Are there too many IDP starting lineup decisions for you this week? Can’t decide which linebacker or edge rusher to start? Which safety gets the nod this week?”
This will not be the typical ‘obvious starters’ type of article. Always start your studs like Myles Garrett, Jordyn Brooks, and Devon Witherspoon. What needs to be shared is who we start and sit out, as well as the not-so-obvious players. You will not see many of the top-10 players listed in these articles because we are all already familiar with starting these players.
If you are reading this, it is your Championship Week! Good Luck to ALL! This week is not the week to take gambles. This is the week we go full trends. Be sure to check inactive lists before games and to have options if you have questionable players. Place questionable players in your flex positions, as this will give you more options if the need to replace the player in your lineup does, in fact, happen.
***Please note that all rankings are pulled from FantasyPros.com’s current weekly rankings for DL, LB, and DB.
More NFL Week 18 Championship Fantasy Football Advice From IDP+
Week 18 – DL/Edge Starters
Byron Young – Los Angeles Rams
Young has scored double-digit IDP points in five straight games. He just produced 8 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 3 QB hits against the Falcons, who are the 7th toughest team in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. This final week of the NFL season brings the Cardinals to Los Angeles. The Cardinals are the 2nd worst team against DE/Edge players. In their previous matchup in Week 14, Young posted 4 tackles (2 solo), 3 QB hits, and 1 sack. Expect a big game if he plays his usual 80% or more of the defensive snaps that he has played over the last three games.
Alex Highsmith – Pittsburgh Steelers
Highsmith has played 88% or more of the defensive snaps over the past three weeks. The Steelers are in a win-or-go-home game against the Ravens on Sunday night. Highsmith has produced double-digit IDP scoring in his last eight games played. He posted 3 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 4 QB hits, and 2 sacks last week against the Browns, who are the 27th-ranked team in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. The Ravens are the 23rd-ranked team against DE/Edge players, and last time they played in Week 14, Highsmith posted his season high IDP score by posting 7 solo tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 QB hits, and 1 sack.
Chase Young – New Orleans Saints
Young has been playing very inspired football since Week 7 of this year. He has at least 1 sack in 7 of his last 9 games played. Young has produced nine tackles for a loss in that same stretch of nine games. He has played anywhere from 60-80% of the defensive snaps, so the opportunities are there. The 7th-ranked Falcons will be a tough matchup, but in Week 12 against these Falcons, Young posted 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 sack. Start him with confidence and bet he stays hot.
Week 18 – DL/Edge Sits
Gregory Rousseau – Buffalo Bills
Rousseau plays roughly 65-75% of the defensive snaps. He has one really good game since Week 9 against the Chiefs. Rousseau has four single-digit IDP scoring weeks during that span. His previous game against the Jets this year was another of his single-digit IDP scoring weeks. He is far too inconsistent to be in your starting lineup this week.
YaYa Diaby – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two weeks ago, Diaby had just a single solo tackle against the Panthers. The Panthers are right in the middle at #18 in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. Diaby has had seven single-digit IDP scoring weeks this year, and you can expect another one this week as he repeats his recent performances. Don’t expect a sack either, as he has posted just three in his last nine games.
Week 18 – LB Starts
T.J. Edwards – Chicago Bears
Edwards has been on a very nice roll over the past three games. He has 24+ IDP points in all 3 by posting a combined 28 tackles (16 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 3 QB hits, .5 sack, 1 pass defended, and an interception returned for a TD in those last 3 games. The Lions are his opponent this week, and they have been reeling. The Bears are getting ready for the playoff and the Lions are getting ready to pack their bags. The matchup seems like a must-start considering the circumstances.
Bobby Wagner – Washington Commanders
Wagner has produced 27+ IDP points in four of his last five games. He has scored 21+ IDP points in six of his last seven games. Wagner is facing the Eagles this week. In his previous game against the Eagles 2 weeks ago, Wagner posted 10 tackles (5 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 sack. Expect a similar showing this week as the Commanders complete a very frustrating season.
