You know football season is here when time feels accelerated. I am still trying to catch my breath from everything that occurred in Week 2. Who saw the New Orleans Saints dominating the Dallas Cowboys at Jerry’s World? Not me. Perhaps the biggest upset of the week, how about the Raiders winning in Baltimore? I truly did not see that happening. Another thing that caught my attention… the amount of injuries (sigh). This had a big impact on folks who played DFS. If you were fortunate enough to win your contests, congratulations. Several others (like myself) were not as lucky. With Week 3 on the horizon, it features a 12-game slate. I have done the research and identified my top three cash and GPP plays at the skill positions, top positional fade, and top stacks to help YOU win big. Without further ado, let’s get to the Week 3 NFL DFS plays for the main slate.
Week 3 NFL DFS Picks for Main Slate on DraftKings
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL): DK $7,500 at DAL (Cash)
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are at an early-season crossroads. Vegas had both teams expected to win their Week 2 matchup. That did not happen. If I had to put money on a player to turn things around, it’s Lamar Jackson. Any given week, Jackson can break a slate. His dual-threat capabilities are a problem for any team to deal with. Baltimore is a (-1) point road favorite with the sixth-highest implied team total (25). Dallas allowed 240+ passing yards to New Orleans last week. Jackson should match that easily, along with 2-3 passing touchdowns, and scramble for 50+ rushing yards. Big week ahead for #8.
Jared Goff (QB – DET): DK $6,500 at ARI (GPP)
Rostering Jared Goff on the road is certainly a choice. Goff typically fares better at home, averaging 3 more fantasy points per game. Goff currently leads the NFL in pass attempts with 83 (per Pro Football Reference). Against the Bucs, Goff did not have his best day. He threw for 307 yards, had two picks, and was 1-7 in red zone conversions. Many may not look to play Goff because of others priced around him, such as Dak Prescott & Brock Purdy, but his rostership can provide leverage against the field. Lions games have failed to hit the over thus far, but expect that to change in what should be a back-and-forth affair.
Derek Carr (QB – NO): DK $5,800 vs. PHI (Cash)
Currently, the New Orleans Saints are the NFL’s feel-good story. Klint Kubiak and Derek Carr are among the reasons why. Carr ranks 1st in the following categories: yards per pass attempts (11.4), adjusted yards/pass attempts (12.77), net yards/pass attempts (10.76), adjusted net yards/pass attempts (12.10), and passing TD% (12.8) (per pro-football-reference). Carr’s matchup against the Eagles is fantastic. The matchup has the 3rd highest O/U of 49.5. New Orleans are (-2.5) point home favorites with a (26) implied team total. Philadelphia ranks top 10 in points allowed to QBs. Start up the Carr.
Will Levis (QB – TEN): DK $5,200 vs. GB (Fade)
Do not get me wrong, Will Levis’ season outlook appears promising. Levis early schedule’s been brutal and Green Bay’s defense is legit. They have the highest QB turnover-worthy play rate over 2 weeks (Week 1 vs Hurts 10%, Week 2 vs Richardson 13%) (per PFF). To make matters worse, Tennessee has given up the most pressures in the NFL. Levis already has 3 interceptions in 2 games played. With Green Bay being a run-funnel defense, expect the Titans to run the ball often and limit Levis’ passing opportunities. The O/U for this matchup is 37.5. Gross.
Running Backs
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA): DK $7,000 at SEA (Cash)
De’Von Achane has leveled up in his sophomore season. In 2 games played, Achane has compiled over 100 total scrimmage yards and scored 20+ fantasy points on 23 opportunities per game. Tua Tagovailoa’s recent concussion may force Miami to focus on the running game more to protect Skylar Thompson. The Dolphins head west to face a Seattle defense that gave up a combined 28 fantasy points to RBs last week. Seattle also allowed a touchdown in 4 of their last 5 games (per Pro Football Reference). Achane is poised for another strong fantasy output.
Zamir White (RB – LV): DK $5,500 vs. CAR (Cash)
Las Vegas home opener is this week versus the Carolina Panthers. What a delightful matchup for Zamir White. On the season, White has struggled, playing on just 51% of RB snaps. Per White’s head coach Antonio Pierce, “He wants to give Zamir close to 20 touches a game.” Carolina has surrendered 100+ yards and 20+ fantasy points to opposing RBs. With Las Vegas being (-5.5) point home favorites, White will receive plenty of chances to reach to exploit the Panthers’ weak run defense.
D’Onta Foreman (RB – CLE): DK $4,400 vs. NYG (GPP)
Practically non-existent in Week 1, D’Onta Foreman emerged in Week 2 (Pierre Strong got injured). Foreman out-touched Jerome Ford (15-8). Based on usage + utilization, Foreman should lead the Browns backfield against a Giants defense giving up 140 rushing YPG. Cleveland is a 6.5-point home favorite with a 23-point implied team total. Foreman’s salary is low enough that should he not hurt you. If the play hits, watch out.
