Daily Fantasy: The one Seahawks player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

There’s one Seattle Seahawks player that you have to start in DraftKings for Week 3.

The one Seattle Seahawks player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings is wideout DK Metcalf.

“He’s one of the best receivers in the game. He’s like a 10-year veteran Pro Bowler.”

That’s what Russell Wilson said about Metcalf after the first week of the 2020 NFL season. Now through two weeks, Metcalf has eight receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards and leading the WR group in touchdowns.

Right now, Metcalf is the No. 7 scoring WR in fantasy and he’s played all but one offensive snap for the Seahawks through the first two weeks of the season. While Metcalf hasn’t seen a high target volume with only 14 targets through two weeks, he makes up for it with his crazy 23.4 yards per reception average. His average depth of target is 14.8 yards, putting him as the main downfield threat for Seattle.

The Dallas Cowboys, who Seahawks face in Week 3, have surrendered 536 passing yards to opponents this season. They really struggle to defend downfield threats like Metcalf, allowing 100-yard performances to both Robert Woods and Calvin Ridley in back-to-back weeks. Things only get worse as Dallas will be down two of their starting cornerbacks in Week 3. They’re also tied with New Orleans Saints for the eighth fewest pressures in the NFL, which means Wilson should have all day to sit back and throw.

At $6,500 in DraftKings, there are cheaper plays than Metcalf, but his potential for a monster performance against the Cowboys is just too good to pass up in Week 3.

Daily Fantasy: The one Bengals player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

After Joe Burrow tossed three touchdown passes in a Week 2 loss, he’s is the one Bengals player you need to start in Week 2 on DraftKings.

Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season is upon us and the one Bengals star who has passed the eye test and is deserved of a must-start against the Philadelphia Eagles is quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow ($6,200) is a nice value option at 23 in the Week 3 quarterback rankings as he leads the NFL in attempts (97) through the first two weeks of the season.

Burrow’s most important fantasy attribute through two weeks is his innate ability to pick up yards with his legs, rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown thus far. Burrow is a must-start in Week 3 because fantasy scoring is based on a players’ individual performance. The Bengals star has 509 yards passing with 3 touchdowns and one interception. Last week, Burrow attempted 62 passes in the loss to the Browns, proving that Zac Taylor has full trust in his rookie quarterback. The Eagles struggled against Jared Goff and the Rams in Week 2, and even more importantly, they aren’t causing turnovers on defense, while allowing opposing offensive skill players to feast on mismatches in the open field. Add in the fact that the Eagles allowed 9.6 yards per Goff pass attempt in Week 2’s loss and it’s a recipe for fantasy success.

Burrow should perform solidly as a QB1 worthy start, with TE Drew Sample, WR Mike Thomas, and WR Tyler Boyd most likely to benefit the most.

Daily Fantasy: The one Vikings player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

Adam Thielen faces a favorable matchup in Week 3.

The Vikings offense was an absolute mess last week against the Colts, primarily because of Kirk Cousins’ three interceptions and 42.3% completion rate. He and Minnesota will try to bounce back against the Titans in Week 3, who have struggled against wide receivers and opposing quarterbacks fantasy-wise.

Cousins should perform better against Tennessee, which will buoy Adam Thielen’s production. It’s why we’re picking Thielen as the one Vikings player you must start in daily fantasy on DraftKings this week with his salary of $6,900.

Without Stefon Diggs on the other side of the field, Thielen should continue to see a lion’s share of targets from Cousins. He’s been targeted eight times in each of the first two games, though he only caught three passes for 31 yards in Week 2.

He faces a favorable matchup against the Titans secondary and assuming Cousins can figure out which team he’s supposed to throw to, Thielen will be in for a big game. Last week, the Titans gave up 14 catches for 190 yards to the Jaguars’ top three receivers, struggling to contain D.J. Chark, Keelan Cole and Chris Conley.

Thielen should see at least seven or eight passes thrown his way, which he won’t have much trouble turning into 90-plus yards with a touchdown. The only concern is Tennessee slowing the game down with its rushing attack, but that’s not overly worrisome.

Daily Fantasy: The one Ravens player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

After shredding the Texans offense in Week 2, Ravens star Lamar Jackson is the one Baltimore player you must start in Week 3 on DraftKings.

This week’s edition of Monday Night Football offers Game of the Year potential when the undefeated Baltimore Ravens host the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a matchup of the past two NFL MVPs.

Both teams are heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl this season and it’ll be on the backs of their quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are the two most exciting signal-callers in the NFL and the 2020 matchup marks the third straight season they’ll face off against one another.

