Noto's NFL DFS Key Personnel: Week 18

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2025-01-04 21:50:22 Premium Content Part of the product NFL DFS

A daily fantasy sports OG, Notorious has been roaming the DFS streets ever since they were invented. So, who better to walk you through all of the key NFL DFS positions each week? Noto has racked up multiple live final seats and several six-figure tournament wins in his DFS career, and he will mix it up in all different types of contests. In his Key Personnel article, he will walk you through his favorite NFL DFS picks, ways to pivot away from the chalk, and overall strategy for the upcoming slate.

Happy (but kinda sad) Week 18!

My hot streak officially came to an end last week. I put way too much stock into the weather in Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. I ended up with a much different roster than I originally had for the week, and it cost me. I’ve been playing NFL DFS long enough to know that while weather is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all, especially when there’s not a lot of wind and/or snow. We live and we learn and move on to Week 18.

Sadly, the regular season is ending, but with every ending, there is a new beginning. I can’t wait for the playoffs. And don’t worry, we’ll have you covered on the content front. We’ll have NFL DFS content all the way through the Super Bowl. I will be writing this article for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.

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NFL DFS Top Picks & Plays: Noto’s Key Personnel for Week 18

We have a lot to juggle on this week’s slate. Some teams are battling for playoff positioning, some are resting up for the playoffs, and some have nothing to play for. On top of that, there are plenty of contract incentives that people have their eye on (I usually don’t put much stock into these). My favorite game of the week is only included on the FanDuel slate, so my strategy will differ greatly on each site. Let’s dive into my favorite plays at each position.

To stay up to date with my thoughts on the slate and the weather, make sure to check out our NFL DFS Optimizer and the NFL Weather page.

Quarterback

EXPERT PLAY TAGS

Sam Darnold: $8,100 FD

This game features a 56.5-point total and will not only decide the NFC North but also the top seed in the NFC Playoffs. I wish this game was on the DraftKings main slate as well, but I digress. The Lions have had one of the best run defenses in the NFL this season but have allowed the 6th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. This is due to a combination of factors. They are often playing with a lead, and teams often employ a pass-heavy game script. Sam Darnold has scored at least 22 fantasy points in 4 of his last 7 games and offers a great floor at his price point.

Josh Dobbs: $4,000 DK

As is often the case on DraftKings, I’m looking to save at quarterback on DraftKings. I’m looking to spend up at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. The best way to do that is to find a cheap quarterback who can hopefully get 15-20 fantasy points. Joshua Dobbs was great in most of his starts last season and now gets to lead a Mike Shanahan offense. Deebo Samuel is not going to play, but he should have all of the other weapons in the passing game. He’s minimum salary and gets to face a Cardinals team that is 31st in PFF’s pass rush grades and 25th in EPA against the pass.

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