The fantasy football playoffs haven’t concluded for all leagues quite yet. However, the expectations for many stars may need to be significantly tempered with several NFL teams potentially resting certain players heading into the regular-season finale.
Here are some of my start/sit options at the WR position for Week 18 of NFL action.
Which WR Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
There hasn’t been a lot to get very excited about from the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense over the back half of the year … outside of rookie WR Rashee Rice.
From Weeks 12 to 16, Rice was the WR5 with 38 receptions for 391 yards and three touchdowns, which has made him the biggest fantasy producer from this Chiefs offense during that stretch.
The Chiefs have a matchup against the porous Los Angeles Chargers pass defense; Rice feels like a low-end WR1 that needs to be in your fantasy lineup for Week 18.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints’ passing game has been trying to finish the season on a high note, with Derek Carr throwing for multiple TD passes over his last four games.
MORE: PFN’s FREE Playoff Predictor
Chris Olave has consistently been one of Carr’s favorite targets in the passing game throughout the 2023 campaign, which included a seven-catch, 114-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons back in Week 12.
Expect Olave to continue to give this Falcons’ secondary all kinds of issues heading into the season finale.
Which WR Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
On the flip side, the Cincinnati Bengals may still have something worth fighting for heading into Week 18, but it may be tough to trust WR Tee Higgins heading into a tough matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns’ secondary held Higgins without a single catch on eight targets in the season opener with Joe Burrow under center.
Now that the team is relying on Jake Browning to orchestrate the Bengals’ passing attack, I would not suggest relying on Higgins in your fantasy lineup for Week 18.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
I may trust one member of the New York Jets’ offense in my fantasy lineup, but that’s where I draw the line.
New York’s offense will finish off its rough 2023 season against a New England Patriots defense that is still playing with a lot of pride in what could be a very uncertain offseason for head coach Bill Belichick.
MORE: Tate’s Fantasy Week 18 RB Start/Sit
Garrett Wilson only had five receptions for 48 yards against the Pats back in Week 3, and the quarterback play has gotten a whole lot better since then. I’m fading Wilson out of my fantasy lineups for Week 18.
Trending Searches for WR Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use and allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Garrett Wilson or Brandin Cooks?
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot at stake heading into their matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, which puts WR Brandin Cooks in a great spot to produce big fantasy numbers against one of the worst defensive units in the league.
Cooks has found the end zone in two straight games, which hasn’t been the case for Wilson since the first two contests of the 2023 campaign.
In a big spot for the Cowboys, expect their passing offense — and Cooks in particular — to have a big performance with the No. 2 seed on the line in their regular-season finale.
Should You Start Tee Higgins or DeAndre Hopkins?
Unfortunately for Higgins, he got banged up and exited the game a bit early against the Chiefs, which led to a disappointing one-catch, 19-yard outing last week.
His matchup against the Cleveland Browns isn’t an ideal one. Yet, with him set to be one of the biggest wide receivers available on the open market heading into free agency, fantasy managers should lean on Higgins over DeAndre Hopkins ahead of his final audition for potential suitors this offseason.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
