Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 18

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 18 DFS fantasy football.

Players are being rested, and players are splitting roles. Some superstars will play a only few snaps, and others want to play despite nothing to play for. That is the insanity of Week 18. Enjoy the madness and don’t forget to tune in for our playoff DFS coverage over the next few weeks!

Recommended DFS lineups

*Note: FanDuel and Fanball include the Sunday night game on their Main Slate. DraftKings doesn’t include them, so the pricing is listed as N/A.

DK Lineup: QB Baker Mayfield ($7.0k), RB Kenneth Gainwell ($5.6k), RB Bijan Robinson ($8.5k), WR Brian Thomas Jr. ($7.3k), WR Adam Thielen ($6.2k), WR Jalen McMillan ($5.1k), TE Noah Gray ($3.8k), FLEX Mack Hollins ($3.7k), DST Arizona Cardinals ($2.7k)

FD Lineup: QB Jared Goff ($7.9k), RB Bucky Irving ($7.9k), RB Bijan Robinson ($9.2k), WR Jordan Addison ($7.1k), WR Jameson Williams ($6.5k), WR Jalen McMillan ($6.1k), TE Sam LaPorta ($6.0K), FLEX Blake Corum ($5.5k), DST Arizona Cardinals ($3.7k)

FB Lineup: QB Baker Mayfield ($6.5k), RB Bijan Robinson ($7.7k), RB Jonathan Taylor ($7.4k), WR Jordan Addison ($6.0k), WR Jameson Williams ($6.3k), WR/TE Jalen McMillan ($4.6k), TE Noah Gray ($3.3k), FLEX Bucky Irving ($6.4k), SUPERFLEX Sam Darnold ($6.4k)

*Note: Player salaries are color-coded based on expected output. Red = Less than 2.5x value, Black = 2.5x valueGreen = Greater than 3x value.

Quarterback DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,500 $9,000
Jayden Daniels $7,800 $8,700
Baker Mayfield $7,000 $8,400
Sam Darnold N/A $8,100
Jared Goff N/A $7,900
Bo Nix $6,400 $7,800
Jordan Love $6,100 $7,300
C.J. Stroud $6,000 $7,300
Kyler Murray $6,000 $7,600
Anthony Richardson $5,900 $7,500
Justin Herbert $5,900 $7,700
Bryce Young $5,800 $6,900
Tua Tagovailoa $5,800 $7,400
Drake Maye $5,700 $7,100
Matthew Stafford $5,700 $7,000
Aaron Rodgers $5,600 $7,000
Caleb Williams $5,600 $7,100
Carson Wentz $5,600 $6,700
Geno Smith $5,500 $7,200
Kenny Pickett $5,500 $6,700
Mitchell Trubisky $5,500 $7,000
Joe Flacco $5,400 $7,000
Michael Penix Jr. $5,400 $6,900
Cooper Rush $5,200 $6,800
Jimmy Garoppolo $5,200 $6,300
Mac Jones $5,200 $6,700
Aidan O’Connell $5,100 $6,600
Drew Lock $5,100 $6,600
Mason Rudolph $5,000 $6,500
Tanner McKee $5,000 $6,400
Will Levis $5,000 $6,000
Spencer Rattler $4,800 $6,500
Tyler Huntley $4,800 $6,700
Jacoby Brissett $4,700 $6,000
Trey Lance $4,700 $6,000
Joshua Dobbs $4,000 $6,000

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Baker MayfieldSam Darnold, and Jared Goff are the top players. Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix should play the full game, making them adequate pivots. To save money, consider Justin Herbert and Bryce Young. You also can use whoever starts for Indianapolis, Mac Jones, Michael Penix Jr., or Jimmy Garoppolo as punts.

Fantasy four-pack

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. NO ($7,000 DK, $8,500 FDTampa has everything on the line this week. New Orleans’ pass defense has been in a free fall since trading away Marshon Lattimore. Plus, Mayfield already toasted them once for 325-4. This is certainly in the realm of outcomes for this week. 

Jared Goff, Lions vs. MIN (N/A DK, $7,900 FDThis game may approach 90 combined points, and it is possible that neither punter steps on the field. Over the last four weeks, Goff has thrown for 1,416 yards and 14 TDs. Plus, Minnesota allows the fifth-most passing yards per game.

