NFL DFS Week 18 Bargain Picks: Sam Darnold Among Backups Ready for a Cameo Appearance

It’s Week 18, and it's time to get weird!

With many teams resting their starters while other teams have their playoff berths on the line, today’s bargains list is a mixture of players we have yet to see this season and a few very familiar faces. If you’ve spent up for your core players, here are some players with appealing salaries to consider as you complete your lineups.

Related: NFL DFS Week 18: Justin Fields and Dak Prescott Among Those Who Will Get it Done

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers

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It’s been a while since we’ve had a good look at Darnold but we know he has a big arm, and we also know that Kyle Shanahan’s system is friendly to quarterbacks. Throw in that the Rams defense has allowed the sixth-most passing yards this season and they may not even be playing all of their starters, and I am willing to take a shot on Darnold this weekend.

Carson Wentz, Los Angeles Rams

On the other side of this game is Wentz, who is probably still looking for a job next season. He might even get to start this game with Puka Nacua in the mix, as Nacua is on pace to break some rookie receiving records. Kyren Williams has already been ruled out, so look for the Rams to attack through the air vs. a 49ers defense that has occasionally been generous to opposing passers. There’s nothing at stake here for the Niners, so expect Wentz to have a slightly easier go.

Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens

Huntley gets the start for the Ravens, who will rest many starters on Sunday. We saw Huntley be effective last week when he came into the game late for the Ravens in relief of Lamar Jackson, and one could argue he is among the best backup QBs in the league. He’ll be facing another backup QB in Nick Mullens on Sunday. Yes, the Steelers will be playing all out, but they have allowed the 10th-most passing yards to opposing QBs this season. Huntley is also a threat with his legs, making for an interesting GPP start.

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots

There’s no reason for the Patriots not to lean on Elliott, who has a touchdown in three of his last four games. The Jets have allowed the seventh-most DFS points to opposing runners this year.

Eli Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Christian McCaffrey is out for this game, so we can assume the Niners will lean on Mitchell, who has been effective when he’s been given the lead role. Last week, Mitchell ran for 80 yards and a touchdown, taking over most of the snaps after CMC left the game in the fourth quarter.

Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

I know Ekeler has seemed to unravel lately, but it’s pretty incredible he actually makes the bargains list. There are a few things to consider here: One, Ekeler is a free agent after this season and it’s in his best interest to play a good game on Sunday. Two, he is just 110 yards shy of a $100,000 contract incentive bonus. Three, the Chiefs will likely not be rolling out their starting defense. Add all of those things up, and I like Ekeler as a contrarian play for the Chargers, who will likely be looking for a new coach and running back in the new year.

Kenneth Gainwell/Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have every incentive to win this one vs. the Giants; however, if the Cowboys get out to a big enough lead over the Commanders, Nick Sirianni has already suggested he will pull his starters early. That would open the door for Gainwell and/or Scott to put up some numbers vs. the Giants. You may be aware that Scott has a history vs. the Giants specifically. Scott has 17 career touchdowns, and 10 of them have come vs. the Giants. It’s worth a dart!

Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

I like the idea of a Bears upset this weekend, as it would cost them nothing in the draft (they already own the No. 1 pick thanks to last year’s trade with the Panthers) while also causing havoc for the division-rival Packers. Johnson scored last week vs. Atlanta, and with his bargain salary, he could be worth a shot vs. a Packers defense that ranks 29th vs. the rush.

Wide Receivers

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys

Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

If you don’t want to spend up for CeeDee Lamb, consider Cooks in a crucial game vs. the Commanders. Not only has Washington allowed the most yards to opposing wideouts this season, Cooks has been coming on strong of late.  He has five touchdowns since Week 8, and he’s averaging 57 yards per game since then as well.  He had 72 yards and a touchdown in an away game vs. the Commanders in Week 12. I love this play.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles defense has been abysmal of late. No team has allowed more DFS points to wide receivers this year than the Eagles. Now, add that they may not play their starters for the whole game, and suddenly Darius Slayton, who has 38.7% of the Giants yards and two touchdowns across the past two games, looks like a tremendous spend-down option.

K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are sticking with Nick Mullens, leaving some hope for Minnesota wide receivers. The Lions have been incredibly generous to the position, including allowing 227 yards to CeeDee Lamb just last week, and if you don’t want to spend up for Justin Jefferson, Osborn is a decent dart.

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

Thielen didn’t have a great outing last time he faced the Bucs, but I’m returning to him anyway. Tampa Bay has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to wideouts across the last eight games played, and with no Jonathan Mingo, Chark and Thielen will continue to share the bulk of the targets. Thielen had a six-catch, 98-yard, two-touchdown game two weeks ago vs. the Packers.

Tight Ends

Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots

Hunter Henry is banged up, and the Jets have allowed the sixth-most points to tight ends this season.

Johnny Mundt, Minnesota Vikings

Without T.J. Hockenson last week, the Vikings continued to target the tight end. Mundt caught four of seven targets and scored a touchdown vs. Green Bay. 

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