Finding the best anchors for your DFS lineup is the best way to start lineup construction, so each week in this space, I’ll be taking a look at a skill-position breakdown of players who stick out on Yahoo. Whether it’s because of matchup or usage or anything else, these are players who should be featured heavily in lineups.
In Week 18, one of the key imperatives is finding and figuring out who has something on the line – we will highlight many of those plays this week.
Quarterbacks | Yahoo Week 18 picks
Trust in Tom Brady
($35, vs. Carolina)
Despite the swirling controversy around this chaotic Tampa Bay scene, one thing is clear according to Bruce Arians – “We are not resting anybody.” While certainly no one hopes for an injury in Week 18, a Bucs win would be huge to secure the second seed and gives them home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Tom Brady has passed for 4,990 yards this season, and he seems primed for a big week.
Check out the FTN Tool to see how teams allowed points to opposing positions.
Time to Trust Trey Lance?
($25, at Los Angeles Rams)
Of course, a recommendation of rookie Trey Lance is under the guise that the ever beautiful Jimmy G is injured with that nasty thumb injury. Assuming that he is, did you know that Lance led last week in air yards? While the sample size is certainly small, the dude is clearly airing it out, and he was a top-10 QB last week. If you need to fit in some expensive wide receivers (see below), consider Lance.
Bargain options
- Tyler Huntley ($27)
- Davis Mills($24)
Check out the FTN pace tool.
Running back | Yahoo Week 18 picks
Come on down, Jonathan Taylor
($40, at Jacksonville Jaguars)
This is not an easy defense, let’s be clear – and while Jonathan Taylor has basically reached jam-him-in status in Yahoo DFS, or really, any sire for that matter, the dude is primed to explode. He’s averaged 21.4 points per game on Yahoo, which has a 0.5 PPR format – and he ran only one fewer route than Nyheim Hines last week. The all-purpose back has eclipsed the 2,000 total-yard mark, and with a positive game script expected, and a team he torched for 116 rushing yards and 6 catches the last time out, Taylor makes a ton of sense.
Devin Singletary is a cheap pivot option
($23, vs. New York Jets)
It seems in the Buffalo backfield, this is Devin Singletary’s job – over the past few weeks, Singletary’s 63 touches have blown away the marks for backfield mates Zack Moss and Matt Breida. The Jets have allowed 27 rushing touchdowns this season, and the Bills are 16.5-point favorites. Play Singletary.
Bargain options
- AJ Dillon ($23)
- Ronald Jones($22)
Wide receiver | Yahoo Week 18 picks
Can Cooper Kupp Really Be Chalky This Week?
($41, vs. San Francisco)
Not only do the Rams have something pivotal to play for, but there’s some legacy records on the line here that are spicy. Cooper Kupp needs 12 catches and 136 receiving yards in order to smash single-season marks in each of those contests. The 49ers have been the league’s #2 run defense, but they have been torched in the air. Expect Kupp to get to both marks.
Can Justin Jefferson Bounce Back?
($34, vs. Chicago)
If you rostered Justin Jefferson last week in the fantasy finals against Green Bay, it was a tough week – five catches for only 58 yards. Fear not, my friends. He is ready to go this week, and with the #2 wide receiver injured yet again (Adam Thielen), are we really worried about KJ Osborn targets? Lock him in with a matchup against a Chicago Bears defense that’s allowed the ninth-most points to opposing wide receivers.
Bargain options
- DK Metcalf ($22)
- Jaylen Waddle ($21)
- Allen Lazard ($18)
- Cyril Grayson ($18)
Tight end | Yahoo Week 18 picks
Tyler Higbee is emerging
($15, vs. San Francisco)
Last week, I am not sure if most noticed, but this isn’t just the Cooper Kupp show any longer. While Kupp deservedly gets a ton of attention, Matthew Stafford completed 46% of his passes to guys named Kupp AND Tyler Higbee. And yet, Higbee remains on the sale rack at Target. He actually led the Rams last week in targets, and since NFL play turned to November, Higbee has 41 targets in the last six games.
Bargain options
- Mike Gesicki ($14)
- Cole Kmet($13)
