The New Year and the DFS Challenge

As the new year begins, many are setting their resolutions for 2026. For some, this includes winning more money by playing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). With the start of the season, Week 18 presents some unique challenges as multiple teams may rest players for part or all of the game. To help you navigate these challenges, we’ve compiled the best roster construction tips to win big. Additionally, keep an eye out for more DFS content from Sportify over the next month, as we continue to provide insights through the Super Bowl.

Recommended DFS Lineups

Here are the recommended lineups for different platforms:

DraftKings Lineup:

– QB: Dak Prescott ($6.8k)

– RB: Bijan Robinson ($8.7k), James Cook III ($7.9k)

– WR: CeeDee Lamb ($7.3k), Luther Burden III ($5.3k), Kevin Austin Jr. ($3.4k)

– TE: Greg Dulcich ($2.6k)

– FLEX: Jordan Mason ($5.2k)

– DST: New Orleans Saints ($2.5k)

FanDuel Lineup:

– QB: Trevor Lawrence ($8.2k)

– RB: Bijan Robinson ($9.6k), Jordan Mason ($5.5k)

– WR: Parker Washington ($6.2k), Luther Burden III ($6.1k), Kevin Austin Jr. ($5.2k)

– TE: Brenton Strange ($5.4k)

– FLEX: James Cook III ($9.0k)

– DST: New England Patriots ($4.7k)

FanBall Lineup:

– QB: Dak Prescott ($6.6k)

– RB: Bijan Robinson ($8.6k), Jaydon Blue ($3.6k)

– WR: CeeDee Lamb ($7.5k), Parker Washington ($5.1k), Luther Burden III ($5.1k)

– TE: Brenton Strange ($3.7k)

– FLEX: Jahmyr Gibbs ($8.0k)

– SUPERFLEX: Trevor Lawrence ($6.7k)

Note: The system codes player salaries according to expected output.

!! = Less than 2.5x value

, No Symbol = 2.5x value

, ^^ = Greater than 3x value.

Quarterback Strategy

This week, Drake Maye is the top option since the Patriots still have a shot at the top seed in the AFC. However, they may be without their top three receivers. Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford have good matchups but may play limited snaps. The Rams announced they are playing their starters, but it’s unlikely they will play the full game. Allen (foot) may not even play this week. For a slightly lower price, I prefer Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams. This foursome feels more likely to play the entire game. C.J. Stroud, Tyler Shough, and Cam Ward are also facing easy matchups at a minimal salary. I am not willing to stretch into the replacement quarterback market this week, given the numerous decent discount options available.

Fantasy Four-Pack: Quarterbacks

Drake Maye ($7,100 DK, $8,600 FD), Patriots (vs. MIA)

Maye is hoping to get Kayshon Boutte back this week, and he is also hoping not to lose Stefon Diggs to suspension. If they both play, Maye will have a better outcome. If they are both out, Maye will have to make do with his fourth and fifth-string receiver options, plus his tight ends. Miami is phoning it in. Six different receivers and tight ends have reached double-digit PPR points against this defense just in the last two weeks. I like Maye to throw for 275-3, with the TDs going to a returning Boutte, Hunter Henry, and TreVeyon Henderson.

Dak Prescott ($6,800 DK, $8,300 FD), Cowboys (@ NYG)

Prescott is on the precipice of winning the league’s passing yardage title for the season. With nothing else to play for, Dallas will look to accommodate its franchise quarterback with this award. Making the process easier will be the fact that neither team can stop anyone with their defense. So, this game has sneaky over potential. Start everybody on both rosters, but especially look to saddle Prescott with CeeDee Lamb, who is overdue for a monster game.

Trevor Lawrence ($6,400 DK, $8,200 FD), Jaguars (vs. TEN)

Jacksonville is playing for an outside shot at the No. 1 seed. This means that it is all hands on deck in this one. Lawrence has been on a heater, recording 12 TDs over the last three games and 19 in his previous six contests. On the season, Tennessee ranks seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and it has allowed the second-most passing yards and the third-most total TDs to the position over the last four weeks. Stack Lawrence with two of Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and Brenton Strange.

Caleb Williams ($5,900 DK, $7,800 FD), Bears (vs. DET)

It appears Williams will get Luther Burden III back from the injury he sustained at the end of last week. It is less likely, but possible, that he may also get back Rome Odunze (foot), who has missed nearly a month. The addition of one or both of them will help in this divisional shootout, where Detroit will look to dominate its former coach behind its explosive offense. Unfortunately for the Lions, the only offense better than their own is whichever team is facing their decimated defense. Williams will post three total TDs, with Burden and Colston Loveland being the recipients of at least one apiece.

Sleepers: Quarterbacks

Tyler Shough ($5,300 DK, $7,600 FD), Saints (@ ATL)

The absence of Chris Olave (blood clot) is crushing to this offense, but with a burgeoning campaign for Offensive Rookie of the Year in play, Shough will air it out frequently against an opportunistic, but beatable, secondary. Without Olave, look for Shough to plaster Juwan Johnson, Kevin Austin Jr. (my favorite WR3 play of the week), and Dante Pettis with as many targets as possible.

