Daily Fantasy Football Picks and Helper: Week 18

It is the final week of the 2023 NFL season and some teams are still jockeying for better seeding in the playoffs or to just get into the postseason. Meanwhile, other teams have either clinched a spot or won't be playing starters deep into games, making it an interesting 14-game main slate to dissect in Week 18.

Ahead of a chaotic weekend, let's take a look at some of the best daily fantasy football plays at each position -- accounting for salary and matchups -- on the Week 18 FanDuel main slate.

Slate Overview

Here is a snapshot of each team's outlook, including opponent, implied team total, over/under, and spread based on FanDuel Sportsbook odds, and opponent defensive ranks for overall defense, pass defense, and rush defense, based on numberFire's Net Expected Points (NEP) model.

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, Cowboys

FanDuel Salary: $8,700
Matchup: at WAS

Targeting quarterbacks against the Washington Commanders has been a fruitful strategy all season. The Commanders are 31st in adjusted pass defense, via numberFire's metrics.

On the flip side, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys need a win on Sunday to secure the NFC East crown and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The Cowboys could certainly benefit from earning home-field advantage in the playoffs as they went a perfect 8-0 at home this season.

Prescott torched the Detroit Lions to the tune of 345 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17, giving him five games of registering 300-plus yards and multiple touchdowns. The talented signal-caller tallied 331 yards and four touchdown passes in the first meeting with the Commanders this season, and he's poised for another stellar output in Week 18.

Geno Smith, Seahawks

FanDuel Salary: $7,300
Matchup: at ARI

The only team worse than the Commanders in adjusted pass defense is the Arizona Cardinals. The next quarterback to get an opportunity to face the Cardinals is Geno Smith, who is looking to guide the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs.

Besides needing a win themselves, the Seahawks will need some help in Week 18 to earn a bid to the postseason. The matchup is a favorable one for Smith as the Cardinals allow the highest EPA per dropback (0.11) to quarterbacks, via NextGenStats.

Smith's salary is easy to like, and he has multiple pass-catching options to stack with, giving him multiple avenues of (finally) having another true ceiling game.

Others to Consider

Justin Fields ($8,400 at GB) - This is Justin Fields' last chance to convince the Chicago Bears he's the long-term answer under center. Fields has nine-plus rushing attempts in five of his last six games. The Green Bay Packers are 21st in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) per carry allowed to quarterbacks.

Trevor Lawrence ($7,500 at TEN) - Trevor Lawrence is expected back following a one-game absence. The Tennessee Titans are 28th in adjusted pass defense, and the Jaguars need a victory to clinch the AFC South.

Running Backs

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

FanDuel Salary: $7,700
Matchup: at CAR

The race for the NFC South crown will come down to the wire as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Carolina Panthers. All the Buccaneers need is a win, and they secure the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Buccaneers are road favorites, and they'll likely lean on Rachaad White. Only Christian McCaffrey has run a route on at a higher percentage of his team's drop backs than White among all running backs.

The Panthers have surrendered the most rushing touchdowns to the position, and White finished with 106 scrimmage yards and a score in the first meeting.

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks

FanDuel Salary: $7,000
Matchup: at ARI

On a chaotic main slate, the game with the second-highest projected total is the matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals. Aside from wanting exposure to the Seattle passing game, Kenneth Walker III is primed for an explosive performance in Week 18.

The Cardinals are 29th in adjusted run defense and are permitting the second-highest rushing success rate to running backs, via NextGenStats. Walker is dealing with a shoulder injury, so keep tabs on his status for Sunday's game.

Even with him exiting last week's contest, Walker has out-touched rookie Zach Charbonnet 52-14 in the last three weeks.

Khalil Herbert, Bears

FanDuel Salary: $7,000
Matchup: at GB

It appears that Khalil Herbert has seized the starting running back job for the Bears down the stretch. Herbert has logged 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back games.

After an impressive showing in Week 17 against an Atlanta Falcons defense in that ranks fifth-best in adjusted run D, Herbert will go up against a Packers defense that is 26th. While he's splitting touches with other backs, Herbert has still garnered 20-plus touches in each of the last two weeks.

During a week where we're looking for bankable volume at running back, Herbert should get a decent workload to close the season.

Others to Consider

James Cook ($7,400 at MIA) - The Miami Dolphins struggled to slow down Justice Hill in the passing game in Week 17 as he hauled in five passes for 64 yards and a score. James Cook has gotten three or more targets in five consecutive games and has averaged a solid 17.4 FanDuel points per game in his last four appearances.

D'Andre Swift ($6,900 at NYG) - The New York Giants are tied for the sixth-worst rushing yards over expected (RYOE) per carry allowed to running backs. Things set up well for D'Andre Swift.

Zamir White ($6,500 vs. DEN) - No team has given up more rushing yards over expected per carry to running backs than the Denver Broncos. Zamir White has posted the fourth-most adjusted opportunities per game (27) among running backs since taking over for Josh Jacobs in Week 15.

