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Hello RotoBallers and welcome back to Break The Slate, our DraftKings NFL DFS Lineup Picks for Week 18! I appreciate you joining me in our season-long quest to find the best plays at each position for every DraftKings Main Slate.
No need to beat around the bush, this is a difficult – some might go as far as to say bad – slate. With differing motivations and 43 points currently standing as the highest projected O/U on the Main Slate, feeling comfortable with roster builds is certainly difficult. While we must be willing to acknowledge those challenges, we can take solace in the notion that we can overcome them this week and gain a true advantage over our less-informed competition.
These DraftKings lineup recommendations are based on matchups, projected DK points and ownership, overall upside/talent levels, and opportunity, as well as factors such as Vegas odds, home-field advantage, and more. There are quite a few great plays available on DK for Week 18. Also, be sure to also check out our weekly FanDuel DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big! Good luck with your DraftKings DFS lineups – let's Break The Slate together!
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DraftKings Quarterbacks - Week 18 DFS Picks
Jalen Hurts - NYG @ PHI ($8,200)
With Philly losing each of their last two games with Gardner Minshew at the helm, the Eagles might not have the luxury of giving MVP-candidate Jalen Hurts another week of rest for his injured throwing shoulder.
Hurts has resumed practicing and I look for him to return to the lineup for what's now a must-win game for the once-bulletproof Eagles. Philly can clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed with a win over the New York Giants in the regular-season finale, while the G-Men have nothing to play for and will likely rest some starters. It will be easy to overthink things on this slate, but if Hurts is active, fire him up.
Joe Burrow - BAL @ CIN ($7,300)
Another spot where an elite QB should be going all out. The Bengals' motivation against the Baltimore Ravens was dampened a bit when the NFL canceled their game against the Bills, as they now can't get the No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, Cincy can still slide into the No. 2 seed with a win and some help.
Joe Burrow possesses one of the highest DFS ceilings in the NFL, as evidenced by his eight games with 25 or more DK points this season. He should torch a Ravens secondary that's been plagued with injuries and ineffectiveness. This year, Baltimore has relinquished the sixth-most passing yards (4,024) in the NFL.
DraftKings Running Backs - Week 18 DFS Picks
Najee Harris - CLE @ PIT ($6,100)
The running back position seems especially murky on this slate, as many of the top backs are likely to see limited action. Pittsburgh has had an underwhelming year, but the Steelers are still clinging to longshot playoff hopes with a win over Cleveland and some help. Needless to say, the Steelers will be going all-out in this one.
Like the team as a whole, Najee Harris has underwhelmed in 2022. However, the second-year pro has come alive over the back half of the season. Since Week 11, Harris has averaged 16.4 DK points per game with two efforts of 23 or more points while averaging nearly 20 touches per game. He draws a juicy matchup against a Cleveland defense that has nothing to play for this week and has struggled against the run all year. The Browns come in 29th in the NFL in Rush Defense DVOA.
Tyler Allgeier - TB @ ATL ($5,600)
The Falcons are playing for nothing more than pride at this point, but they have used the last few games of the season to evaluate some of their young players. That's especially been the case with rookie running back Tyler Allgeier, who has seen his role continue to expand as the year winds down.
Since coming off their Week 14 bye, Allgeier has averaged just over 20 touches per game. He's impressed with the expanded opportunities, posting an average of 116 total yards per game over Atlanta's last three. He should once again be the lead back for the Falcons in the regular-season finale against a Bucs squad that can't improve their playoff position and will be resting starters early in this one.
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DraftKings Wide Receivers - Week 18 DFS Picks
A.J. Brown - NYG @ PHI ($8,000)
Sticking with a motivated Philly team here, as the Eagles will be using every weapon in their arsenal against the Giants. A.J. Brown could be classified as a WMD, as his first year in the City of Brotherly Love has been a wildly successful one.
Brown has amassed 1,401 receiving yards and 11 scores this season. He stands as the overall WR5 in DK scoring. His 16.7 yards per reception is second in the NFL among WRs with at least 50 receptions and has been a big play waiting to happen this year. Brown catches a nice matchup against a Giants squad that has little incentive to win this week. The G-Men stand just 23rd in Pass Defense DVOA this year.
Rashid Shaheed - CAR @ NO ($4,200)
The little-known rookie out of Weber State continues to impress down the stretch. Shaheed has carved out a nice role for himself in a Saints receiving corps that's been decimated by injuries throughout the year. Primarily known for his punt-returning skills at the college level, Shaheed's blazing speed has allowed him to establish himself as a downfield threat for New Orleans.
The UDFA is second in the NFL in yards per route run since Week 13 and boasts an aDOT of 10.54 since Week 10. He'll square off against the Carolina Panthers on the fast track of the Superdome and this secondary has little chance of slowing him down. The Panthers were absolutely torched deep by Mike Evans last week and are allowing a massive 8.33 yards per target to opposing wideouts. Carolina has relinquished the NFL's third-most DK points to the WR position this season.
DraftKings Tight Ends - Week 18 DFS Picks
George Kittle - ARI @ SF ($6,000)
Lots of things to love about George Kittle here, as the dynamic tight end draws a smash spot against an Arizona Cardinals unit that's bled fantasy points to the TE position. Arizona has relinquished the NFL's second-most TDs (10) and third-most receiving yards (1,055) to opposing tight ends in 2022.
In addition to the terrific matchup, we catch Kittle playing his best football of the year. He's developed a nice rapport with rookie Niners QB Brock Purdy and boasts a 25.2% target share since Purdy entered the lineup. Kittle has now been targeted eight times in back-to-back games and has recorded 25 or more DK points in two of San Fran's last three.
Tyler Higbee - LAR @ SEA ($4,400)
The Baker Mayfield-Tyler Higbee connection seems to be real, as Higbee has continued to thrive with the Cleveland/Carolina castoff at the helm of the Rams offense. The L.A. tight end has led the Rams in team targets share (25.3%) since Mayfield entered the lineup and is averaging 15.7 DK points over the team's last three games.
Higbee gets a cushy landing spot for the regular-season finale, as the Seahawks have been perhaps the worst unit in the NFL against the TE position. Seattle ranks dead last in the league in DK points and receiving yards allowed (1,134) to opposing TEs.
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