We are entering the final week of the NFL regular season and I just want to take some time to thank everyone that checked out these articles each week. It’s been a fun season of NFL DFS and Week 18 is going to be like operating a minefield as there are certain teams not playing for anything.
Meanwhile, some teams are still vying for better playoff positioning. It’s important to keep tabs on news throughout the week, but it’s even more important this week. Make sure to monitor whether or not certain players will even suit up this weekend.
With all of the uncertainty surrounding a handful of teams, operate with caution this week. All that being said, here are my favorite cash-game picks for the Week 18 main slate over on DraftKings.
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen vs. NE ($8,400)
Let’s start by saying that we hope there is some positive news pertaining to Demar Hamlin and our thoughts go out to him and his family. Following Monday’s unfortunate incident, the NFL has said that they plan to have the Bills and the Patriots play in Week 18. Assuming that the Bills do play, Allen is hard to ignore if you have the salary to use him. Allen is producing 6.8 non-passing PPG (fourth-best among QBs) and he’s posted 25-plus points in three out of his last five games.
Geno Smith vs. LAR ($6,000)
The Seahawks need a win and the Packers to lose or tie against the Lions to advance to the playoffs. With Seattle having a home game in a must-win scenario, Smith is certainly in play for cash games. Smith is averaging a solid 19.7 points per game on DraftKings and he carved up the Rams for 28 points in Week 13. You can go up to Kirk Cousins at $6,500 if you don’t trust Smith at home and don’t have enough salary for Allen or Jalen Hurts.
Brock Purdy vs. ARI ($5,700)
The 49ers nearly suffered a surprising loss to the Jarrett Stidham-led Raiders in Week 17, but Purdy led the 49ers to an overtime win. The rookie signal-caller has scored 15-plus points and thrown two-plus touchdowns in each of his five starts this season. There’s a chance the 49ers can secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC vs the Cardinals. Arizona is giving up the 10th-most points and the eighth-most yards per game to QBs this season. Sam Darnold is a fine option at $5,300 if you need to save even more salary.
Running Backs
Cam Akers @ SEA ($6,200)
The Rams don’t have a chance to make the playoffs, but they could ruin the Seahawks’ postseason chances. Akers has been productive for the Rams in the last five weeks, combining for 408 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns in that span. Besides scoring a touchdown in three of his last five games, Akers has gotten 42 total carries in the last two weeks. Seattle has surrendered the second-most points and the sixth-most rushing yards per game to RBs entering Week 18.
Tyler Allgeier vs. TB ($5,600)
I feel like Allgeier’s production has been overlooked by the other rookie running backs, but he’s only 100 yards away from eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards on the season. The Falcons have leaned on Allgeier more down the stretch as he’s gotten 17-plus carries in three straight games. As a result of getting more touches, the first-year back has notched 15-plus points in each of his last three outings. Even though the Buccaneers are viewed as a stout run defense, they have nothing to play for in Week 18 after clinching the NFC South in Week 17.
Zack Moss vs. HOU ($5,200)
It’s tough recommending Moss in cash games, but the matchup is hard to ignore. Since Jonathan Taylor went down with an injury, Moss has led the way with 12-plus rushing attempts in three straight games for the Colts. With Sam Ehlinger set to start at quarterback on Sunday, Moss should get another decent workload against a Texans team that is allowing the most points and rushing yards per game to RBs this season. Matt Breida could become a viable option at $5,000 if the Giants elect to rest starters in Week 18.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs vs. NE ($7,900)
Whenever you get an opportunity to play Diggs at under $8,000, you almost are obligated to do it. It’s been a quiet few weeks for the talented wideout, but Sunday’s game is going to be an important one for the Bills at home. Despite his recent outputs, Diggs is still posting a 27.5% target share (T-6th among WRs) and a 1.69 PER rating (7th) in an offense that prefers to throw the ball often. Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are other expensive options to consider if you have enough salary to spend up for them.
DeVonta Smith vs. NYG ($7,500)
The Eagles have found themselves in a situation where they need to win in Week 18 to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. All signs point toward Hurts returning to start on Sunday, but regardless of who is under center, Smith is a fantastic option in a must-win game in Week 18. Smith has scored 17-plus points in five straight weeks and he’s garnered eight-plus targets in eight consecutive games. While the Giants don’t have anything to play for on Sunday, Smith should have enough time to put up solid enough numbers to make him a cash-game option.
Greg Dortch @ SF ($3,800)
DeAndre Hopkins has been ruled out for another week for the Cardinals, meaning that Dortch is expected to see an expanded role. While Dortch struggled with David Blough in Week 17, the two had another week to build their rapport. Dortch has registered double-digit targets in back-to-back weeks and he’s only $3,800 on DraftKings. There is likely going to be plenty more value to open up between now and Sunday, so keep an eye out for any news that has to do with teams resting starters.
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin @ MIA ($3,600)
Mike White is expected to start under center for the Jets again on Sunday and the pass-catchers should benefit despite his struggles in Week 17. Even though the Jets are out of the playoff race, Conklin has shown a solid connection with White. Conklin recorded six receptions for 80 yards in Week 17 and he’s now posted six-plus targets in three of the four starts that White has made. The Dolphins are also giving up the third-most points per game to TEs, making the veteran tight end a viable cash-game option.
Albert Okwuegbunam vs. LAC ($2,900)
The Broncos placed Greg Dulcich on injured reserve ahead of Week 17, allowing Okwuegbunam to rejoin the starting offense. Okwuegbunam caught three of his six targets for 45 yards and a touchdown last week and he should be the starting tight end for the Broncos again in Week 18. Despite the season being a disappointment for the Broncos, they want to finish the season strong and the Chargers allow the second-most yards per reception to TEs this season.
D/ST
Vikings @ CHI ($2,900)
The Bears have announced that Justin Fields won’t be active in the regular-season finale, so it will be Nathan Peterman starting under center on Sunday. While the Vikings defense hasn’t been great this season, they still have an outside shot to get the No. 1 seed and we know that Peterman can be turnover prone.
Falcons vs. TB ($2,400)
Once again, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South in Week 17, so even though the Buccaneers are planning to start Tom Brady, he likely won’t play all of Sunday’s contest. The Falcons tend to run the ball often as they hope to maintain possession and keep the Buccaneers off of the field. Atlanta’s defense doesn’t need to do much to pay off the $2,400 salary as the Panthers and the Rams are other defenses to consider.