but this is a results business. Offensive line issues didn't help, but the quarterback and receiver rooms were among the league's weakest. Brock Bowers gets a pass due to injury, but without competent quarterback play, his premium ADP won't be justified. Ashton Jeanty flashed elite tackle-breaking ability, but constant backfield contact crushed his consistency. Team context will determine his value next year.
Rams 37 Cardinals 20
Sean McVay once again stayed ahead of the curve by leaning heavily into three-tight-end sets, creating fantasy relevance for Colby Parkinson. One under-the-radar note: Puka Nacua played less than 70 percent of snaps often when Davante Adams was active and had a five-of-six-game stretch with single-digit targets. Not alarming, but worth monitoring. If Matthew Stafford and Adams stay healthy, expect another strong fantasy year.
Arizona's season was chaos. Kyler Murray's mysterious foot injury led to Jacoby Brissett fueling Trey McBride and making Michael Wilson a household name. Murray never returned. James Conner and Trey Benson were both lost early, leaving fantasy managers chasing mirages at running back. The offseason questions are massive: quarterback plans, receiver hierarchy with Marvin Harrison and whether Conner has one last run.
Patriots 38 Dolphins 10
It's an exciting time to be a Patriots fan. Drake Maye looks like a long-term fixture of NFL royalty. TreVeyon Henderson proved to be an explosive playmaker, even in a rotational role and has an incredibly bright future. Kayshon Boutte could also emerge after proving to be an excellent perimeter receiver. For now, Maye is the most reliable fantasy option, but the Patriots offense could be the next big thing in fantasy.
De'Von Achane was unstoppable this year. With defenses ignoring Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill missing most of the season, every opponent focused on Achane and still failed. He didn't have a bad fantasy game all year and has now proven his durability. Jaylen Waddle showed a solid floor early but faded amid quarterback chaos. Miami's quarterback situation will define the offseason.
Commanders 24 Eagles 17
Washington entered 2025 riding high after an NFC championship appearance. Jayden Daniels was phenomenal, but injuries, an aging defense and costly draft-capital expenditures derailed the season. The roster now lacks flexibility. If Daniels can stay healthy, many issues vanish, but overpaying for this offense in 2026 drafts feels risky.
After a slow start, A.J. Brown was the lone consistent fantasy star from Week 11 on. Dallas Goedert's 11 touchdowns were shocking. Jalen Hurts clearly avoided rushing, sliding early and often, which caps his fantasy upside. The offensive line's decline was impossible to ignore, and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo's inability to adjust hurt the unit. The biggest casualty was Saquon Barkley, who delivered one of the worst per-game seasons of his career. Until the Eagles fix their line and coaching, Barkley will be a risky investment.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this NFL weekly recap, Week 18 leads some teams into an uncertain offseason, while other teams prepare for the postseason. As we head toward the NFL Playoffs, staying proactive is the key. Keep an eye on RotoWire's NFL depth charts and injury report to stay ahead as the fantasy season winds down.
