Welcome back to FanDuel Picks Week 3, your one stop shop for the best daily fantasy advice on this or any other planet. After the great success of Week 1, we continued our hot streak with our RB heavy approach Week 2. Both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon topped 27.5 FanDuel points and scored 3 touchdowns, and cheap, key New York Jet contributions from the New York Jets DST and Quincy Enunwa allowed us to pony up the requisite dough to afford other high-priced, cash money stars like Zach Ertz (14.9 FanDuel Points) and DeAndre Hopkins (20 FanDuel points). Another successful day at work for you weekly subscribers. I again like the high priced RB options, so we will have to look elsewhere at the other skill positions for high-impact, low-priced contributions. As a note, these picks are based on Sunday only leagues, so players on Thursday, Sunday night, and Monday night will be ignored.
Quarterbacks
- Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings ($8,600) – I usually do not suggest high priced QBs, much like the FanDuel defensive position. But some matchups just look so juicy on paper, I cannot resist. Kirk Cousins is absolutely slanginnnnnn’ at the helm of the Vikings so far early this season, throwing for over 650 passing yards and 6 touchdowns through two weeks. The Vikes take on the lowly Buffalo Bills Week 3, who have allowed 6 touchdowns passes and no interceptions to opposing quarterbacks this year. So I have one questions for you all? YOU LIKE THAT?!?!
- Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons ($7,700) – Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons welcome the New Orleans Saints porous defense to the Georgia dome Sunday. Sunday’s shoot projects as the second highest scoring game of the day, and Atlanta’s implied team total (28) ranks second only behind the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming off a game in which Ryan accounted for 4 total touchdowns, look for Ryan to capitalize on his momentum in a huge, early season divisional rivalry game.
Running Back
- Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams ($9,300) – I am getting sick of recommending the next two runners, but if they keep performing, they’ll keep finding themselves on the top of this list. Todd Gurley and the LA Rams face the Chargers in the Battle for LA Week 3, with the Rams currently projected as a 7 point “home” favorite. With unlimited upside and talent, and no Joey Bosa to anchor the Chargers defense, Gurley should enjoy a large volume due to a positive game script that will make him worth his lofty price. If you are anything like Randy Newman, you probably love this matchup.
- Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints ($8,700) – The Falcons allowed Christian McCaffrey to catch 14 of 15 balls last week for 102 receiving yards. Imagine what Alvin Kamara will do in a tightly contested, high scoring affair.
- Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears, ($7,400) – Head Coach Matt Argy recently stated Jordan Howard needs more carries, especially in games where the Bears lead in the fourth quarter. Us fantasy owners all agree, Matt. And what better time to say that than a week in which the Bears travel to face the lowly Cardinals. Arizona allowed 3 touchdowns to Gurley last week, so don’t be surprised if Howard finds pay dirt more than once.
- Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals ($6,400) – Coming in relief of the injured Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard always oozes RB1 upside due to his versatility as a runner and pass catcher. Based on pure volume alone, Bernard deserves serious consideration given his low price. Just beware of high ownership.
- Matt Breida, RB, San Fransisco 49ers ($6,200) – In the highest projected game total this week (a whopping 56.5 points), the 49ers will travel to Arrowhead to square off against the red hot Chiefs. You may be asking yourself why would I recommend the running back of the team currently projected as a 6.5 point underdog, and the backup of said team. Fair question. Matt Breida may not be the starting running back in front of Alfred Morris, but he is the pass catching back, who caught three balls on four targets last week. With Jimmy Garoppolo throwing to keep pace Sunday, look for him to target Breida out of the backfield against a Chiefs team that has struggled early in the season to contain pass catching backs (19 receptions for 237 yards allowed to backs thus far this season).
- Corey Clement, RB, Philadelphia Eagles ($5,800) – One of the more interesting names this week, both Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles missed practice on Wednesday, leaving Corey Clement atop the Eagles depth chart. The Colts allowed 16 receptions on 17 targets to Redskins running backs last week, and wouldn’t you know Clement profiles as the Eagles pass catcher.
Wide Receiver
- Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons ($8,700) – The New Orleans Saints defense has given up the most points to opposing wide receivers this year. Julio Jones has yet to score a touchdown this season, but has received 28 targets from the above mentioned Ryan, Matt. Something is about to give, and in a big way.
- Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs ($8,200) – Did you just see that? That was Tyreek Hill running into your office and selecting himself on your FanDuel team. Almost made my head spin. The Chiefs are the first team this year to break a 30 point implied team total (currently standing at 31.5), and Hill should be the main recipient of Patrick Mahomes’ rocket launching arm.
- Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Fransisco 49ers ($5,800) – Well, if the Chiefs are scoring in the 40s, 50s, or 60s Sunday, Jimmy G will gladly duel Mahomes in a battle for the best young quarterback in the NFL. Garoppolo should be getting back his ace up his sleeve Week 3, Marquise Goodwin, who sat Week 2 due to a quad injury. Goodwin has that breakaway speed to rack up FanDuel points in a hurry, and could seriously make it rain against a poor Chiefs secondary.
- Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers ($5,000) – FanDuel will eventually update his price. Until then, they will keep Geronimo Allison and Milton in the basement, with his stapler. Davante Adams will get the Josh Norman treatment, so Allison (second in touchdowns, and third in targets, receptions and yards) should receive an uptick in volume.
- Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons ($5,000) – If you would like to save money and be a little contrarian (after all, everyone wants to be unique), take a closer look at Calvin Ridely. We already touched on the Saints porous secondary, and Ridley looks to have taken the WR2 job from Mohamed Sanu after posting a 4-64-1 score line last week.
Tight End
- Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles ($7,000) – Welcome back Carson Wentz! And no one is happier than Zach Ertz, or his fantasy owners. With Mike Wallace heading to the IR and Alshon Jeffery still sidelined with a shoulder injury, Ertz could absolutely feast in a plus matchup against the Colts. The mystical “names ending in ‘Z'” connection could not hold any truer between these two.
- Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants ($5,800) – The Houston Texans got body bagged Week 1 by an elite tight end (Rob Gronkowski, 7-123-1 touchdown). Not comparing Evan Engram to Gronk, but his volume and talent, combined with his low price and upside, make him an intriguing mid-tier TE option.
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars ($4,600) – The large framed Austin Seferian-Jenkins recorded his first touchdown last week, and with a hobbled Leonard Fournette we could see Blake Bortles relying more on his big end zone target.
Defense
- Chicago Bears DST ($4,300) – Is FanDuel sleeping here? Are they trying to trap us? The Chicago Bears DST comes in at the 8th highest FanDuel price for defenses Sunday, yet take on an Arizona Cardinals team that has mustered six total points through two weeks. These two rockstar offenses combine for the lowest project point total Sunday (38, the only game under 40), and the Cardinals have the second lowest implied team total (16). Oh, and the Bears have recorded 31 FanDuel points, amassing 10 sacks, 4 turnovers, and 2 defensive touchdowns thus far. What would you say about that Dave Hester?
- Dallas Cowboys DST ($3,400) – Opposing FanDuel defenses have scored double digit points each of the first two weeks, allowing 6 sacks in each game, and a total of 5 turnovers. The Dallas Cowboys DST averages 9 FanDuel points per contest in the early going, so at the low price of $3,400 they are well worth a look.
And that’s a wrap for Fanduel Week 3 analysis. Remember to always look at the matchups and Vegas totals, which are always telling, and do not be afraid to admit they know more than you, because they usually do. Until next time, good luck and don’t forget to tip me 10% of your earnings. Thanks in advance.
To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me @AJGamballer.