Wide Receivers

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

FanDuel Salary: $10,000
Matchup: at WAS

CeeDee Lamb had his highest yardage output of the season in Week 17 with a 227-yard, one-touchdown performance versus the Lions. The electric wideout draws another positive matchup in Week 18 against the lowly Commanders.

The Commanders are 32nd in yards per route run (YPRR) and FanDuel points allowed per target to receivers, via NextGenStats. While Lamb is the highest-salaried wideout on the main slate, it's tough to ignore him in a crucial game for the Cowboys.

A.J. Brown, Eagles

FanDuel Salary: $8,200
Matchup: at NYG

The squeaky-wheel narrative has been prominent for A.J. Brown in recent weeks, and he has yet to deliver. But with the Eagles looking to avoid their fifth loss in their last six games, they'd be wise to begin force-feeding Brown -- especially if DeVonta Smith is ruled out.

Even amid the recent woes the Eagles have experienced through the air, Brown leads the team with a healthy 31.8% target share. The Giants are permitting the second-most yards per route run to the position, so the ingredients are there for Brown to conclude the season with a bang.

DK Metcalf, Seahawks

FanDuel Salary: $7,600
Matchup: at ARI

After finding the end zone only twice in the first eight weeks, D.K. Metcalf has scored six touchdowns in his last seven outings. Metcalf boasts an impressive 2.23 yards per route run, and he leads the Seahawks with a 42.1% end-zone target market share.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals allow the third-most FanDuel points per target to receivers this season. With the Seahawks desperate to get a win to have any chance of making the playoffs, Metcalf should be be a focal point of the team's aerial attack.

Calvin Ridley, Jaguars

FanDuel Salary: $6,900
Matchup: at TEN

If Trevor Lawrence is active for the Jaguars, all of the Jags' skill players receive a massive boost. Averaging 10.5 targets per game in his last four games, Calvin Ridley is registering a formidable 14.6 expected FanDuel points per game in that span.

The Titans are 28th in yards per route run given up to wideouts and have always been an extreme pass-funnel defense. Given his volume, Ridley provides us with fantastic value in a must-win divisional matchup for the Jaguars.

Others to Consider

Brandin Cooks ($6,300 at WAS) - No defense gives up more explosive plays through the air than the Commanders. Brandin Cooks also recorded a touchdown in four of his last six contests.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($5,700 at ARI) - In the last month, Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the team with a 33.3% end-zone target share.

Christian Kirk ($4,000 at TEN) - If Christian Kirk returns in Week 18, he becomes the biggest value at the receiver position. Double-stacking Lawrence will become even easier if Kirk suits up.

Tight Ends

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

FanDuel Salary: $6,000
Matchup: at WAS

To continue our theme of targeting skill players from the Cowboys, Jake Ferguson is tough to ignore due to his usage. Ferguson has the second-highest target share (21.4%) on the team entering the final week.

While the Commanders have been formidable against tight ends, Ferguson has the second-most red-zone targets and second-best clip in yards per route run on the Cowboys.

Juwan Johnson, Saints

FanDuel Salary: $5,400
Matchup: vs. ATL

Juwan Johnson popped up with season-best marks in targets (12), receptions (8), and receiving yards (90) in Week 17. The Saints need a win and a loss from the Buccaneers to win the NFC South, and there are other scenarios where they can sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card with a victory on Sunday.

Johnson has now scored a touchdown in three consecutive games. The Falcons have given up the sixth-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards to tight ends.

Others to Consider

Trey McBride ($6,700 vs. SEA) - Since taking over as the starter in Week 8, Trey McBride owns the highest target share (27.3%) among all tight ends. Marquise Brown is sidelined again, making McBride the clear No. 1 option for the Cardinals in the passing game.

Johnny Mundt ($4,500 at DET) - With T.J. Hockenson out, Johnny Mundt hauled in four of his seven targets for 39 yards and a score in Week 17. The Detroit Lions are 29th in adjusted pass defense.

Defenses

Las Vegas Raiders D/ST

FanDuel Salary: $3,700
Matchup: vs. DEN

The Las Vegas Raiders are playing inspired football under interim coach Antonio Pierce. In their four games since their bye week in Week 13, the Raiders have totaled 13 sacks and four defensive touchdowns. Jarrett Stidham is expected to make another start for the Broncos.

New Orleans Saints D/ST

FanDuel Salary: $4,200
Matchup: vs. ATL

The Saints held the Buccaneers in check in Week 17, and they'll now square off against the Falcons in a crucial game in Week 18. The Falcons are 25th in adjusted offense this season. Taylor Heinicke is also coming off a game where he tossed three interceptions.

Others to Consider

Jacksonville D/ST ($4,400 at TEN) - Ryan Tannehill could make another start if Will Levis is unable to go. Tannehill has a 12.8% sack rate, compared to a 9.9% sack rate for Levis.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST ($4,400 at CAR) - The Panthers are a mess, and the Buccaneers need just a win to ensure they take the NFC South. Bryce Young has been sacked 59 times in 16 games, and the Panthers will likely be playing from behind throughout this contest.

Be sure to check out all of the Week 18 daily fantasy football contests on FanDuel!

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.