Week 18 Start/Sit Advice
Written by Adam Krautwurst
Week 18 is always tricky, with playoff seeding, rest concerns, and motivation playing a major role in fantasy outcomes. Below is a clear breakdown of who to start and who to sit, organized by position.
Starts
Quarterback
Caleb Williams
Williams has been a steady fantasy producer in the playoffs, clearing 20 points in back-to-back weeks. Chicago has confirmed its starters will play, and Detroit has allowed above-average production to quarterbacks, giving Williams another favorable setup.
C.J. Stroud
Stroud should see a full workload with Houston still alive in the AFC South race. He has thrown for at least 260 yards and multiple touchdowns in two of his last three games, and the Colts are coming off allowing big fantasy performances to opposing quarterbacks.
Running Back
Tank Bigsby
Bigsby is in line for a featured role with Saquon Barkley expected to sit. Washington has been one of the weakest run defenses in the NFC, opening the door for heavy volume and scoring chances.
Woody Marks
Marks continues to dominate Houston’s rushing workload in wins, handling at least 60 percent of the carries in six straight games. With the Texans heavily favored and motivated, Marks profiles as a strong Week 18 play.
Wide Receiver
Parker Washington
Washington has unexpectedly become Jacksonville’s top target, totaling 260 receiving yards and a touchdown over his last two games. He now faces a Titans defense that ranks among the worst in fantasy points allowed to wideouts.
Luther Burden III
Burden III is expected to play through a minor quad injury and draws a favorable matchup against a Detroit defense that has struggled with receivers over the past month.
Tight End
Juwan Johnson
Johnson has emerged as a focal point of the Saints’ passing attack and gets a major boost with Chris Olave sidelined. His usage places him firmly in top-tier tight end territory this week.
Dalton Schultz
Schultz remains a reliable option with Houston needing a win. Indianapolis has struggled to defend tight ends, keeping Schultz in play as a low-end starter.
Sits
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield has cooled off significantly, averaging under 200 passing yards per game over his last eight outings. Carolina has limited quarterback production all season, making Mayfield a risky option.
Matt Stafford
Stafford is expected to start, but with the Rams having nothing to gain in the standings, there’s a strong chance his snaps are limited.
Running Back
James Cook
Cook faces major workload risk with Buffalo locked into its postseason position. The Bills have previously rested starters in similar situations, making Cook a dangerous Week 18 play.
De’Von Achane
Achane enters the week dealing with a shoulder injury and draws a Patriots defense that has been tough on running backs, lowering his ceiling.
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka’s role remains too small to trust, as his route participation and target share continue to lag behind other options.
Courtland Sutton
Sutton faces a Chargers defense that suppresses receiver production, and Denver could limit starters if the game gets out of hand.
Tight End
Tyler Warren
Warren’s fantasy output has collapsed due to a sharp decline in target quality, despite steady usage.
Travis Kelce
Kelce remains an elite talent, but a meaningless Week 18 game with backup quarterback play and a poor matchup makes him difficult to start.
