DraftKings Week 3 Pricing Early Look

Quarterbacks:

Overview:

This week has several games that have the potential to become shootouts. As we know some will sputter and others will just go nuclear. Finding the right one won’t be easy, but there are options. It will be tough to get away from some of the higher-priced QBs, but it might make sense to get a cheaper QB to allow yourself to spend more at WR.

Two areas to pivot are the Bills-Dolphins and Eagles-Commanders games. Allen and Hurts will be the clear popular choices, but Tua and Wentz have had fantastic starts to their season, and are way lower priced. Both are going against tougher defenses, but just the game environment makes them interesting plays.

Josh Allen, $8,200:

What more can you say about Allen at this point? He put up 33 DK points in a game where he got pulled late in the 3rd quarter and he didn’t even really use his legs. He faces a Dolphins team that Lamar and the Ravens had little trouble with. On paper, Miami has some talented defenders, but I think Allen like Lamar can easily overcome what the Dolphins can do. This game could also go back-and-forth, which is exactly what we’ve been looking for with Allen as well.

Jalen Hurts, $7,600:

Hurts is coming off maybe his best game as a pro as he topped 300 yards passing, 1 passing TD, 50 yards rushing, and 2 rushing TDs. While accuracy was an issue in week 1, in week 2 he was near perfect. He now faces a Commanders’ defense that hasn’t been able to stop anyone on the ground or well through the air.

Kirk Cousins, $6,700:

After a Monday night debacle, no one is going to own Cousins this week, but he is in a great leverage spot. The match-up is fantastic versus the Lions’ defense which is likely missing some key guys. This game could also shoot out, which will force Cousins to keep throwing later in the game. No one ever wants to own Cousins, but every year he has some 30+ point games. This could be one and if none of the higher-priced guys go off for 40+ he could be a better play.

Jared Goff, $5,800:

If you want to go even cheaper Goff is an option also in this Vikings-Lions match-up. Neither defense is very impressive and Goff looked good versus the Commanders in week 2. There are several explosive players on both sides of the ball, so this could be more back-and-forth. The big appeal here is the salary of course. You are talking $2,400 less than Josh Allen and $1,800 less than Hurts. That is a lot of savings for your line-up. Goff will need at least 300 yards and 3 TDs, but this is the type of game he could do that. This Lions’ offense can put up points for sure.

Running Backs:

Overview:

With so many top QBs to like and wide receivers that you want to jam in, I expect ownership to be lower on the top-backs this week. Maybe Taylor or CMC have that 40-50 point day that we’ve been looking for, but it hasn’t come close to happening right now. There are some interesting guys for $6,500 or lower, but I do expect them to be owned a fair amount.

Dalvin Cook, $7,900:

Cook is coming off a terrible game where nothing worked for the Vikings offensively. His price is high so I expect his ownership to be extremely low, probably 5% or less. Yet there is an opportunity here for a big 30+ point game. The Lions could be without multiple defensive starters, and they are a defense that gave up 200+ yards on the ground in week 1.

D’Andre Swift, $7,200:

Swift had just 5 carries and 2 catches last week, but put up 81 combined yards and a TD. If he’s fully healthy this week and back to a full workload sign me up. Again this match-up has the potential for a lot of points and yards to be had.

David Montgomery, $5,900:

Don’t love targeting the Bears’ offense, but Montgomery’s price is good and he’s a talented player. This is also a solid match-up, and despite Monty coming off a big game, I don’t know if he will be popular.

Cordarrelle Patterson, $5,800:

Patterson had a big week 1 but was under-used in week 2. Ideally, the team looks to get him more involved in this game versus the Seahawks defense that has struggled vs the run so far. Patterson also needs more targets, but if they start to materialize, then look out.

Miles Sanders, $5,500:

Sanders has had two solid games to start the season and faces a Commanders team that has struggled versus the run to start the year. The Eagles do use multiple backs and Jalen Hurts steals carries and TDs as well, so it will be tough for Sanders to put up 30 points, but 20-25 is very doable in this match-up.

Wide Receivers:

Overview:

The number of wide receivers in great spots this week is unreal as you can make a case for basically everyone who will be active. Finding the right combo of guys will be what is tough here as I expect several 25-35 point days. It will be interesting to see if ownership ends up spread out this week, or if a couple of guys rise to the top.

