DFS and Pick 6 plays: Week 18's biggest decisions to make, top stacks and more

It's Week 18, and unlike for some NFL teams this week, there's always something to play for when you play Daily Fantasy. And the best part? Everyone is available. You just have to fit the players you want under the salary cap.

Here's how our team is approaching Week 18 for the DraftKings Sunday main slate, as well as our favorite Pick 6 options of the week.

Jump ahead
Lineup Construction | Building blocks | High-upside plays
Solid floor plays | Narrative street | The stacks
Don't be surprised... | Contingency Plans | Pick 6

Lineup Construction

Tyler Fulghum on the optimal lineup build given slate dynamics to maximize your floor and upside

Week 18 is the "Certified Ball Knowers Week" for daily fantasy. It takes a real sicko to enjoy parsing through who's in, who's out, who's motivated, who's not. This chaos also makes Week 18 one of the most fun to play in my opinion, because lineup construction options become far more abundant and creative. It might make sense to leave more than $1,000 in salary on the table in your lineup, if that's a risk you're willing to take. Let's look at how the majority of the field will be playing each position.

At QB, most lineups are going to land on a player who has something to play for. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence is likely going to be the most popular since the Jags clinch the AFC South with a victory. Caleb Williams is similarly priced and can lock up the No. 2 seed to avoid playing an NFC West team in the first round. These are great cash game options.

In tournaments, QBs like Tyler Shough and Jaxson Dart have nothing to play for except continued growth and proof that they are their franchise's quarterbacks of the future. This makes them a viable value for GPPs. Then we have the backups that are very cheap, but can you trust them? There are too many to mention here but most of them are priced at less than $5k. If you have a good feeling about one, it would allow for extraordinary lineup flexibility elsewhere.

At RB, most cash lineups will pay up at RB for one or both of Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Neither team has anything tangible to play for, but by all accounts these two are going to get a normal workload and have the highest ceiling/floor combo at the position. Backups like Audric Estime, Tank Bigsby and Dylan Sampson are potential Week 18 hammers that get more usage than at any other week this season as their teams play out the string. Finding the right player in this $5k price range is likely going to be required to place highly in tournaments.

At WR, it's a complete mess. Puka Nacua is likely to be the most popular player but he's a dangerous click for me. It's very possible Sean McVay pulls his starters well before the game is over (or doesn't play them at all), depending out what happens on Saturday. This is the position where you should find players stacked with your QB or that you know are playing in competitive games. Bucs WRs, Jags WRs, Bears WRs, and Broncos WRs all stand out due to motivation. I think we can also trust Dan Campbell, given his culture in Detroit, to relish the opportunity to play spoiler against Chicago. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are great tournament plays.

At TE, we have an even bigger mess than WR. Trey McBride already set the single-season TE receptions record and has nothing else to play for. Juwan Johnson makes a lot of sense with his price tag and the fact that Shough won't have Chris Olave. Johnson could approach a 30% target share in this spot. Again, this is probably a spot to just stack your selection with your QB and hope the two connect on a TD or spend down as much as possible and hope the entire position flops and no one provides a score that separates teams from their competition.

At D/ST, the Broncos will be very popular at their elevated price tag. They're an elite unit, playing with motivation to secure the first round bye, against a backup QB and terrible offensive line. However, with so many backup QBs on this slate, I think you can spend however you'd like at defense. There could be a lot of bad QB play in Week 18 and a lot of opportunity for defenses to tee off.

Good luck out there in Week 18. Show the world you're a Certified Ball Knower!

Building Blocks

Mike Clay on the safe, chalky players who are likely to be among the most played this week

Jaxson Dart, Giants ($5,700): Dart is mid-pack in pricing despite averaging 20.1 fantasy points per game in his 11 starts, which ranks sixth among quarterbacks this season. Despite missing substantial action, Dart sits top 5 among QBs in carries, rushing yards and rushing TDs (nine). He posted a major dud against an elite Vikings defense in Week 16, but rebounded with a 25.1-point effort against Las Vegas last week. This week, he draws a Dallas defense that has allowed the most passing yards and TDs, as well as the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Michael Mayer, Raiders ($3,500): Mayer stepped in for Brock Bowers and caught nine passes for 89 yards on 10 targets against the Giants last week. This, after he had a big game when Bowers was sidelined in Week 6 (5-50-1 on seven targets) and, though he posted a dud the following week (1-10-0 on two targets), that was a bit off an outlier with the Raiders running only 30 offensive snaps in a 31-0 loss. Across the three games, Mayer played 92% of the snaps and handled a massive 28% target share. He's likely to work as Kenny Pickett's top target in Week 18 and is a terrific value.

High Upside Plays

Matt Bowen on some high-risk, high-reward players who are in a position to pop this week

Troy Franklin, Broncos ($4,900): Franklin has at least four receptions in three straight games, with a touchdown grab in one. And Broncos head coach Sean Payton can scheme some throws to Franklin versus the Chargers split-safety coverages. There's some big play upside here.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars ($3,800): Strange has caught eight passes over his last two games, with a touchdown grab in one. And if we go back to the Week 14 head-to-head tilt versus the Titans, Strange caught three of four targets for 45 yards and a score. Let's look for some Strange to produce as a red zone option in Sunday's meaningful home game against Tennessee.

Solid Floor Plays

Eric Moody on the players who are consistently part of the game plan and will produce at a reasonable price

Isaac TeSlaa, Lions ($3,700): TeSlaa has emerged as a red zone playmaker for the Lions, scoring a touchdown in four of his last five games. The rookie has played at least 52% of the snaps in each of those contests and caught three passes for 49 yards and a score against the Vikings in Week 17. With Detroit out of playoff contention, TeSlaa could see an expanded role in Week 18 against a Bears defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, especially if Amon-Ra St. Brown sits with a knee injury.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants ($5,500): Tracy remains in a timeshare with Devin Singletary, but he's had at least 15 touches in three consecutive games. However, Tracy hasn't scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 15 against the Commanders, when he posted 24.7. He now faces a Cowboys defense that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, a matchup he should be able to exploit.

