Analyzing Trending Week 18 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Decisions at RB, WR and TE: Blake Corum, Michael Carter, Mark Andrews, Calvin Ridley and More

After looking at a big quarterback start decision story on Thursday, I’m back to go over some of the trending start/sit decisions among running backs, wide receivers and right ends.

We’ll look at the top-two decisions at each position.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Running Backs

Start Blake Corum or Najee Harris?

Corum should be the Rams’ workhorse in week 18 with the Rams resting their top players, including normal starter Kyren Williams.

Corum has averaged 3.5 yards on his 56 rushing attempts this season, while adding in 46 receiving yards on six grabs. Without the regular starters out there, things won’t come easy to Corum, but on a big workload alone, he should be a pretty good starting option.

Corum takes on the Seahawks, who have been a slightly below-average matchup this season. Harris plays Saturday against the Bengals, who are pretty average when it comes to slowing opposing fantasy backs.

Harris bounced back in week 17 with 81 total yards on 15 touches. He hadn’t been in double figures in PPR scoring over the previous two games.

Harris went off for 129 total yards and a score on 22 touches in the first clash against the Bengals. 

Harris is the preferred starter over Corum for week 18, and I’d agree with that. The Steelers have more to play for, Harris has the easier matchup and we know what to expect out of him, so I’d take Harris over Corum.

Start Bucky Irving or Michael Carter?

Irving has emerged as the Bucs’ top running back, while Carter is expected to draw the start after James Conner and Trey Benson were both placed on IR.

Irving continues to play through injuries, and has scored in double figures as a fantasy performer in six of the past seven contests. The Bucs have a great chance at the postseason, and could move up to the No. 3 seed if they win and the Rams lose. I still think it’s possible that Tampa Bay rests some of its best players if they get a sizable lead.

A clash with the Saints is a super favorable matchup for Irving, and he had a nice fantasy showing against them back in week six.  

Carter has all 18 of his carries this season across two games, weeks 16 and 17. He’s averaging 4.9 yards a carry and has seven catches for an additional 41 yards.

His clash against the Niners is also very favorable.

Fantasy owners like Irving over Carter, and I do as well. Both have really good matchups, and both could turn in good/great fantasy showings, but I simply trust Irving more. The only way I’d start Carter over Irving is if Irving is going to be limited.

Tight Ends

Start Sam LaPorta or Trey McBride?

Let me start this one by saying this is a great situation to be in. Both are good starting options for week 18.

LaPorta was underwhelming for most of the fantasy season, but has scored in double figures in five straight contests. 

He takes on the Vikings in week 18, which is an average test for a fantasy tight end. LaPorta was held to a 25-yard catch in the team’s first matchup in week 7.

McBride caught his first touchdown in week 17, but has been a fantasy monster all season. He has scored in double figures in all but three weeks, including a 30-point effort in the last contest.

McBride’s clash with the Niners is tough on paper, but he went for 53 yards on six grabs and nine targets in the team’s first battle.

McBride is the favored fantasy tight end, and I’d agree with everyone. However, I would do whatever I could to also get LaPorta in my lineup, as I think he’s destined for a big showing too.

Start Zach Ertz or Mark Andrews?

Ertz went off for 25 fantasy points last week, which was a great bounce back after two games under five points. He appears to be past his concussion completely, and with Washington trying to lock up the No. 6 seed, Ertz should be in store for a big day again.

Ertz faces Dallas, which is another tougher fantasy test for a tight end. He had 38 yards and a touchdown on six catches and eight targets in the first meeting between the teams.

Andrews has scored in double figures in five straight games, and has put a very slow start to the season in the past.

He takes on the Browns on Saturday afternoon. It’s another tough matchup on paper, but he went for 36 yards and a touchdown on five receptions and targets the first time the teams met.

Fantasy owners like Andrews over Ertz, and I am again in agreement. I like Andrews’ fantasy ceiling more than Ertz, but I also wouldn’t mind starting Ertz in a good amount of leagues, especially in a week where so many other good players are out.

Wide Receivers

Start Malik Nabers or Jameson Williams?

This is a fun decision between two young and emerging wideouts.

Nabers has been pretty good all season, only failing to reach double figures as a fantasy performer once. He’s scored 12 or more points in six straight games and is coming off a 36-point showing.

Nabers takes on the Eagles in week 18. It’s a tough matchup on paper, but with the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed, Philly is likely to rest a lot of regulars on defense. Nabers’ worst fantasy showing of the season was against the Eagles, when he had 41 yards on four grabs and eight targets.

Williams has averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per week, and has at least 20 points in each of the past two games. He’s scored in double figures in four straight contests.

A clash against the Vikings is as favorable a fantasy matchup as a wide receiver can have. He had a catch that went backward four yards in the first meeting against Minnesota.

Fantasy owners like Nabers over Williams, and I agree with the majority again. Both are capable of going off, but I like Nabers’ floor just a bit more, so he gets the slight edge here.

Start Calvin Ridley or Jauan Jennings?

Ridley scored 14 points last week and had 16 the week before that. If we look back over his past seven appearances though, he has double-digit fantasy outings in just half of them.

He faces Houston in week 18, which is an above-average matchup for Ridley. He went for 93 yards on five grabs and six targets in the first meeting between the teams.

Jennings scored 13 fantasy points last week, his first time in double figures since week 14. He’s averaging 14.2 PPR points a week, but a 46.5-point showing in week 3 really boosts that average up.

Arizona is a below-average matchup for Jennings. He had a 13-yard catch on four targets way back in week 6 against Arizona. This time around, Jennings will have Joshua Dobbs throwing to him, not Brock Purdy. 

Fantasy owners like Jennings over Ridley, but I disagree here. Jennings is usually the better fantasy asset, but with a new quarterback and tough matchup, I don’t like Jennings nearly as much this week. Ridley might not be the best option either, but I like his matchup and situation just a bit more.

Be sure to use the FantasySP start/sit tool for all your week 18 lineup decisions!