Fantasy Football DFS Domination: Week 3

Breaking down the top players and sleepers for DraftKings and FanDuel for Week 2 DFS fantasy football

Week 2 witnessed some slate-breaking performances by cheap QBs and some heart-breaking performances by expensive RBs. Will we see more of the same this week or will we finally see the first sense of normalcy in 2022?

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

SAN FRANCISCO @ DENVER

When the NFL made their schedule, I doubt they planned on Jimmy Garoppolo (QB2) being the second-best option on this slate. Even then, it isn’t a great matchup as San Fran is still run-first and Denver has a great pass defense, though injuries could play a role.

Russell Wilson (QB1) is the top option here. Still, this matchup isn’t great either, and Wilson has struggled to start the season as his WR corps is plastered with injuries. I may end up fading him due to his price.

Injuries have promoted Jeff Wilson (RB3) to RB1 in San Fran on the depth chart. Of course, we all know that Deebo Samuel is likely to finish with just as strong of a line, just not qualifying at the position. I don’t mind using Wilson at RB2/flex. I also don’t hate Kyle Juszcyzk (RB7) as a punt play or on Showdown.

Javonte Williams (RB2) once again split touches evenly with Melvin Gordon (RB6) despite the clear difference in talent. San Francisco is elite against the run, so I cannot recommend either of them highly here.

Deebo Samuel (WR1) is the strongest WR play on this slate (and arguably the strongest RB play as well). He needs to be in your lineup. Brandon Aiyuk (WR5) has a rough matchup here, but I’d consider him at WR3 (if you don’t use Samuel). Both Jauan Jennings (WR13) and Ray-Ray McCloud (WR14) have dart-throw WR3/flex values at a minimum cost. I especially like Jennings in Showdown.

The injuries continue to mount for Denver. Jerry Jeudy (ribs, WR6) joins KJ Hamler (knee, WR10) and out-for-the-year Tim Patrick as WRs to spend time on the trainer’s table this season. Either Jeudy or Hamler could be a WR3 option if they play, but I’d be scared to trust either of them. Courtland Sutton (WR2), on the other hand, is a strong play with the Broncos being shorthanded. I’d even consider Montrell Washington (WR11) as a WR3 option if both Hamler and Jeudy are out.

We may finally see George Kittle (groin, TE1) this week. His presence on the field would make Garoppolo’s day easier. If he is out again, do not consider Ross Dwelley (TE5) or Tyler Kroft (TE6). They are not reliable enough.

Albert Okwuegbunam (TE3) could have value if the Denver WRs remain out. He also could be ignored by his QB like in Week 2. If you choose to do a double-TE lineup consider him here.

Monday Night

DALLAS @ NEW YORK GIANTS

Cooper Rush (QB3) actually looked serviceable in Week 2. He has the softest matchup on the board, and, based on his price, I will definitely give him some ownership.

Meanwhile, Daniel Jones (QB4) is not very good, and he is facing a better-than-I-expected Dallas defense. He also has the worst collection of pass-catchers on the board. Ignore him completely.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB4) and Tony Pollard (RB5) split the workload for a second-straight week. Elliott is getting more carries, and Pollard is getting more receptions. This game will be more run-forward for Dallas, so I prefer Elliott. Still, they are both options at RB2 on a small slate.

This is the only spot I will recommend using a Giant. Saquon Barkley (RB1) is the best RB on the slate, and it isn’t particularly close. Much like Samuel above, Barkley should be 100 percent owned.

Considering their synergy, I love Noah Brown (WR4) as a stack with Cooper Rush. CeeDee Lamb (WR3) is a more-talented receiver, but Brown has been more valuable to start the season. Brown’s value will slide some as Michael Gallup (knee, WR8) returns as expected. I’d only consider Gallup at WR3 as he is expected to be on a snap count. Don’t bother with any of the other depth WRs for Dallas.

