The last week of the NFL regular season usually brings plenty of uncertainty, explaining why most fantasy leagues crown their champions during the previous week. But DFS never ends, so we get to suss out which regulars will start and which will sit or get fewer reps in Week 18.
With the addition of the extra playoff spot in each conference, more teams have something to play for during the last week of the regular season, so finding value is tougher than expected. But, there are still some decent value plays under $5,000 on DraftKings if you look hard enough.
Duke Johnson, Dolphins RB ($5,000)
Johnson, a mid-season addition to the team, may have eclipsed Myles Gaskin to become the top guy in Miami. No. 28 only got seven carries this week when the game script worked against him after the Dolphins fell behind early to the Titans. He should see a bigger workload against the middling Patriots rush defense in Week 18.
Marquez Callaway, Saints WR ($5,000)
Callaway has developed a nice rapport with quarterback Taysom Hill, becoming his No. 1 wide receiver option. In the past two games in which both played, Callaway caught 12 passes for 209 yards. New Orleans plays the dead-in-the-water Falcons as they fight for a playoff spot in Week 18.
Cyril Grayson, Buccaneers WR ($4,400)
The various injuries and walkouts – cough, cough, Antonio Brown – in the Tampa Bay receiving corps has led to the rise of Grayson, who garnered nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown in the past two games. The Tampa Bay Times reported that quarterback Tom Brady has touted Grayson, which could be a good sign heading into the Week 18 matchup with the Panthers.
Ray-Ray McCloud III, Steelers WR ($3,800)
On one hand, McCloud has drawn 18 targets in the past two games, but on the other, he’s only caught eight of those for 60 yards and no TDs. Will QB Ben Roethlisberger, in what could be his final NFL game, look to McCloud often against the Ravens, one of the worst pass defending teams in the league? At this low price, McCloud should be worth the gamble.
Austin Hooper, Browns TE ($3,600)
Hooper is second on the Browns this season with 61 targets, trailing only Jarvis Landry. He’s converted those passes into 38 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Those are hardly monster numbers, but Hooper’s usage has increased, with at last five targets in five of the past six games.