C.J. Stroud ($5,400 DK, $7,300 FD), Texans (vs. IND)

Stroud has had an up-and-down season, but he has six passing TDs over his last three games. Meanwhile, Indy has given up seven total TDs over the last two weeks to opposing quarterbacks. The last time Stroud faced Indy, the Colts held him in check, but now they will be without Sauce Gardner (calf) and Charvarius Ward (head).

Running Back Strategy

Despite having nothing to play for but personal accolades, Bijan Robinson had a ridiculous Week 17, and all signs point to another blow-up here. The Lions may deploy Jahmyr Gibbs similarly this week. James Cook III and Saquon Barkley have favorable matchups, but both may play only half of the game (if at all). If either sits, Tank Bigsby and Ty Johnson become must-start studs. Travis Etienne Jr. and Kyren Williams are a tad cheaper, and each could have a big game this week. Williams gets an even bigger boost if Blake Corum (ankle) is out. Jordan Mason, Dylan Sampson, the Giants’ running backs, the Chiefs’ running backs, and the Patriots running backs are the top FLEX options. Also, with both Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Micah Davis (eye) out, consider Jaydon Blue as a FLEX play.

Fantasy Four-Pack: Running Backs

Bijan Robinson ($8,700 DK, $9,600 FD), Falcons (vs. NO)

Robinson is on a tear right now. Over the last three weeks, Robinson has feasted both on the ground and through the air, racking up 572 total yards and four scores, to go along with 20 receptions. I expect more of the same here versus a Saints’ defense that is seventh in rushing yards allowed.

James Cook III ($7,900 DK, $9,000 FD), Bills (vs. NYJ)

While I am slightly concerned that Cook may be pulled early, even playing just a half against this joke of a defense, Cook may finish with over 100 total yards and two scores. Only two teams are allowing more fantasy points to the position. This includes giving up 135 total yards and two TDs to Cook, back before they traded away their best defensive players.

Jahmyr Gibbs ($8,000 DK, $9,300 FD), Lions (@ CHI)

We know that Dan Campbell wants to stick it to his protégé and sweep the Bears this season. Detroit crushed the Bears 52-21 back in Week 2, but Chicago got the last laugh, winning the division and watching Detroit fail to make the postseason. That means this is Detroit’s Super Bowl right here. The Lions will go all out, and that means featuring Gibbs, who has been a dud recently, but who also has three three-TD games this season. This will be a ceiling game for Gibbs, and that could break the slate.

Kyren Williams ($6,700 DK, $7,900 FD), Rams (vs. ARI)

Saturday’s outcomes could affect how much the Rams’ starters play on Sunday. Still, Sean McVay has declared that his “healthy” starters would play, so I expect Kyren to be out there versus a defense that has allowed an average of 39.8 PPR points per game to opposing running backs over the last four weeks. Bump Williams’ value even higher if the Rams have something to play for, and if Blake Corum (ankle) is out.

Sleepers: Running Backs

Jordan Mason ($5,200 DK, $5,500 FD), Vikings (vs. GB)

Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) has been ruled out for this game. Plus, Green Bay is resting as many of its starters as it can. Add on that J.J. McCarthy (hand) is starting at quarterback for Minnesota, and you have the makings of a competent Vikings’ offense for the first time in weeks. Mason will do the heavy lifting when the team isn’t forcing passes to Justin Jefferson, and he should be safe to return a floor of 80-1.

Dylan Sampson ($5,200 DK, $5,700 FD), Browns (@ CIN)

Sampson has shown out in the passing game when given the chance recently, but he hasn’t gotten much done on the ground since Quinshon Judkins went on IR. Nevertheless, Sampson will be acting in the role of lead back this week against a Bengals’ run defense that ranks dead last in fantasy points allowed to the position, and that has particularly struggled with pass-catching backs.

Wide Receiver Strategy

All the high-priced receivers have decent matchups. The toughest one might be Ja’Marr Chase, but he is hardly fadable. Of them, I am leaning toward CeeDee Lamb. I’d also consider Nico Collins, especially with Sauce Gardner (calf) ruled out. At WR2, I recommend Justin Jefferson, Luther Burden III (quad) or one of the Jaguars. Kevin Austin Jr., Jerry Jeudy, Brandin Cooks, and Chimere Dike are my favorite WR3 options.

Fantasy Four-Pack: Wide Receivers

CeeDee Lamb ($7,300 DK, $9,000 FD), Cowboys (@ NYG)

Lamb has underperformed of late, but he is still seeing seven or more targets in every game that he has started. This feels like a get-right game for him as the Cowboys will be throwing it a ton to attempt to garner the league passing yardage title for Dak Prescott. The Cowboys will also be without their top two running backs, so they may lean on the passing game even more here. The Giants rank bottom-10 or worse in every category versus opposing receivers, so I don’t foresee much resistance.

