Fantasy Football Week 18 Expert Picks: Bryce Young, Zay Flowers, and More

Week 18 of the NFL season brings natural chaos. After a long, brutal season, many players are banged up, so those on teams that are out of postseason contention are at risk of sitting out, and those teams that are locked into playoff position sit guys to keep them ready for the most important part of the season.

For those still playing fantasy football, that means players you have counted on all season are sitting out because their game doesn't matter for the standings. It makes the final week the most unpredictable of the season and causes more problems in fantasy than owners have to deal with during any other week.

Luckily, the experts here at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five fantasy football questions as we head into the final weekend of the season.

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We're staying positive this week: give us a quarterback who can fill in for the owner who lost their regular starter for Week 18?

Morgan: If you want to play a matchup, try Bryce Young against the Buccaneers. Young had an above-average fantasy score against them back in Week 16, and the favorable matchup should help him to another good mark in Week 18.

Daniel: Guys like Jaxson Dart and Trevor Lawrence have great outlooks, but if you're looking for another guy you can pick up off the free agent heap, Shedeur Sanders faces the Cincinnati Bengals this week, a team that has given up the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.

How about a flex-level running back set up for a good week?

Morgan: I like the Browns' running backs, led by Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders, in a great matchup against the Bengals. Both backs could deliver solid marks in the elite matchup, so give them some consideration this week.

Daniel: Whoever ends up starting for the Cowboys. Javonte Williams and Malik Davis are both questionable, and Jaydon Blue might be up next if they each miss the game. Dallas faces the New York Giants, who have allowed the most yards per rush attempt and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Keep an eye on the status of the Cowboy RBs.

Do you have a wide receiver you think will excel due to their matchup?

Morgan: I think Zay Flowers could go off in Week 18 against a weaker Pittsburgh defense. That's a very favorable matchup, and with Lamar Jackson probably back, Flowers could shine.

Daniel: Wan'Dale Robinson has operated as New York's WR1 most of the season after Malik Nabers went down early; Robinson has topped 90 catches and 1,000 yards. The Cowboys have allowed the second-most yards per pass attempt and the most fantasy points to WRs. Robinson is questionable for this game, and if he were to sit out, Darius Slayton would be a sneaky player to have a big week.

Which tight end is set up for a strong final game of the season?

Morgan: Harold Fannin could go off if he ends up playing against the Bengals. If he's out, I like Chig Okonkwo against the Jaguars. Okonkwo has been decent as a fantasy asset of late, and another great matchup sets him up well this coming week.

Daniel: Hunter Henry has a great matchup against Miami, which has given up the seventh-most yards per pass attempt and the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Henry is another guy who is questionable, and if he doesn't play, then Austin Hooper would be a real option.

What is your advice for fantasy owners who are torn between playing in Week 18 and finishing their season a week early?

Morgan: Playing fantasy matchups in Week 18 is absolutely wild. Things you built all season can be torn to pieces in seconds, which is why I like only going through Week 17 in fantasy football leagues. If you have to play this week, I wish you the best of luck, because that's how the best fantasy scores are determined this week - luck.

Daniel: What about something different in Week 18 for those who want to use the whole regular season? For the championship round, Week 17 is played as normal, then Week 18 is treated like a DFS contest, and the two weeks are added together to determine the winner. It allows owners to use their regular roster for the first leg of the championship then show off different skills in the second half while getting a full complement of fantasy football weeks.