Sam Darnold, Vikings @ DET (N/A DK, $8,100 FDIn their Week 7 meeting, Darnold threw for only 259-1. Of course, that was before Detroit lost something like 271% of its defense to injury. The Lions will play their backups this week not by choice, but because they are the only players not currently on IR. In what projects as a shootout, the slightly more expensive Darnold will have lower ownership than Goff. 

Jayden Daniels, Commanders @ DAL ($7,800 DK, $8,700 FD) Daniels is on fire posting 17 TDs over his last five games and over 60 rushing yards in four of those contests. This included a three-TD game against the Cowboys. While Washington has already guaranteed itself a spot in the playoffs, the Commanders may want to play Daniels this full game to avoid a first-round matchup with Tampa or Philadelphia. 

Sleepers

Bryce Young, Panthers @ ATL: ($5,800 DK, $6,900 FD) Young’s yardage totals have been meager, but he has multiple TDs in four of his last five games. Meanwhile, only one team has allowed more passing TDs per game than Atlanta. With their running game muted, stack Young with Adam Thielen or Xavier Legette.

Mac Jones, Jaguars @ IND ($5,200 DK, $6,700 FD) We all saw what Drew Lock did to this defense. Well, Mac Jones is basically Drew Lock. Several middling QBs embarrassed Indy this season (Bo NixMason Rudolph, the skeletal remains of Aaron RodgersDrake MayeTyler HuntleyJustin FieldsWill Levis, and Trevor Lawrence) all have posted reasonable numbers against this defense. Ironically, the only QB the Colts have held out of the end zone this season was Jared Goff.

Running back DraftKings FanDuel
Bijan Robinson $8,500 $9,200
Jahmyr Gibbs N/A $8,800
Jonathan Taylor $8,200 $8,500
Josh Jacobs $8,100 $8,200
Bucky Irving $7,700 $7,900
Kyren Williams $7,600 $8,400
Joe Mixon $7,400 $7,700
Alvin Kamara $7,300 $7,400
De’Von Achane $7,200 $8,000
James Cook $7,000 $8,100
Aaron Jones Sr. N/A $7,300
Zach Charbonnet $6,700 $7,000
Breece Hall $6,500 $7,200
J.K. Dobbins $6,300 $7,500
Tony Pollard $6,200 $6,700
Tyjae Spears $6,100 $6,700
Brian Robinson Jr. $6,000 $6,900
Isaac Guerendo $5,900 $7,000
Rico Dowdle $5,800 $7,100
Tyrone Tracy Jr. $5,800 $6,400
Cam Akers N/A $6,000
Rachaad White $5,700 $5,800
Blake Corum $5,600 $5,500
Kenneth Gainwell $5,600 $5,600
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,500 $6,000
Dameon Pierce $5,400 $5,200
D’Andre Swift $5,400 $6,100
Patrick Taylor Jr. $5,400 $4,900
Alexander Mattison $5,300 $5,500
Antonio Gibson $5,300 $5,600
Kendre Miller $5,300 $5,600
Ray Davis $5,200 $6,200
Travis Etienne Jr. $5,200 $6,100
Ameer Abdullah $5,100 $6,300
Austin Ekeler $5,100 $4,000
Emanuel Wilson $5,100 $5,300
Tank Bigsby $5,100 $5,500
Braelon Allen $5,000 $5,700
Chris Rodriguez Jr. $5,000 $5,300
Raheem Blackshear $5,000 $5,100
Ty Johnson $5,000 $5,900
Javonte Williams $4,900 $5,300
Tyler Allgeier $4,900 $5,700
Devin Singletary $4,800 $5,100
Gus Edwards $4,800 $5,400
Jaleel McLaughlin $4,800 $5,900
Carson Steele $4,700 $4,300
Michael Carter $4,700 $5,800
Raheem Mostert $4,700 $4,900
Audric Estime $4,600 $5,200
Jeremy McNichols $4,600 $5,000
Tyrion Davis-Price $4,600 $4,500
Kimani Vidal $4,500 $5,200
Samaje Perine $4,500 $5,400
Mike Boone $4,400 $5,000
Roschon Johnson $4,400 $4,800
Jamaal Williams $4,300 $5,300
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $4,100 $5,400
Miles Sanders $4,000 $4,000

Running back

Weekly strategy –  Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor are the top-two plays this week. I also like Jahmyr Gibbs on FD, just not as much as the other two. Bucky Irving is the cheaper pivot at RB1. At RB2, consider Brian Robinson Jr.Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, Blake Corum, or whoever starts for Tennessee. Samaje PerineRay DavisTy JohnsonEmanuel WilsonMichael CarterCarson Steele, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will all see playing time boosts because of injuries or players resting. I might use one of them as a punt flex.

