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Week 18 FanDuel Cash-Game Picks

By Kevin English | Updated on Sat, 06 Jan 2024 . 1:49 PM EST

Top Plays for Head-to-Head and 50/50 Contests

Quarterbacks

Geno Smith, Seahawks ($7,300) at Cardinals 

I’m not confident in the bargain-basement guys such as Carson Wentz, Sam Darnold, Easton Stick, or Jeff Driskel.

(It’s a fun week at QB, right?)

Smith, though, pops as a discounted option with reasonable upside against the Cardinals.

He hit 20 FD points against Arizona back in Week 7. Now, he gets the league’s 31st-ranked unit in pass-defense DVOA and Pro Football Focus coverage grade.

Also consider: Justin Fields

Running Backs

Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($6,900) vs. Saints

Despite a frustrating season overall, Robinson enters the weekend just 52 rushing yards shy of 1,000.

A volatile role has stabilized lately with games of 22 and 19 opportunities. At a season-low in FanDuel salary, he's a buy-low name to target as Atlanta looks to play spoiler. 

Head to the Dailly Fantasy Football Lineup Generator, and you’ll see the rookie atop our RB $/point ranks.

Pierre Strong, Browns ($4,600) at Bengals

We’ll keep an eye on the news here. But Strong looks like a candidate for boosted touches, as Cleveland is locked into the No. 5 seed.

The Bengals supply a fine matchup, sitting 28th in run-defense DVOA.

Overall, RB looks like the spot to save at, with several low-dollar values emerging and Christian McCaffrey (plus Kyren Williams) unavailable.

Also consider: Rachaad White, Saquon Barkley, Zamir White, Jordan Mason

Wide Receivers

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($10,000) at Washington

Most weeks, Lamb’s salary would be tough to swallow.

This isn’t one of those weeks.

The Cowboys are trying to lock in the No. 2 seed and the NFC East crown. So Lamb should play all four quarters. 

You have to love the matchup, as Washington ranks 31st in FanDuel points allowed. On the year, they’ve allowed 12 WRs to hit 90+ yards.

And again, the RB values above make Lamb’s five-figure salary much more digestible.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($9,000) at Lions

Per ESPN, Jefferson saw shadow coverage from CB Cameron Sutton on 79% of his routes back in a Week 16 meeting.

Jefferson proceeded to drop 6-141-1 in that game… 

Zooming out, the former All-Pro has hit exactly 10 targets in three straight. At a historically discounted price, he’s an easy fit in Week 18 lineups.

DeAndre Hopkins, Titans ($6,800) at Texans

Hopkins tallied 4-59-1 against Jacksonville back in Week 11. Since then, the Jags have performed as a league-average pass D in terms of FanDuel points allowed. 

Ultimately, volume remains the driver for Hopkins’ DFS value. He owns 7+ targets in four of his past five outings.

Also consider: A.J. Brown, D.J. Moore, D.K. Metcalf, Tutu Atwell

Tight End 

Darren Waller, Giants ($5,600) vs. Eagles

Waller has tallied a 93% route rate in each of his two games back from injury.

That included 40 routes last week, so he’s clearly not limited by an injury ahead of the season finale. And Waller remains off the injury report this week.

Game script figures to favor second-half passing against the Eagles. Regardless, Philly’s pass D has regressed this year. They slot 28th in pass-defense DVOA; 25th in PFF’s coverage grade.

Also consider: Jake Ferguson

Defense 

Raiders ($3,700) vs. Broncos

Also consider: Rams

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