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Welcome back to our late slate Week 18 DFS picks article here at RotoBaller! In this piece, I will examine my top daily fantasy football lineup plays for the late slate in Week 18 of the NFL season.
In Week 18, we have five games on the NFL DFS late slate on DraftKings and FanDuel -- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders, and Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets.
If you have any questions on how to navigate the slate and other fantasy sports questions, feel free to follow me on X @A_Smith_FS and send me a message. In addition, be sure to use code "SMITH" to get a 10% discount on any premium package.
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Quarterbacks - Late Slate Week 18 DFS Picks
Top Play: Bo Nix - KC vs. DEN (DK: $6.4K / FD: $7.8K)
With the Broncos needing a win to clinch a playoff spot, Bo Nix sits as my top target on the slate. Last weekend, during their overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Nix went 24-of-31 with 219 yards, three scores, and 31 rushing yards. Over his past six games, Nix has averaged a strong 24.0 PPR points per game.
Game on the line, 40 yards downfield, off one foot falling backwards. Throw of the year candidate from Bo Nix pic.twitter.com/9MSpr1rqAN
— Football Digest (@FoootballDigest) December 29, 2024
Facing a Kansas City defense that sits in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed to opposing QBs and will likely rest key starters, Nix should be in a great position to rack up points in a must-win scenario.
Contrarian Play: Aidan O'Connell- LAC vs. LV (DK: $5.1K / FD: $6.6K)
My contrarian option is Aidan O’Connell, who will be facing a Los Angeles Chargers side that could potentially move up to the No. 5 seed in the AFC. As a result, the Raiders will likely play their starters for most of the game, which should present a positive game script for O’Connell as Las Vegas will likely be trailing.
Last weekend, he threw for 242 yards and two scores. Over his past four games, he tallied a solid 235.8 passing yards per game with five total scores. The risk is there, but he could easily outperform his price in a positive game script.
Running Backs - Late Slate Week 18 DFS Picks
Top Play: Zach Charbonnet- SEA vs. LAR (DK: $6.7K / FD: $7K)
Zach Charbonnet had a disappointing showing on Thursday, as he tallied just 57 yards on 13 attempts and added only 19 yards on three receptions. However, operating as the clear lead back, Charbonnet should be in a great position to bounce back, especially as the Rams will likely rest some key starters due to being locked into a playoff position.
Over his previous two games as a starter, Charbonnet averaged a stellar 25.4 PPR points per game.
Top Play: Blake Corum - SEA vs. LAR (DK: $5.6K / FD: $5.5K)
With Kyren Williams (coach's decision) listed as doubtful, Blake Corum could see a heavy workload on Sunday afternoon. While Corum has only been given a limited opportunity share in his rookie season, he has performed well in this limited stint.
Still thinking about this nasty move Blake Corum put on an all-pro LB.
Ankles? They're mine. Gimme. pic.twitter.com/QTqbct6Jdv
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) December 9, 2024
In games where he was given at least eight rushing attempts, Corum averaged a solid 4.4 YPC. If Corum can see double-digit attempts, he could be in a great position to not only outperform his price but finish near the top of the position.
Contrarian Play: Alexander Mattison - LAC vs. LV (DK: $5.3K / FD: $5.5K)
Alexander Mattison is set to lead the Las Vegas backfield with Ameer Abdullah (foot) ruled out. When Mattison has been the starting nod, he has been productive averaging a solid 13.8 PPR points per game over a seven-game stretch.
Despite facing a tough Los Angeles defense, Mattison should see a high volume of work both in the rushing and receviing game and should be given ample opportunities to outperform his salary.
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Wide Receivers - Late Slate Week 18 DFS Picks
Top Play: Courtland Sutton- KC vs. DEN (DK: $8.3K / FD: $7.3K)
With the Broncos needing to win this game, Courtland Sutton should be in store for a big game. Over the past five weeks, Sutton has scored four touchdowns while averaging 67.2 yards per game with 16.9 PPR points per game.
Courtland Sutton with the dirty stutter-go TD. pic.twitter.com/nZJugwgQm5
— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) December 16, 2024
Facing a Chiefs defense that will likely rest several players should put him in a great position to be a WR1 on the slate.
Top Play: Davante Adams- MIA vs. NYJ (DK: $6.4K / FD: $7.8K)
My other top option comes on a team trying to play spoiler against the Miami Dolphins. During Weeks 13 through 16, Davante Adams has been one of the most productive PPR points wideouts, averaging a stellar 26.0 points per game while tallying 110.3 yards per game.
Even though Aaron Rodgers struggled last weekend in Buffalo, expect him to bounce back as he tries to end one of the worst seasons of his career on a high note. Given how often he looks Adams’ way, he should carry a very high floor in this contest.
Contrarian Play: Jauan Jennings- SF vs. ARI (DK: $5.8K / FD: $6.8K)
Even without starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) under center, Jauan Jennings should still be in a good position to outperform his price. On the final drive of the game on Monday, backup QB Joshua Dobbs looked Jennings’ way on three of his four passes.
While it is a small sample size, it does suggest there should be optimism around Jennings’ projections this weekend. In his past four games, Jennings has seen 8.3 targets per game and averaged 59.8 yards per game. He has a high-end WR2 upside on the slate and is priced as a mid-level WR3.
Tight Ends - Late Slate Week 18 DFS Picks
Top Play: Trey McBride- SF vs. ARI (DK: $6.5K / FD: $7.4K)
Over his past six games, Trey McBride has seen double-digit targets in all but one of them. Last weekend, he caught his first touchdown pass and brought in 123 yards.
We even got a Trey McBride touchdown before GTA 6! pic.twitter.com/bonUKbDAir
— TG Casino (@TGCasino_) December 29, 2024
Even though Arizona is out of the playoff picture, McBride has been the offense's focal point and should continue to be in this role, especially with a banged-up James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle).
Contrarian Play: Noah Gray- KC vs. DEN (DK: $3.8K / FD: $5.5K)
My contrarian option comes with some risk. With Kansas City having nothing to play for, most of the starters will sit this one out. While Noah Gray has a decent role with Travis Kelce on the field, he is still the clear No. 2 tight end in the offense.
When given targets, he has produced. During Weeks 11 through 15, Gray saw 5.0 targets per game and averaged a solid 13.5 PPR points per game. If he is given the starting nod, he should have an easy path to outperform his salary.
Defense/Special Teams - Late Slate Week 18 DFS Picks
Top Play: Denver Broncos - KC vs. DEN (DK: $3K / FD: $5K)
Even though the Broncos are coming off a disappointing showing, they will have a great bounce-back opportunity against the Kansas City Chiefs backups. With their backs against the wall, the Broncos must play this game out to clinch a playoff spot.
Facing a Carson Wentz-led offense should put this unit in a great position to get back on track.
Contrarian Play: Arizona Cardinals - SF vs. ARI (DK: $2.7K / FD: $3.7K)
The Arizona defense could also be in a good position facing a Joshua Dobbs-led San Francisco offense with Brock Purdy (elbow) sitting out due to an elbow injury.
While he performed well late in Monday’s game, given how low the Cardinals' salary is, they should easily outperform it facing a backup QB and have the potential to finish near the top of the slate.
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