Puka Nacua ($9,000 DK, $9,900 FD), Rams (vs. ARI)

Much like Kyren Williams above, Nacua’s usage Sunday may be determined by what happens Saturday night. If he is needed, I expect Nacua to feast against a pass defense that has allowed three of the last four WR1s to face them to top 23 PPR points per game. This list includes Nacua, who posted 7-167-2 against them in Week 14.

Ja’Marr Chase ($8,500 DK, $9,500 FD), Bengals (vs. CLE)

This is not the best matchup for Chase, but I dare you to bench the guy who is leading the league in targets despite missing a game and a half. Chase is also top-four in both receptions and receiving yards. The only category he is lagging in is TDs, although he did hook up with Joe Burrow for a pair last week, so perhaps he is coming around. Chase has an outside (albeit long) shot at topping 1,500 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. I would not be surprised if the team attempted to push him over this line.

Nico Collins ($7,000 DK, $8,400 FD), Texans (vs. IND)

Seven straight teams have had a receiver post 18 or more PPR points versus the Colts. This includes Collins back in Week 13. That game fell before the Colts lost their two best cornerbacks to injuries. This week, the connection between Stroud and Collins should pick this defense apart, and Nico will score. I’m just mildly concerned that he has not topped five receptions since Week 11. This should change here, but he should get a TD here regardless.

Sleepers: Wide Receivers

Parker Washington ($5,100 DK, $6,200 FD), Jaguars (vs. TEN)

I was wrong about Washington last week. He looks to be locked in as Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target. Fortunately, neither site has caught on yet, and his salary is still below both Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. This week, I love all three of them, as well as Brenton Strange. I expect Lawrence to throw at least three TDs against this defense.

Jerry Jeudy ($4,100 DK, $5,400 FD), Browns (@ CIN)

With both of his top tight ends out, Shedeur Sanders will be forced to lean on his top receiver this week. Cincy is surprisingly effective against receivers, but each of the last three WR1s to face them has topped 12 PPR points. Cincy will be airing the ball out this week, so Cleveland will have to follow suit to stay competitive. This means many opportunities for Jeudy and perhaps even Cedric Tillman.

Tight End Strategy

Trey McBride has a tougher matchup this week. I still expect him to finish as a top-three tight end this week. Unfortunately, his price makes him less appealing. Hunter Henry may be the better choice. At worst, he is a nice pivot for less money. With that said, my favorite choices will be Dalton Schultz, Brenton Strange and Colston Loveland. You should also consider Michael Mayer and whoever starts for Cleveland as a punt.

Fantasy Four-Pack: Tight Ends

Hunter Henry ($4,500 DK, $5,500 FD), Patriots (vs. MIA)

Miami is second in receptions allowed, fourth in receiving yards allowed and seventh in touchdowns allowed to tight ends. It currently appears that New England will get back Kayshon Boutte this week, and that the league will let Stefon Diggs play. This could limit Henry’s targets, but he is a lock to score for a third-straight game.

Trey McBride ($7,500 DK, $8,200 FD), Cardinals (@ LAR)

Except for Bijan Robinson, the only way to make hay against the Rams’ defense is through the air. This implies that the Cardinals will be throwing the ball to Michael Wilson and McBride. (If it isn’t broke, why fix it?) Personally, I don’t love his price this week, but I firmly understand using him here, with Arizona looking to extend his record-breaking season stats.

Dalton Schultz ($3,800 DK, $5,600 FD), Texans (vs. IND)

Indy has allowed the seventh-most receptions and the second-most yards to the tight end position. This includes giving up 7-55 to Schultz back in Week 13. Meanwhile, Schultz is third among tight ends in targets and receptions, and sixth in receiving yards since Week 7. I see 12 PPR points as his floor here.

Brenton Strange ($3,800 DK, $5,400 FD), Jaguars (vs. TEN)

Despite failing to top six receptions in any of the 11 games that he has played, Strange has averaged over nine PPR points per game, and he has topped 13 PPR points in half of the games since his return from injury. The Titans have allowed six of the last eight TE1s to face them to reach double-digit PPR points, so I’d set that as his floor.

Sleepers: Tight Ends

Colston Loveland ($3,900 DK, $5,300 FD), Bears (vs. DET)

Since Week 9, Loveland ranks fourth in tight end scores and receiving yards. Facing an injury-riddled secondary, Loveland should post a floor of 4-40-1 in an expected shootout. Those numbers could rise if Rome Odunze (foot) remains out or if Luther Burden III (quad) is limited after his late-game injury last week.

Michael Mayer ($3,500 DK, $5,200 FD), Raiders (vs. KC)

This game will be another audition for Mayer, who will be elsewhere next season (perhaps even in KC, if Travis Kelce retires). He finished last week, as one of two Raiders’ passing weapons with a pulse, and another ten targets are in play here.