NFL Week 3 DFS Picks For FanDuel

I don't know what it is with even numbered NFL weeks and I, but I am not complaining. Dating all the way back to the start of the 2020 NFL season, I have only failed to cash in DFS on one even numbered week. Hopefully I am able to keep that streak alive in the upcoming weeks, but the purpose of this article is to cover Week 3. The main slate this week has many enticing options through the air, but the running back options aren't quite as elite as the slates at the start of the season. We are missing CMC and Aaron Jones, Dalvin Cook is questionable, and Alvin Kamara has a difficult matchup. There is a lot to cover this Sunday, so let's jump in to the breakdown!

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Top Play:

Saquon Barkley ($6000) -

Living through the excruciating pain that is being a Giants fan, I am usually inclined to pass on any member of the offense as I have seen how bad it can be. However, it is not often that we will see a running back as talented as Saquon Barkley at a $6000 price tag against one of the worst defenses in the league, the Atlanta Falcons. Saquon Barkely has been limited with injury to start the season, but he played 84% of the snaps in Week 2, and is coming off of 10 days rest. He still might not get the volume that he saw pre-injury, but he will see more than enough touches to qualify him as an elite play this week. Saquon Barkley will be the highest rostered running back on FanDuel, and excluding him from your lineup will give you leverage, but that is a risk that you have to weigh yourself.

Best Value:

Alexander Mattison ($5200) -

This value play is 100% contingent on Dalvin Cook not playing in Week 3. Dalvin Cook hasn't practiced all week, and is currently listed as questionable going into Sunday, although Mike Zimmer has said that he is capable of playing with no practice. It is also worth noting that the Vikings just promoted Ameer Abdullah to their active roster, which may point to Cook sitting. If Cook is ultimately ruled out, $5200 is far too cheap for a player who will see almost all of the timeshare in the backfield. I was all over Derrick Henry last week against Seattle, and they surrendered 182 yards and 3 touchdowns to him. It would be ridiculous to expect that type of production from Mattison if Cook is ruled out, but his upside and floor will both be excellent for the cost.

Best Game Environment:

LAC @ KC -

I decided to add the best game environment as a new section for my weekly articles covering the NFL main slates on FanDuel. This spot was previously reserved for my fade of the week, but I believe it is much more beneficial to cover the game that I will be looking to target the most rather than an individual player that I am not high on. The game that I have the biggest interest in for DFS purposes in Week 3 is the Chargers against the Chiefs. This game is currently tied for the second most projected total points behind the Buccaneers-Rams game, but I believe it should be first. Both of these offenses are high octane, and both of their defenses haven't played the best, which is an excellent recipe for a shootout. I am more than willing to play either quarterback, either running back, and any of the top receiving threats in this game in DFS contests.

Main Player Pool: Quarterback:

Patrick Mahomes ($8700)

Lamar Jackson ($8400)

Justin Herbert ($7500)

Other great plays: Kyler Murray ($9000), Russell Wilson ($8400), Josh Allen ($8000), Tom Brady ($7800), Daniel Jones ($7400), Justin Fields ($6500)

Running Back:

Austin Ekeler ($7000)

Saquon Barkley ($6000)

Alexander Mattison ($5200) - if Dalvin Cook is ruled out

Other great plays: Derrick Henry ($9700), Alvin Kamara ($8000), Nick Chubb ($7800), David Montgomery ($6900), Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($6500), Javonte Williams ($5800), Mike Davis ($5700), Jamaal Williams ($5600) - if Swift is ruled out, James Conner ($5300)

Wide Receiver:

Tyreek Hill ($8700)

Keenan Allen ($6900)

Robert Woods ($6100)

Other great plays: Stefon Diggs ($7700), Justin Jefferson ($7400), Chris Godwin ($7300), DK Metcalf ($7200), A.J. Brown ($6800), Mike Williams ($6000), Chase Claypool ($5800), Tyler Boyd ($5600), Kenny Golladay ($5600), Rondale Moore ($5600), Mecole Hardman ($5400), Jakobi Meyers ($5300)

Tight End:

Travis Kelce ($8500)

Darren Waller ($7400)

Mark Andrews ($6000)

Other great plays: T.J. Hockenson ($6300), Jared Cook ($5300)

D/ST:

Bills ($4100)

Raiders ($4000)

Bengals ($3400)

Other great plays: Broncos ($5000), Ravens ($4400)

Cover Picture Attribution: Keith Allison, Saquon Barkely Giants 2018 2, CC BY-SA 2.0