When you look at the Giants’ WR room, all I can think is “yuck!” Sterling Shepard (WR7) and Richie James (WR9) only rank this high because the whole slate is devoid of talent. One of them could be your WR3, at best. Kadarius Toney (WR12) was active last week, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the box score. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR15) actually looks like an intriguing dynasty piece, but he has been battling injury. Don’t use him or any of the other chaff here this week.

Dalton Schultz (knee, TE2) isn’t a bad third-leg to a stack with Rush and either Brown or Lamb. I could even see doing a double-TE lineup with him and Kittle. Just confirm his status before putting him into your lineup. None of the backup TEs have any value, even if Schultz is out.

Daniel Bellinger (TE4) caught a TD in Week 2. It was also his only catch and only target. This does not bring me joy.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Jalen Hurts ($7.6k), RB Dalvin Cook ($7.9k), RB David Montgomery ($5.9k), WR A.J. Brown ($7.3k), WR Curtis Samuel ($5.1k), WR Mack Hollins ($3.3k), TE Dallas Goedert ($4.7k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($5k), DST Baltimore Ravens ($3k)

FD Lineup: QB Jared Goff ($7.1k), RB Dalvin Cook ($8.3k), RB David Montgomery ($7.1k), WR Justin Jefferson ($9.5k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7.8k), WR DeVonta Smith ($6k), TE Zach Ertz ($5.2k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($5.8k), DST Jacksonville Jaguars ($3.2k)

FB Lineup: QB Jared Goff ($5.7k), RB Joe Mixon ($6.7k), RB David Montgomery ($5.4k), WR Justin Jefferson ($7.6k), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($6.6k), WR Curtis Samuel ($4.8k), TE Logan Thomas ($3.3k), FLEX Dameon Pierce ($4.3k), FLEX DeVonta Smith ($4.9k)

Quarterbacks DraftKings FanDuel
Josh Allen $8,200 $9,000
Lamar Jackson $8,000 $8,600
Patrick Mahomes $7,900 $8,700
Jalen Hurts $7,600 $8,100
Justin Herbert $7,400 $8,200
Kyler Murray $7,300 $7,800
Kirk Cousins $6,700 $7,600
Joe Burrow $6,600 $7,500
Matthew Stafford $6,500 $7,700
Aaron Rodgers $6,400 $7,400
Carson Wentz $6,300 $7,500
Tua Tagovailoa $6,100 $7,300
Tom Brady $6,000 $7,400
Derek Carr $5,900 $7,100
Jared Goff $5,800 $7,100
Ryan Tannehill $5,700 $7,200
Justin Fields $5,600 $7,000
Marcus Mariota $5,500 $7,300
Trevor Lawrence $5,400 $7,000
Joe Flacco $5,300 $6,800
Baker Mayfield $5,200 $6,600
Jameis Winston $5,200 $6,900
Matt Ryan $5,200 $6,700
Mac Jones $5,100 $6,400
Chase Daniel $5,000 $6,500
Davis Mills $5,000 $6,400
Geno Smith $5,000 $6,300
Taysom Hill $4,900 n/a

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts are the two safest high-priced options. Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow are cheaper pivots that will return better production than they did last week. Of that foursome, Hurts will be my first choice. If I go cheaper, it will be with Jared Goff or Trevor Lawrence. The FD pricing structure does not encourage punting this position, but on DK consider Davis Mills or Matt Ryan if you are feeling a little froggy.

Fantasy Four-pack

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ IND
($7,900 DK, $8,700 FD)
The Colts are starting the season looking like a gimpy animal and Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming to Indy to send them to the 2022 glue factory. A healthy Michael Pittman would help keep the Colts in the race until the homestretch, but ultimately Mahomes and his paddock-mates will pull away. Nevertheless, consider running it back with Pittman here if he plays.

Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ WAS ($7,600 DK, $8,100 FDI will eat crow on Hurts. The addition of superstar A.J. Brown has made this offense impossible to defend. Washington allowed Jared Goff to throw for four scores, and he presented no rushing threat. Expect Hurts to manufacture a total of three scores here.

