This article is heavily based on players' weekly potential during the season, but the focus of the article will shift this week now that most redraft leagues have concluded. We'll take a look at some of the biggest risers and fallers for the season as a whole, while also taking a brief look at the player's outlook in 2026, where applicable.
For those setting lineups in Week 18, be sure to consult our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news before doing so. Also check out the Weekly Projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
Risers
Cedric Gray 
LB
It's hard to imagine, but the Titans' linebacker corps was one of the more difficult to project entering the season. Gray's season began with a simmer, but he's turned in double-digit tackles in nine of his last 12 games. He's been one of the breakout fantasy IDP players of 2025, and he should be a centerpiece of the Titans' run defense in 2025.
Schwesinger's was a bit more obvious relative to Gray. He was selected early in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and has produced accordingly. Not only has he immediately taken over as the Browns' top middle linebacker, he also enters Week 18 with the fifth-most tackles in the league. Schwesinger projects to be one of the safest picks in IDP formats entering 2026.
Devin Bush 
LB
Bush looked to be on his way out of the league after flaming out in Pittsburgh, but he seems to have found a home in Cleveland. He's surely benefited from the presence of Schwesinger, but Bush has shown the ability to excel both against the run and pass. It's wise to take a more cautious outlook on Bush's 2026 season, but he's likely to sign a contract to be a starter either in Cleveland or elsewhere around the league.
Devin White 
LB
White has to be at least mentioned, because he's come out of relatively nowhere and enters Week 18 with the second-most tackles in the league. Unlike Bush, his actual play on the field has not been good, highlighted by a 13.2 percent missed tackle rate (per PFF). White is one of the more obvious regression candidates in 2026, but his performance in the current campaign could be enough to trick a team into signing him to a starter-level contract this offseason.
Tuli Tuipulotu 
EDGE
Tuipulotu has taken a third-year leap and has quietly entered the conversation as a second or third-tier pass rusher in the league. He ranks inside the top 12 in quarterback hits, sacks and tackles for loss, and he's also forced two fumbles. His skills profile doesn't suggest another step forward is coming, but Tulipulotu is a legitimate fantasy IDP contributor.
James Pearce 
EDGE
The Falcons' decision to trade up for Pearce hasn't worked out for them due to the draft capital that they surrendered to trade back into the first round. That's not Pearce's fault, however, as he's held up his end of the deal in his rookie season. He has been credited with at least three quarterback pressures in five of his last nine games and has 8.0 sacks in that same span. Pearce is a strong breakout candidate in his sophomore season.
Jalyx Hunt 
/Nick Herbig 
EDGE
Hunt and Herbig are on this list together as players who have had big impacts on the field when given the opportunity. The absences of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have allowed Herbig to log 595 defensive snaps this season, a significant increase from his first two years as a pro. With both Highsmith and Watt locked in long term, Herbig is likely to be in trade conversations this offseason – particularly if the season doesn't end well in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Jaelan Phillips is set to become a free agent this offseason. He's been a strong fit in Philly, so an extension is certainly on the table. If Phillips departs, however, Hunt could take another step forward in 2026.
Eric Wilson 
LB
Wilson has supplanted Ivan Pace as the complement to Blake Cashman in the middle of the Minnesota defense and will narrowly miss out on setting a new career-high in tackles. He popped up for a very similar season in 2020, only to fade to relative obscurity until the current campaign. He'll be nearly 32 when the 2026 season begins, so he's not likely to land a big deal this offseason. Be careful investing in Wilson next season.
SThe Bengals' run defense and ability to cover tight ends have been disastrous this season, but a few players have emerged in the secondary. DJ Turner has emerged as one of the better cover corners in the league, while Battle has showcased his ability to make splash plays with four picks and two forced fumbles to go along with 122 tackles. Battle is one of the top breakout players in the secondary this season.
SBelton has seen his snap rate tick up this season generally, but that's particularly been true for his snap rate in the box. As would be expected, that has translated well into fantasy production. Like Battle, he's mixed a high volume of tackles (107) with the ability to force turnovers (three forced fumbles, one interception). The Giants will likely continue to play primarily with three safeties on the field again in 2026, with Belton joining Tyler Nubin and Jevon Holland.
Fallers
LBThere looked to be a changing of the guard from Matt Milano to Williams heading into 2025, but Williams has not only ceded defensive snaps to Milano but also Shaq Thompson. His tackle production has been halved this season and there is a big reason for concern regarding his role on the team for 2026.
Dallas' linebacker corps is currently a mess to sort through, but the bigger problem for Murray is that he is set to hit free agency this offseason. He's never lived up to his draft capital as a first-round pick, and his time as a consistent starter is likely over as he seeks a third contract.
Logan Wilson 
LB
Wilson was benched in Cincinnati more due to team context than his own performance, but his outlook hasn't improved since being dealt to Dallas. He's played no more than 57 percent of defensive snaps and has typically played more in the 45-percent range with the Cowboys. Looking to 2026, Logan Wilson will likely remain the odd-man out, as DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James look to be the future at middle linebacker.
Pete Werner 
LB
The Saints are notorious for hanging onto their veterans for too long, but Werner's playing time has progressively declined this season in favor of rookie Danny Stutsman. Werner could get a lifeline this offseason with Demario Davis looking likely to retire, but things haven't gone Werner's way in 2025.
Nick Martin 
LB
There were immediate questions about the 49ers selecting Martin in the third round of the 2025 draft, and those questions have, unfortunately, proven to be correct. He was a healthy scratch to begin the season and then was able to contribute on special teams. Martin has most recently been sidelined by a concussion, which he can't be faulted for. However, he's also been surpassed on the depth chart by Dee Winters, who was a candidate to be on the list of risers.
LBKnight replaced Tyrel Dodson in Seattle's linebacker corps in 2024 as a rookie and looked to be the future at the position. Instead, he's been overtaken by Drake Thomas, who entered the 2025 season with 37 total defensive snaps across his first two campaigns as a pro.
SDavis has regularly played at least 80 percent of defensive snaps this season, but he has only 60 tackles and generally has been nonimpactful. Look for the Dolphins to upgrade at safety this offseason. Davis will be a free agent, but he isn't likely to be viewed as a starter around the league.