Jackson is the one Ravens player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings because outside of his all-world rushing ability, the 2020 version is producing historic passing numbers that are on pace to rewrite the NFL’s record books. Last week, Jackson became the first player in league history with at least 45 touchdown passes (45) and fewer than 10 interceptions (9) over his first 600 pass attempts.

In last week’s win over the winless Houston Texans, Jackson went 18 of 24 passing for 204 yards and one passing touchdown. Jackson did his part on the ground as well, carrying 16 times for 54, and amassing 254 total yards of offense.

The Ravens star has worked on his deep-ball accuracy since last season. Jackson has completed 58.3 percent (7 of 12) so far this year, up from the 39.5 percent he completed last season.

Jackson’s a must-play against the Chiefs’ defense because he has just one interception over his last 29 touchdown passes and Kansas City, susceptible to the pass, have also allowed 301 rushing yards so far in two games, while also struggling to create pressure or turnovers.

Daily Fantasy: The one Rams player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

There’s one Rams player that you need to start in DraftKings in Week 3.

The one Los Angeles Rams player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings is RB Darrell Henderson Jr.

The Rams are using a committee approach this season, but right now the committee is hurting due to injuries. Rookie RB Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown both were injured during Week 2, which means the Rams will likely lean on Henderson, just as they did last week as the injuries mounted. Even before the injuries, Henderson was expected to take a larger role after having recovered from a lingering hamstring injury himself.

In Week 2, Henderson notched 12 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. He added two pass receptions for another 40 yards. He received just 42% of the snaps for Los Angeles but was the most efficient running back with his touches.

This week, the Rams will face a fundamentally sound Buffalo Bills defense. It’s a unit that has allowed just 151 yards on 37 carries, but they’ve also allowed two scores. It’s also worth noting that both of their opponents through their first two weeks, the Jets and Dolphins, are 0-2 on the season. They both aren’t exactly known as offensive powerhouses either. Los Angeles should be their first true challenge of the 2020 NFL season.

The Bills have also allowed 11 receptions for 84 yards to opposing running backs. Sean McVay has recently found ways to get the running backs involved in the passing game. Right now, the Rams’ backs are averaging 12.5 yards per reception.

At $5,400, Henderson falls just outside of the top 25 players in terms of cost on DraftKings. He should outplay that cost handily even against a tough Buffalo squad in Week 3. 

Daily Fantasy: The one Browns player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

With the Washington’s pass protection not up to par, the Cleveland Browns defense and a special team is a must-start in Week 3 on DraftKings.

The Cleveland Browns are looking to build on their Week 2 success and the key to keeping the good vibes going is a Washington offense that is allowing a pressure rate of 28% on offense, something that should allow Myles Garrett and the Browns defense to feast in the Sunday matchup.

The Cleveland defense and special teams are the best Browns to start in Week 3 on DraftKings. The Washington Football team has allowed a sack on 9.9 percent of their passing plays so far this season, the third-highest mark in the NFL, and that was before losing Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff to injury.

After playing well in spurts against the vaunted Ravens offense, Cleveland will face a more inexperienced offense in Washington, that’s still working to develop continuity and an identity outside of Terry McLaurin.

For their part, the Browns have recorded a pressure on 28.6 percent of opposing dropbacks (No. 6 in the NFL), and with the Cleveland offense starting to find an identity with their two head monster at running back, the home team could find an early rhythm that forces The Football Team to turn into a one-dimensional passing offense.

That would allow Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, and Larry Ogunjobi to pressure Dwayne Haskins, causing errant throws or much-needed sacks.

Daily Fantasy: The one Colts player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox could be a big bargain in DFS this week.

The Indianapolis Colts (1-1) will host the New York Jets (0-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:05 p.m. ET in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season. The AFC showdown will feature several intriguing fantasy options, including Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox.

Alie-Cox has a price tag of $3,800 on DraftKings’ daily fantasy football competition this week (roster limit: $50,000). That’s a great value for a tight end who is coming off a great performance in Week 2.

Filling in for an injured Jack Doyle (ankle/knee), Alie-Cox tied for the team lead in targets (six) and led Indy’s offense in receptions (five) and receiving yards (111) on Sunday. Doyle might sit out again in Week 3, putting Alie-Cox in line to start again.

Even if Doyle does return this week, he will likely see limited snaps. The Colts have also lost wide receiver Parris Campbell to injured reserve. Indy needed a pass-catcher to step up in Week 2 and Alie-Cox answered the bell.

