If you’re reading this, you likely play in a fantasy football league that schedules its championship game for Week 18. If that’s the case, consider talking with your league’s managers about moving the title game up to Week 17 in 2025 because there are so many key players who are rested in the final week of the NFL’s regular season.
With that suggestion out of the way, here is our final fantasy football waiver wire list of the 2024 season. It’s five running backs, none of whom were considered viable starters in Week 1 of this season. That’s fantasy football (and a reflection of the Week 18 landscape).
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Running Backs
1. RB Ameer Abdullah (33.4%): Abdullah had double the amount of carries (20) as Alexander Mattison (10) on Sunday and he led the Raiders with 115 yards on the ground while adding three catches for 32 yards. Abdullah is the RB1 in Las Vegas going into Week 18.
RB Ameer Abdullah has played in 141 games since entering the league in 2015 and has now recorded his first career game with 100+ rushing yards.
— Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) December 29, 2024
2. RB Michael Carter (1.1%): Trey Benson (ankle) was inactive on Sunday and James Conner (knee) left the game after just four carries. The Cardinals then turned to Michael Carter, who stepped up with 13 carries for 70 yards while adding two receptions for 11 yards. If Benson and Conner are sidelined again this week, Carter could have another productive day.
3. RB Kareem Hunt (66.1%): The Chiefs are expected to rest their key starters, likely including Isiah Pacheco, against the Broncos. That could leave a sizable workload for Hunt. If Hunt is not available in your league, there should also be plenty of touches for Samaje Perine (2.4%) against his old team.
4. RB Khalil Herbert (4.4%): Chase Brown injured his ankle on Saturday, leaving Herbert as the next man up for the Bengals. It’s not believed to be a serious injury, so Brown might be on the field for a must-win game in Week 18. If Brown isn’t able to suit up, Cincy will turn to Herbert.
5. RB Jaleel McLaughlin (17.8%): McLaughlin has been the Broncos’ best running back in recent weeks and he will face KC’s backups on Sunday. McLaughlin turned 10 carries and two catches into 76 yards in Week 17.
Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.
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