Josh Allen, Bills @ MIA
($8,200 DK, $9,000 FD
Allen has 25 total TDs in eight career matchups against Miami. Unfortunately, he has topped 260 passing yards against them only once. Basically, Miami frustrates him through the air, but then he still gets it done on the ground as is witnessed by his 7-1 record against them. What this means is expect a solid floor day of 250-2, 40-1, which is solid but not spectacular by his lofty standards.

Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. DET
($6,700 DK, $7,600 FD)
I love how recency bias can sway ownership figures in DFS. Cousins looked lost last week in Philly. Fast-forward to this Sunday, Minnesota will be at home and the game will not be in primetime (where Cousins has historically struggled). I expect that he will have low ownership numbers this week. Meanwhile, I’ll be happy to stack him and Justin Jefferson against a Detroit secondary that has allowed the fifth-most passing yards in an expected shootout.

DFS Sleepers

Jared Goff, Lions @ MIN
($5,800 DK, $7,100 FD)
The other side of this shootout is led by Goff. Minnesota has actually allowed more passing yards than Detroit. If you want less expensive access to this game, stack Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown and then run it back with Adam Thielen or Irv Smith

Derek Carr, Raiders @ TEN
($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD)
Tennessee will still be shellshocked from facing the Bills and Stefon Diggs. Now they have to contend with Carr and Davante Adams. Expect that pair to score twice against this soft secondary, and then hopefully Carr can add another score elsewhere.

Running backs DraftKings FanDuel
Jonathan Taylor $9,000 $9,400
Christian McCaffrey $8,800 $8,500
Derrick Henry $8,100 $8,800
Austin Ekeler $8,000 $8,700
Dalvin Cook
$7,900 $8,300
Saquon Barkley $7,800 $8,500
Joe Mixon $7,600 $8,200
Aaron Jones $7,400 $7,000
D’Andre Swift $7,200 $8,000
Alvin Kamara $7,000 $7,000
Leonard Fournette $6,500 $7,200
Antonio Gibson $6,400 $6,700
Clyde Edwards-Helaire $6,300 $7,300
James Conner $6,200 $7,100
James Robinson $6,100 $6,600
AJ Dillon $6,000 $6,900
David Montgomery $5,900 $7,100
Cordarrelle Patterson $5,800 $7,600
Darrell Henderson $5,700 $6,300
Damien Harris $5,600 $6,400
Devin Singletary $5,600 $6,100
Cam Akers $5,500 $5,800
Mark Ingram $5,500 $5,700
Miles Sanders $5,500 $6,800
Jamaal Williams $5,400 $6,500
Josh Jacobs $5,400 $6,500
Travis Etienne $5,400 $5,600
Breece Hall $5,300 $6,200
J.D. McKissic $5,300 $5,300
J.K. Dobbins $5,300 $6,000
Khalil Herbert $5,200 $6,000
Michael Carter $5,200 $5,900
Chase Edmonds $5,100 $5,700
Darrel Williams $5,100 $4,900
Dontrell Hilliard $5,100 $6,200
Dameon Pierce $5,000 $5,800
Kenneth Gainwell $5,000 $5,900
Kenneth Walker $5,000 $5,200
Nyheim Hines $5,000 $5,100
Rashaad Penny $4,900 $6,200
Rex Burkhead $4,900 $5,200
Kenyan Drake $4,800 $5,500
Rhamondre Stevenson $4,800 $5,400
Zack Moss $4,800 $5,500
Boston Scott $4,700 $5,800
Eno Benjamin $4,700 $5,000
Gus Edwards $4,700 $5,000
Jerick McKinnon $4,500 $5,000
Raheem Mostert $4,500 $5,500
Tyler Allgeier $4,400 $4,800
Zander Horvath $4,000 $4,600

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook are primed to finally break out this week. Use one of them or Joe Mixon at RB1. If you spend up for RB2, go with David Montgomery. He is my favorite value RB play of the week. Heck, he could also be your RB1 if you want to spend big at WR. Josh Jacobs and Dameon Pierce are volume-based punt options here. Unfortunately, most of the cheaper options need to be avoided this week.

