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The fantasy football season is not yet over. We’ve got one week of action left before the start of the NFL playoffs.
With many teams facing the possibility of resting players, the slate this week is a bit tricky. The last thing you want to do is start a player who might only play a handful of snaps.
Luckily, we here at RotoBaller have identified several pass-catchers who should be safe from rest in Week 18. DJ Moore, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Calvin Ridley are all options for gamers this week. There’s a case to be made for each player, so let’s break down what to expect from each receiver in Week 18.
Should I Start DJ Moore?
2024 has not been Moore’s best season. He has registered 89 receptions but is averaging under 10 yards per reception and is just the PPR WR17 on the year.
#Bears HC Matt Eberflus says that the viral video of DJ Moore leaving the field mid-play was due to Moore rolling his ankle.pic.twitter.com/cAWTnBIbSV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 6, 2024
Part of his struggles can be blamed on the Bears' inept offensive attack, as well as playing with a rookie quarterback. Chicago travels to Lambeau Field this weekend to take on the Green Bay Packers, and it could be another rough week for Moore. Per Fantasy Football Today, Green Bay has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to opposing receivers and ranks 10th in defensive passing DVOA, per FTN Fantasy.
This is not an ideal matchup to deploy Moore, as Green Bay is fighting for a better seed in the NFC playoffs to avoid a first-round game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Green Bay being without star cornerback Jaire Alexander does help Moore’s outlook a bit. He is a back-end WR2 for this week.
Should I Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
After a disappointing rookie year, Smith-Njigba has enjoyed a breakout sophomore season.
He leads the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns and has emerged as Seattle’s WR1. The Seahawks take on a Rams team that is planning to rest most of their starters in preparation for the NFL playoffs, so this is a great opportunity for Smith-Njigba to continue his strong season.
Geno to JSN again! @Seahawks score with 20 seconds left in the half.
📺: #MINvsSEA on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/4fE9HWNE6f— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
There’s not much to think about here. Gamers should start Smith-Njigba as a back-end WR1 or high-end WR2.
Should I Start Calvin Ridley?
Ridley has had another up-and-down season in his first year in Tennessee. Such is life when you’re dealing with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph at quarterback. He only needs 59 yards to break the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive year, but he’s just the PPR WR30 on the season.
Tennessee takes on a Houston Texans team that could be resting players in preparation for the NFL playoffs. So despite Houston ranking sixth in DVOA against wide receivers, this could wind up being a good matchup for Ridley.
However, the Titans have said they plan to rotate quarterbacks to better assess the position for 2025. That’s usually not good news for an offense and must be factored in when considering starting Ridley. Gamers should view him as a WR3 for this week and should avoid starting him if they can.
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