Week 18 DraftKings Main Slate – Optimal Lineup Plays
First, I hope everyone had a happy new year. It is the first DFS column for 2024, and it is our time to shine DFS players! With the majority of season-long leagues completed, most fantasy players will turn to DFS to fill that fantasy football void, and we’re coming to the table with Week 18 DraftKings Main Slate best plays and optimal lineups.
Unfortunately, we didn’t end 2023 with our best week, as Week 17 wasn’t great. There were some good hits in there, but also too many misses.
Hit: Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, Kyren Williams, Zamir White, Rashee Rice, Terry McLaurin, Demarcus Robinson, Devon Achane, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Nico Collins, Greg Dortch, Trey McBride, Isaiah Likely, Darren Waller, Bears
Miss: CJ Stroud, Brock Purdy, Austin Ekeler, D’Andre Swift, Javonte Williams, Tyjae Spears, Tyreek Hill, Devonta Smith, Chris Olave, Demario Douglas, DJ Chark, Travis Kelce, Gerald Everett, Rams, Panthers, Colts, 49ers
N/A: Jacoby Brissett, CMC, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Noah Brown, Chig Okonkwo
We have reached the NFL’s final week of the regular season, and most season-long leagues are wrapped up except for the few that still play in Week 18. Week 18 is such an interesting week of the season as some teams are eliminated from playoff contention; some have clinched their playoff spot or home-field advantage, so many players do not play Week 18. This could be both helpful and hurtful. We have to really pay attention to which offensive and defensive players will be out and try to take advantage of some of these matchups and price manipulations. Also, look for any players close to key incentives, records, or benchmarks.
There will be quite a few backups playing, and this week might get a little wonky, but we can navigate that. I love the idea of throwing a dart on a low-priced QB and then using alpha WRs. The alpha WR group this week is robust.
I also noticed while doing this article I like quite a few of the Rams and 49ers backups with low prices to take advantage of, and I liked the Lions-Vikings game to target as well. This might be our biggest article yet, as I was so excited about all the potential of mixing and matching studs with backups that could pop. There is so much opportunity this week!
Let’s end the regular season and start 2024 off on a high note.
QB
Dak Prescott $8000 (@ WAS) – Dak plays far better at home, but the division title is on the line, and Washington can’t stop anybody on defense. Maybe they’ll play inspired for Riverboat Ron’s last game, even so, I question if they can stop the Dallas offense.
Jalen Hurts $8100 (@ NYG) – Same as Dak, the NFC East division title is on the line this weekend with Philly and Dallas. The Eagles are currently experiencing turmoil and need a “get right” game to rebuild their confidence heading into the playoffs.
Justin Fields $7200 (@ GB) – Justin Fields has been playing great football the past few weeks and making Chicago’s decision with the #1 pick very difficult. Justin Fields has a lot to play for this weekend, whether it be his future in Chicago or auditioning for the other teams in the NFL.
Jared Goff $6700 (vs. MIN) – Detroit is going to be playing angry after the controversial ending to their Week 17 game in Dallas. Goff, himself, was not very good in this game. Now, he is back at home against the Vikings secondary that was just torched by Jordan Love. Detroit wants to secure the two seed as well so they wouldn’t have to travel unless they reached the NFC Championship.
Nick Mullens $5700 (@ DET) – The starting QB on the other side of the Detroit-Minnesota matchup is Mullens. Mullens is going to turn the ball over, but there isn’t a throw on the field he is afraid to make. He will move the offense and amass yards in a potential shootout. The only risk with him is if O’Connell keeps the QB carousel turning and benches Mullens if they go down early/big.
Dart Throw/GPP Backup QBs: Good options if you want to try and load up on RB/WR/TE/DST.
Tyrod Taylor $5300 (vs. PHI) – He has played pretty well, even against the same Eagles on Christmas.
Sam Darnold $5200 (vs. LAR) – Former top draft pick looking for another chance to start. I believe he would be having a similar season to Purdy if he were the starter in this offense (hot take).
Carson Wentz $4500 (@ SF) – Former top pick and MVP candidate who has seen the wheels fall off on his career. With failed stops in Washington and Indy, he could be running out of chances. Carson Wentz is playing for a future in this league.
RB
Rachaad White $7600 (@ CAR) – Rachaad White struggled last week in a tough matchup with the Saints. After 10 straight weeks of double digits, he finished week 17 with 9.6 points. The sledding should be much easier against Carolina’s run-funnel defense. The Bucs are playing for a division title so I expect them to try and ride White to the crown.
Breece Hall $7200 (@ NE) – Breece Hall is finishing the season red hot. Maybe he is finally, truly, fully recovered from his knee injury. New England has a tough run defense, but so did the Browns before they faced Breece.
Saquon Barkley $6900 (vs. PHI) – In what could be Saquon’s final game with the Giants, they will need him if they have any chance at winning. As a Giants fan, I don’t want them to win, but that is another story. The Giants need to feed Saquon, and Saquon needs a strong showing for his next contract, whether it be with the Giants or elsewhere. This is more of a gut-feeling play.
