The big injury worries at the beginning of the week are Ronald Jones (ankle), Michael Carter (concussion), Damien Harris (hamstring), Miles Sanders (hand), James Conner (heel), and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder), but chances are more will pop up closer to the weekend. Aaron Jones and likely AJ Dillon (@ Lions) also figure to play sparingly, if at all, setting up Patrick Taylor for a big Week 18 – just like we all predicted back in Week 1.
WEEK 18 FANTASY RANKINGS (PPR & STANDARD):Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
By now, the top matchups are well established. Injuries to offensive linemen or key defensive players might make situations better or worse, but we know the Jets (@ Bills), Chargers (@ Raiders), Seahawks (@ Cardinals), Texans (vs. Titans), Steelers (@ Ravens), Lions (vs. Packers), Giants (vs. Washington), Raiders (vs. Chargers), Bills (vs. Jets), and Vikings (vs. Bears) were the top-10 teams in terms of fantasy points allowed coming into Week 17. The Falcons (vs. Saints) and Jaguars (vs. Colts) weren’t far behind, and both got roasted on the ground last week.
SATURDAY SINGLE-GAME DFS:KC-DEN FD | KC-DEN DK | DAL-PHI FD | DAL-PHI DK
That creates big opportunities for borderline starters like the aforementioned Taylor (@ Lions), Devin Singletary and maybe even Zack Moss (vs. Jets), both Cardinals backs if Conner plays (vs. Seahawks), D’Onta Foreman (@ Texans), Devonta Freeman and maybe even Latavius Murray (vs. Steelers), and whoever starts for the Jets if Carter is out, likely Austin Walter or Tevin Coleman (@ Bills). All have varying degrees of upside, but they should all have decent floors, with Edmonds and Freeman having more value in PPR leagues.
SATURDAY FULL-SLATE DFS: DraftKings | FanDuel
On the flip side, the Saints (@ Falcons), Buccaneers (vs. Panthers), Titans (@ Texans), Cardinals (vs. Seahawks), 49ers (@ Rams), and Colts (@ Jaguars) have been particularly tough on fantasy RBs. You’re not going to sit the slightly slumping Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. Saints), surging Rashaad Penny (@ Cardinals), or safe Sony Michel (vs. 49ers), but you’ll need to think twice about Dare Ogunbowale (vs. Colts), Rex Burkhead (vs. Titans), and Chuba Hubbard (@ Buccaneers). Ogunbowale and Burkhead have higher floors in PPR leagues – and both could produce well in garbage time, as Ogunbowale did last week – but there are obvious risks with both.
WEEK 18 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Speaking of PPR floors, the Seahawks (@ Cardinals), Eagles (vs. Cowboys), Buccaneers (vs. Panthers), Bengals (@ Browns), Chiefs (@ Broncos), Jets (@ Bills), and Raiders (vs. Chargers) all entered Week 17 allowing at least six RB receptions per game. We already mentioned how Edmonds is in a good spot this week, but obviously he looks even better now. The same goes for Kareem Hunt (vs. Bengals) if he plays. Both Broncos backs have slightly raised PPR floors, too.
MORE WEEK 18 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup builder
Plenty will change throughout the week, as some starters will be ruled out as a precaution (Saquon Barkley? Antonio Gibson?) and others will be claimed by the reserve/COVID list. We always see unlikely heroes late in the season, so grab your handcuffs and be ready to pounce.
WEEK 18 SNF LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Note: We’ll be updating these RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement.
Fantasy RB Rankings Week 18: Who to start at running back
Rankings are based on standard, non-PPR scoring
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 18: Who to start at running back
Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring
