NFL Week 18 DFS Value Picks

As Week 18 is upon us, playoff spots and divisional battles are on the line. This final week of the NFL season is loaded with storylines. This creates opportunities for a few players to shine — and DFS managers to capitalize and crush it in their contests.

These are the 4 best players offering excellent value for their salary which means they’re all must-consider options for your DFS lineup.

Joshua Dobbs — San Francisco 49ers — QB

• Salary: $4.0K
• Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
• Projected Points: 16.1

If you’re looking for a budget QB with a decent upside, Joshua Dobbs is your guy this week. Oh, you’ve never heard of him? Don’t worry, most haven’t.

After stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy last week, Dobbs showed he has some dual-threat potential. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards and added a rushing TD on just five snaps. Those are some really good numbers considering he came in the 4th quarter.

With Purdy sidelined this week due to an elbow injury, Dobbs is expected to start against Arizona.

At just an incredibly low $4.0K, Dobbs doesn’t need to do much to exceed value. Frankly, as long as he doesn’t throw a handful of interceptions and just survives the game, it should be a net gain.

The Cardinals’ defense ranks 14th against quarterbacks, but they’ve been susceptible to mobile QBs. That’s where Dobbs comes into the picture. His rushing ability gives him a higher ceiling than most bargain-priced quarterbacks.

The 49ers have a loaded offense with several playmakers, giving Dobbs plenty of opportunities to pile up points as he sees fit.

Sure, he’s a risk, but at his salary, he opens up your lineup for premium options elsewhere and that’s what DFS value picks are all about.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks — WR

• Salary: $6.1K
• Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
• Projected Points: 15.5

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is finishing his rookie season as strong as ever, and this week, he’s a great DFS option at his moderate price.

Seattle faces the Rams in their final game of the year, whose defense ranks 22nd in fantasy points allowed to WRs. With playoff implications on the line, we’re expecting Geno Smith to lean heavily on Smith-Njigba as his typical go-to slot receiver. Of course, Seattle isn’t shooting for a playoff slot (that’s long gone), but they’re still playing for dignity and any contract bonuses, so they won’t be letting off on the gas.

Smith-Njigba has averaged 16.0 fantasy points over his last five games, showing he can deliver when it matters despite having a bargain price tag on himself. While DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are undoubtedly the headliners, Smith-Njigba has carved out his role as a reliable 3rd option. 

Against a Rams secondary that has struggled to contain slot receivers, Smith-Njigba is in a prime position to provide some solid value for your lineup this week. His ability to find soft spots in coverage and create some space, as well as his knack for yards after the catch, make him an upside play with what we feel is a relatively safe floor.

Michael Carter — Arizona Cardinals — RB

• Salary: $4.7K
• Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
• Projected Points: 15.0

Michael Carter is finding himself sliding into a starting role for the Cardinals with both James Conner and Trey Benson on IR. While the 49ers are a tough matchup, ranking 28th in fantasy points allowed to RBs, volume is king in DFS when it comes to the ground game. We are expecting Carter to handle the bulk of Arizona’s backfield touches and that makes him a solid value play for Week 18.

Over the last two games, Carter has accumulated 129 yards from scrimmage on 25 touches — in both the air and on the ground.

Those numbers might not jump off the page, but at a low price of just $4.7K, they’re more than enough to pay off his salary and some.

With a depleted Cardinals offense, we’re thinking that Carter could see extra work as both a rusher and a receiver. Just last week he had 13 attempts on the ground for 70 yards and was 2 for 2 in receiving for 11 yards.

If Arizona falls behind, his involvement in the passing game will make him a sneaky player in PPR formats like DraftKings.

T.J. Hockenson — Minnesota Vikings — TE

• Salary: $4.4K
• Opponent: Detroit Lions
• Projected Points: 11.8

T.J. Hockenson might face a tough Lions defense that ranks second against TEs, but he’s still a nice DFS option this week. 

With the NFC North title and a first-round bye on the line, we all know that Minnesota won’t be holding back. Hockenson has been one of Sam Darnolds’ most reliable targets all season and is an absolute workhorse. He doesn’t get many looks in the end zone, but he piles up the yardage.

Last week, Hockenson played a season-high 48 snaps and caught 5 of 6 targets for 68 yards against a dominant Green Bay defense.

He’s averaging 8.2 fantasy points over his last 5 games, but his ceiling is much higher in a game with higher stakes like the final game of the regular season.

The Lions’ defense has struggled at times against elite TEs and they’re fairly depleted with injuries, and Hockenson has the talent to take advantage of any lapses.

At just $4.4K, he offers a solid combination of a decent floor and a potentially high upside.

Lock In Your DFS Lineups With These Value Picks

All 4 of these players have strong value for their salaries and we feel they could be difference-makers in your DFS lineup. 

Smith-Njigba offers a solid upside against a vulnerable Rams secondary, while Dobbs and Carter provide budget-friendly options but come with tons of volume. Hockenson, despite the toughest matchup of the group, has the talent and role to deliver some serious FP.

Building around these value picks can give you the flexibility to add top-tier studs to your lineup. This could easily position you for a big payout in Week 18 contests. Don’t overthink it — these guys are all set to outperform their price tags.