If he plays: Kenneth Walker $6500 (@ ARI) – If Kenneth Walker plays, he gets the Cardinals porous run defense. Seattle must win this game if they want to have a chance to make the playoffs. Good blowup spot for Walker. I would love Charbonnet, too, if Walker were to sit.
Zamir White $6000 (vs. DEN) – I don’t expect Jacobs to play as he still hasn’t returned to practice. White isn’t as cheap as he has previously been, but this is a great matchup for him. Denver has had trouble stopping the run all year long, and I see that continuing this week.
Elijah Mitchell $5800 (vs. LAR) – CMC won’t play in week 18 as it will be Mitchell drawing the start. He has shown flashes in the opportunities he has had this year. Let’s see what he can do with a full workload.
Khalil Herbert $5700 (@ GB) – The Chicago RB we expected to fall to the bottom of the pecking order has emerged at the top. Herbert has been running great the past two weeks and gets the Packers, who have struggled with the run.
Let’s have some fun: Ronnie Rivers $4000 (@ SF) – With Kyren Williams and Royce Freeman to be inactive in Week 18, Rivers will finally get his chance. We thought it would happen when Kyren got hurt, but Rivers had an injury of his own. He will likely be running against many of the 49ers backups, too.
WR
CeeDee Lamb $9300 (@ WAS) – CeeDee gets the Commanders’ 31st-ranked secondary vs. WRs. Giddy up.
AJ Brown $8700 (@ NYG) – Possible squeaky wheel game to show there are no hard feelings? AJ Brown has been in the crosshairs of the Philly media claiming he has divided the locker room. What better way to show unity than feeding your best WR the ball?
Amon-Ra St. Brown – $8600 (vs. MIN) – At this point, can we just pencil in Amon-Ra for 20 points?
Justin Jefferson $8500 (@ DET) – I love Justin Jefferson here with Nick Mullens starting at QB. Mullens is not afraid to put the ball up for Jefferson to win. J. Jettas is going to want to end the season on a high note.
Puka Nacua $7800 (@ SF) – One of the few Rams starters playing in Week 18, not many have more to play for than Puka. Puka is closing in on the rookie record for receptions and yards. I expect the Rams to feed him the ball to help him achieve these records. There is a risk he is pulled if he does or doesn’t get it by a certain point.
Ja’Marr Chase $7200 (vs. CLE) – Chase gets the Browns backups at home. He needs a bounce-back game.
DJ Moore $7000 (@ GB) – DJ Moore has voiced he wants Fields to be QB1 in 2024. What better way to help the cause than to ball out against the Packers?
If he plays: Jayden Reed $5700 (vs. CHI) – The #1 WR for the Packers when healthy. No debate at this point.
IF ACTIVATED OFF IR **MUST START**: Christian Kirk $3000 (@ TEN) – An absolute steal of a price if he is able to make it back this week.
Cheaper options/GPP/Dart Throws: Jordan Addison $5300 (@ DET), Dontayvion Wicks $4600 (vs. CHI), Wan’Dale Robinson $4200 Darius Slayton $4000 (vs. PHI), Justin Watson $3400 (@ LAC), Ronnie Bell $3200, Ian Smith-Marsette $3000 (vs. TB)
TE
Trey McBride $6000 (vs. SEA) – Stud and Kyler’s go-to target.
Darren Waller $4700 (vs. PHI) – One of Tyrod’s favorite targets and playing for his future.
Tucker Kraft $3700 (vs. CHI) – I may bump him down and be more hesitant to use him if all of the Packers WRs return this week.
Juwan Johnson $3600 (vs. ATL) – The hottest TE in fantasy football right now with Njoku. Should keep rolling with a good matchup against ATL.
If Tannehill starts: Chig Okonkwo $3500 (vs. JAX) – I like him better if Tannehill is the starting QB.
Johnny Mundt $3000 (@ DET) – Kevin O’Connell said they planned to use him similar to Hockenson and that seemed to be the case. Solid price for production anywhere near Hockenson.
Davis Allen $2500 (@ SF) – The Davis Allen experience should be back in full swing this week. Higbee is not expected to play and Carson Wentz has shown in the past he will throw to his TEs. Love this play at this price.
D/ST
If you can afford them: Cowboys $4100 (@ WAS) – I’ve been burned suggesting this defense before but here we are. The Cowboys get Sam Howell who is the most sacked QB who is also prone to turnovers.
Patriots $3600 (vs. NYJ) – If this is Bill Belichick’s final game coaching the Patriots, there is a zero percent chance he will let it be a loss to the Jets. He HATES the Jets and will not go out losing to them.
Saints $3400 (vs. ATL) – Saints are fighting for their playoff lives and shut down a red-hot Baker Mayfield last week. Now, they get the Falcons.
Raiders $3300 (vs. DEN) – Raiders defense has been playing well and gets Jarrett Stidham. AP is also coaching to keep that job.
Bengals $3000 (vs. CLE) – I expect the Bengals to play their starters against Jeff Driskel and the Browns backups.
Chargers $2800 (vs. KC) – The Chargers get Blaine Gabbert at home.
Don’t forget to bring all your start/sit questions to our Sunday Live Start/Sit show starting at 8 a.m. PST on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube Channel!
For more from TJ and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @T_Redding28 for lineup updates and additional plays based on weekend updates/injuries.
