NFL DFS Week 18 Bargain Picks: Sam Darnold Among Backups Ready for a Cameo Appearance
It’s Week 18, and it's time to get weird!
With many teams resting their starters while other teams have their playoff berths on the line, today’s bargains list is a mixture of players we have yet to see this season and a few very familiar faces. If you’ve spent up for your core players, here are some players with appealing salaries to consider as you complete your lineups.
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
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It’s been a while since we’ve had a good look at Darnold but we know he has a big arm, and we also know that Kyle Shanahan’s system is friendly to quarterbacks. Throw in that the Rams defense has allowed the sixth-most passing yards this season and they may not even be playing all of their starters, and I am willing to take a shot on Darnold this weekend.
Carson Wentz, Los Angeles Rams
On the other side of this game is Wentz, who is probably still looking for a job next season. He might even get to start this game with Puka Nacua in the mix, as Nacua is on pace to break some rookie receiving records. Kyren Williams has already been ruled out, so look for the Rams to attack through the air vs. a 49ers defense that has occasionally been generous to opposing passers. There’s nothing at stake here for the Niners, so expect Wentz to have a slightly easier go.
Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
Huntley gets the start for the Ravens, who will rest many starters on Sunday. We saw Huntley be effective last week when he came into the game late for the Ravens in relief of Lamar Jackson, and one could argue he is among the best backup QBs in the league. He’ll be facing another backup QB in Nick Mullens on Sunday. Yes, the Steelers will be playing all out, but they have allowed the 10th-most passing yards to opposing QBs this season. Huntley is also a threat with his legs, making for an interesting GPP start.
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
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If you don’t want to spend up for CeeDee Lamb, consider Cooks in a crucial game vs. the Commanders. Not only has Washington allowed the most yards to opposing wideouts this season, Cooks has been coming on strong of late. He has five touchdowns since Week 8, and he’s averaging 57 yards per game since then as well. He had 72 yards and a touchdown in an away game vs. the Commanders in Week 12. I love this play.
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles defense has been abysmal of late. No team has allowed more DFS points to wide receivers this year than the Eagles. Now, add that they may not play their starters for the whole game, and suddenly Darius Slayton, who has 38.7% of the Giants yards and two touchdowns across the past two games, looks like a tremendous spend-down option.
K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are sticking with Nick Mullens, leaving some hope for Minnesota wide receivers. The Lions have been incredibly generous to the position, including allowing 227 yards to CeeDee Lamb just last week, and if you don’t want to spend up for Justin Jefferson, Osborn is a decent dart.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Thielen didn’t have a great outing last time he faced the Bucs, but I’m returning to him anyway. Tampa Bay has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to wideouts across the last eight games played, and with no Jonathan Mingo, Chark and Thielen will continue to share the bulk of the targets. Thielen had a six-catch, 98-yard, two-touchdown game two weeks ago vs. the Packers.
Tight Ends
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