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 value, Green = 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 Mayfield, Sam 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 FD) Tampa 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 FD) This 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 FD) In 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 Nix, Mason Rudolph, the skeletal remains of Aaron Rodgers, Drake Maye, Tyler Huntley, Justin Fields, Will 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 Perine, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Emanuel Wilson, Michael Carter, Carson 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 FD) This 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 FD) There 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 Zaccheaus, Marvin Mims Jr., Jalen Tolbert, Xavier Legette, and whoever starts for Kansas City, Buffalo, and the Rams.
Fantasy four-pack
Justin Jefferson, Vikings @ DET (N/A DK, $9,500 FD) As 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 FD) St. 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 FD) Three 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 Kraft, Noah Gray, Juwan Johnson, Jake 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 FD) Since 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 FD) Hell 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.