The Week 18 NFL DFS Yahoo main slate begins Sunday at 1 p.m. EST and features 13 games. The entire league will be in action except for the teams playing Saturday (Panthers-Buccaneers and Seahawks-49ers) and on Sunday Night Football (Ravens-Steelers). The three excluded games are the most consequential in terms of playoff inclusion and positioning, while all of the teams playing in Sunday's NFL DFS Yahoo main slate have either secured playoff spots or been eliminated. Given that context, extra emphasis should be given to playing time when constructing your lineups, as some teams may rest their starters.
Playing in guaranteed prize pool (GPP) Yahoo DFS football contests is about chasing upside, while lineups geared toward head-to-head, 50/50 or double-up formats should prioritize high floors. The players you want to target for these different contest types aren't mutually exclusive, but winning a GPP tournament usually requires finding a hidden gem or going against the grain in a spot or two while building a solid base of the same chalk plays you would use anywhere. Against-the-grain plays typically consist of big-name players in tough matchups or boom-or-bust types with uncertain roles.
Keep in mind that Yahoo DFS football contests use 0.5 PPR scoring rather than full PPR, which lowers the comparative value of wide receivers and running backs (in that order) while especially affecting high-volume pass-catchers. NFL DFS Yahoo lineups consist of one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one FLEX (RB/WR/TE) and one D/ST unit. Suggested Yahoo DFS picks for Week 18 include a pair of affordable RBs primed for larger workloads and a surging rookie WR looking to keep building momentum heading into the playoffs.
QUARTERBACK
Jaxson Dart, NYG vs. DAL ($38): Cowboys-Giants has no playoff implications, but there should be plenty of fantasy production in this clash of NFC East rivals, which is projected to produce a slate-high 50 combined points. The Giants' pass catchers are banged up, but Dart has no qualms about calling his own number, as the athletic rookie QB has produced nine rushing TDs in 11 starts. The Cowboys have allowed the most passing yards (4,291) and passing TDs (33) to QBs, as well as the most rushing TDs (eight) and third-most rushing yards (366) to the position. The Giants are expected to end up with a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially giving them the option to draft another high-end QB prospect, so this is Dart's last audition to convince the front office to stick with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Lawrence, JAC vs. TEN ($43); Dak Prescott, DAL at NYG ($41); Caleb Williams, CHI vs. DET ($37)
Against the Grainers: C.J. Stroud, HOU vs. IND ($30); Shedeur Sanders, CLE at CIN ($27); Trey Lance, LAC at DEN ($20)
RUNNING BACK
Jordan Mason, MIN vs. GB ($14): Mason missed Week 17 due to an ankle injury, paving the way for Aaron Jones to take on a workhorse role in Minnesota's backfield, but it looks like their roles will be reversed in the finale, as Mason has returned to full practice participation while Jones (hip) is trending toward sitting out. In the four games Jones missed this season, Mason has produced 282 rushing yards and four TDs. The last time we saw Green Bay play, the Packers surrendered 216 yards and four TDs to Ravens power runner Derrick Henry. The Packers are the only playoff team locked into a seed heading into Week 18, as they can't move from the No. 7 seed and will start third-string QB Clayton Tune in the regular-season finale. Minnesota has been playing hard despite being eliminated from playoff contention, as the Vikings are riding a four-game winning streak.
Jaydon Blue, DAL at NYG ($10): Blue was a popular preseason sleeper in a Cowboys backfield that had a murky pecking order at the time, but the rookie fifth-round pick has spent most of the season as a healthy scratch. He may finally get the opportunity to showcase his talent in an expanded role Sunday, as Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf/eye) have both yet to practice through Thursday. Blue has a fantasy-friendly skill set as a speedster with pass-catching chops, and Dallas will face an awful Giants run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards to RBs this season.
Honorable Mentions: Bijan Robinson, ATL vs. NO ($44); Tyrone Tracy, NYG vs. DAL ($26); Rhamondre Stevenson, NE vs. MIA ($25)
Against the Grainers: RJ Harvey, DEN vs. LAC ($35); Audric Estime, NO at ATL ($14); Ty Johnson, BUF vs. NYJ ($13)
WIDE RECEIVER
Nico Collins, HOU vs. IND ($31): Collins is putting the finishing touches on a third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaign, and the Pro Bowl WR has already seen a career-high 120 targets in 2025. The Texans can still win the AFC South with a victory over the Colts and a Jaguars loss to the Titans. The latter outcome seems relatively implausible, but it's realistic enough to keep Collins and the rest of Houston's starters in for most or all of the game against a Colts defense that has surrendered the second-most yards to WRs.
Parker Washington, JAC vs. TEN ($23): Washington and the rest of the starters will play for the Jaguars in Week 18, at least until Jacksonville builds a big enough lead to feel assured that the AFC South crown is in the bag. The offense has led the way during Jacksonville's seven-game winning streak, and Washington has been Trevor Lawrence's favorite target in each of the past two games. Washington drew 10 targets in each of those contests, turning that hefty volume into 14 catches for 270 yards and a TD. A Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-most yards to WRs is unlikely to slow down Washington and the highly motivated Jaguars.
Luther Burden, CHI vs. DET ($21): Burden broke out for career highs with eight catches and 138 yards while scoring a TD in Week 17 against the 49ers, and the rookie second-round pick's underlying numbers suggest that standout performance was no fluke. Only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba average more yards per route run than Burden's 2.8 among all players who have run at least 25 routes this season. Rome Odunze (foot) is expected to remain sidelined, while Burden has recovered after a late-game quadriceps injury scare against the 49ers, putting Burden in position to run plenty of routes Sunday, as head coach Ben Johnson has announced that starters will play despite the Bears being locked in as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NFC. The Lions have allowed the seventh-most yards to WRs and are tied for the second-most TDs (20) surrendered to the position.
Honorable Mentions: George Pickens, DAL at NYG ($33); Michael Wilson, ARI at LAR ($32); Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG vs. DAL ($28)
Against the Grainers: Terry McLaurin, WAS at PHI ($25); Justin Jefferson, MIN vs. GB ($22); Chimere Dike, TEN at JAC ($16)
TIGHT END
Michael Mayer, LV vs. KC ($13): Mayer paced Vegas' passing game with nine catches for 89 yards on 10 targets in the Week 17 loss to the Giants, and he figures to remain heavily involved as the Raiders' top TE sans Brock Bowers (knee) against a shell of a Chiefs team. The Raiders would secure the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a loss and are expected to start backup QB Kenny Pickett, but the Chiefs are down plenty of key starters themselves, making Meyer a low-risk, high-reward fantasy option based on his strong production in the previous game and affordable price.
Honorable Mentions: Hunter Henry, NE vs. MIA ($20); Dalton Schultz, HOU vs. IND ($17); Chig Okonkwo, TEN at JAC ($15)
Against the Grainers: Juwan Johnson, NO at ATL ($18); Travis Kelce, KC at LV ($17); Sal Cannella, CLE at CIN ($10)
DEFENSE
Minnesota Vikings vs. GB ($15): Minnesota's defense has carried the Vikings during their late-season surge, as the unit has averaged 13.0 fantasy points during the team's current four-game winning streak. The Vikings are poised to close out their campaign on a high note against a Packers team that will start Clayton Tune at QB in a game that's meaningless for Green Bay since the Packers are locked in as the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Honorable Mentions: Houston Texans vs. IND ($19); Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ ($16); Denver Broncos vs. LAC ($16)
Against the Grainers: Atlanta Falcons vs. NO ($11); Las Vegas Raiders vs. KC ($10); Washington Commanders at PHI ($10)
