The A List at DFS Academy | NFL DFS Week 18

We have done it! Seventeen weeks we have played NFL DFS. But don’t go anywhere; we are keeping you rolling with Week 18 NFL DFS and will continue on for the playoffs all the way through the Superbowl.

But with NFL teams resting their starters, who are we going to play?

Let’s dig into our Week 18 Cash plays.

Cash is in session.

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NFL DFS Week 18

Teacher’s Pet

Justin Fields (DraftKings: $7,200 / FanDuel: $8,400)

After becoming a fantasy football darling in 2022, Justin Fields has had a quieter 2023. That said, he has started to bounce back in recent weeks, ranking QB4 in DraftKings scoring since Week 14. Additionally, since he returned from injury, Fields has averaged 65.5 rushing yards per game and has a rushing touchdown in half of his starts. This week he matches up against a Green Bay Packers defense that has struggled in recent weeks, allowing the eighth-most points to quarterbacks over the past four weeks. Plus, Fields is fighting for his job. Between the matchup and his rushing upside, Fields is a solid option for Week 18 DFS players.

Honor Roll

Kenneth Walker (DraftKings: $6,500 / FanDuel: $7,000)

This week we have the rare slate with no Christian McCaffrey. Thankfully, the matchups have aligned well to provide some solid alternatives for DFS Cash games. All season we have picked on the Arizona Cardinals run defense, so why change now? The last time these two teams played, Kenneth Walker had 26 carries for over 100 yards and two catches. Add in a touchdown to that performance, and we’re feeling very good. Plus, the Seahawks can still make the playoffs, so they have plenty of motivation to win this game.

James Conner (DraftKings: $6,100 / FanDuel: $7,300)

On the other side of this game, the Seattle Seahawks have also struggled against running backs, allowing the fifth-most points to the position. After a mid-season lull, James Conner has returned to his typical antics, being inefficient but getting in the endzone. He has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games, and the Seahawks are prone to let him keep that streak alive. Plus, this game is expected to stay close, which means Conner will stay involved.

D.J. Moore (DraftKings: $7,000 / FanDuel: $8,000)

If I like Justin Fields, you better believe I’m in on D.J. Moore, who just torched my Atlanta Falcons. As mentioned earlier, the Packers are struggling on defense. They have allowed opposing receivers 42 points per game since Week 14. The Chicago target tree is tight, so there is little question about where the ball is going. And Fields isn’t the only one fighting for his job. This whole Bears staff wants to prove that they should get another year. Keeping Green Bay out of the playoffs would be a great way to make that case.

Dallas Goedert (DraftKings: $5,100 / FanDuel: $6,100)

Since returning from injury, Dallas Goedert has integrated right back into this offense, averaging seven targets per game. In that span, he is tied for fifth amongst tight ends for the most targets and is in the Top 10 in DraftKings scoring. Now he gets the New York Giants, who have allowed the fourth-most points to tight ends since Week 14. That includes a seven-catch, 70-yard performance by none other than Goedert himself. Plus, with Devonta Smith banged up, the Eagles will need to rely more on Goedert.

Check the Chalkboard

Rachaad White (DraftKings: $7,600 / FanDuel: $7,700)

After coming off a down week, Rachaad White faces the Carolina Panthers, who have allowed the sixth-most points to running backs this season. White was game-scripted out of last week’s game as Tampa Bay got blown out. That is unlikely to happen again this week against a struggling Panthers team. Tampa Bay is favored by 4.5 points, which isn’t world-beating but suggests they should be playing from ahead. As such, look for White to return to his 20-touch ways, giving you the necessary volume to pay off in DFS Cash.

Participation Grade

Wan’Dale Robinson (DraftKings: $4,200 / FanDuel: $5,900)

I mean, how could we not run it back with Wan’Dale Robinson after what he did for our DFS Lineups last week? After getting nine targets in Week 17, DraftKings decided to increase his salary by a whopping $200 dollars. Since Tyrod Taylor took over under center, this offense is functionally more like an NFL offense. Now, they get to try to play spoilers to the Eagles’ hopes of winning the division, so have plenty of motivation against a struggling defense. 

Back of the Classroom Studs

Geno Smith (DraftKings: $6,100 / FanDuel: $7,300)

The Cardinals have simply given it up to everyone in recent weeks. Plus, the Seahawks need this win to have any chance at the playoffs. While Geno Smith has been up and down throughout the season, he has shown more consistency since returning from injury, averaging just over 17 DraftKings points per game. That is just enough to pay off this salary, so if you decide you need to save at quarterback but feel nervous about the very cheap options, Smith is your guy.

