Week 18 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Decisions for Fringe Fantasy Football Flex Starters

We've officially reached the final week of the 2025 NFL season. While many season-long fantasy leagues have ended, a few larger ones are still ongoing.

For those still engaged in fantasy in Week 18, lineup decisions may be difficult. With only two playoff spots still up for grabs, many teams will choose to sit some of their players in their finales.

Relying on top stars may not be an option this week, so fringe starters may make their way into many flex spots. Here, you'll find some of the best and worst matcups for fringe flex starters in Week 18, along with start/sit advice for point-per-reception (PPR) play.

Running Back

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving

Start: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Though he has returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' lineup, running back Bucky Irving hasn't returned to fantasy stardom. He has a solid PPR floor, but will cede touches to Rachaad White and red-zone opportunities to Sean Tucker.

Irving has not reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 14.

However, Irving should come through against a Carolina Panthers defense that has surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season. With Baker Mayfield playing poorly, the Bucs may need Irving to carry their offense.

Sit: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Only a week ago, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren would have seemed like a must-start against a suspect Baltimore Ravens defense. However, we got a good look at just how inept Pittsburgh's offense is without DK Metcalf in the lineup.

Warren struggled to find any running room in Week 17, finishing with a mere 6.4 fantasy points.

If Warren was regularly used in the passing game, he'd probably have a strong PPR floor in this matchup. However, Kenneth Gainwell has taken over as Pittsburgh's receiving back, leaving Warren as a high-risk option in Week 18.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Texans WR Jayden Higgins

Start: Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

When eyeing Week 18 lineups, it's often wise to target teams with something to play for. The Houston Texans still have an outside shot at winning the AFC South, so key players like Jayden Higgins are likely to play all four quarters.

Higgins had just two catches in Week 17, but he tallied 88 yards and a touchdown.

While Higgins has only reached double-digit fantasy points on one of his last four games, he should have a reasonable floor this week against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs this season.

Sit: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

While the Texans have something to earn in Week 18, Indianapolis does not. The Colts have already announced that they'll start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard instead of veteran Philip Rivers in their finale. Other vets may sit or be limited as well.

Michael Pittman Jr. exited Sunday's game with a calf injury, and while he did return, the Colts may not push him if he's less than 100 percent.

Houston also makes for a brutal matchup, as the Texans have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Tight End

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Bills TE Dawson KNox

Start: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills

Playoff seeding is still at stake for the Buffalo Bills, who should keep the gas pedal pressed against the lowly New York Jets. That could provide some huge opportunities for managers in Week 18, as New York has had one of the league's worst defenses.

The Jets have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Still dealing with a knee injury, Dalton Kincaid may be out for Buffalo. That would hand a big role to fellow tight end Dawson Knox, who had eight fantasy points in Week 17 and who has topped 17 points in two of his last four games.

Sit: Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos

The Los Angeles Chargers have announced that they'll rest starters in Week 18. While the Denver Broncos will play hard enough to win—which would give them the AFC's No. 1 seed—they may not play their starters for all four quarters.

That's not ideal for Evan Engram, who already holds an inconsistent role in the offense.

Engram has had a couple of good games this season but hasn't reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 13. It's impossible to trust him in a game that may not see a lot of passing by the Broncos.