Week 18 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include James Conner, Brandin Cooks For Seasonal And DFS Rosters

January 6, 2024

Scott breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 18 (2023). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

In the final regular season edition of the Fantasy Football Lineup Spotlights, I alter my perspectives. For those still competing for seasonal championships in Week 18, I feature some of my preferred lineup choices, yet most of the players highlighted are also some of my favorite DFS picks on the main slate for DraftKings.

I also go even deeper than usual for desperation seasonal streamers and DFS salary savers and punt plays. As always, the seasonal analysis is based on PPR scoring.

For DFS purposes, I avoid the highest-priced players and focus more on the best values while providing some good cheaper options.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 18

Bijan Robinson

The Falcons do have an outside shot of winning the NFC South, and Robinson will be a key performer for Atlanta in Week 18. New Orleans ranks 20^th in rushing yards allowed to RBs, and Atlanta ranks third in run blocking advantage grade on Pro Football Focus for Week 18. Robinson is an essential play in seasonal leagues that are still competing in Week 18, and he is an ideal option at $6,600 on DraftKings.

James Conner

The Seahawks have allowed the fourth-most Fantasy Points Per Game and most rushing yards to RBs over the past four weeks. Conner has six TDs from scrimmage during that span. The Cardinals have a good chance to spoil Seattle’s bid to make the NFC playoffs, and Conner will be the crux of the offense. He can lead seasonal fantasy teams to titles in Week 18 and is a fine play on DK at $6,100.

Zamir White

Over the past 3 games, Zamir White has had 20 or more touches and scored 14 or more fantasy points in each game.

The Broncos' defense has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs. pic.twitter.com/C6ICVFrsME

— Moody (@EricNMoody) January 2, 2024

The Broncos' defense has been a fantasy target for RBs throughout the season, as they have allowed the second-most rushing yards to RBs. Josh Jacobs is out again for Week 18 and will be headed for free agency after the season, so the Raiders’ brain trust can continue to evaluate White for next year. White will be good for volume, as he had 42 carries over the past two weeks, and he should be started as an RB2/flex option in seasonal leagues. He is another tournament consideration on DK at $6,000 and should certainly be viewed as a quality cash game play.

Devin Singletary

Indianapolis has allowed the third-most FFPG to RBs over the past four weeks and ranks 28^th in rushing yards allowed to the position on the season. Singletary has rushed for 80-plus yards in two of his last three games and should post at least adequate totals for seasonal championship purposes in the big AFC South matchup on Saturday night.

Streamers, Salary Savers, And Punt Plays

The Jets have allowed an NFL-high seven rushing TDs to RBs over the past four weeks. Start Ezekiel Elliott as a flex option in seasonal championship games. Clyde Edwards-Helaire might be the lead RB for Kansas City. He is a viable play in seasonal leagues and on DK for $4,900. Jordan Mason may be the featured ball carrier for the 49ers and can be plugged in for potentially decent production in seasonal leagues. The DK price is friendly at $4,600.

Pierre Strong should be the lead RB for Cleveland, and he has averaged 4.6 yards per carry this season on 49 attempts. He is a desperation plugger in seasonal formats and you have to like the DK price tag of $4,000.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 18

Stefon Diggs

If you have survived Diggs’ slump and are still playing for a fantasy football championship in Week 18, then view him as a fantasy WR2 while legitimately hoping for a respectable outing in the game of the week against Miami. Josh Allen and the Buffalo coaching staff certainly want to get Diggs rolling again in the most important game of the year. Diggs caught three TD passes against Miami in the first meeting of the season and he has a top 15 WR/CB matchup advantage grade against an opposing CB group on PFF for Week 18. Start him with expectations for a productive outing.

D.J. Moore

The Bears would like nothing better than to finish their season with a win and end a nine-game losing streak to Green Bay, Moore has the fourth-best WR/CB matchup advantage grade for any WR against an opposing CB group on PFF for Week 18. Green Bay ranks 29^th in FPPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks. Moore is an obvious must-start in seasonal leagues, and he is one of my favorite WR plays on DK at $7,000.