Ernest Jones – Seattle Seahawks
Jones has produced 21 or more IDP points in four of his last five games, including a 57-point performance against the Vikings in Week 13. He has double-digit tackles in those four games. In his previous matchup with the 49ers, Jones posted his third-best score of the season. The Seahawks and 49ers are playing for the #1 seed on the NFC side, so the game should be intense and produce nice IDP numbers. Expect 10+ tackles with a point or two coming from elsewhere. Start him with confidence.
Week 18 – LB Sits
Demetrius Knight – Cincinnati Bengals
Knight has three games of 10 IDP points or less in his last four games played. His defensive snap percentage has decreased to about 55% over the past two games. Expect a low production game out of Knight against the Browns, even though the Browns are the worst team in terms of allowed points to opposing LBs. Knight will not get the majority of the defensive snap opportunities.
Drake Thomas – Seattle Seahawks
Thomas is another LB who has posted just 10 points in three of his last four games. He has played anywhere from 57-86% of the defensive snaps over the past five games. His opportunities are not there as consistently as they were earlier in the season. He didn’t even record a single solo tackle last week, and had just six solo tackles in a three-game stretch just prior. He should stay on your bench.
Week 18 – DB Starts
Quick Tip – When having a hard time deciding on a DB to start, and a rookie CB is one of those players, always choose the rookie CB if they are going against a pass-heavy team.
Derwin James – Los Angeles Chargers
James is a top Safety in the league and has had a very productive three games over the past three weeks. He posted a combined 24 tackles (11 solo), 1 forced fumble, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. James will be playing in Denver against the Broncos. His previous game against the Broncos in Week 3 netted James his highest IDP scoring game for the season. The 22nd-ranked Broncos are a nice matchup for James, and he deserves to be in your starting lineup. In James’ previous game against the Broncos, he posted 12 tackles (10 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 sack. This will be a player that you want to watch on the inactive list and have a plan if he were to be inactive.
Cooper DeJean – Philadelphia Eagles
DeJean just continues to tackle and rack up IDP points for your squad. He has scored 24 and 36 IDP points over the past two games. Two weeks ago, his opponent was the Commanders, who are his opponent again this week. Similar stats of five tackles and a couple of passes defended look to be in store. Put him in your starting lineup if he is active, and enjoy the points he racks up for your team.
Xavier Watts – Atlanta Falcons
The rookie has 89 tackles (55 solo) on the season, with 19 tackles (12 solo) over the past 3 weeks. He had his season high in IDP points scored last week against the Rams. Next up on his schedule is the Saints. Watts had his 3rd-highest scoring game against the Saints in their previous matchup back in Week 12. He has 10 passes defended and 5 interceptions this season, with 1 of the interceptions coming against the Saints. Start the rookie with confidence.
Week 18 – DB Sits
Kyle Hamilton – Baltimore Ravens
There is no doubt that Hamilton can be a game-winner. The problem is that when he is not the game winner, he is posting single-digit points, as he did in Week 14 against the Steelers. Hamilton gets another shot at the Steelers this week, with the division and a playoff spot available to the winner. He will have to post more than 1 solo tackle and 2 assisted tackles this weekend to validate being in your starting lineup. He needs to be benched if you have other options on your IDP squad.
Marcus Jones – New England Patriots
Jones has only played 43 defensive snaps total over the past two games for a snap percentage of about 37%. This is not enough snaps to warrant being in your starting lineup this weekend. He has not posted any punt return yards over the past two weeks either. He needs to be on your bench this week against the Dolphins.
Good Luck to Y’all, and may the Championships rain in on your IDP Squads on this final week of the fantasy football season!
Thank you for checking out my Week 18 IDP Start/Sit Advice article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP+ author page. Be sure to follow me on X at @OldMan_FF and @IDP_Plus (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber. Week 4 IDP Start Sit
