Week 18 DraftKings DFS Sunday Main Slate Breakdown
Week 18 DraftKings DFS Strategy (Main Slate)
Written by Adam Krautwurst
Week 18 is always about who is actually trying to win. Teams playing for division titles or seeding should be prioritized, while eliminated teams can still provide value if usage is concentrated (ex: Tank Bigsby, Michael Mayer).
Key Slate Principles
- Motivation > matchup (AFC South race is critical)
- Trevor Lawrence is elite chalk worth eating
- Running back value opens the slate
- Be cautious with Rams until Saturday’s result
- Cheap tight end value (Mayer) enables stars
Quarterback Breakdown
Cash Anchor: Trevor Lawrence
QB1 since Week 11. Jaguars have highest implied total (29.5). Eight passing TDs + four rushing TDs in three games. Titans offer little resistance.
Value Pivot: C.J. Stroud
Texans also playing for AFC South. Colts defense collapsing. Efficiency keeps floor intact at reduced volume. Strong salary relief option.
Running Back Breakdown
Spend-Up: Bijan Robinson
Falcons have nothing to lose. Chasing a historic yardage milestone. Saints allow top-10 rushing production. Massive ceiling in low-pressure environment.
Value Smash: Tank Bigsby
Eagles expected to rest starters. Washington allows 145+ rush YPG. Bigsby projected to lead backfield. Excellent point-per-dollar play.
Wide Receiver Strategy
Elite Ceiling: Puka Nacua
ONLY playable if Rams still have seeding to play for. Cardinals allowing 35 PPG recently. Davante Adams expected to sit. 48 targets in last four games.
Stack-Friendly Value: Jakobi Meyers
Perfect Lawrence pairing. 8.5 targets per game over last four. Titans secondary vulnerable. Strong floor + TD equity.
Tight End Outlook
Best Value: Michael Mayer
90%+ snap rate without Bowers. 10 targets last week. Salary too low for role. Allows multiple elite plays elsewhere.
GPP Ceiling: Trey McBride
Legendary season. Bengals-level matchup quality. Elite ceiling in GPPs.
Defense Notes
Best combinations of price + motivation: Chiefs, Vikings, Eagles, Raiders (salary saver).
Week 18 DraftKings Lineups
LINEUP 1 — Cash / Single Entry Build
- QB – Trevor Lawrence ($6,400)
- RB – Bijan Robinson ($8,700)
- RB – Tank Bigsby ($5,400)
- WR – Puka Nacua ($9,000)*
- WR – Jakobi Meyers ($5,600)
- WR – Luther Burden ($5,300)
- TE – Michael Mayer ($3,500)
- FLEX – Darius Slayton ($4,100)
- DST – New York Jets ($2,000)
*Only play Puka if Rams still have seeding incentive after Saturday.
Why this works: Lawrence + Meyers chalk stack. Bijan ceiling without opportunity cost. Bigsby + Mayer unlock roster. Strong floor across all positions. Ideal for cash or single-entry contests.
LINEUP 2 — Tournament Build with Leverage
- QB – C.J. Stroud ($5,400)
- RB – Bijan Robinson ($8,700)
- RB – Tank Bigsby ($5,400)
- WR – Ja’Marr Chase ($8,500)
- WR – Jakobi Meyers ($5,600)
- WR – Courtland Sutton ($5,900)
- TE – Michael Mayer ($3,500)
- FLEX – Jayden Higgins ($4,500)
- DST – Jets ($2,000)
Why this works: Lower-owned QB with division motivation. Chase ceiling at suppressed ownership. Same RB value core as chalk builds. Jets DST won’t get the Bills starters all game.
Final Week 18 DFS Notes
- Confirm motivation Sunday morning
- Be ready to pivot off Rams if resting
- Don’t overthink Lawrence chalk
- RB value defines roster construction
- Late news matters more than projections
