Week 2 had a number of high owned guys falter in their DFS performances. Lots of lineups filled with low owned guys were the ones sitting at the top of the leaderboard. We will try to hit on some studs and values coming up for week 3 DFS NFL action. These should be considered popular plays that can be used in cash games and mixed into your GPP lineups.
QuarterBack
Studs
Aaron Rodgers vs. KC (DK $8,000) (FD $9,100) –
The Chiefs have given up 20 or more points in each of their first two games. They’re surrendering 268 passing yards per game and have allowed five touchdowns. Rodgers is having a good season thus far, as he has thrown for 438 yards and five touchdowns. He has not yet thrown an interception and chances are he will continue that streak. The last time Rodgers threw an interception in Lambeau Field was in Week 13 of the 2012 season. Last season he averaged 250 yards per game at home and threw 25 touchdowns with no interceptions. With Lacy questionable for this game, the Packers may lean on the pass more than they normally do.
Other Studs: Andrew Luck (DK $7,900) (FD $9,000), Tom Brady (DK $7,700) (FD $8,700), and Russell Wilson (DK $7,000) (FD $8,400)
Values
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. PHI (DK $5,100) (FD $7,800) –
Fitzpatrick had a solid game on Monday night against the Colts. He threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. In week one he had a similar stat line, but threw for only 179 yards. In that game however, he attempted fewer passes because the Jets had the game in the bag early on against the Browns. This week they host the Eagles who run a fast paced offense and can always put points on the board. They’re off to a slow start, but I wouldn’t count that offense out. The Eagles also have a weak secondary. They’re allowing 270 passing yards per game, a passer rating of 98, three touchdowns and two picks. This defense can stuff the run, but can’t contain the pass. Fitzpatrick likes to sling it and tends to take shots down the field. He has a good shot at connecting on one of those against this defense. Keep in mind, this is the cheapest he’s been all year and has the best matchup he’s had all season.
Other Values: Carson Palmer (DK $6,600) (FD $8,100) and Nick Foles (DK $6,600) (FD $6,500)
Running Backs
Studs
Le’Veon Bell at STL (DK $7,500) (FD $8,800) –
He’s back! Bell will step on the field for the first time this season after serving his two game suspension. On paper, this may appear to be a tough matchup, but the Rams have struggled immensely to stop the run in the first two weeks. They’ve allowed the most rushing yards to running backs this season (275) and have yielded two touchdowns. The Rams are also allowing six receptions per game to running backs. One of the more valuable things about Bell is that game flow doesn’t affect his touches. Whether the Steelers are ahead or behind, he’s heavily involved in the game. The Steelers have done a great job running the ball in the first two week, so Bell should pick up where he left off last season. The Steelers are favored on the road and I’m always a sucker for backs that are favored. He’s a good source of yards, catches, and potential touchdowns. Much like his teammate Antonio Brown, Bell offers both a high floor and ceiling.
Other Studs: Adrian Peterson (DK $7,500) (FD $8,900), Marshawn Lynch (DK $7,400) (FD $8,700), and Jamaal Charles (DK $7,400) (FD $8,700)
Values
Dion Lewis vs. JAC (DK $4,200) (FD $6,700) –
Lewis has become of big part of the Patriots offense. He has 10 catches through the first two games and found the end zone last week. He played 73-of-86 offensive snaps against the Bills in Week 2, even after LeGarrette Blount returned. He’s also run in 75 percent of the teams red zone rushing attempts. Lewis leads all running backs in the NFL in targets with 14. The only concern is that this backfield has always been a guessing game with Bill Belichick calling the shots. However, at such a low price it’s tough to disregard Lewis. He’s heavily involved in the pass game and even if Blount receives more carries this week, Lewis should still receive a decent amount of targets. After all, they play the Jaguars who have already allowed a receiving touchdown by a running back.
Other values: Isaiah Crowell (DK $4,500) (FD $6,600), Danny Woodhead (DK $4,400) (FD $6,400), T.J. Yeldon (DK$4,400) (FD $6,600), and James Starks (DK $3,000) (FD $6,500) *** if Lacy sits***
Wide Receivers
Studs
Julio Jones at DAL (DK $9,000) (FD $9,000) –
Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday, but this was the same trend we saw last week prior to the game against the Giants. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday of last week due to the injury, but ended up playing. Apparently the hamstring was fine as he caught 13 passes for 135 yards. He’s been targeted 26 times in the first two games and has caught nearly 85 percent of those passes. He is second behind Antonio Brown in receiving yards with 276, has two touchdowns, and has topped 29 fantasy points in each of his first two games. The Cowboys have done a solid job defensively this season, but Jones is matchup proof. Make sure to keep an eye on his status before finalizing your lineups.
Other Studs: Antonio Brown (DK $8,800) (FD $9,300), Demaryius Thomas (DK $8,000) (FD $8,400), Randall Cobb (DK $7,300) (FD $8,200), and Julian Edelman (DK $7,000) (FD $7,700)
Values
Brandon Marshall vs. PHI (DK $6,200) (FD $7,400) –
Just when you thought Marshall didn’t have much left in the tank, he proves you wrong. He has caught 13 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks. He’s been targeted a team high 19 times. Fellow teammate, Eric Decker, is dealing with a knee injury and is not practicing and could potentially miss this week. If that happens, Marshall should see a significant amount of targets. He’s been targeted at least nine times in each game this season. As I mentioned above, the Eagles have a suspect secondary. They’re allowing 181 yards per game to opposing receivers and have surrendered three touchdowns. Marshall has now scored in each of his first two games and looks to continue that streak against below average secondary. The targets are there and so is the efficiency. He’s reasonably price and shouldn’t struggle to hit value.
Other Values: Larry Fitzgerald (DK $5,800) (FD $6,700), Allen Robinson (DK $5,200) (FD $6,600), and Stevie Johnson (DK $4,300) (FD $5,900)
Tight End
Studs
Rob Gronkowski vs. JAC (DK $7,400) (FD $8,400) –
For those who had any doubt or concern last week about Gronk because of the matchup against the Bills, I hope you have finally come to the conclusion that regardless of who he plays against, he’s in play. Gronk followed up his three touchdown season opener game with seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Bills last week. He’s been targeted 21 times through the first two games and has caught 12 passes. He has scored more than 27 fantasy points in each of his first two games. It’s unlikely he slows down this week as he will face a subpar Jaguars defense and should continue to produce at a high level.
Other studs: Jimmy Graham (DK $5,800) (FD $6,300), Travis Kelce (DK $5,000) (FD $6,400), and Greg Olsen (DK $4,800) (FD $5,900)
Values
Jared Cook vs. PIT (DK $2,800) (FD $5,400) –
When I first began looking through the tight ends this week, I completely overlooked Cook. Once I saw he played the Steelers who have been awful against tight ends going back to last season, looked at the amount of targets he has received, and then his price, I instantly thought of the value I was getting. Pittsburgh has given up four touchdowns to tight ends this season along with 178 yards. Last season, they gave up 11 touchdowns. It’s clear that this is one of the weaknesses of their defense. Through the first two games, Cooks has been targeted 13 times. He has caught 10 of those passes for 132 yards. This is a good spot to plug in Cooks and take advantage at his near minimum price so that you can load up in other positions.
Other values: Kyle Rudolph (DK $3,300) (FD $5,300) and Vernon Davis (DK $3,200) (FD $5,400)
