NFL DraftKings Picks: Week 18

I’ll be posting NFL DraftKings picks here. I cannot post lineups anymore, but I will list some players I like each week.

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Week 18: Saturday Slate

I can no longer post any lineups, per DraftKings rules. I will be trying something different this year, which is to rank my order of preferences by position taking price into account.


Top DFS Quarterbacks:

1. Sam Darnold, $5,800 (at 49ers)
2. Bryce Young, $4,800 (at Buccaneers)

Brock Purdy will be the most popular play because he’s been on fire, but he has a much tougher matchup this week. Conversely, Sam Darnold has a dream matchup against San Francisco’s poor defense.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Bucky Irving, $6,100 (vs. Panthers)
2. Christian McCaffrey, $8,800 (vs. Seahawks)
3. Zach Charbonnet, $5,600 (at Pack)
4. Kenneth Walker, $5,700 (at 49ers)

Chrisitian McCaffrey doesn’t have a good matchup, but he’ll be a big part of the passing game. Bucky Irving has the easiest matchup of all the running backs.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $8,600 (at 49ers)
2. Mike Evans, $6,300 (vs. Panthers)
3. Tetairoa McMillan, $5,800 (at Buccaneers)
4. Chris Godwin, $5,300 (vs. Panthers)
5. Ricky Pearsall, $5,100 (vs. Seahawks)
6. Jalen Coker, $4,300 (at Buccaneers)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the best play, given the easy matchup. The Buccaneers receivers have plus matchups as well.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. George Kittle, $6,000 (vs. Seahawks)
2. A.J. Barner, $3,700 (at 49ers)
3. Jake Tonges, $3,000 (vs. Seahawks)

The Seahawks have a miserable defense against tight ends, so playing either George Kittle and Jake Tonges makes the most sense. A.J. Barner also has a great matchup.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Seahawks, $2,700 (at 49ers)
2. Panthers, $2,600 (at Buccaneers)

Seattle has the best defense on the slate, yet many won’t play them because the 49ers are so hot.




Players to Avoid: Emeka Egbuka (5200). Emeka Egbuka has completely disappeared.

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Week 18: Main Slate

I can no longer post any lineups, per DraftKings rules. I will be trying something different this year, which is to rank my order of preferences by position taking price into account.


Top DFS Quarterbacks:

1. Jaxson Dart, $5,700 (vs. Cowboys)
2. Tanner McKee, $4,500 (vs. Redskins)
3. Trevor Lawrence, $6,400 (vs. Titans)
4. Drake Maye, $7,100 (vs. Dolphins)
5. Caleb Williams, $5,900 (vs. Lions)
6. Dak Prescott, $6,800 (at Giants)

Drake Maye is the best quarterback, but he’s also very expensive. Jaxson Dart is back and will be running again versus one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Tanner McKee is very cheap and could light up the sorry Redskins.


Top DFS Running Backs:

1. Jaydon Blue, $4,300 (at Giants)
2. Jordan Mason, $5,200 (vs. Packers)
3. Audric Estime, $5,000 (at Falcons)
4. R.J. Harvey, $6,800 (vs. Chargers)
5. Jaylen Wright, $4,200 (at Patriots)
6. Travis Etienne, $7,100 (vs. Titans)
7. D’Andre Swift, $5,900 (vs. Lions)
8. Dylan Sampson, $5,200 (at Bengals)
9. Will Shipley, $4,400 (vs. Redskins)

R.J. Harvey will be running against backups, as will Aaron Jones. Audric Estime is a great cheap option versus Atlanta’s poor run defense.


Top DFS Wide Receivers:

1. CeeDee Lamb, $7,300 (at Giants)
2. George Pickens, $7,200 (at Giants)
3. Michael Wilson, $6,600 (at Rams)
4. Darius Slayton, $4,100 (vs. Cowboys)
5. Courtland Sutton, $5,900 (vs. Chargers)
6. Jakobi Meyers, $5,600 (vs. Titans)
7. D.J. Moore, $5,500 (vs. Lions)
8. Luther Burden, $5,300 (vs. Lions)
9. Kevin Austin Jr., $3,400 (at Falcons)
10. Darius Cooper, $3,300 (vs. Redskins)
11. Stefon Diggs, $6,300 (vs. Dolphins)
12. Justin Jefferson, $5,800 (vs. Packers)
13. Jameson Williams, $6,700 (at Bears)
14. Amon-Ra St. Brown, $7,700 (at Bears)
15. Theo Wease Jr., $3,200 (at Patriots)
16. Isaiah Hodgins, $3,100 (vs. Cowboys)
17. Jayden Higgins, $4,500 (vs. Colts)

The receivers in the Cowboys-Giants game look great. Nico Collins is a nice alternative, while Michael Wilson will benefit from Marvin Harrison Jr.’s absence. Some of the best cheap options are Kevin Austin Jr. because of Chris Olave’s blood clots, and Darius Cooper, who will be the No. 1 receiver for the Eagles this week.


Top DFS Tight Ends:

1. Dalton Schultz, $3,800 (vs. Colts)
2. Brenton Strange, $3,800 (vs. Titans)
3. Hunter Henry, $4,500 (vs. Dolphins)
4. Trey McBride, $7,500 (at Rams)
5. Grant Calcaterra, $2,600 (vs. Redskins)
6. Michael Mayer, $3,500 (vs. Chiefs)
7. Blake Whiteheart, $2,500 (at Bengals)

Dalton Schultz has a great matchup against Indianapolis’ tight end-funnel defense. Brenton Strange also looks good at the same price. Grant Calcaterra is a fine punt option.


Top DFS Defenses:

1. Vikings, $3,000 (vs. Packers)
2. Broncos, $3,800 (vs. Chargers)
3. Texans, $3,700 (vs. Colts)
4. Patriots, $3,900 (vs. Dolphins)
5. Jaguars, $4,000 (vs. Titans)

Brady Cook took eight sacks last week, and there will be more of that to come. The cheapest defense I like is the Dolphins because the Buccaneers are in free fall.




Players to Avoid: Josh Allen (7000). Josh Allen seems unlikely to play this week.

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Week 18: Ravens-Steelers Showdown Slate

Top Captains: Derrick Henry (17100), Isaiah Likely (6600). If you want to pay up for a captain, Derrick Henry looks great because John Harbaugh finally remembered that he’s on the roster. A cheap captain is Isaiah Likely, who had a solid game against the Steelers in the first matchup. The Steelers give up tons of production to tight ends.

Top Spend-Up FLEX (in addition to Top Captains): Lamar Jackson (11600), Zay Flowers (9200), Kenneth Gainwell (8800). Lamar Jackson is a big risk, but there’s huge reward if he’s finally healthy. Zay Flowers should have a big game against a problematic secondary. Kenneth Gainwell will catch a ton of passes.

Top Value: Marquez Valdes-Scantling (3200). DK Metcalf is out, which would explain why Marque Valdes-Scantling had nine targets last week.

Top Punt Play: Rasheen Ali (2400). If the Ravens fall behind, Rasheen Ali could play some snaps as Baltimore’s receiving back.

Player to Avoid: Aaron Rodgers (10000). With no Metcalf, Aaron Roders may have issues getting to double-digit fantasy points again.