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Week 3 FanDuel Picks

Cash Game Quarterback

Justin Fields, Steelers ($6,700) vs. Chargers

I can’t promise it’ll be pretty.

It might be tough to watch.

But in a week that lacks a clear-cut alternative, Fields – at $6.7K – is tough to ignore.

Through two games, his 22 rush attempts rank second most among QBs. That volume propels Fields as our No. 1 QB in FanDuel $ per point on the main slate.

Tournament Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, Cowboys ($7,800) vs. Ravens

Through two weeks, the Ravens have generated a pressure rate of only 27.4% – 27th league-wide.

They just allowed a 276-1-1 line to Gardner Minshew, albeit without CB Nate Wiggins. He has a chance to return this week from a concussion.

Regardless, Dallas should rely on the pass to keep up with a Baltimore squad staring down an 0-3 start. Also note: Cowboys RBs have combined to rank 25th in rushing success rate.

Also in my player pool: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Jared Goff

Cash Game Running Backs

Jordan Mason, 49ers ($8,300) at Rams

For another week, we’re going back to Mason.

And it’s no secret why. With Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel out, we project Mason to hit 20 carries.

San Francisco also enters the weekend implied for a healthy 25 points.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks ($6,700) vs. Dolphins

Charbonnet wasn’t efficient in Week 2, but a road matchup in New England profiles tougher than a home one vs. Miami.

Besides, the important takeaway from last Sunday was Charbonnet’s 19 touches. No other Seattle RB even garnered a target.

With Kenneth Walker set to miss another week, Charbonnett is positioned to deliver at a discounted price.

Also in my player pool: Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones

Tournament Running Backs

Derrick Henry, Ravens ($7,800) at Cowboys

Henry didn't hit his ceiling in a beatable Week 2 matchup vs. Vegas. Still, his volume (19 touches) proved solid.

Next up is a Dallas run D that ranks bottom-seven in EPA per rush (+0.25), yards after contact per attempt (3.74), and run stuff rate (6.9%).

Also in my player pool: Jahmyr Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, Zamir White, D’Andre Swift

Cash Game Wide Receivers

Rashee Rice, Chiefs ($7,300) at Falcons

If it feels like I’m repeating picks from Week 2… it’s because I am.

FanDuel simply didn’t raise the price enough to take Rice out of cash game consideration. In fact, he’s our No. 1 $/point WR on the entire slate. 

With Marquise Brown out and questions persisting in the backfield, click on Rice and move along.

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($6,500) at Rams

Two 49ers in your cash game lineup?

You bet.

We know about CMC and Deebo sitting out, but the potential absence of George Kittle could turbocharge Aiyuk’s role.

At a deeply discounted price, I’m willing to overlook Aiyuk’s slow start – especially in a plus matchup vs. L.A. The Rams have allowed the third-highest EPA per attempt on deep passing (20+ air yards).

Also in my player pool: Chris Olave, Nico Collins, Drake London, Chris Godwin

Tournament Wide Receivers

Davante Adams, Raiders ($7,800) vs. Panthers

Adams draws an upgrade in matchup against a hapless Carolina defense. (With Bryce Young benched, they might – might – put up a fight.)

Last week, Adams looked in top form en route to a 9-110-1 day. Back home, the Raiders are projected for a better-than-usual 22.5 points.

Tank Dell, Texans ($6,200) at Vikings

4 catches. 37 yards. 0 TDs.

Not the start season-long fantasy owners expected.

Fortunately, for DFS we can try and capture his upside at a discounted price.

Sunday projects as a fine spot, beyond just his $6.2K price tag.

Dell hits Week 3 with nearly 14.0 air yards per target – an encouraging number for big plays. Overall, his 17% target share isn’t too far off his redraft expectation.

Ultimately, we’re only two games through the season. While DC Brian Flores has the Vikings playing well, his pressure-heavy scheme could lead to some chunk plays from Dell.

Also in my player pool: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Amari Cooper, Chris Olave, George Pickens, D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman

Cash Game Tight End

Trey McBride, Cardinals ($6,800) vs. Lions

Among TEs, McBride ranks tied for second in catches, sixth in yards, and ninth in YPRR (28 qualifiers).

Only two TEs have topped his 15 targets.

Look for his involvement to remain steady in a potential shootout vs. Detroit. The current over/under is 51.5 points – tops on the slate and up 1.5 from the open.

Also in my player pool: Brock Bowers

Tournament Tight End

Sam LaPorta, Lions ($7,000) at Cardinals

I mentioned the high total for this game already.

LaPorta, despite 0 TDs thus far, figures to play a key role.

Here’s HC Dan Campbell on LaPorta, who suffered a hamstring injury in training camp.

"We got him back right before the first week of the Rams, and so that began the, 'let’s take care of this, be smart, we put too much in and he gets hurt cause we don’t know, we think he’s fully back, but how many reps can he fully handle?' And that bled into last week [vs. Tampa Bay] a little bit."

Campbell continued.

"LaPorta will be fine," he said. "He’s going to be fine, and we know there’s a place for him here. We’ve got to get him the ball a little bit. We’ve got the guys here, so we’ll clean ourselves off and move forward.”

If LaPorta tanks in this matchup, it might be time to panic. But entering the weekend, I remain optimistic on the second-year TE as an upside play.

Also in my player pool: Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews

Defense

*At defense, I’m generally looking to spend down across formats.

San Francisco 49ers ($4,400) at Rams

The Rams are counting on backups at O-line and WR.

San Francisco has the personnel to take advantage, ranking top-12 in sack rate and PFF pass rush grade.

Also in my player pool: Giants, Titans (if Jordan Love sits)

Get More Intel for Week 3

Join Matt Schauf and Jared Smola as they preview the Week 3 slate:

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.