When we originally plotted out this article, we expected to have savings from some teams that were going to play backups over starters. By the time we finished, however, we found that there is some naturally salary relief in some of the top plays and, by virtue of taking a more balanced approach — organically — we are likely to differentiate from the field who will probably lean on ‘stars-and-scrubs’ builds.
Based on our expected Week 18 DFS game flow analysis and Week 18 DFS Overview published earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 18 Plays:
Quarterback
Brock Purdy – Because of his salary and the expectation that his team wins easily, Brock Purdy is probably going to be one of the more popular quarterback options in Week 18. It’s somewhat unavoidable given the uncertainty that usually surrounds the final week of the regular season, and we might have to follow the ‘chalk’ and go with Purdy as well. The counterargument would be that the San Francisco 49ers could rest some players — even if not Purdy, himself, which lowers the ability for him to deliver to his playmakers — but it would probably be wise for the team to head into the postseason giving its quarterback as many opportunities to gain valuable experience as possible.
Sam Howell – We know that risks are inherent with DFS, and Sam Howell is one of them. At the same time, value is also critical in DFS, and Sam Howell has plenty of it. Simply put, his salary is so low that using him in a lineup allows for spending elsewhere, and there is the added bonus that we simply don’t know what he brings to the table. He might deliver an outstanding game. It’s not likely, but it’s not impossible. Basically, his low salary allows for a low floor to be acceptable and, since we can’t pinpoint his ceiling, there’s no reason to shy away from him.