Week 3 DraftKings.com DFS NFL Running Back GPP & Cash Game Plays
Week 3 NFL is upon us and everyone is looking to cash in on the big money at DraftKings. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL picks at each position, separating them into Cash Game and GPP plays.
Cash game options generally come with less risk and a more stable floor, while the best GPP plays can come with tons of risk and upside. Taking a chance on players with high ceilings and low floors is a good way to separate from a large tournament field.
As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, game flow, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
In DFS NFL, predicting game flow can be vital towards success. Teams that are heavily favored and come through with a comfortable win will be far more likely to lean on their running game, while two teams with poor defenses and high-powered offenses could pay off by getting into a shootout. Later in the season, especially, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
Targeting games with high Over/Under lines is an effective strategy for GPP formats. In DFS NFL, you can not only stack players on the same team, but use WRs and QBs from the opposition as correlation plays in the hopes that a particular game turns into a shootout and provides heavy production on both sides of the ball.
In general, GPP plays are high-risk, high-reward prospects that can fizzle out and leave you empty handed. That said, if you want to win the big money, you have to take big chances and sometimes that means fading a safer choice for a risky play with more upside.
Week 3 DFS NFL Running Backs for Cash Games
Melvin Gordon vs. KC ($7.6k DraftKings)
Gordon barely earned more than a yard per carry, on average, week 2 against Miami, but still eclipsed 20 DK points thanks to an inspired effort in the Chargers’ passing attack. Sure, he’s been underwhelming out of the backfield thus far, and the Chiefs aren’t the ideal matchup to break the slump. But Gordon is a true, rare, three down back. Further, he’s the most dangerous weapon in the Chargers offense, and his inclusion in the passing game last week is a good sign heading into what should be a more competitive tilt than might be expected.
C.J. Anderson @ BUF ($5.8k DraftKings)
Take a bow, C.J. Anderson. The Broncos back took it to the Cowboys defense with two scores and over 100 yards on the ground in week 2. Now, he’s up against a Bills defense that is stifling opposing Running Backs through two weeks. Just one problem… they haven’t played anyone as good as Anderson. Further, Trevor Siemian has been a revelation this season, and Buffalo will need to contain him, first and foremost. Things are shaping up nicely for Denver, and that bodes very well for the high-volume lead back.
Jay Ajayi @ NYJ ($7.7k DraftKings)
Ajayi looked good in his 2017 debut, rushing for over 100 yards and touching the ball 30 times. With the Jay Cutler experiment going better than anyone imagined and a very stable workload, Ajayi should run absolutely amok against a New York Jets defense that can’t stop anyone. However, this game ought to get out of hand early, dragging down the ceiling for the talented back and landing him in my cash game lineups.
Week 3 DFS NFL Running Backs for GPPs
Ty Montgomery vs. CIN ($6.9k DraftKings)
The Packers head back to Lambeau after an unpleasant weekend in Atlanta. The NFC North perennial playoff contenders not only got run out of the Falcons’ shiny new stadium, they saw both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb sustain injuries. While the status of each receiver for Week 3 is uncertain, all signs point to Ty Montgomery playing lead role in Aaron Rodgers’ offense. Last week, the Packers back put up more than 100 total yards on a combined 16 touches (10 handoffs, 6 receptions), tacking on two touchdowns in the process. Given his versatility, this kind of performance is always in reach. And given the battered wide receiving core, Montgomery is looking at a rather massive ceiling.
LeVeon Bell @ CHI ($8.8k DraftKings)
I’ll admit, I feel like I’m one week too soon here as the one part of the Bears D that is decent is their front seven. But what if I’m not and this is the week Bell returns to peak form? The Steelers superstar has looked mediocre at best through two games, and that’ll likely scare off a decent amount of DFS players; players who, attempting to avoid risk, are actually flirting with disaster. Against a Chicago team that Pitt should build a solid lead against, it seems far more likely that Bell will have a big day as opposed to another flop. I won’t be missing out if he explodes this week. And I’m not sure anyone can afford to fade him considering matchup, cost, and motivation.
LeSean McCoy vs. DEN ($7.0k DraftKings)
This is easily my favorite play this week. McCoy heads into a Week 3 matchup against a Denver team that made Ezekiel Elliot about as useful as he would’ve been serving that suspension. It’s a terrible matchup, and Tyrod Taylor isn’t exactly making defenses worry about the pass first. But McCoy is an elite back with a heavy discount over on DraftKings ($1.6k cheaper than last week), and ownership will be down in a big way. Yes, it’s crazy. But it’s the kind of crazy that will set your tournament lineup apart while still getting exposure to a legitimate top-five back. Sometimes you just play talent, and Shady’s combo of talent, price, and upside has me intrigued this week.
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