Week 3 was our (okay, my best individual) highest scoring week yet as I was pretty pumped to hit on the Tom Brady – Mike Evans – Cooper Kupp game stack and not blow it with Robert Woods and Chris Godwin instead. We spotted and capitalized on some key blow-up spots from Saquon Barkley and Chase Claypool, while watching the Cardinals guys come back down to Earth. The Bears were also very disappointing in what looked like a promising spot, but we live and we learn. Solid slate here despite losing the Bucs and Chargers to primetime, however, there are still many noteworthy games to attack.
So, let’s get started and continue to print out that money.
QUARTERBACKS
- Matthew Stafford ($7,000)
- Matthew Stafford has seen a considerable jump in price this week and rightfully so. One of the current front runners for MVP, Stafford has thrown for over 300 yards and multiple scores in two of three weeks and faces a plus Cardinals matchup at home. With Darrell Henderson still nursing a rib injury, the Rams have focused more on the passing game. Even if he does play, this game features to be a high-scoring shootout against Kyler Murray.
- Jalen Hurts ($6,900)
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- It’s tough to include two guys with such similar price tags, but I also love Jalen Hurts this week against the Chiefs. This is the second-highest point total of the week and we should be in for a shootout between the Chiefs and Eagles. Even if the Eagles can’t keep up on the scoreboard, that just means Hurts will have to keep throwing and making plays with his legs (8 ppg on the ground). Hurst has one of the highest floors in DFS.
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- Sam Darnold ($6,000)
- Sam Darnold has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in every game this season for his new team. With Christian McCaffrey out for a few weeks, Darnold should have more responsibility for throwing the ball, and on top of that, he ran in two scores at the goal line. Darnold should be rolled out this week in what could be a high-scoring affair with the Cowboys.
Other intriguing QB salaries: Josh Allen $8,000 (vs Texans), Kirk Cousins $6,400 (vs Browns), Taylor Heinicke $5,900 (vs Falcons)
RUNNING BACKS
- Derrick Henry ($8,800)
- In a week where both AJ Brown and Julio Jones could be sidelined with injuries, Derrick Henry could easily be in the 30-touch range against an awful Jets defense. Not to mention he’s even getting involved with the passing game now. Watch out folks, this could be a repeat of Week 2.
- D’Andre Swift ($6,200)
- What do you do when you have a mid-level priced RB averaging 20.0 DK ppg as a team’s RB1, and then the coach comes out and says that they have earned and will get even more touches going forward? You smash that lock button especially when he’s been a PPR beast facing a very beatable team this week in the Bears. Pretty simple here.
- David Montgomery ($5,800)
- David Montgomery is dominating snaps and touches in the Bears backfield and he looks like the only offensive player capable of doing something productive. Nagy would be smart to lean on his run game here and feature Montgomery to take some pressure off of and open things up for Justin Fields assuming Andy Dalton can’t go once again. After two duds, Montgomery looks like a prime bounce-back candidate against a weak team.
Other intriguing RB salaries: Alvin Kamara $8,400 (vs Giants), Jonathan Taylor $6,300 (vs Dolphins), Cordarrelle Patterson $4,900 (vs Washington)
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Stefon Diggs ($7,600)
- I envision Stefon Diggs as a tea kettle. He’s been slowly heating up and he’s finally about to come to a full boil. The target numbers are there, but a season-high of 16 fantasy points is all he’s gotten to show for it. Diggs is simply too good to be held in check for this long. The Texans don’t scare me at all, especially for the Bills at home fresh off a get-right passing performance. This feels like the Diggs eruption spot.
- DJ Moore ($6,600)
- Unlike Diggs, DJ Moore is getting it done week in and week out. The clear-cut WR1 in Carolina has dominated the target share and shows no signs of slowing down and McCaffrey’s absence will only open up more targets for Moore. The only thing to consider here is the Squeaky Wheel narrative surrounding Robby Anderson, who the coaches say they need to get more involved. He’s been an absolute ghost.
- Odell Beckham Jr. ($5,800)
- Odell Beckham Jr. returned for his first action of the year and saw nine targets for 5-77 against the Bears in a blowout win. This week against the Vikings, Beckham could be in a shootout against a team that is no stranger to putting up points. The Browns offense will be asked to do more to keep up with Kirk Cousins and co. and he should be showered in targets with Jarvis Landry on IR. Added bonus, the Vikings corners have been absolutely atrocious to start the year.
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine ($3,200)
- As of publication, both AJ Brown and Julio Jones haven’t practiced for the Titans this week. Brown appears to be doubtful, but there’s still a chance for Julio to suit up. If he doesn’t, this creature Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is next in line and he just went 4-53-1 last week. The volume could be there, and playing the Jets certainly helps. I won’t like him as much if Julio suits up, but even then he’s still a considerable play.
Other intriguing WR salaries: Tyreek Hill $8,000 (vs Eagles), Julio Jones $6,500 (vs Jets), DeVonta Smith $5,700 (vs Chiefs), Robert Woods $5,300 (vs Cardinals), Robby Anderson $5,100 (vs Cowboys), Tim Patrick $4,900 (vs Ravens), Jaylen Waddle $4,900 (vs Colts), James Washington $4,100 (vs Packers)
TIGHT ENDS
- Logan Thomas ($4,900)
- Logan Thomas is one of the more reliable tight ends and he possesses a pretty high DFS floor while being priced as an average tight end. While he’s no Travis Kelce or Darren Waller, he is the No. 2 pass-catcher in Washington and gets a solid matchup against the Falcons’ leaky defense.
- Dawson Knox ($3,600)
- You pray for a touchdown when you roster this guy, but the Bills are huge favorites and the team should be in the red zone frequently. All you need is one score and Dawson Knox’s target numbers are somewhat decent.
Other intriguing TE salaries: TJ Hockenson $5,800 (vs Bears), Pat Freirermuth $3,100 (vs Packers)
DST
- Buffalo Bills ($4,300)
- I cannot imagine a Texans’ offense led by Davis Mills mustering up much against a tough Bills’ defense in Buffalo. I just can’t see it.
- Green Bay Packers ($3,300)
- The Steelers are struggling. The offensive line is shit, Big Ben looks completely washed, and he’s a statue in the pocket. The Packers have been pretty meh overall defensively, but the group could capitalize on this matchup.
- Detroit Lions ($2,200)
- Matt Nagy looks inept as a play-caller and the offense has suffered big time. The Lions are not a very good team, but they’re playing hard for Dan Campbell. They kept Lamar Jackson in check last week, so maybe they could do it again against this pathetic offense.
Other intriguing DST salaries: New Orleans Saints $3,800 (vs Giants), Miami Dolphins $3,200 (vs Colts)
Do you have any early leans? Questions about which guy you should go with this week? Want to yell at me for missing an obvious play? Sound off below or hit me up on Twitter where you can follow for daily news or advice on players.
