NFL DFS Week 18 is always one of the more difficult slates to predict with usually a small amount of teams playing meaningful games. We will attempt to target those players or ones playing for monetary incentives. With that being said, let’s get right to work on our core plays for cash game lineup considerations.
In creating a successful lineup, we research and find positional values to see where you can save money and players with projected low ownership who can pay 2x-2.5x of their listed DFS salary. You bank on getting a minimum of 20 points from the quarterback position, this position is crucial within your builds. The next big decision you have to make is whether or not you want to pay up a tight end, many players wish for some consistency, if that exists, at this position.
These recommendations are designed to give you players we feel will be low-owned and good value and help you create a unique DFS build. We want a DFS lineup different from the masses and most likely made with an optimizer. Look for single or smaller slates to build your DFS bankroll. Expecting to hit the Sunday million jackpot regularly is not statistically sound. The fantasy point-per-game averages referenced are those across FanDuel scoring rules.
DFS Quarterback
Sam Darnold ($6.5k DraftKings and $8.1k Fanduel)
No team will be more motivated to win this week than the Minnesota Vikings. A win over the Lions on Sunday night gives the Vikings the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage. However, with a loss, they will be the fifth seed and most likely on the road throughout the postseason. Darnold has a terrific match-up versus a Lions’ defense ranked 30th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks and 31st against the pass.
Darnold checks in as the overall QB8 and over his last seven games has averaged 24.12 points per game, with 18 touchdown passes. Rostering Darnold also gives the desired exposure to Justin Jefferson and invested in a game with a slate-high 56.5-point implied game total.
Additional Options: Jared Goff, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels
DFS Running Back
Josh Jacobs ($8.1k DraftKings and $8.2k Fanduel)
Not a fan of paying this much for a running back, but Josh Jacobs gives us a steady-volume play. Jacobs is the overall fantasy RB6, who has averaged 21 touches per game across his last five outings and has 12 rushing touchdowns in his last nine games. He will face a Chicago defense ranked 29th in fantasy points allowed to running backs and 27th versus the run.
Green Bay also has motivation, with a win and Washington loss they can move up to six and avoid the Eagles in round one. Chicago has also allowed fourteen top-24 running back finishes this season and investing in the Packer’s run game gives us a better floor than trying to guess which pass-catcher to roster.
Additional Options: J.K. Dobbins (If Steelers lose), Michael Carter, Blake Corum
DFS Wide Receiver
Drake London ($6.5k DraftKings and $7k Fanduel)
We found ourselves a nice mid-tier option at wide receiver to save some salary, in Drake London. He has a terrific matchup in week 18 versus the Panther’s defense ranked just 26th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Atlanta is also incentivized, needing a win and Tampa Bay loss to win the NFC South. In Michael Penix’s two starts at quarterback, London has 21 targets, 12 receptions, and 167 receiving yards. London is the overall WR8, the top option in the Atlanta passing offense, and Carolina has allowed fourteen top-24 finishes to receivers this season.
Additional Options: Malik Nabors, Jameson Williams, Terry McLaurin, Mike Evans
DFS Tight End
Zach Ertz ($4k DraftKings and $5.6k Fanduel)
We found a nice DFS value at tight end in Zach Ertz, who will be highly motivated to piggyback off the bonuses he nailed in week 17. We get the overall TE7 and a motivated Ertz, in line for additional money if he reaches the 70-700-8 mark in week 18. Last week, Ertz went off for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns and is set up for success again with Dallas’ 28th-ranked defense. Washington will also be motivated, with a win over Dallas they clinch the sixth seed and avoid the Eagles in the wild-card round next week.
Additional Options: Jonuu Smith, Chig Okonkwo
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Rams ($2.9k DraftKings and $3.8k Fanduel)
The Rams are priced right for us as we are not a proponent of paying up for a defense in DFS. Los Angeles is the 11th-ranked fantasy defense and across the last three games averaged 11 points per game. They also match up with a Seattle team that ranked 28th in fantasy points allowed to opposing defenses. In addition, Geno Smith has five turnovers across his last three games and six in his last four.
Additional Options: Titans, Giants
DFS Tournament Stacks
Sam Darnold-Justin Jefferson/ Jared Goff-Jahmyr Gibbs-Jameson Williams/ Michael Penix-Bijan Robinson-Drake London/ Jayden Daniels-Zach Ertz-Terry McLaurin
Conclusion
If we spent up with our recommendation, we listed value plays for you to help balance out your DFS build. The pay line for FanDuel tends to be approximately 125 points, which equates to 2x per player. For example, a player with a $4500 salary needs 9 points.
DraftKings pay line is approximately 134 points, which is 2.5x per player. So, for a $4500 salary, that player would need 9.9 points. Again, we try to find player options projected for low ownership. Good luck with your DFS builds, please like and follow us on social media and check back for updated recommendations before Sunday’s kickoff. In addition, please be reminded that the Vikings-Lions game is only part of the FanDuel Main Slate. Good Luck with all your builds in Week 18!
