DraftKings NFL Week 18 Picks: Mid-Priced Plays Drip Value on Final Sunday Slate

While a handful of our receivers flopped in Week 17, we still managed to nail Trey Lance and a couple of defenses. Week 18 (or I guess the traditional Week 17) is always a funky one as guys sit out and teams rest getting ready for the playoffs. Still, we manage to pick our spots and rack up those points for one final time this season.

We’re #OntoWeek18

QUARTERBACKS

Kyler Murray $7,400

• While the Cardinals still fight for their chance at the division, they won’t be easing off the gas pedal this final week. Murray has eclipsed 20 points in four of his last five games and possesses good upside thanks to his rushing ability. While Seattle has started to turn it around slightly, they are still a team with one of the lower possession rates in the league, allowing more time of possession and plays for Cardinals this week.

Taysom Hill $6,200

• Along with Kyler Murray, Taysom Hill is another quarterback with rushing upside. Over his last four games, he has a game-low of 33 rushing yards so that’s a handful of extra points just on his legs alone. Not to mention, the Saints need to win to stay alive in the playoff push and get a struggling Falcons’ defense this week. Hill’s averaged close to 20 ppg over the last month and a half.

Others to consider: Josh Allen $8,100 (vs Jets), Russell Wilson $6,300 (vs Cardinals), Tyler Huntley $5,700 (vs Steelers), Davis Mills $5,300 (vs Titans)

RUNNING BACKS

Jonathan Taylor $9,300

• The Colts need to win to make the playoffs, and luckily they get the Jags in Week 18. Jacksonville was just run all over by the Patriots duo of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, so just imagine what Jonathan Taylor can do. He could also state his case for MVP with a monster performance.

AJ Dillon $6,200

• The Packers have already wrapped up the No. 1 seed, meaning they could rest Rodgers and their stars on offense this week. Aaron Jones dealt with some knee issues earlier in the year and Dillon has nearly taken over lead back duties. With Green Bay still favored heavily, Dillon and the run game could be a major factor this week against a Lions’ defense that gets gashed on the ground.

Antonio Gibson $5,800

• Antonio Gibson missed last week’s action, but he returns just in time to get a Giants’ team that has given up on its season. Without Gibson, this offense is not the same and it really struggles to make plays. Add in the fact that JD McKissic remains out of the lineup, it only raises Gibson’s ceiling — especially in the passing game.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn $5,200

• With both Uncle Lenny and Ronald Jones out this week, it’s Ke’Shawn Vaughn time in Tampa Bay. Heavy home favorites against the Panthers proves for a positive game script and Vaughn has shown some ability to catch passes out of the backfield. The volume in itself should be enough to cover this price in Week 18.

Others to Consider: David Montgomery $6,800 (vs Vikings), James Conner $6,300 (vs Seahawks), Devin Singletary $6,000 (vs Jets), D’Onta Foreman $5,700 (vs Texans), Samaje Perine $5,300 (vs Browns), Dare Ogunbawale $5,300 (vs Colts)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Justin Jefferson $8,100

• Justin Jefferson has seen double-digit targets in five straight games and is playing an even more significant role in the absence of Adam Thielen. Thankfully, the Vikings have Kirk Cousins back this week and seem to be playing their starters on offense even though they are eliminated from playoff contention. With the Bears posing little to no threat, I like Jefferson’s matchup this week.

Amon-Ra St. Brown $6,800

• Is there a hotter receiver in the NFL right now than Amon-Ra St Brown? The rookie has seen five straight games of double-digit targets and secured a minimum of eight receptions in each of those games. Four touchdowns in that span, he’s stepped up as the WR1 for an offense that is defunct of offensive weapons.

Brandin Cooks $6,300

• The Texans WR1 seems to have a genuine connection with rookie QB Davis Mills and he has three straight games of double-digit targets and 20-plus fantasy points. The Titans have one of the worst secondaries in the league, meaning the matchup is ripe for Brandin Cooks to have one last explosive performance.

Others to Consider: Darnell Mooney $5,900 (vs Vikings), Michael Pittman $5,900 (vs Jaguars), Odell Beckham Jr $5,800 (vs 49ers), KJ Osborn $5,500 (vs Bears), Rashod Bateman $4,900 (vs Steelers), Cyril Grayson ($4,400)

TIGHT ENDS

Rob Gronkowski $6,300

• With Antonio Brown’s meltdown from last week, that leaves Mike Evans as the WR1 and Gronk as the team’s second option against the Jets. He should be seeing increased targets this week as the Bucs fight for playoff positioning with the Rams.

Others to Consider: Gerald Everett $3,700 (vs Cardinals), Cole Kmet $3,400 (vs Vikings)

D/ST

Buffalo Bills $3,700

• The Bills are playing to win their division so this game against the Jets is no throw away game. I’d expect Buffalo to be all over the Jets and Zach Wilson this week, dominating the game from start to finish.

Los Angeles Rams $3,100

• The Rams have unreal talent on the defensive side of the ball. Playing for the division this week, they need a win and will face either Jimmy Garoppolo dealing with a bum thumb or rookie Trey Lance. The matchup works nicely for a hungry Rams defense that’s looking to make a statement.

Others to Consider: Cleveland Browns D/ST $2,600 (vs Browns), Miami Dolphins $2,400 (vs Patriots)