NFL Week 18 (the final full slate of games) is already here and it’s time to get those DraftKings lineups in place. So, let’s look at some NFL DraftKings value plays and overrated picks that are not worth your time this week.
Week 18 is tricky in DFS, with some teams expected to rest their starters. Opposite from this are teams fighting to better their statuses or secure a Wild Card playoff slot. With that said, there are a couple of running backs that make for two excellent Week 18 value plays in DraftKings with prime matchups on tap. Aside from that, a salary-friendly NFC North quarterback has been just too hot to slow down.
From these value picks to a risky wide receiver returning from an injury, you might be surprised about our best DraftKings Week 18 picks and some players slated to come up short.
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NFL DraftKings Week 18 picks: Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, $8,000
Playing the second-worst defense in the league against fantasy QBs (the Washington Commanders), Dak Prescott is a value pick in DraftKings in Week 18 even at this salary. Start him confidently as the Cowboys will aim to win the NFC East on Sunday en route to obliterating Washington.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers, $6,600
With a shot at a Wild Card playoff spot, Love makes an ideal DFS start hosting the Bears in Week 18. Priced eighth-highest on the DraftKings slate, Love has averaged 22 fantasy points over his last six games along with 16 TDs. He’s too hot to ignore
Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants, $5,300
On the super cheap in DraftKings at QB for Week 18, Taylor is a sneaky start playing an Eagles defense giving up 22.5 DraftKings points per week. That’s the most in the NFL. If Taylor (back) is a no-go, then plug in Tommy DeVito whose DraftKings salary is a mere $5,000 for Week 18.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2023: See where all 32 starting QBs rank
NFL DraftKings Week 18 picks: Running Backs
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, $7,600
White is a value play in DraftKings heading to Carolina to play a defense he last crushed with 106 total yards and a touchdown in Week 13. On the season, the Panthers have been slouches against fantasy running backs and have yielded the second-most DraftKings points (26.9) to the position.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals, $6,100
The Cardinals are not playing for anything, however, James Conner has been an absolute stud in fantasy football over his last three games. He’s recorded 334 total yards and four TDs and next hosts a bad Seattle run defense that’s given up 20 total RB TDs, which is the third most this year. Conner is an extreme value in Week 18 with 19 other RBs priced higher in DraftKings for Week 18.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers, $5,800
With CMC sitting this one out, start Mitchell, who sports tons of DraftKings value at this salary. Mitchell should receive plenty of touches as a starter, which should equate to a fair amount of fantasy points even facing a stiffer LA Rams defense.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons, $4,800
For this salary, Allgeier remains a DraftKings value pick as an RB who has averaged 15.8 fantasy points over his last two games. The Falcons seem fit to keep Allegeier just enough involved which makes him a fantasy sleeper heading to New Orleans in Week 18.
NFL DraftKings Week 18 picks: Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, $8,600
In a home matchup against a Vikings team that last allowed Detroit’s top wideout to 14 catches for 106 yards and a TD, start ARSB in Week 18 DFS lineups and don’t look back. This game should be ultra-competitive, generating plenty of fantasy points.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, $8,500
In this same clash, Jefferson is a value play in DraftKings for Week 18, squaring off against the Lions secondary he torched two games ago (141 yards and one TD). With the Vikings fighting for a Wild Card playoff slot, Jefferson will be targeted tons!
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars, $6,500
More salary-friendly, Ridley makes for a solid DFS start in Week 18 playing the Titans. The Jags will be very motivated to win to keep playoff dreams alive, and Ridley faces a defense giving up a massive 39.3 DraftKings points on average per week.
Julio Jones, Philadelphia Eagles, $3,900
Jones is a DraftKings sleeper play if DeVonta Smith (foot) misses Sunday’s game. Last week, Jones snuck in with two catches for 34 yards and two TDs that no one saw coming. He could be productive again without Smith, or if this game turns into meaningless garbage time plays.
Ronnie Bell, San Francisco 49ers, $3,200
With the 49ers expected to rest their starters in Week 18, Ronnie Bell is a value pick in DraftKings at this practically free salary. He should receive enough targets to potentially benefit from playing the Rams, who have given away the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys, $3,200
Also cheap in DraftKings, Michael Gallup is a sneaky play against the Washington Commanders, whose terrible secondary has allowed 43.5 WR fantasy points per game in DraftKings. If this game goes lopsided quickly putting Washington in the hole, Gallup will see an uptick in targets with the Cowboys likely benching their top wideouts.
Related: 2023 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating all 32 teams
NFL DraftKings Week 18 picks: Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles, $5,100
Goedert has been consistently targeted over his last three games (24 total), consisting of 148 yards and a TD, making him a value at TE at this salary. Jalen Hurts should continue to feed Goedert, especially if DeVonta Smith, mentioned above, sits this game out.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers $3,700
Very affordable, Kraft is a nice value in DFS lineups in Week 18 as a staple target of Jordan Love’s. Kraft has received six targets in each of his last three games and has recorded no fewer than 48 yards. He has generated more DraftKings fantasy points than Travis Kelce has over this stretch.
Related: 2023 NFL defense rankings: Best and worst NFL defenses
DraftKings overrated plays Week 18
Quarterbacks:
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars, $6,800
Questionable to play, Lawrence is overrated to perform up to par as a quarterback who didn’t live up to expectations the last time the Jags rushed him back from injury. The Jags need to beat the Titans. However, there is too much risk attached to Lawrence. Start a safer option in your Week 18 lineup.
Running Backs:
DeAndre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles, $6,800
For the most part, Swift has been a big disappointment in DFS lineups since Week 12. Priced as the ninth-highest RB in DraftKings in Week 18, Swift’s salary is too inflated. This game could turn meaningless at some point against the Giants when the Eagles would be wise to rest Swift at any given moment.
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, $6,500
Pollard is overrated as well in DraftKings for Week 18 as he too could be rested if the Cowboys take a large lead over Washington on Sunday. Additionally, Pollard has scored only single-digit fantasy points over his last three games, which has been outright sad. Look elsewhere at RB.
Wide Receivers:
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals, $7,300
Chase and the Bengals are out of contention, which makes him a sketchy start in Week 18 DFS lineups. He’s also coming back from a shoulder injury that we would hate to see him reaggravate. On top of this, the Bengals take on the Browns, who have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Gross.
Tight Ends:
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars, $5,400
Not a horrible play, but Engram could be limited in production facing the Titans who have given up the least fantasy points to tight ends this season. The Titans have allowed only two TE touchdowns all year and an average of just 40.9 yards per game. This could stop Engram in his tracks.
Related: 2023 NFL offense rankings: Ravens, Bears and Cardinals rise after Week 17