NFL DFS: Week 3 DraftKings Picks
So it turns out that NFL DFS is easy. You pick Dallas, Seattle, and Atlanta players each week and count your winnings! It also turns out that in the Week 3 DFS contests, if you pick a cheap defense, you can pick plenty of lineups combining those three teams. But where’s the fun in that?!?
On a serious note, you should have exposure to the players in those teams. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work that out. As it’s so obvious, I’ve not included any of them in my picks this week. I reiterate, you should play some of those players but the picks below offer you alternatives and free up salary to fit those options in your lineups.
These are my personal opinions on the games and strategies at the time of writing this. I may employ different players and strategies than above if later or further information makes me re-evaluate my opinions.
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, ARI - $6,800
I thought he was being overhyped in the offseason but I was so wrong. Having watched him demolish my Football Team last week, he’s the real deal. He’s facing a Lions D who hasn’t stopped anybody so far. I think he should be the most expensive QB on the slate but he’s only fourth. He’s my favourite QB this week even above Wilson, Prescott, and Ryan.
Cam Newton, NE - $6,700
I’m expecting Newton to be in a similar game script as his Week 2 loss to the Seahawks when the Patriots host the Raiders. Last week he threw for 397 yards, rushed 11 times, and found the end zone three times (one through the air, two on the ground). He’s doing Cam things in an offense that excels at doing Cam things.
Ryan Tannehill, TEN - $5,900
If you need to pay down at QB, Tannehill is the way to go. He’s facing a Vikings team with a defense which is a shadow of its former self. He has nine consecutive multiple TD games and has thrown six so far in two weeks.
Running Backs
James Connor, PIT - $6,700
What’s left to say about Connor? He was rumoured to be out, then in a timeshare, then he carries the ball 16 times, goes over 100 yards, finds the endzone, and was targeted twice. Now he faces a team which has given up 396 yards on the ground in two weeks. Admittedly they were two very good offenses but the Steelers aren’t too bad either.
Miles Sanders, PHI - $6,400
Sanders returned last week and was the focal point of the Eagles offense. He once again proved to be game-script proof as he racked up 20 rushes and seven targets even as the Eagles were losing most of the game. I expect them to be leading most of the time against the Bengals and that’s when a running back usually gets his highest workload.
David Montgomery, CHI - $5,700
With the Bears visiting Atlanta, I’m expecting a lot of offense in a high scoring game. Whilst you should target the Falcons side of this game, I think Montgomery is a great pivot play. He’s out-targeted Tarik Cohen so far, which was always the issue with picking him, and has 29 rushes in the two weeks. It appears that he’s getting the workload which makes him great value at this price.
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson, PIT - $5,400
Johnson now has 23 targets over the first two weeks of the season and found the end zone in Week 2 as well. He’s currently the WR1 for the Steelers and now faces the Texans in what should be a high scoring game. He’s my new every-week plug-and-play receiver on DraftKings and even with the price hike, he should reach value.
Mike Williams, LAC - $4,300
I had a lot of Williams last week in my lineups so when I saw the last minute QB change for the Chargers, I was a tad deflated! (too soon?) There’s no statistical reason to pick Mike this week but Herbert will have had a full week of practice as the no. 1 and they’re facing a Panthers team who we are are going to target each week. Definitely a hunch play.
N’Keal Harry, NE - $4,200
I was really surprised to see his price hadn’t gone up after his 12 target performance in Seattle. He’s a great cash play this week at only $4,200 which frees up salary for more expensive players.
Tight Ends
Logan Thomas, WAS - $3,700
Despite his poor fantasy performance last week, Thomas was targeted another nine times to go with the eight in Week 1. He now faces a Browns team which allowed 11 catches last week to tight ends. I’m willing to ride this train for another week.
Drew Sample, CIN - $3,500
Talking of tight ends against the Browns, Sample was targeted nine times against them last week and now becomes the TE1 for the Bengals after CJ Uzomah was placed on IR. I feel like we’ve been targeting the Eagles D with the TE position for a while and as shown by Higbee’s performance in Week 2, there’s no need to stop now.
Chris Herndon, NYJ - $3,400
Another complete punt play but with all the pass-catching injuries in New York, he must get the targets we’ve been waiting for soon right? He should be low-owned in GPPs as he’s burned a lot of people this season. Is this the week?
Defense
Tennessee Titans - $3,900
The Titans D haven’t done much fantasy-wise so far but they’re up against a Minnesota team who have really struggled offensively.
Los Angeles Chargers - $3,600
The Chargers face the Panthers who are without their offensive focal point, Christian McCaffrey. Also, the Chargers D looks legit this year and even kept the Chiefs under wraps for most of last week.
New York Jets - $2,000
The cheapest D on the slate again but they don’t have to do much to reach value. Indy hasn’t been scoring as highly as I’d expected so it’s possible the Jets keep the score low.
