NFL DFS Week 18 QB Coach: Baker Mayfield

Week 18 of the NFL season is here and it's always a wild week in the NFL, especially in DFS as we have teams sitting their starters which means back up QB's getting to play, we have teams playing their starters for a quarter or a half which means limited production and then we have teams who have playoffs on their brain and we get full playing time from all starters and that's the game we are playing today.

As with every week, this week, we once again look to take advantage of some top matchups for our NFL DFS Week 18 QB coach as I bring you my NFL DFS Week 18 QB coach top targets, values and fades to build your lineups around this weekend.

NFL DFS Week 17 QB Coach Recap

Jayden Daniels on FanDuel was the a great play in Week 17 but he wasn't an option for us on FanDuel. Instead we benefited from Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold having big time performances. We had some solid value options as wel with Bryce Young and Aidan O'Connell coming through for our roster builds.

NFL DFS QB Top Tier & Play of the Week For Week 18

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders - DraftKings: $7,800  | FanDuel: $8,700

Commanders win and they get the 6th seed here in the NFC as they looked to take down the Dallas Cowboys.

We know the Cowboys defense has been depleted and while their pass rush is still ever present, they can't stop the run or the pass so if the Commanders offensive line can hold up this should be an easy day for the likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DraftKings: $7,000  | FanDuel: $8,400

PLAY OF THE WEEK: It's a win and in scenario for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they draw a home matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Not only do we love Baker knowing they have to win but we love Baker because HE is trying to get Mike Evans to 1,000-yards receiving.

I'm expecting a big time Baker Mayfield performance here against a bad Saints defense.

Sam Darnold / Jared Goff - FanDuel Only

How about this matchup? Sunday Night Football, winner takes all with the top seed in the NFC and the NFC North title on the line. Both teams have struggled against the pass this season and I'd be willing to bet on a high scoring shootout. Both QB's are also priced right next to eachother on FanDuel with Darnold clocking on at $8,100 and Goff sitting at $7,900. This one is all about preference and who you think will win this game.

NFL DFS QB Mid-Tier Picks For NFL Week 18

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos - DraftKings: $6,400  | FanDuel: $7,800

Another win and in scenario. The Broncos are home against a Chiefs team that is going to be resting their starters. This should present an easier matchup for Bo Nix and this Broncos offense and therefore a great opportunity for the rookie QB to rack up fantasy points by throwing to Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims. 

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers - DraftKings: $5,900  | FanDuel: $7,700

So, we need to wait on this one because IF the Steelers lose on Saturday then the Chargers have a chance to move into the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs.

According to Harbaugh, “the plan is to win” but if the Steelers win and the Chargers are locked in as the sixth seed then it would seem unlikely they would risk running Herbert and the starters out there.

NFL DFS QB Value Picks For NFL Week 18

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks - DraftKings: $5,500  | FanDuel: $7,200

Seahawks aren't playing for anything and the Rams are resting their starters. We've been waiting all season for a big performance from Smith, the yardage has been great but the lack of touchdowns just has killed his DFS upside. This could be the week as he gets it going against the Rams backup secondary with Metcalf and Jackson Smith-Njigba having big games.

Joshua Dobbs, San Francisco 49ers - DraftKings: $4,000  | FanDuel: $6,000

Dobbs is expected to be one of the highest rostered players of the week. Brock Purdy is not going to play and Dobbs will start for the 49ers this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals in a game that doesn't mean anything for either team. Dobbs being a min-price starting QB in DFS is where the ownership appeal lies.

NFL DFS QB Fades For Week 18

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets - DraftKings: $5,600  | FanDuel: $8,200

Things are ending poorly in New York with comments from Aaron Rodgers that this could be his last game in the NFL and other reports suggesting that this will most certainty be his last game as a New York Jet.

Sure, he is still searching for that 500th touchdown but I just don't see there being much effort put into this one by a New York team that is already in offseason mode.