Week 18 NFL DFS Stacks for DraftKings, FanDuel - Top Daily Fantasy Football Picks Include Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Jayden Daniels

Welcome to Week 18 of NFL DFS stacks for DraftKings and FanDuel. I can't believe we are in week 18 (sad face). Although it's the end of the regular season, we still have teams fighting for titles, seeding, and wild card spots. I've got my eyes on Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Washington. Let's go!

This article will focus on Sunday's 1 p.m. main slate for DraftKings and FanDuel. Last week, I targeted Green Bay (meh), Buffalo, and Washington. Let's see which stacks look good for tournaments this week!

I'll be here all season to talk stacks and strategy (@dawntepper). Who do I think is due for a breakout game this week? Let's find out! These are my favorite game stacks for the NFL DFS slate on DraftKings and FanDuel, which kicks off at 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 5. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints

• Baker Mayfield (DK $6.2, FD $7.8)
• Mike Evans (DK $8.0, FD $8.9)
• Jalen McMillan (DK $5.1, FD $6.1)

The Bucs need to beat the Saints to win the NFC South and make the playoffs. They could squeak in if they lose, but it won't be easy; winning is the way. Mike Evans is less than 100 yards away from his 11th 1,000-yard season, so expect Baker to continue looking his way this Sunday.

If Tampa lights it up against a Saints team with nothing to play for except playing spoiler to the Bucs' playoff chances, expect everyone on Tampa's offense to eat. Jalen McMillan has six touchdowns in the last four games; rostering receivers with at least two touchdowns per game is the way to win tournaments.

He’s one of the best deep threats of all-time.

He may be the greatest red zone WR of all-time.

And both of those sentiments might be understated.

If you don’t KNOW that Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer by now, all you’re doing is embarrassing yourself.
pic.twitter.com/ziPVdYUipd

— Djon Mustard. The ‘D’ is silent. (@M1K3EvansTD) December 29, 2024

Bring-back options:

• Chris Olave (DK $5.2K, FD $5.8K)

Olave wants to play this weekend, but his status should be monitored in case he is injured.

Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers

• Michael Penix Jr. (DK $5.4, FD $6.9)
• Drake London (DK $6.5, FD $7.0)
• Darnell Mooney (DK $5.1, FD $6.2)

The Falcons must win against the Panthers for any chance of sneaking into the playoffs. Without Bijan Robinson, this is a lower-owned stack with ceiling opportunities for both wide receivers. The Panthers are allowing the most DraftKings points to opponents at an average of 113.4 per game, including 22.5 to quarterbacks.

The Falcons are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game, but I'm expecting Atlanta's defense to keep the pressure on Bryce Young and keep those numbers down. If anyone is going to make a difference for Carolina, it'll be Adam Thielen (again).

Hoping Khalil Shakir repeats this on Sunday #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/7quPqrn8qs

— Primetime Adam (@AdamZientek3) December 27, 2024

Bring-back option:

• Adam Thielen (DK $6.2K, FD $6.4K) 

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this is my community.. this is my family.. without them this would not happen @WinDailySports @RotoBaller@BaronZito973 @mb_guruDFS #OTC there are others and you know who you are and I love you all for the help! pic.twitter.com/psRCDbCqqL

— Scott (@scottd923) September 25, 2023

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys

• Jayden Daniels (DK $7.8K, FD $8.7K) 
• Terry McLaurin (DK $7.8, FD $8.4)
• Olamide Zaccheaus (DK $4.5, FD $5.8)

The Commanders are keen to keep their sixth-seed playoff spot and as such, are planning on playing their starters on Sunday at Jerry World. Dallas is allowing more than 20 DK fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and is allowing the third-highest fantasy points per game to opponents. I expect Washington to win handily and take that momentum into the playoffs.

The Cowboys will be without their key players but if they can manage to make it somewhat competitive, Washington will keep their starters in the game and keep driving up that score!

Micah Parsons on Jayden Daniels:

“I think if he didn’t have that rib injury, we’re looking at, you know, a MVP conversation for him…I haven’t seen more of a cold blooded rookie since I’ve been in the NFL and probably the past besides Lamar, probably past five, seven years…”… pic.twitter.com/vb8bTESSuW

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) January 4, 2025

Bring-back options:

• Rico Dowdle (DK $5.8K, FD $7.1K) 

With Trey Lance expected to take a large number of snaps in this game, Dowdle could be the Cowboy with the most yards to gain against a Washington run defense that can be shaky at times.

Good luck in your tournaments, and see you next week!

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