Fantasy Four-pack

Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. DET
($7,900 DK, $8,300 FD)
Following an embarrassing defeat Monday night, coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that the team had to get Cook more involved in the offense. That will start here against a Detroit defense that has already allowed four rushing TDs and the sixth-most RB receptions.

Joe Mixon, Bengals @ NYJ
($7,600 DK, $8,200 FD)
Mixon underperformed in Week 2, but he is a true bell cow for Cincinnati. He will score this week as the Jets have allowed three TDs to RBs so far. He may even score twice. 

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. NO
($8,800 DK, $8,500 FD)
McCaffrey has never posted a huge rushing number against New Orleans, but he has always feasted against them through the air. On a week where there are more questions than answers at RB, go with the safe option, especially with his salary this low.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. KC
($9,000 DK, $9,400 FD)
I always love deploying Taylor when his price dips below $10k. A returning Michael Pittman would mean that Taylor will have more room to operate. Still, to keep this close, he will need to be targeted like Week 1 and not Week 2 since KC has allowed the most receptions to the position. 

DFS Sleepers

David Montgomery, Bears vs. HOU
($5,900 DK, $7,100 FD)
Montgomery has been the only sign of life on this Bears offense. In Week 2, he averaged more than 8 YPC while gouging a Green Bay defense. Meanwhile, Houston has allowed a league-worst 367 combo yards to opposing RBs. Consider the game stack of both Montgomery and Dameon Pierce to give you big money to blow at WR.

Dameon Pierce, Texans @ CHI
($5,000 DK, $5,800 FD)
Pierce is cheap for one more week and Week 2 proved that Houston will feed him the rock. In fact, Pierce was the only RB to get a carry. The Bears have allowed 128 RB rushing yards per game. I’ll take that from the rookie.

Wide receivers DraftKings FanDuel
Cooper Kupp $9,900 $9,800
Justin Jefferson $9,300 $9,500
Davante Adams $8,400 $8,700
Ja’Marr Chase $8,100 $8,500
Stefon Diggs $7,700 $8,300
Tyreek Hill $7,600 $8,400
A.J. Brown $7,300 $8,000
Amon-Ra St. Brown $7,200 $7,800
Michael Pittman $6,900 $7,400
Jaylen Waddle $6,800 $7,500
Mike Williams $6,700 $7,000
Mike Evans $6,600 $7,700
Keenan Allen $6,500 $7,500
Terry McLaurin $6,400 $6,900
Gabe Davis $6,300 $7,200
Chris Godwin $6,200 $6,500
Christian Kirk $6,200 $7,100
DK Metcalf $6,100 $6,700
Tee Higgins $6,100 $7,300
Allen Lazard $6,000 $6,000
Marquise Brown $6,000 $7,000
Adam Thielen $5,900 $6,000
Michael Thomas $5,900 $7,300
Brandin Cooks $5,800 $6,600
Drake London $5,800 $6,200
Tyler Lockett $5,800 $6,600
Allen Robinson $5,700 $6,000
Rashod Bateman $5,700 $6,800
DJ Moore $5,600 $6,400
Julio Jones $5,600 $5,800
Hunter Renfrow $5,500 $5,800
JuJu Smith-Schuster $5,500 $6,100
Garrett Wilson $5,400 $6,100
Darnell Mooney $5,300 $6,300
DeVonta Smith $5,200 $6,000
Tyler Boyd $5,200 $5,900
Curtis Samuel $5,100 $6,300
DJ Chark $5,100 $5,500
Elijah Moore $5,000 $5,500
Jakobi Meyers $5,000 $6,200
Robbie Anderson $5,000 $5,700
Robert Woods $5,000 $5,700
Corey Davis $4,900 $5,800
K.J. Osborn $4,900 $5,500
Treylon Burks $4,900 $5,900
Jarvis Landry $4,800 $5,900
Joshua Palmer $4,800 $5,600
Isaiah McKenzie $4,700 $5,500
Marquez Valdes-Scantling $4,700 $5,600
Russell Gage $4,700 $5,700
Jahan Dotson $4,600 $6,000
Mecole Hardman $4,600 $5,800
Chris Olave $4,500 $5,500
Josh Reynolds $4,500 $5,300
Jamison Crowder $4,400 $5,400
Sammy Watkins $4,400 $5,400
Greg Dortch $4,300 $5,100
Olamide Zaccheaus $4,300 $5,100
DeAndre Carter $4,200 $5,300
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine $4,200 $5,300
Nelson Agholor $4,100 $5,900
DeVante Parker $4,000 $5,200
Kyle Phillips $4,000 $5,500
Nico Collins $4,000 $5,400
Zay Jones $4,000 $5,400
Ashton Dulin $3,900 $5,600
Breshad Perriman $3,900 $5,300
Equanimeous St. Brown $3,900 $5,500
Randall Cobb $3,900 $5,000
Romeo Doubs $3,800 $5,300
Scotty Miller $3,800 $5,000
Christian Watson $3,600 $5,600
Rondale Moore $3,600 $5,000
Alec Pierce $3,500 $4,600
Van Jefferson $3,500 $5,000
Ben Skowronek $3,400 $4,900
Demarcus Robinson $3,400 $5,200
Parris Campbell $3,400 $4,900
Mack Hollins $3,300 $5,300