Davante Adams, $8,400:

Kupp and Jefferson are great plays for sure, but an Adams bounce-back seems like a good bet here. The Tennessee defense has young and inexperienced corners, which is not good when facing a guy like Adams. Diggs was open all day this past week, and Adams could be in a similar boat here.

Stefon Diggs, $7,700:

Diggs is simply priced too low in this game due to prices being set before last night. Even if Gabe Davis is back, Diggs is in a great spot. The Bills’ offense is rolling and this game could be back-and-forth.

A.J. Brown, $7,300:

Hurts spread the ball around a bit more in week 2 vs week 1, but Brown is still the number one option on this team. The Commanders have been shredded on the back-end by Christian Kirk and Amon-Ra St. Brown to start the year, and A.J. Brown could keep that trend going. Another game that could see a lot of back-and-forths, and Brown is in a position for a monster day.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, $7,200:

It’s pretty simple at this point, ASB is going to get 12 targets a game and will have multiple Red Zone looks. He will punish defenses and the Vikings will be coming off a short week where they couldn’t cover anyone.

Christian Kirk, $6,200:

Kirk is still flying under the radar, but he’s looked excellent so far and is Lawrence’s favorite target. I’m not sure if the Jaguars can hang with the Chargers, but this is another game that could be pretty high scoring. Jacksonville will likely need to throw a lot in this game to keep up.

Garrett Wilson, $5,400:

Don’t look now but Garrett Wilson has been the Jets’ top target through 2 weeks. He is coming off a 100-yard, 2-TD game versus the Browns and is in a spot where the Jets will probably need to throw a lot again. This could be a get-right game for the Bengals offense, but that is a good thing for Wilson. He’s shown himself to be as good as advertised coming into this league.

Curtis Samuel, $5,100:

While I do think it will start to oscillate and have Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson as the top WRs for Washington, it’s tough to argue Samuel’s involvement. 20 targets and 5 carries in 2 games is legitimate, and this is likely another high-scoring environment.

Tight Ends:

Overview:

While Kelce and Andrews are solid options, their price is probably too high to get excited about them. Andrews was the top-scoring TE on the week, but from a points-per-dollar standpoint, there were better routes to go. I expect the same thought process this week, as there are several sites in spots to get 12-17 DK points and far greater savings.

Darren Waller $5,800:

Waller is the one TE who makes a strong case to pay up some. This offense is still finding its footing, yet Waller has already been highly involved and gotten multiple end zone targets. Against a Titans defense that is very weak on the back-end, he could be a 25-30 point guy this week, if the Raiders take the next step.

Tyler Higbee, $4,500:

Higbee has seen 20 targets in 2 games and faces a Cardinals defense that gave up strong games to Kelce and Waller. He’s still searching for his first TD, but this could be the week it happens.

Dawson Knox, $4,100:

Knox was more involved in week 2 but saw his night cut short with the rest of the starters near the end of the 3rd quarter. The Ravens’ tight ends were finding holes in the Dolphins’ defense all last week, and that is with them being even more featured in the offense. If Miami tries to overcompensate to slow down Diggs, Knox could be a big outlet for Josh Allen.

Irv Smith, $3,200:

After not being involved in week 1, Smith came back with 8 targets and a TD. He also dropped a deep target that could have been a 2nd TD as well. This game has shootout potential and Smith offers a cheap way to get a piece of it.

Defenses:

Overview:

Not a lot to get excited about with defenses this week. With people looking to save money, it will likely spike ownership up for some lower options. Some of the most expensive defenses aren’t even that appealing either, so this will be tough to figure out.

Ravens, $3,000:

Ravens’ defense just gave up a massive amount of points and yards, but they face a New England offense that has been pretty inept so far. Hopefully, Baltimore gets healthier in the secondary, and they have had a solid pass rush so far. With most people paying down they could be very low-owned as well.

Texans, $2,600:

The Texans’ defense has been solid so far, and they have a nice match-up this week versus a Bears offense that hasn’t gotten much going through two weeks. The one concern could be whether will Chicago drop back to pass enough for Houston to get the sacks/fumbles and INTs you need to put up points.

Raiders, $2,500:

The Raiders have just 1 sack through two games, but we know that they have the talent to get after the QB. The Titans’ offensive line is already questionable and they could be without Taylor Lewan.