Welcome to the final week of the 2025 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Week 18 Replacements
- Re-Ranking the 2025 Rookies
- Biggest NFL Draft Season Red Herrings
- Underrated 2026 NFL Draft Prospects
Let's roll...
Matt Waldman: Give readers an NFL reserve who could come off the bench to contribute as a fantasy starter in Week 18. For example, I recommended readers start Jake Tonges last week in my Replacements feature.
Here are your conditions for your recommendation:
- The player must be no higher than an NFL team's QB2, RB3, WR3, or TE2.
- If he delivered value last week, he hasn't for the past month before last week.
- If he didn't deliver value last week, he hasn't delivered it more than once in the past month.
- He's not a "TE2" like Colston Loveland or an RB2 like David Montgomery-- don't cheat, pick a player who will likely be on a league's waiver wire on a Thursday or Friday because he hasn't done anything, and most major media fantasy outlets wouldn't recommend him.
Who are your candidates for Week 18?
Jeff Bell: Matthew Golden. Looking solely at the box scores, Golden has done nothing in his rookie year. In the social media world, his entire season boils down to an unfortunate spin move in a primetime game and a bust label. Every Dynasty Bro who faded him because of their process will spend the offseason victory-lapping.
First, he should get the opportunity. Green Bay has nothing to gain in Week 18 because its spot as the seventh seed is locked in. This should be a prime chance to allow a player like Golden a further developmental opportunity.
Golden's overall numbers will not get there, and he has not given a single startable fantasy week all year. He has flashed for some moments. He stepped up against Denver after Christian Watson left with an injury. He hit a big play against Dallas. There have been glimpses.
When a player in this position disappoints to this level, it is worth unpacking what has happened. Golden drew raves during training camp.
He is not making obvious errors; this is not Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropping a pass with no one around him. From my perspective, Golden has been put in a difficult spot. Green Bay's receiver room is full of specialists.
Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson are very good at what they are tasked with. They are rarely asked to do much beyond their primary role. Golden has been asked to fill in where needed. Watson was out to start the year, before Reed quickly joined him.
Golden was first asked to fill as a vertical threat before getting some opportunities closer to the line of scrimmage. Usually, a young receiver is asked to master a skill before their involvement and opportunity grow. Puka Nacua is a great example. One of the most productive rookie seasons in history, Nacua's route tree was kept very tight before production demanded expansion.
Maybe the Dynasty Bros are right to have faded Golden. But the Packers owe him a chance.
Joseph Haggan: Trey Lance is a great Week 18 replacement. The Chargers have already said that he is starting and will be sitting Justin Herbert.
Lance has been a disappointment since entering the NFL, but his upside remains intact. Fantasy-wise, that upside is in his legs.
Lance saw 29 snaps this season. He attempted 13 passes and 8 rushes. Lance has a cannon for an arm, and adequate receivers if all the starters will be benched, including rookie Tre' Harris, Keandre Lambert-Smith, and Derius Davis.
Lance is a big play waiting to happen, even if that is all he can make happen. Still, his rushing upside and potential for big plays make him a great replacement this week.