Narrative Street

Liz Loza's got a feeling ....

Caleb Williams, Bears ($5,900): There's nothing like a divisional-rivalry game (with the highest point total for the week, 50.5) to grease the fantasy wheels. Fresh off a season-high 330 passing yards and 2-TD performance, Williams presents with fantastic mid-pack value. The second-year signal caller has thrown multiple TDs in four consecutive efforts and figures to keep the scoring bonanza alive versus a banged-up Lions defense on Sunday.

George Pickens, Cowboys ($7,200): Despite having been eliminated from the playoffs, Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that the 'Boys starters will suit up in Week 18. With Dak Prescott chasing the franchise's all-time passing touchdowns record, Pickens (who becomes a free agent in 2026 and will likely want to showcase his playmaking skills one final time) figures to be heavily involved. Pickens has recorded a red zone target share above 20 percent (WR22). He figures to shine versus a Giants defense that has surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points (including 16 receiving scores) to opposing wideouts.

The Stacks

Daniel Dopp on teammates who are set up for joint success

Jaxson Dart ($5,700), Wan'Dale Robinson ($6,100), Giants: No, the Giants don't have anything to play for, and normally I'd want to focus on players with something on the line, but this Giants squad should fight hard in Week 18 against the division rival (and soft as cake matchup) Dallas Cowboys. Dart has topped 23 FP in two of his last three games, with the common theme being the matchups. Big games against the Commanders and Raiders should make us feel really good about this matchup against Dallas.

Robinson has been the one constant you can rely on amongst Giants' skill position players. Coming off of an 11-catch, 113-yard performance in Week 17, Wan'Dale is set to take advantage of a defense that's been suspect all season long. The Cowboys have given up at least 17 FP to a WR in five straight weeks, and we're expecting the defense to be just as bad here in Week 18. At only $11,800 combined, this is a stack that offers strong value with a nice comeback play opportunity in adding in a Cowboys pass-catcher.

Trevor Lawrence ($6,400), Jakobi Meyers ($5,600), Jaguars: The Jags still have a lot to play for, not only to win their division but, if things go right, they can still get the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Lawrence has been on FIRE over the last few weeks, topping 24 FP in three straight and hitting at least 19 FP in six straight! The touchdowns have been coming in bunches and he's only hit the 300-yard bonus one time over that stretch, showcasing that there's even more left on the table.

The Tennessee defense doesn't scare anybody, and Meyers is in a spot to take advantage of that Titans secondary. I thought about going with Parker Washington, (to be honest you could do a nice double-stack with both WRs) but decided to stick with the veteran Meyers in this one. While the production hasn't been there the last two weeks, he's seen at least eight targets in back-to-back games and is continually relied up on as a safety blanket for Lawrence. This Jags offense is firing on all cylinders and either Jags WR is setup for a nice game in Week 18. If you're looking for a team with a lot to play for that should be giving you 100% in Week 18, the Jaguars are a nice place to start.

Don't Be Surprised...

Eric Karabell on fading the market and expecting the unexpected

Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals ($5,600): Why stop relying on Brissett now? He averages 19 fantasy points as a starter, and he scored 19 points on the Rams in Week 14. He can do it again.

Efton Chism III, Patriots ($3,300): Who? This undrafted rookie from Eastern Washington caught a TD pass in Week 17, and the Patriots remain shorthanded at WR. A larger role in a game the Patriots need to win is pending.

Contingency Plans

Tristan H. Cockcroft anticipates the injury-related plays you may want to make if and when players get ruled out

Kyren Williams ($6,700)/Blake Corum ($5,700)/Ronnie Rivers ($4,200), RBs, Rams: The Rams' primary running back has a great matchup against the Cardinals, who have seen eight different running backs exceed 16 DraftKings points and three exceed 29 in the past seven weeks alone. But who will that be, especially in light of their being locked into either the NFC's No. 5 or 6 playoff seed? Williams (ankle) likely gets the nod, with Corum looking iffy (at best), but if the Rams go the "rest everyone" route, Rivers would provide outstanding value.

Javonte Williams ($6,300)/Jaydon Blue ($4,300), RBs, Cowboys: Williams tore up the Giants defense in their Week 2 meeting, scoring 25.0 DraftKings points, and he'll match up well, especially for the price, in the rematch. That said, both he and primary backup Malik Davis missed Wednesday's and Thursday's practices, opening the door for Blue to sneak in as a prospective bargain-basement Week 18 starter.

Our Favorite Pick 6 Picks

Tyler Shough, Saints: over 233.5 passing yards. Shough exceeded 300 yards the past two games, and the rookie should finish strong. -- Karabell

Jared Goff, Lions: over 256.5 passing. Goff has topped the 300-yard passing mark in three of his last four games. He'll attack the Bears' zone coverages. -- Bowen

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: over 211.5 passing yards. He's cleared this line in four of his last five games, has posted a 67.8% completion rate over that span, and now faces a Chargers team that's resting some starters. -- Moody

Riley Leonard, Colts: under 169.5 passing. The Texans are allowing just 5.7 YPA this season. Tough spot for a rookie quarterback. -- Bowen

Derrick Henry, Ravens: over 102.5 rush/rec yards. He's going to be a focal point of the Ravens' offensive attack, and he has exceeded this number in six of his past 11 games, while falling just a half a yard short in his Week 14 game against these same Steelers. -- Cockcroft