Fantasy four-pack

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. JAX ($8,200 DK, $8,500 FD) Over the last three weeks, Taylor has led the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing TDs. Now, he faces a Jacksonville team allowing just under 27 PPR points per game to opposing RBs. Taylor’s value will go up even more if Joe Flacco starts this game.

Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. CAR ($8,500 DK, $9,200 FD) Carolina is allowing 29.5 PPR points per game to opposing backs. This includes allowing 830 total yards to the position over their last four games. Since Week 13, Robinson has exploded as his RB opportunity share increased from 26% to 33%.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers vs. NO ($7,700 DK, $7,900 FD) Since Week 10, Irving has scored and/or topped 100 total yards in every game that he has completed. Meanwhile, no team has allowed more RB rushing TDs.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. MIN (N/A DK, $8,800 FDThis price is a tad higher than I like, but since David Montgomery‘s injury, Gibbs trails only Jonathan Taylor in total yards and TDs among RBs.

Sleepers

Blake Corum, Rams vs. SEA ($5,600 DK, $5,500 FDThere was a ton of preseason hype over Corum potentially wrestling the starting RB job from Kyren Williams. The team plans to rest Williams this week. Last season at Michigan, Corum finished with 28 total TDs in 15 games.

Ray Davis, Bills @ NE ($5,200 DK, $6,200 FD) With nothing to play for, James Cook will see minimal, if any, snaps this weekend. This means that Davis and Ty Johnson will see an enormous boost in touches against a defense that allows the second-most RB rushing yards and the second-most total RB touchdowns.

Wide Receiver DraftKings FanDuel
Justin Jefferson N/A $9,500
Amon-Ra St. Brown N/A $9,000
Puka Nacua $8,300 $8,800
Mike Evans $8,000 $8,900
Nico Collins $7,800 $8,700
Brian Thomas Jr. $7,300 $8,000
Malik Nabers $7,100 $8,100
Davante Adams $7,000 $7,800
Ladd McConkey $6,900 $7,600
Terry McLaurin $6,800 $7,400
Tyreek Hill $6,700 $7,900
Drake London $6,500 $7,000
Courtland Sutton $6,400 $7,300
Jordan Addison N/A $7,100
Cooper Kupp $6,300 $6,900
Jameson Williams N/A $6,500
Adam Thielen $6,200 $6,400
Jaxon Smith-Njigba $6,100 $7,700
Garrett Wilson $6,000 $6,800
Keenan Allen $6,000 $6,100
DJ Moore $5,900 $6,300
Jauan Jennings $5,800 $6,800
Xavier Worthy $5,800 $6,600
Deebo Samuel Sr. $5,700 $6,700
Jakobi Meyers $5,700 $6,600
DK Metcalf $5,600 $7,200
Jayden Reed $5,600 $6,500
Marvin Harrison Jr. $5,500 $6,700
Romeo Doubs $5,500 $6,000
Calvin Ridley $5,400 $6,200
Jaylen Waddle $5,400 $5,900
Josh Downs $5,300 $6,000
Khalil Shakir $5,300 $6,300
Chris Olave $5,200 $5,800
Michael Pittman Jr. $5,200 $6,200
Darnell Mooney $5,100 $6,200
Jalen McMillan $5,100 $6,100
Alec Pierce $5,000 $5,800
Amari Cooper $5,000 $5,700
DeAndre Hopkins $4,900 $5,900
Rome Odunze $4,900 $5,700
Keon Coleman $4,800 $5,700
Quentin Johnston $4,800 $5,900
Brandin Cooks $4,700 $5,900
Christian Watson $4,700 $5,800
Marvin Mims Jr. $4,600 $5,600
Wan’Dale Robinson $4,600 $5,600
Hollywood Brown $4,500 $6,100
Olamide Zaccheaus $4,500 $5,800
Dontayvion Wicks $4,400 $5,400
Tim Patrick N/A $5,400
Joshua Palmer $4,400 $5,500
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,400 $5,300
DeMario Douglas $4,300 $5,100
Jalen Tolbert $4,300 $5,500
Parker Washington $4,300 $5,600
Demarcus Robinson $4,200 $4,800
Kayshon Boutte $4,200 $5,100
Xavier Legette $4,200 $5,000
Jalen Coker $4,100 $4,900
Ray-Ray McCloud III $4,100 $5,400
Ricky Pearsall $4,100 $4,900
John Metchie III $4,000 $5,500
Marquez Valdes-Scantling $4,000 $5,600
Michael Wilson $4,000 $6,400
David Moore $3,900 $4,600
Devaughn Vele $3,900 $5,200
Malik Washington $3,900 $5,300
Robert Woods $3,800 $5,400
Tre Tucker $3,800 $5,100
Tutu Atwell $3,800 $4,700
Diontae Johnson $3,700 $5,700
JuJu Smith-Schuster $3,700 $5,300
Mack Hollins $3,700 $5,500
Darius Slayton $3,600 $5,000
Dyami Brown $3,600 $4,800
Sterling Shepard $3,600 $5,100
Tyler Lockett $3,600 $5,400
Adonai Mitchell $3,500 $5,000
Allen Lazard $3,500 $4,900
Jahan Dotson $3,500 $4,800
Jamison Crowder $3,500 $5,200
Justin Watson $3,500 $5,200
Bo Melton $3,400 $4,500
Derius Davis $3,400 $4,700
KaVontae Turpin $3,400 $5,000
Tyler Boyd $3,400 $4,800
Greg Dortch $3,300 $4,700
Xavier Hutchinson $3,300 $5,200
Cedrick Wilson Jr. $3,200 $4,900
Kendrick Bourne $3,200 $4,800
Troy Franklin $3,200 $5,000
Curtis Samuel $3,100 $5,300
Jonathan Mingo $3,100 $4,700
Kevin Austin Jr. $3,100 $4,800
Luke McCaffrey $3,100 $4,600
Alex Erickson $3,000 $4,000
Britain Covey $3,000 $4,000
Dante Pettis $3,000 $4,700
Devin Duvernay $3,000 $4,600
Johnny Wilson $3,000 $4,900
Josh Reynolds $3,000 $4,700
KhaDarel Hodge $3,000 $4,300

