NFL DraftKings Plays: Week 18

The final week of the regular season, along with the craziest DraftKings slate we will see this season, is upon us. Some teams will be resting their starters, as this game will have minimal impact on their playoff seeding. The Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles are the two most prominent teams. The Los Angeles Rams could prioritize rest, but it does not appear they will, as they have an opportunity to secure the fifth seed. Some stars will also miss this week, creating must-plays on this slate. Javonte Williams, De’Von Achane, and Chris Olave will miss Week 18, which will create additional value on this DraftKings slate.

For this reason, the final week will be favorite plays, and other plays to consider. This week on DraftKings, we will be looking for value with backups, targeting the teams that have something to play for, and keeping an eye on pre-game reports.

More Week 18 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings | Dynasty Risers and Fallers

Favorite DraftKings NFL plays for Week 18

Quarterback

Favorite Play: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (5.9K)

The Bears enter this game against a weak Detroit defense that gives up the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. It is also worth noting that the team has the fourth-highest team total today. Chicago’s offense is scorching hot, and we will talk more about it later. You will want a piece of their offense in your lineups today as they run the second-most plays per game in the league. That number is only behind the Dallas Cowboys, whose starters we do not know how much they will truly play. Chicago passes the ball the ninth-most in the league, and there will be no reason not to continue that trend. The Lions allow the 11th-most passing yards per game and the sixth-most passing touchdowns. For a team with a lot to play for today, Caleb Williams has a great matchup and a sky-high ceiling. Stack him on DraftKings with Luther Burden and another option we will talk about later.

Play to Consider: Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles (4.5K)

The first of the two Eagles that I will mention here. And it was almost three: Darius Cooper, at a DraftKings salary of $3,300, was nearly too good to ignore. However, we will stick with two Eagles. McKee’s salary is only $4,500, and he has plenty of upside against a defense that is giving up the most estimated points against the pass. With the Eagles benching their starters, we will get another look at McKee. He has only thrown three passes this year, but has completed all three. Last year, before their Super Bowl run, we saw him in an expanded role, finishing as QB14 against the New York Giants. He threw 41 passes in that game, along with two passing touchdowns. McKee is a solid salary-saving option on DraftKings at the quarterback position, along with some stackable receivers that are easy to fit into DraftKings lineups.

Running Back

Favorite Play: Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles (5.4K)

Saquon Barkley will get the final week of the season off as the team rests its offensive starters. That creates quite an opportunity for Bigsby as he will get the majority of the work today. And Bigsby will see it against a team that he has already had success against this season. Just two weeks ago, he had four carries for 37 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders to end the game. Now, he will be the primary back and has the best odds of anyone in this game to score at +130. The Commanders’ run defense is still bottom five in the league in estimated points added against the run and gives up the third-most rushing yards. Washington is also allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs. Bigsby will be popular today at $5,400, but with his touchdown odds, he is well worth it on DraftKings.

Play to Consider: Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars (7.1K)

Outside of the obvious DraftKings plays in Bijan Robinson, who has an outside chance to break Chris Johnson’s scrimmage yard record, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Travis Etienne is another player to consider at the position on this DraftKings slate. Etienne has the best odds to score a touchdown of any player on today’s slate at -235. Etienne struggled in the first game against the Titans, but they are still one of the worst run defenses. They give up the fourth-most rushing touchdowns and are middle of the pack, giving up the 15th most rushing yards. The Jaguars are favored by 13,5 points and tied for the highest team total this week. Etienne is someone I want to have in my lineups.

Wide Receiver

Favorite Play: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (5.8K)

This selection easily could have been several players, but as I have done many times. One of the best wide receivers in the sport, with a DraftKings salary of under $6,000, is a must-play. The Green Bay Packers give up the 11th most estimated points added against the pass. And the Vikings will look to finish the season strong, with a potentially winning record. They also want to keep their superstar receiver happy. Jefferson is 53 yards away from 1,000 receiving yards on the season. And there is no doubt that the team will get him there. The only concern for Jefferson is that the Vikings are heavy favorites, given that the Packers are starting Clayton Tune. Jordan Love and Malik Willis are resting, as Week 18 does not matter to the Packers, who are locked in as the seventh seed. That will not matter, as they seek to advance the connection between Jefferson and J.J. McCarthy as they look towards 2026.

Play to Consider: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (9K)

There has never been an easier week to squeeze a receiver of Nacua’s salary into your lineups on DraftKings. There is some concern here that the starters may eventually take a seat. However, they are playing for the five seed, which guarantees they will face a team with a losing record in round one of the playoffs. Their team total is at 30.5, the highest on the slate, tying the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are heavy favorites in this game against the Arizona Cardinals. We know Nacua’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s. So, keep an eye on the reports, but I wouldn’t fully fade Nacua on this tricky Sunday.

Tight End

Favorite Play: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (4.2K)

Chris Olave will miss this matchup due to blood clots, a serious issue, and we here at Fantrax wish him the best. As a result of his missing this matchup, number one target duties will revert to Juwan Johnson. Tyler Shough has been slinging the football as of late. The rookie quarterback has eclipsed 300 passing yards in his last two games, and he does not show any signs of slowing down. And Johnson has been one of the primary recipients. Since Shough took over in Week 8, Johnson is tenth in targets at the position, along with being fifth in receiving yards. The only thing Johnson is missing is the redzone targets, with only three since Shough took the starting role. Chris Olave has more in the last three weeks with four targets. Those targets may go to Johnson, and he will be who you need for your Week 18 DraftKings lineups. Trey McBride is always an option, but we will save some DraftKings salary and pick Johnson.

Play to Consider: Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (3.9K)

Loveland is the next big thing at the tight end position. Despite starting the season in a reduced role, he is 11th at the position in receiving yards. Loveland is seventh in receiving grade on PFF among tight ends with at least 20 targets. He is coming off a sensational game against the 49ers, which saw him get 10 targets for six catches, 94 yards, and a touchdown. The rookie is starting to develop as a focal point of the Chicago offense. Expect him to be a focal point again as the Bears compete to lock up the two seed today. At $3,900 on DraftKings, he is another low-salary option to make other things work in your lineup without sacrificing upside.

Final DraftKings Main Slate Thoughts

This final week of the season is one of the crazier ones, as it always is. Players sitting, teams playing for playoff position, and teams looking forward to 2026. It can be kind of crazy to navigate. However, it may be wild, but it is not impossible. Next week will be a lot less crazy as the top plays will be straightforward. I wish everyone the best of luck for the final week of the regular season. Thank you all for keeping it right here on Fantrax the past 18 weeks. I appreciate you all!

Make sure to check out all of our Week 18 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!