Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive on Monday night, while the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will do battle in a postseason-caliber Thursday night showdown.

Many fantasy football fans can relate, as their season-long fantasy teams are facing win-or-go-home scenarios in Week 16.

Fantasy managers will, of course, lead with their matchup-proof stars, but they may have to rely on a few fringe starters to round out their lineups. Here, you'll find some of the best and worst matchups for fringe flex options in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Running Back

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Cardinals RB Michael Carter

Start: Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals' backfield has provided managers with a guessing game ever since James Conner and Trey Benson got injured. Bam Knight has been the leading back, but Michael Carter and Emari Demercado have also contributed.

Carter is likely to take over the leading role this week, as Knight suffered an ankle sprain in Week 15. Carter then finished with a solid 13.4 fantasy points.

This week, Carter and the Cardinals will host the Atlanta Falcons, who have been decidedly average against the run (15th-most fantasy points allowed to RBs).

Sit: Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

While Carter is likely stepping into a starting role, Kenneth Walker III has held it for the Seahawks. Unfortunately, this hasn't made him a reliable fantasy option because Seattle has regularly incorporated Zach Charnonnet—especially near the goal line.

Walker has averaged 10.1 fantasy points per game but has fallen short of 10 fantasy points in four of his last seven games. He's also failed to reach five points in back-to-back weeks.

On Thursday, Walker will face a Rams defense that has surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other team.

Wide Receiver

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Steelers WR DK Metcalf

Start: DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

During the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for DK Metcalf in order to make him their new WR1. While Metcalf has filled that role, he hasn't regularly put up fantasy numbers reflective of a No. 1 receiver.

Metcalf has averaged a respectable 12.8 fantasy points, but he's fallen below 10 points in three of his last six games.

The good news is that Metcalf has been solid over the last two weeks, topping 14 fantasy points in each contest. The better news is that he's about to face the Detroit Lions, who have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Sit: Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

Tre Tucker provided a few glimpses of fantasy hope early in the season, and his 40.9-point outing in Week 3 made him a popular waiver target. However, Tucker's respectable average of 9.8 fantasy points is very heavily influenced by a couple of breakout performances.

The Las Vegas Raiders' offense has been a mess for most of the season, and it has shown no signs of improvement—Las Vegas turned to QB Kenny Pickett last week and lost 31-0.

Tucker has gone four straight games without reaching double-digit fantasy points, and he's unlikely to hit that mark this week. The Raiders will face the Houston Texans, who have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Tight End

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Dolphins TE Darren Waller

Start: Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins

Darren Waller has been in and out of the Miami Dolphins' lineup this season due to injuries, but he was one of the only positives from Monday night's loss to Pittsburgh.

Waller caught seven of eight targets for 66 yards, two touchdowns and 25.6 fantasy points. While he's unlikely to replicate those numbers in Week 16, he's a strong streaming option to consider.

The Dolphins are set to host the Cincinnati Bengals, who have surrendered a full five points more than any other team to opposing tight ends this season.

Sit: Gunnar Helm, Tennessee Titans

Rookie fourth-round pick Gunnar Helm has been one of the brighter spots in the Tennessee Titans' offense this season. He's starting to develop palpable chemistry with QB Cam Ward, and he's become a fantasy sleeper in the process.

Helm has topped eight fantasy points in three of his last four games and has hit double digits twice in that span. He had a season-high 14.9 fantasy points in Week 15.

However, it'll be hard to trust Helm against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have been eliminated and have lost Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending ACL tear. However, they still have a stout defense that has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.