Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season will be remembered, not for the scores and the championships on the line, but for the reminder that this game has inherent risks to these athletes. My prayers are with Damar Hamlin and his recovery from a scary situation and some gratitude for those whose quick actions saved this young man’s life.

This weekly article has produced both hits and misses throughout the season and I thank you for following along. While not meant to be a roster-building article, the goal has been to identify values based on salary, matchup and statistical production for the various positions.

In Week 18, there are probably some new readers who have found their seasonal leagues completed. Let’s dig in and find some values for this week’s slate.

NFL Week 18 DFS Value Plays: Targets & Advice (2023)

Quarterbacks

DraftKings

Brock Purdy (SF): $5,700 vs. ARI

While not exhibiting a slate-breaking ceiling, rookie Brock Purdy has shown that he can execute the 49ers’ offense at a reliable level. Purdy has thrown two touchdowns in each of his last five games and is completing 66% of his passes. The system is designed to rely on the run and hitting his playmakers in space, allowing them to do their damage. Thus far, it is working. Purdy is averaging 18.3 DK points over his last four games.

Over the course of the season, the Cardinals are allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. They are also 32nd in yards after the catch, creating the best possible matchup for a 49ers offense that thrives on this particular skill.

Purdy has not shown a truly high ceiling…yet. His reliability paired with the best potential matchup for the offense is reason enough to build some GPP contests around his value-based salary.

FanDuel

Aaron Rodgers (GB): $7,100 vs. DET

In the classic film, The Princess Bride, Vizzini states that a couple of classic blunders are “never get involved in a land war in Asia” — but only slightly less well-known is this: “Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.” A close third that Vizzini was not given the proper opportunity to verbalize is this: never bet against Aaron Rodgers when the playoffs are on the line.

It’s win-and-get-in for both the Packers and the Lions, and with both teams having something to play for, it makes this game an excellent one for DFS purposes.

Rodgers has failed to throw for multiple touchdowns in each of his last four games. He has failed to throw for 250 or more yards since November 6th. All of this adds up to a lower rostership percentage. Rodgers has made it to the playoffs in 12 seasons.

The Lions are allowing the most fantasy points to the position and an average of 265.1 passing yards per contest this season. Yes, the scrappy Lions can find ways to score, which will just force Rodgers into throwing more.

Rodgers is a GPP play for this slate and putting up his best statistical game of the season would not be surprising.

Running Backs

DraftKings

David Montgomery (CHI): $6,500 vs. MIN

Justin Fields was on the brink of breaking the quarterback single-season rushing record. However, the Bears coaching staff opted to sit him due to injury concerns and potentially saving him from further risk in this department. Bafflingly, they opted to name Nathan Peterman, he of the fabled five interceptions in one-half game, as the starter. With a pick-up game selection of receivers, nothing can go wrong there…right?

David Montgomery is a sneaky, albeit risky, play at running back for this slate. With expected volume and chops as a receiver out of the backfield, he is (almost) the only DFS-worthy player on this roster right now.

The Vikings allow the 10th-most fantasy points to the position and he comes with a side of some PPR appeal. For those who want to dig a little deeper for value and potential volume, Khalil Herbert ($4600) could also be an under-the-radar selection. The Bears will struggle to move the ball with Peterman, so expect the rush attempts to be dialed up for the season finale.

FanDuel

Zack Moss (IND): $6,800 vs. HOU

Since assuming the lead-dog role in Indianapolis, Zack Moss has had at least 12 carries and 65 rushing yards per game. While it has yet to lead to a touchdown, he has the right matchup to notch one before the season closes.

The Texans are allowing the most fantasy points to running backs. They’re surrendering 141.4 rushing yards and 1.3 rushing touchdowns per game.

Moss is far from a week-winning play but could be a tidy value in GPP contests based on both volume and matchup. The Texans cannot stop the run and the Colts are relying on Sam Ehlinger to execute the offense. Expect a heavy dose of Moss unless the Texans are able to run up a big score. Moss is a high-risk/high-reward play for this slate.

Wide Receivers

DraftKings

Chris Olave (NO): $6,200 vs. CAR

Chris Olave is a mere 18 yards away from clearing the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season. It remains a safe bet that not only is he aware of this, but so are the Saints. It is also worth noting that Olave trails Garrett Wilson by 32 yards for most receiving yards for a rookie wideout this season. Also, a fact that the team is assuredly aware of.

Olave is averaging 70.1 receiving yards per contest and will be facing a Carolina secondary that is allowing 178.6 yards as well as surrendering the third-most fantasy points to receivers this season.

Olave is better suited to cash games for this slate and Rashid Shaheed ($4200) is the GPP upside play.

FanDuel

Amari Cooper (CLE): $7,600 vs. PIT

Amari Cooper is 81 yards away from besting his career-high in receiving yards in a season. While the Browns have little to play for, Cooper has a definite reason to show up motivated.

The Steelers are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to the position. They’re allowing 158.5 receiving yards and 1.1 touchdowns per contest.

Cooper has seen at least six targets in six of his last eight starts and scored four times during that same stretch.

While a little more pricey than is typically covered in this article, Cooper has an extra reason to sharpen those crisp routes this Sunday. He is a strong cash game option for this slate.

Tight Ends

DraftKings

Tyler Higbee (LAR): $4,400 vs. SEA

On a slate that is sure to be dominated by George Kittle ($6000) shares, Tyler Higbee is a contrarian build piece at the position. Higbee has been the recipient of a 23.5% target share since Baker Mayfield assumed the starting role. Over his last three games, Higbee has 20 total targets for 132 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The Seahawks are allowing the most fantasy points to the position and surrendering 67.6 yards per game.

For the discount and the steady expected volume, Higbee can be utilized in both cash and GPP contests.

FanDuel

Tyler Conklin (NYJ): $5,100 vs. MIA

Joe Flacco is back under center for the Jets. Though a small sample size of only four games, Conklin has produced with Flacco under center. In those games, he is averaging eight targets for 42 receiving yards and 11.4 PPR points with Flacco. With any other Jets quarterback, he is averaging 4.2 targets, 30.9 receiving yards and 6.9 PPR points.

The Dolphins are allowing the third-most fantasy points to the position and an average of 58.3 yards and 0.6 touchdowns on a per-game basis.

Tight end has been brutal this season, aside from Travis Kelce and recently, George Kittle. For those not looking to pay up and hoping for the score, Conklin is in play for this slate.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

John Hesterman is a featured writer and Expert Consensus Ranker at FantasyPros. He also writes for DynastyLeagueFootball.com. For more from John, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @John_Hesterman.