Wide receiver

Weekly strategy – Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown are both available only on FD. In a shootout, they are both dynamic plays, but their price tags will be hard to swallow. DK users will want to target Mike Evans and Brian Thomas Jr. as their top options. Ladd McConkey (toe), Terry McLaurin, Drake London, and Courtland Sutton are the top WR1 pivots. On FD, if you don’t use Jefferson or St. Brown, you must use at least one of Jameson Williams or Jordan Addison. Adam Thielen and Keenan Allen are my favorite WR2 options. The easy pivots are Michael Pittman Jr., Darnell Mooney, and Calvin Ridley. You must use Jalen McMillan at WR3, regardless of whether you play Evans. Punts to consider include: Olamide ZaccheausMarvin Mims Jr.Jalen TolbertXavier Legette, and whoever starts for Kansas City, Buffalo, and the Rams.

Fantasy four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ DET (N/A DK, $9,500 FDAs mentioned above, injuries have decimated the Lions defense. Stopping Jefferson is tough with elite DBs. Against backups, he will smash. In nine career games versus Detroit, Jefferson is averaging 7.6-128 with four TDs.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs. MIN (N/A DK, $9,000 FDSt. Brown has been equally dominant against the Vikings in his career averaging 8-93 with four TDs. Plus, he has never posted fewer than six receptions against Minnesota. Both receivers should top the 25-point plateau this week.

Mike Evans, Buccaneers vs. NO ($8,000 DK, $8,900 FD) New Orleans has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to WRs. Over their last nine games, they are allowing an average of 19.3 PPR points to opposing WR1s. With his 1,000-yard streak on the line in a win-and-in game, Evans is a lock for 7-110-1. 

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars @ IND ($7,300 DK, $8,000 FD) If you watched the Giants and Colts play last week, I’m sorry for your lot in life. Nevertheless, you saw Malik Nabers go ham against this secondary. That was the third consecutive game where an opposing WR1 scored against them. A repeat of Thomas’ Week 5 performance of 5-122-1 seems probable.

Sleepers

Jalen McMillan, Buccaneers vs. NO ($5,100 DK, $6,100 FDThree weeks in a row and the sites still refuse to jack up McMillan’s price. Fine with me. I’ll just keep trotting him out there and counting the Benjamins rolling back in. Nine times this season, the Saints have allowed a secondary receiver to reach double-digit PPR points. With six scores in his last four games, this is a formality.

