The Denver Broncos will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding RB Jaleel McLaughlin.
Is Jaleel McLaughlin Playing in Week 18?
McLaughlin is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Broncos’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Jaleel McLaughlin in Week 18?
This is why you pay attention to trends all season long, even if your matchups are meaningless — breadcrumbs. Jaleel McLaughlin has continued to look like the best back Denver has on its roster, and while the snap share isn’t reflecting that, everything else does.
Broncos RBs production, Week 17:
- Javonte Williams: 36.7% snap share and zero carries
- Audric Estimé: 30% snap share and 0% of carries gained 10+ yards
- Jaleel McLaughlin: 23.3% snap share and 40% of carries gained 10+ yards
That’s right. In a win-and-in situation, Denver’s RB leader in snaps played wasn’t trusted with a single carry while the third man on the totem pole was making chunk plays left and right.
The second-year back out of Youngstown State gained yardage on all 10 of his totes last week and looks like a big play waiting to happen every time he is handed the ball. I never want to paint with a broad brush at this point, but McLaughlin is very likely to be on my list of players to whom I have the highest exposure in 2025.
Williams is playing out the final year of his contract, and I’ve got confidence that his passing-game usage can be absorbed by McLaughlin (86.9% career catch rate). He’s not likely to be the second coming of Alvin Kamara, but we know that Sean Payton’s offense can support a very strong fantasy backfield. With the pieces seemingly falling into place, I’m going to be investing earlier than most find comfortable here.
Before we get to those glory days, however, we have to deal with one more week of this nonsensical three-way committee that renders all parties unreliable. McLaughlin, for maybe the seventh straight game, will be my highest-ranked Bronco RB. That’s enough to warrant Flex conversation in what is always a tough-to-judge Week 18.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 18 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
Jaleel McLaughlin’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 18
As of Sunday, McLaughlin is projected to score 13.9 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 12.8 rushing attempts for 69 yards and 0.1 touchdowns. It also includes 2.3 receptions for 27.6 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Jaleel McLaughlin’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.Â
Conference Championship RB PPR Rankings
1) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) James Cook | BUF (at KC)
3) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
4) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. BUF)
5) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at PHI)
7) Ray Davis | BUF (at KC)
8) Ty Johnson | BUF (at KC)
9) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. BUF)
10) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. WAS)
11) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at PHI)
12) Will Shipley | PHI (vs. WAS)
13) Carson Steele | KC (vs. BUF)
14) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (at KC)
15) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