James Conner (RB – ARI): DK $6,600 vs DET (Fade)
Really pains me to put James Conner in this section. Conner’s been phenomenal this season, playing 64% RB snaps, getting 21 touches per game, with 2 top-10 finishes at the position. However, RBs against Detroit is not the way to attack their defense (more on that later). The Lions are allowing 53 rushing YPG, 2.57 YPC, and 2 receptions per game. While Conner can salvage his day finding the end zone, for $100 less DK, pivot to Derrick Henry.
Wide Receivers
Ceedee Lamb (WR – DAL): DK $8,800 vs. BAL (Cash)
Ravens versus Cowboys has the potential to be the highest-scoring game of the week. If it happens, Ceedee Lamb will be a big reason why. Since receiving his new contract, Lamb’s involvement is ramping up. Through 2 games, Lamb has seen 77% WR snaps, 8.5 targets P/G, 75 receiving yards, and 17.8 FPPG. Baltimore are giving up the 6th most FPPG to WRs with 53 (per pro-football-reference). Dallas is playing in a negative game script, so expect Dak to look Lamb’s way often. Lamb could blow up and end the game with 150 receiving yards + a TD.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF): DK $6,200 at LAR (Cash)
If there was ever a week to play Brandon Aiyuk, this is it. San Francisco will be without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. George Kittle is dealing with a hamstring injury. As a result, Aiyuk will be peppered with targets. Aiyuk has a 29% target share without Deebo in the lineup. In Week 2, Aiyuk played 87% WR snaps. The 49ers face off against a depleted Rams secondary, allowing the 7th most FPPG (per Pro Football Reference). Make sure to roster Aiyuk.
Greg Dortch (WR – ARI): DK $4,500 vs. DET (GPP)
All the stars have aligned to fire up the Dortch. Over the last 2 weeks slot WRs doing damage against Detroit. A combined 56.7 fantasy points scored by Cooper Kupp and Chris Godwin came inside the boundary. Not saying that Greg Dortch will explode like that, but 18-20 points from him would be solid. Dortch is an inexpensive way to get exposure to the highest O/U (51.5) game on the slate.
Mike Evans (WR – TB): DK $7,200 vs. DEN (Fade)
Denver travels to central Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Matchup has a lowly O/U of (40) with Tampa as (-6.5) point home favorites. Do not expect Mike Evans to have a good game with Pat Surtain guarding him. Surtain has done this in two weeks: Week 1 vs DK Metcalf (3 receptions for 29 yards), Week 2 vs George Pickens (2 receptions for 29 yards). For $300 less DK, give me Devonta Smith.
Tight Ends
George Kittle (TE – SF): DK $5,700 at LAR (Cash)
In Week 2, George Kittle had 7 receptions, 76 yards, and 1 TD, with a 22% target share versus Minnesota. Kittle on Thursday did not practice (hamstring). If Kittle is good to go for Week 3, it’s a favorable matchup against division rival Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles gives up the 3rd most fantasy points to TEs (per Pro Football Reference).
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL): DK $4,800 at DAL (Cash)
Folks were concerned about Mark Andrews after Isaiah Likely’s huge Week 1 performance. Against Las Vegas, Andrews had a higher snap percentage than Likely (63% vs 49%), more targets (5 vs 3), target share (15% vs 10%). Dallas ranks middle of the pack vs TEs. I expect Andrews to be heavily involved in the Ravens’ game plan.
Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA): DK $3,400 at SEA (GPP)
This week in Seattle, the Dolphins are coming in as (-4.5) point road underdogs. It’ll be different without Tua around. But for Jonnu Smith, he looks to build off of his Week 2 TE6 finish (11.30 fp). Seattle surrenders the 8th most points to TEs (per pro-football-reference). One big play at this salary is all it takes to pay off.
Noah Fant (TE – SEA): DK $3,500 vs. MIA
(Fade)
Over the first two weeks, Miami has limited opposing TEs to 5 receptions and 38 yards. Noah Fant has been on the field for 78% of snaps and averaging 3.5 targets P/G. Fant is 4th in the pecking order behind Metcalf, Smith-Njigba, and Lockett. Do not punt the TE position in roster building unless you absolutely have to.
Check out all of our Week 3 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Top DFS Stacks
1. Cardinals- Kyler Murray, Greg Dortch, Trey Mcbride (Was a week early on it, running it back)
2. Ravens- Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews
3. Lions- Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta
4. Saints- Derek Carr, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed
5. 49ers- Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!