Week 3 of the NFL season is presenting some unique challenges when looking to build our DraftKings cash game lineups. There is only one game on the slate (Ravens/Chiefs) with a Vegas total higher than 48 points but I can honestly see that game playing out in a variety of ways including a lower scoring game if the Ravens take the air out of the ball (insert Tom Brady joke here).
We also have the dilemma of what to do at wide receiver this week which looks like the best position for value options with a lot of the high-priced options in potentially tough matchup or with quarterback concerns. This has led to a little bit of a different lineup construction than usual including a write up that includes my preferred option to use in the flex spot.
Let’s dig into Week 3!
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Quarterback
Kyler Murray (ARI): $5,800 vs. CAR
It seems like the options to use in cash games at quarterback is a pretty shortlist. While rostering either quarterback in the Ravens/Chiefs tilt is obtainable, I find myself saving some salary at the position by using Murray who is the cheapest quarterback that I’m willing to roster in cash games on DraftKings this week. Despite two less than ideal matchups to start the season against slow-paced teams with solid defenses, Murray still managed to average 328.5 passing yards and two touchdowns per game for 22.5 DraftKings points and that is with their red-zone woes so far and his meager 17 rushing yards. With two games under his belt, he’ll get a more forgiving matchup at home against the Panthers who also typically play at a faster pace. Get ready for Murray’s breakout performance.
Other Notables:
- Patrick Mahomes (KC): $7,600 vs. BAL
- Lamar Jackson (BAL): $7,000 @ KC
- Dak Prescott (DAL): $6,500 vs. MIA
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL): $8,900 vs. MIA
Elliott saw his touches balloon up to 25 in his second game after getting worked in slowly Week 1 following his holdout. With Elliott back to his workhorse status, he will enjoy an excellent matchup at home in Week 3 with the lowly Dolphins visiting Big D. The Dolphins ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed to running backs with 154.5 yards while they have also surrendered three rushing scores to backs through two weeks. The only question for Elliott is how many yards and scores he will get before the blowout ensues and they give the backups some run. He seems like a lock for at least 100 yards and a score but has the potential for so much more.
Austin Ekeler (LAC): $7,200 vs. HOU
I’ll admit, I haven’t rostered Ekeler nearly enough over the first two weeks. That said, he does fit the mold that I want out of my running backs in cash games on DraftKings with his combination of volume in the passing game, on the ground and at the goal line. Ekeler will get another chance to make the Chargers say “Melvin who” on Sunday when they host the Texans. The Texans have been around league average defending the run over the first two weeks, but they have been getting beat by running backs out of the backfield for 6.5 receptions and 58 yards which is about what Ekeler has been getting each week through the air. That should lock him into about 12 DK points before we even add in his rushing and touchdown potential.
Other Notables:
- Dalvin Cook (MIN): $7,800 vs. OAK
- David Johnson (ARI): $6,800 vs. CAR
- Marlon Mack (IND): $5,800 vs. ATL
- Frank Gore (BUF): $4,400 vs. CIN
Wide Receivers
Devin Smith (DAL): $3,400
I’m only writing up one wide receiver this week (you’ll see why in the tight end section) but I’m not going with a high-priced stud nor the cheap value option that I think everyone will gravitate towards (Nelson Agholor). Instead, my focus on the cheap end, even in cash games, is Cowboys wideout, Devin Smith. Smith posted three catches for 71 yards and a long score last week and should emerge even more in the offense this week with Michael Gallup out. Oh, and the Cowboys are playing the Dolphins who allow points to be scored at will including giving up 147 yards and two long scores to speedster Marquise Brown in the opener. Smith might not be Brown but he still has potential to match those numbers in this matchup, which is more than I can say about Agholor at a similar price.
Other Notables:
- Keenan Allen (LAC): $7,000 vs. HOU
- Marquise Brown (BAL): $5,900 @ KC
- Josh Gordon (NE): $5,400 vs. NYJ
- Larry Fitzgerald (ARI): $5,100 vs. CAR
- Christian Kirk (ARI): $5,000 vs. CAR
- Emmanuel Sanders (DEN): $4,800 @ GB
- Randall Cobb (DAL): $4,600 vs. MIA
- Nelson Agholor (PHI): $3,600 vs. DET
Tight End
Zach Ertz (PHI): $5,700 vs. DET
This looks like a week to double-down at the tight end position by rostering two high volume options with one at the flex. Ertz saw 16 targets come his way on Sunday night with Eagles receivers dropping like flies and he should be the main man again this week with a depleted receiving corps against the Lions. The volume and touchdown potential that Ertz has exceeds any wide receiver or running back you can get at this price.
George Kittle (SF): $5,600 vs. PIT
The second tight end to roster at a nearly identical price point is Kittle. Kittle has had some touchdown misfortune through the first two weeks which should correct itself this week at home against the Steelers who allowed a pair of tight end scores last week. The Steelers run defense far exceeds their pass defense which should force the 49ers to air it out more than last week which will also benefit the target volume for Kittle. I’ll say it again, the volume and touchdown potential that Kittle has exceeds any wide receiver or running back you can get at this price.
Other Notables:
- OJ Howard (TB): $3,800 vs. NYG
D/ST
Chargers (LAC): $2,500 vs. HOU
You can find the salary to pay up for the Patriots defense (which I prefer over the Cowboys) if you want to go cheap at all three wide receiver slots but if you want a little more salary reprieve to use elsewhere then give the Chargers consideration. The Chargers will be at home this week with the Texans coming to town. The Chargers defense has been underwhelming so far this year but they have a lot of potential and get a favorable matchup against a Texans team that has allowed 10 sacks through two weeks.
Other Notables:
- Patriots (NE): $3,800 vs. NYJ
- Vikings (MIN): $3,300 vs. OAK
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Brad Richter is a Featured Writer and correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