This week, Alie-Cox will be going up against a Jets defense that allowed San Francisco 49ers (1-1) tight end Jordan Reed to catch seven passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Coming off a big performance of his own, Alie-Cox is poised to cause problems for New York’s secondary.

Indy is considered a big favorite against the Jets this week and all of the team’s offensive weapons could be in for big games.

With an average of $5,556 available to spend on each player in DraftKings’ salary cap challenge, Alie Cox could represent a super bargain this week, leaving you with an extra $1,756 to spend on other positions.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Washington Football Team player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

Can Terry McLaurin put together another big game?

There are a few players that make for tempting plays on the Washington Football Team for their Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. But let’s ride the hot hand on the offense. Receiver Terry McLaurin is the one Washington Football Team player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings. He went off on the Arizona Cardinals for seven catches, 125 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. You can expect more fireworks in Week 3.

McLaurin costs $5,900, which is a steal considering he’s facing Cleveland, which is the 23rd-ranked defense against receivers. He should get a favorable matchup, even against cornerback Denzel Ward, who has been solid but not stellar in 2020, his second season in the NFL. It’s a matchup McLaurin can definitely win, as he establishes himself as true WR1.

If you’re looking for a running back, Antonio Gibson looked like he made some headway in his position battle with Peyton Barber. But both backs seem reliant upon touchdowns, and we saw Barber get two in Week 1 and Gibson get one in Week 2. Gibson is probably the better play, but he’s definitely a risky one, with a chance to disappoint, especially because the Browns’ rushing defense has been solid through two weeks.

It’s clear that Haskins likes feeding the ball to McLaurin. It’s clear McLaurin is a playmaker when the ball is in his hands. So it should also be clear that McLaurin is a no-brainer to slot into your Daily Fantasy lineup for Week 2.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Giants player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

Here’s a solid value play for Week 3.

The New York Giants have a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, even if their talent will be diminished significantly by injuries to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman and defensive ends Solomon Thomas and Nick Bosa.

With all those skill players dealing with injuries, that’s not an indicator that daily fantasy players should start the Giants defense. No, Golden Tate is the one Giants player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings. He’s got a reasonable salary at $4,500, and though tight end Evan Engram got a team-high receptions in Week 2, Tate led the receivers in catches, which is a good sign, considering he’s moved up the depth chart after Sterling Shepard went on injured reserve.

Darius Slayton ($4,900) is another tempting pick. He’s probably just as likely to pop as Tate. They’re both facing a defense that has allowed the fifth most points to fantasy football receivers so far this year. But if they’re probably even in terms of chances for a big game, then it’s best to take Tate, a player who’s cheaper and probably more likely to see a higher volume of targets. Tate saw his first round of action in Week 2, and it was promising, with five targets, five catches 47 yards.

If Devonta Freeman cannot play because of his limited time getting acquainted with the playbook, that would make Dion Lewis an excellent play for Week 3. But it seems likely the Giants will try to get Freeman on the field for game day — which means he’ll be in a committee with Lewis to start. Those running backs could be a headache.

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Daily Fantasy: The one Titans player you need to start in Week 3 on DraftKings

Titans wide receiver Corey Davis continues to have excellent value in DFS.

The Tennessee Titans (2-0) will go on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings (0-2) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m. MT in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season. The AFC vs. NFC showdown will feature several intriguing fantasy football options, including a Titans wide receiver.

Tennessee receiver Corey Davis has a cap hit of $5,200 in DraftKings’ daily fantasy football competition this week (roster limit: $50,000). That’s a huge value given that Davis has had a better season than his teammate A.J. Brown, who is listed at $6,000.

Brown’s price tag seems to be more related to name recognition than performance. Through two weeks, Brown has only totaled 8.9 fantasy points. Davis, on the other hand, has 29.7 fantasy points, an average of 14.9 points per game.

With an average of $5,556 available to spend on each player in DraftKings’ salary cap challenge, Davis represents an excellent value. Through two weeks this season, Davis has totaled 10 catches for 137 yards and a score. All 10 of his catches have gone for first downs and two were for 20-plus yards.

This week, Davis will be going up against a Vikings defense that has allowed 8.6 yards per attempt (seventh-most in the NFL), 567 passing yards (fifth-most in the league) and five passing touchdowns (tied for second-most among all teams). Opposing quarterbacks have posted 116.7 passer ratings against Minnesota, making the Vikings the fourth-worst pass defense in the NFL.

Tennessee is a run-first offense but quarterback Ryan Tannehill is off to a hot start this year with 488 passing yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Expect Tannehill to go after the Vikings’ secondary, with Davis being one of his primary targets.

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