The best lineups in GPPs are not won with the most popular players on the slate. It takes some high-level roster construction to separate yourself from the rest of the pack.
The goal of this article isn’t to name the best players on Sunday. It’s to find high-upside talent to add to your GPP rosters. Some top-tier players will be included, but lineups need to be balanced out with some hidden gems, too.
Remember, in most cases, the person who finishes in 10,000th place and the person who finishes in 1,269th place receive the same amount of money in many of these larger field contests, so there is no reason to simply follow the crowd to feel comfortable.
It’s Week 18, so we must be mindful of teams adjusting their focus in the final minutes this week and potentially sitting players or elevating others at certain positions. I went over my best ideas as of Friday’s news below.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $2.25M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]
Top DFS Contrarian Stacks
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Matthew Stafford ($6,900) – Puka Nacua ($9,000) – Michael Carter ($5,100)
The Rams still have a lot to play for this week. If Seattle wins on Saturday, the Rams can secure the fifth seed and a date with the AFC South winner if they beat Arizona. That’s a much easier task than playing a top seed like Philadelphia or Chicago.
If Seattle loses, you may see them pull their starters a little earlier, although they could also opt to play them the entire game. Regardless, if Seattle wins on Saturday, I like going with a Rams stack for DFS, mainly, Stafford to Nacua. Arizona has been playing out the string for months and has allowed multiple passing TDs against in four straight games. The price this week is also not as prohibitive on these two, as there are tons of cheap value plays floating around at every position.
I also like coming back with RB Michael Carter as a play from Arizona. The Rams’ defense has not been good of late and just allowed Bijan Robinson to go for 195 yards and a TD on the ground with 34 yards and a TD as a receiver. Carter isn’t Robinson, but he is a solid pass-catching back and could explode for a big PPR game in this spot.
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Tyler Shough ($5,300) – Dante Pettis ($3,100) – Juwan Johnson ($4,200) – Bijan Robinson ($8,700)
If Seattle loses Saturday, I may fade the Rams and go with a cheaper stack from a game like NO-ATL, which features a Saints offense that has been solid of late and features tons of cheap passing value. Chris Olave is likely out for Week 18, which will leave Tyler Shough throwing to names like Juwan Johnson on most dropbacks.
Johnson had multiple big plays vs. the Titans last week and should be in a good spot vs. Atlanta, which allowed 100+ yards and a TD to the Rams’ TEs last week. Dante Pettis is also a good addition as his snaps should go up significantly, and he and Shough showed good chemistry last week. Overall, the Saints’ passing game offers loads of cheap value and allows you to fit in a stud like Robinson, who is chasing some history this week and needs 255 yards to break the all-time scrimmage yardage record for a single season.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty ($6,400)
I’m fine playing the narrative on this one. Yes, the Raiders can secure the number one pick with a loss this week, but their first-round rookie from last season can also secure 1,000 rushing yards in a season with 112 rush yards vs. the Chiefs.
It’s a tougher matchup, but the Chiefs are playing out the string at this point too, and just allowed 100+ yards to Tony Pollard and Tennessee — of all teams — a couple of weeks ago. Jeanty should play a ton this week and has solid blowup potential at well under 7K.
Tank Bigsby ($5,400)
The Eagles are reportedly resting starters this week, which should translate to a big workload for Tank Bigsby. Bigsby will be taking on a Commanders team that has crumbled against the run as the season has worn on and has now allowed the fifth-most FP to opposing RBs. Given the spot and the fact that the Eagles want to rest starters, and will want to attempt to get out of this game with a win in the least dramatic way possible, Bigsby seeing 10 to 15-plus touches in this spot if Barkley sits is a distinct possibility.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson ($5,800)
I never expected Justin Jefferson’s price to fall below 6K on DraftKings, especially while he’s still in his prime, but here we are. The Vikings’ passing attack has struggled most of the season, but Jefferson should be backed by JJ McCarthy this week and faces a Green Bay team that has already secured the NFC’s last seed and will be resting their starters. Jefferson and McCarthy have a real chance to perform exceptionally well in this game and put a tough season behind them.
Luther Burden ($5,300)
With Rome Odunze looking doubtful again, I expect Burden to remain a big part of the Bears’ offense in Week 18. The rookie has been phenomenal down the stretch and most recently caught eight passes for 138 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers. Detroit still features one of the weakest secondaries in the league, and with the Bears playing for a top seed, I expect them to go after the win full-bore in this spot. It could be another big week for Burden, who remains undervalued given his recent rise to the top target in this explosive offense.
Tight End
Daniel Bellinger ($2,900)
The Giants could be without their top two receivers this week vs. the Cowboys, as both Wan’Dale Robinson and TE Theo Johnson have yet to practice this week and look doubtful for Sunday. That would leave the Giants without many reliable WRs and with a need to insert Bellinger into more passing situations, who has proven himself to be a reliable pass-catcher in the past. He only caught two passes last week, but with Johnson out, he played on a season-high 97% of the snaps.
I’d look for him to have a big role once again and potentially a breakout game as a pass-catcher vs. a weak Cowboys secondary.
Defense/Special Teams
Browns ($2,400)
The Browns head into this week with little to play for but will be focused on Myles Garrett, who is chasing the single-season sacks record. Although Garrett fell short against the Steelers, he’s had notable success against the Bengals in the past and recorded two sacks earlier this year against Joe Burrow.
Overall, I’m comfortable considering the Browns’ defense given their low cost. Sure, they face an elite QB, but Garrett’s effort to set a record means the defense will be aggressive. It’s also uncertain how much playing time Bengals starters will get, as Cincinnati might bench Joe Burrow at some point. The Browns remain a top-tier defense, and with Garrett likely to make an impact, I see no reason not to include them in GPPs on DFS for Week 18.