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Davante AdamsAmon-Ra St. Brown, and Stefon Diggs are my favorite options this week. Stack them with their respective QBs. I would even recommend rostering two of them. Tee Higgins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Brandin Cooks, Christian Kirk, and Drake London are my money-saving WR2 pivots. For WR3, consider Allen Lazard, Garrett Wilson, and Curtis Samuel. If injuries remain for Indy or Vegas, consider punting with Ashton Dulin or Mack Hollins.

Fantasy Four-pack

Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. DET
($9,300 DK, $9,500 FD)
Detroit has allowed an average of 7-115 to WR1. Meanwhile, Jefferson has had one monster and one so-so game. Still, he has more targets than the rest of the Vikings’ WRs combined. 10-130-1 is a safe figure here as this will be a shootout.

Davante Adams, Raiders @ TEN
($8,400 DK, $8,700 FD)
Arizona stifled Adams last week, but Tennessee will have no chance here. Stefon Diggs absolutely reamed the Titans, and they even made the Giants’ WR room look fantasy-relevant. If Hunter Renfrow (concussion) misses this game, Adams and Mack Hollins will see even more targets making them a great three-legged stack with Derek Carr.

Stefon Diggs, Bills @ MIA
($7,700 DK, $8,300 FD)
Diggs has scored a TD in three of four games against Miami since joining the Bills. Unfortunately, his reception and yardage numbers haven’t been huge. Still, the absence of Gabriel Davis (ankle) last week, forced even more targets than usual towards Diggs. If Davis is out again, expect a huge game; otherwise, just expect a big game. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions @ MIN
($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD)
St. Brown has beasted to start the season. Now, he gets to assault a Minnesota secondary that has already watched multiple WRs scorch their cornerbacks. Plus, Minnesota may be without its top safety. Stack heavily in this game on both sides of the ball.

DFS Sleepers

Garrett Wilson, Jets vs. CIN
($5,400 DK, $6,100 FD)
Wilson looks like this season’s Ja’Marr Chase. I am kicking myself that I don’t have more dynasty exposure to him. Fortunately, I can play him all that I want on DFS. Cincy should win this game, but Joe Flacco and Wilson could have value as a punt stack as the Jets are forced to throw to stay in this one.

Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. PHI
($5,100 DK, $6,300 FD)
Until the sites put some respect on Samuel with appropriate pricing, I will keep rolling him out. Philly has two top cornerbacks, but I presume they will be guarding Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, leaving Samuel to operate underneath and out of the backfield. Lean heavily on the Jalen Hurts-led Eagles’ stacks, using Samuel as a great run-it-back option.

Tight ends DraftKings FanDuel
Travis Kelce $7,900 $7,800
Mark Andrews $6,900 $7,700
Darren Waller $5,800 $6,400
Taysom Hill n/a $6,000
Kyle Pitts $4,800 $5,600
Dallas Goedert $4,700 $5,500
Zach Ertz $4,600 $5,200
Tyler Higbee $4,500 $5,700
Gerald Everett $4,400 $5,800
Mike Gesicki $4,300 $5,400
T.J. Hockenson $4,200 $5,500
Dawson Knox $4,100 $5,300
Hayden Hurst $3,900 $5,100
Tyler Conklin $3,800 $5,200
Evan Engram $3,700 $5,200
Robert Tonyan $3,700 $4,800
Cameron Brate $3,600 $4,600
Noah Fant $3,600 $4,800
Logan Thomas $3,500 $5,400
Cole Kmet $3,400 $5,000
Austin Hooper $3,300 $4,900
Hunter Henry $3,200 $4,800
Irv Smith $3,400 $5,000
Mo Alie-Cox $3,000 $4,600
Juwan Johnson $2,900 $4,800
C.J. Uzomah $2,800 $4,500
Ian Thomas $2,800 $4,600
Isaiah Likely $2,800 $4,500
Will Dissly $2,800 $4,500
Adam Trautman $2,700 $4,500
Kylen Granson $2,700 $4,700
O.J. Howard $2,700 $4,700

Tight End

Weekly strategy – Travis Kelce has a super matchup. He should be the clear TE1 this week. If I pay down at WR2, he will be mine. I don’t mind Darren Waller if Hunter Renfrow is out. The same goes for Gerald Everett if Keenan Allen is out. Also consider Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, or Zach Ertz as they have solid matchups. As usual, FD TE pricing is too high at the punt level. So, if you want to punt, use Juwan Johnson, Logan Thomas, or Hayden Hurst on DK only.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ IND
($7,900 DK, $7,800 FD)
Indy allowed a big production day to Evan Engram and, in Week 1, gave up two TDs to O.J. Howard. If these two ham-and-eggers can get it done against Indy, what are they gonna do to stop Kelce? We might see 10-125-2 here. If I don’t spend up at WR2, he will be my TE.

Darren Waller, Raiders @ TEN
($5,800 DK, $6,400 FD) 
If Hunter Renfrow misses this game with his concussion, Waller will see a heavy target volume. Otherwise, I will probably fade him at this price.

Tyler Higbee, Rams @ ARI
($4,500 DK, $5,700 FD)
A couple of years back, we regularly attacked a bad Arizona defense against TEs. They improved last season but appear to have fallen apart again. To Arizona’s credit, its opposition has been the best of the best the first two weeks. Still, Higbee may start getting mentioned in that company if he continues to lead the league in TE targets. 

Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. LAR
($4,700 DK, $5,700 FD)
Ertz showed last week that he was fully healthy as he led the Cardinals in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. With continued absences among the Cards’ WRs, expect Ertz to post big numbers repeatedly.

DFS Sleepers

Hayden Hurst, Bengals @ NYJ
($3,900 DK, $5,100 FD)
Hurst remains a great punt option, especially stacked with Joe Burrow and one of his WRs. The Jets have allowed the eighth-most yards to the position, so he should have a safe 3x floor on DK.

Juwan Johnson, Saints @ CAR
($2,900 DK, $4,800 FD)
For two straight games, Johnson has finished third on the Saints in targets. It won’t take much to reach 3x on DK.