NFL Week 18 DFS: Building the Best Lineup on DraftKings
We've reached Week 18 of the NFL season, meaning fantasy enthusiasts are eyeing their final chance at a full slate of daily fantasy sports (DFS) action.
The NFL's final week can be a tricky one for DFS fans because it's hard to know which teams will rest their biggest stars. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have already locked up their playoff positioning, and even teams that haven't could consider resting.
The Philadelphia Eagles, for example, could still claim the NFC East with a win and a Dallas Cowboys loss. However, head coach Nick Sirianni admitted that resting starters is under consideration.
There's also a risk of bad teams pulling players in an effort to improve draft positioning.
Managers will have some difficult choices to make this week. Below, we'll dive into some tips for building the best DFS lineup for Week 18.
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Trust Teams with a Reason to Play
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While searching for Week 18 centerpiece players, managers should start by examining teams that are virtually guaranteed to play their starters.
The Cowboys, for example, can clinch the NFC East and the NFC's No. 2 seed with a win over the Washington Commanders. That makes for a great situation for quarterback Dak Prescott ($8.0K) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ($9.3K). Both are pricey options but worth the Week 18 investment.
The Commanders have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
The Detroit Lions still have an outside shot at claiming the No. 2 seed, and they don't plan to rest starters this week. This means that stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown ($8.6K) and Jahmyr Gibbs ($6.7K) should be on the table.
The Minnesota Vikings defense has been solid against the run, but it has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Gibbs' ability as a receiving back makes him and St. Brown high-level plays for Week 18.
The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins will battle for the AFC East title in Sunday's nightcap, meaning players like Josh Allen ($8.3K), Tua Tagovailoa ($7.5K), Tyreek Hill ($9.4K) and James Cook ($7.1K) should all be trustworthy this week.
Consider Sleepers Up Against Resting Teams
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Managers cannot lean exclusively on star players because of the salary cap. It's best to home in on a couple of pricey options that are trusted and sprinkle in a sleeper or two.
Low-tier players up against resting teams can yield positive dividends in Week 18. For example, New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor ($5.3K) could be in store for a big game against the Eagles.
Even if the Eagles don't rest their players, it's a terrific matchup for Taylor. Philadelphia has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team. Taylor has a solid dual-threat floor and is coming off a strong game (319 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 35 rushing yards).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White ($6.0K) is in a similar situation against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are locked into the No. 3 seed. White has topped 100 scrimmage yards in each of his past two games, and the Chiefs have absolutely nothing to play for in their finale.
This plan carries over to defense/special teams units. The Cincinnati Bengals ($3.0K), for example, are up against a Cleveland Browns team that is already locked into the No. 5 seed. Cincinnati will want to go out on a high note at home, while the Browns simply want to reach the postseason as healthy as possible.
Sample Lineup
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QB: Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants, $5,300
RB: Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons, $4,800
RB: Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders, $6,000
WR: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys, $9,300
WR: Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams, $4,500
WR: Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers, %6,000
Flex: Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears, $5,100
D/ST: Cincinnati Bengals, $3,000
Here's an example of how a lineup can look by focusing on our two aforementioned strategies.
With Lamb serving as our high-floor centerpiece, we have Taylor, White and the Bengals D/ST up against teams with nothing to play for. Los Angeles Rams wideout Demarcus Robinson is in a similar situation against the 49ers, and he's a fantastic mid-tier play.
Robinson had six catches for 92 yards in Week 17 and caught a touchdown pass in each of his previous four games. A win for L.A. could mean the difference between the No. 6 and No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
Tyler Allgeier is a solid play, even against a stout New Orleans Saints defense. He's reached 80 scrimmage yards and found the end zone in each of the past two contests. Adam Thielen is a similar high-floor play against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
Chicago Bears rookie running back Roschon Johnson plays a complementary role in the offense, but he's reached 50 scrimmage yards in three straight games and scored a touchdown in Week 17. The Green Bay Packers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
This is only a sample lineup, and managers should stick with the players they like best, but knowing the matchups and knowing who is likely to play can help create a winning lineup.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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