Tyler Lockett

Lockett was held to one reception by Pittsburgh in Week 17, but he should rebound in a must-win game at Arizona. In Weeks 15 and 16, he has targeted a total of 20 times, and the Seahawks WR has a top 11 WR/CB matchup advantage grade against an opposing CB group on PFF for Week 18. With the season on the line, Lockett will get back into the offensive flow and he should be started as a WR3 in seasonal leagues. The DK price of $5,900 is reasonable, and he likely won’t be heavily rostered.

Brandin Cooks

#Cowboys front office targeted the right No. 2 WR in Brandin Cooks. He has five touchdowns in his last eight games.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) December 31, 2023

Cooks has caught TD passes in his last two games, and he also caught five of his eight targets for 60 yards in Week 17. Fantasy players well know that Washington is a great draw for WRs, and the Commanders are also dealing with multiple notable injuries in the secondary. CeeDee Lamb will certainly get his big numbers again, yet you also have to be drawn to Cooks on DK at $5,200. He might finish the regular season with one of his best games of the year and should also be locked into seasonal lineups as a WR3.

Streamers, Salary Savers, And Punt Plays

Joshua Palmer has reportedly cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play against Denver. He should be streamed as a WR3 in seasonal championship weeks and is worthy of consideration on DK at $4,900. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is another quality Seahawks option on DK at $4,800. We have still not seen his true breakout game. Greg Dortch has scored over 27 DK points in the past two weeks and is a worthy play at $4,600. I also back him as a seasonal streamer against an up-and-down Seattle secondary.

Wan’Dale Robinson has a top 12 WR/CB matchup grade on PFF and you have to like the $4,200 tag. Darius Slayton is an upside guy to consider in all formats, as he has 196 receiving yards and two TDs in his past two games. He has found a good late-season connection with Tyrod Taylor and is a great play on DK at $4,000 against the highly vulnerable Eagles secondary. Cedric Tillman ($3,900) might see a healthy amount of targets as Cleveland rests its starters.

Julio Jones caught two TD passes last week and DeVonta Smith is out for Week 18. Jones is a deeper seasonal option and the DK price is just $3,900. Andrei Iosivas is a punt play at $3,000. Cincinnati has nothing left to play for and Tee Higgins is out. Ben Skowronek is another punt play at $3,000 as the Rams will rest their starters. He is also worthy of consideration if you are desperate for a WR option in a seasonal league.

Quarterbacks And Tight Ends – Fantasy Football Week 18

Dak Prescott is worth the $8,000 tag on DraftKings against Washington as the Cowboys aim to wrap up the NFC East and No. 2 seed in the conference. Jordan Love and the Packers have the second-best pass blocking advantage grade on PFF for Week 18. He should be started for sure if you don’t have another standout option at QB in a seasonal league.

Tyrod Taylor just threw the prettiest deep-ball TD of the season to Darius Slayton.pic.twitter.com/DT2CGadfzt

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 31, 2023

Tyrod Taylor is a nifty play as a streamer or on DK as a salary saver at $5,300. He is coming off a 319-yard outing and faces the Eagles’ vulnerable pass defense. The Lions have allowed the most passing yards to QBs over the past four weeks. Nick Mullens is a daring play at $5,100 and he should get streaming consideration in seasonal leagues.

Trey McBride has the fourth-best TE matchup advantage grade on PFF for Week 18, and while we know he is a must-start in seasonal leagues, he is also a good target as the fourth-highest priced TE on DK at $6,000. Dallas Goedert is more of an appealing play with Smith out. Start him in seasonal leagues, and the DK price of $5,100 is very alluring.

The Bears rank 29^th in FPPG allowed to TEs. Tucker Kraft is a good TE streamer, and the DK price is just $3,700. Noah Gray is a very interesting DK play at $2,500 as the Chiefs rest their top starters. Also consider Davis Allen of the Rams at the same price.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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