Olamide Zaccheaus, Commanders @ DAL ($4,500 DK, $5,800 FD) Zaccheaus has posted 13-155-3 on 17 targets over the last two games. If Dyami Brown (hamstring) remains out, expect similar production against a Dallas defense that has allowed the fourth-most WR receiving yards and the most WR receiving TDs over the last four weeks.

Tight End DraftKings FanDuel
Brock Bowers $6,600 $7,300
Trey McBride $6,500 $7,400
George Kittle $6,000 $7,600
Jonnu Smith $5,800 $6,300
Sam LaPorta N/A $6,000
T.J. Hockenson N/A $5,900
Hunter Henry $4,300 $5,200
Cade Otton $4,200 $5,200
Dalton Kincaid $4,100 $5,700
Kyle Pitts $4,000 $5,300
Zach Ertz $4,000 $5,400
Dalton Schultz $3,900 $5,600
Jake Ferguson $3,900 $5,200
Chig Okonkwo $3,800 $5,400
Noah Gray $3,800 $5,500
Noah Fant $3,700 $4,900
Tucker Kraft $3,700 $5,100
Juwan Johnson $3,600 $5,300
Will Dissly $3,600 $5,000
Brenton Strange $3,500 $5,000
Cole Kmet $3,500 $5,100
Tyler Conklin $3,400 $4,900
Tyler Higbee $3,400 $4,800
Austin Hooper $3,300 $4,800
Dawson Knox $3,300 $5,000
Foster Moreau $3,200 $5,200
Payne Durham $3,200 $4,900
Grant Calcaterra $3,100 $4,800
Stone Smartt $3,100 $4,900
AJ Barner $3,000 $4,700
Tommy Tremble $2,900 $4,700
Devin Culp $2,800 $4,300
Adam Trautman $2,700 $4,600
Ja’Tavion Sanders $2,600 $4,600
Lucas Krull $2,600 $4,600
Michael Mayer $2,600 $4,500
Irv Smith Jr. $2,500 $4,300

Tight end

Weekly strategy – The TE position feels weak up top this week. Brock Bowers has a rough matchup, and Trey McBride and George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) get a tough matchup against each other. Plus, Jonnu Smith potentially has QB issues to deal with. If you are playing on FD, T.J. Hockenson or Sam LaPorta. Otherwise, go on the cheap with Tucker KraftNoah GrayJuwan JohnsonJake Ferguson, or Zach Ertz. There are several potential punts including: Grant Calcaterra, Stone Smartt, Foster Moreau, Adam Trautman, and Dawson Knox

Fantasy four-pack

Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. MIN (N/A DK, $6,000 FDSince Week 6, LaPorta trails only Mark Andrews in TE touchdowns. This includes scoring four over the last five games. The Vikings held him in check in their earlier meeting, but I cannot expect a repeat of that here.

Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. SF ($6,500 DK, $7,400 FDHell has frozen over. McBride finally score his TD. Since Week 12, he has had 16 more targets and 15 more receptions than the next closest TE. This has propelled him into second place for the season in every relevant TE category except TDs.

Jonnu Smith, Dolphins @ NYJ ($5,800 DK, $6,300 FD) QB issues circle this game, but Smith has scored in six of his last seven games making him at worst a TD-dependent play. Jaylen Waddle (knee) may return this week. This could affect Smith’s volume. Still, he has a safe floor.

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings @ DET (N/A DK, $5,900 FD) It is all hands on deck in this game. Hockenson missed the earlier game because of an injury suffered due to a dirty hit by this defense last season. Chalk this up as a double-revenge game for the former Lion.

Sleepers

Zach Ertz, Commanders @ DAL ($4,000 DK, $5,400 FD) Ertz’s yardage and reception totals have been meager, but he has scored five times in the last six games (including once against Dallas). The Commanders are playing this game hoping for a better seed in the postseason, so expect them to go full go all game.

Noah Gray, Chiefs @ DEN ($3,800 DK, $5,500 FD) With Travis Kelce (rest) and other Chiefs starters resting expect Gray to be one of the top options in the passing game this week. Denver leans as a TE-funnel defense, so anticipate a gigantic game here as long as Carson Wentz is serviceable.