Ezekiel Elliott (DraftKings: $5,900 / FanDuel: $6,700)

I’m not sure what Ezekiel Elliott is playing for, but the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick want to continue to own the New York Jets. For how well their defense has played, the Jets have struggled against the run, averaging nearly 30 points per game to the position since Week 14. With Rhamondre Stevenson still out, Elliott is poised to take on the bulk of the workload. He is always a red zone threat and even has returned to catching passes this year. Plus, he’s cheap enough to not break the bank.

Jakobi Meyers (DraftKings: $5,500 / FanDuel: $6,700)

Remember all the way back to Week 1, when you had just drafted Davante Adams, and then this guy named Jakobi Meyers caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns? Ya, me neither. But, that is the last time the Las Vegas Raiders played the Denver Broncos. Adams got the Pat Surtain treatment, positioning Meyers for a huge day. And that’s exactly why I’ll be playing Meyers this week. Sure, that Week 1 performance was with Jimmy Garoppolo, but Aiden O’Connell has shown enough to demonstrate he can get his stars the ball.

Brandin Cooks (DraftKings: $5,200 / FanDuel: $6,300)

The obvious way to target the Dallas Cowboys in DFS is to play CeeDee Lamb. But, if you decide to save money at receiver but still want access to the upside of the Cowboys, look no further than Brandin Cooks. The Washington Commanders basically no longer have a pass defense, so could easily allow both Cooks and Lamb to cook. The last time these teams played, Cooks scored 17.2 DraftKings points in a blowout win. Cooks has also been a prominent endzone target, providing potential touchdown upside in what should be a cakewalk for Dallas.

Tanner Hudson (DraftKings: $3,100 / FanDuel: $4,900)

Need to save a ton of money at tight end? If I told you that Tanner Hudson has at least four targets in 73% of his games this year, would you believe me? It’s true Hudson has become a consistent part of the Bengals’ offense. Additionally, the Cleveland Browns have allowed the second-most points to tight ends since Week 14. Plus, they are likely to rest their starters, giving Hudson more room to shine. Book it. 

Minnesota Vikings (DraftKings: $2,700 / FanDuel: $3,700)

If you’re on DraftKings and need a cheap defense, why not start the Minnesota Vikings? They are volatile, don’t get me wrong. Despite that, they have zero games with negative DraftKings points and have averaged 7.8 points per game. They are going to try to get after Jared Goff, who is also prone to turning the ball over. That’s about all we could ask for in a DFS defense.

Atlanta Falcons (DraftKings: $3,000 / FanDuel: $3,500)

If you have a little extra salary available, I prefer to pay up for the Atlanta Falcons. They are obviously coming off a blowout loss to the Chicago Bears, but they are going to show up for this divisional rivalry against the New Orleans Saints. When these two teams last played, the Falcons recorded two turnovers and a sack. The Saints are still prone to allow sacks and turn the ball over and have struggled to consistently put up points. Those are the perfect ingredients for the Falcons to help you hit the Cash line on Sunday.

Report Card

DraftKings

Scoring System

• A: Scored over three times their price
• B: Scored over two times their price
• C: Matched their price
• F: Scored lower than their price

Player	Price	Points	Grade
Kyler Murray	$6,300	24.68	A
Bijan Robinson	$6,600	11.6	C
Nico Collins	$7,200	15.7	B
Trey McBride	$5,900	10.8	C
Christian McCaffrey	$9,600	13.1	C
Wan’Dale Robinson	$4,000	19.9	A
Jarrett Stidham	$4,800	13.56	B
Zamir White	$5,100	15.6	A
Rashee Rice	$6,900	20.7	A
Rondale Moore	$3,600	6.4	C
Chigoziem Okonkwo	$3,600	6.4	C
Denver Broncos	$2,900	9	A
Carolina Panthers	$2,700	3	C
Overall	$56,300	134.16	B
Season Long	$1,103,900	2928.66	B

FanDuel

Scoring System

• A: Scored over two times their price
• B: Scored over one and a half times their price
• C: Matched their price
• F: Scored lower than their price

Player	Price	Points	Grade
Kyler Murray	$7,800	24.68	A
Bijan Robinson	$7,100	10.1	C
Nico Collins	$7,300	12.2	B
Trey McBride	$6,800	7.8	C
Christian McCaffrey	$11,000	11.1	C
Wan’Dale Robinson	$5,600	16.9	A
Jarrett Stidham	$6,100	13.56	A
Zamir White	$6,100	13.1	A
Rashee Rice	$7,400	15.2	A
Rondale Moore	$5,200	4.9	F
Chigoziem Okonkwo	$5,400	4.9	F
Denver Broncos	$3,700	9	A
Carolina Panthers	$3,400	3	F
Overall	$68,000	111.66	B
Season Long	$1,342,600	2510.66	B

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