Fantasy soccer sit-and-start recommendation ought to all the time be relative and league-dependent. Notice that some gamers are focused for DFS. Good luck along with your Week 3 lineups!
Begin in DFS: Davante Adams ($35)
Begin: Treylon Burks
Adams’ rostered proportion will seemingly be down after burning many DFS gamers whereas recording simply two catches for 12 yards final week. However he’s a powerful bounce-back candidate after main the league in goal share and air yards throughout his Raiders debut. Furthermore, Hunter Renfrow appears extremely questionable after lacking follow this week with concussion points. Tennessee’s protection is much extra vulnerable towards the cross than run; the Titans have allowed essentially the most fantasy factors to exterior receivers this season, so anticipate a busy Week 3 for Adams.
Darren Waller additionally deserves a lift on this matchup if Renfrow sits; Waller’s wage is 33 p.c cheaper than Travis Kelce’s this week in Yahoo DFS.
Burks should still be a restricted route runner, however the rookie can also be a fantasy explosion simply ready to occur. He leads the NFL in target per route run rate and would rank behind solely Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in yards per route run (3.40) if he certified. All this after he missed time and largely struggled all through a disappointing preseason.
With the Titans presently having arguably the league’s worst rushing offense (and now Taylor Lewan is probably out for the season) and going through a sneaky pass-funnel Raiders protection that’s been among the many finest towards the frenzy (-0.16 EPA) however bottom-five in EPA/cross (0.22), Burks might need a coming-out occasion Sunday.
Begin in DFS: David Montgomery ($18), Dameon Pierce ($15)
Montgomery was fourth in snap% and goal% amongst all backs final week, when solely Nick Chubb noticed extra red-zone carries (4). Now he will get a Houston protection that’s allowed the fifth-most fantasy factors to operating backs for the reason that starting of final season and 4.7 YPC this yr. Dangerous climate contributed in Week 1, however Chicago continues to be by far the run-heaviest team in football, and this week the Bears are dwelling favorites. Montgomery has looked terrific whereas holding off Khalil Herbert, rating top-10 in rush yards over expectation. He’s undervalued in DFS in a good matchup this week.
Story continues
Darnell Mooney, nonetheless, belongs on fantasy benches — if not waiver wires.
[Week 3 Fantasy Rankings: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | FLEX | DST | Kickers]
Pierce was given all 15 Houston RB carries final week and ran the identical variety of routes as Rex Burkhead so, hopefully, he’s the workforce’s function again transferring ahead. The rookie has impressed and will get a Bears run protection this week that ranks twenty seventh in DVOA, so he’s undervalued in DFS.
Begin in DFS: Stefon Diggs ($31), Jaylen Waddle ($25)
Diggs’ DFS wage this week was locked in earlier than he blew up Monday evening, which makes him appear to be a cut price having recorded the most PPR fantasy points through two games by any WR over the past 20 years. Gabriel Davis may return this week, however Diggs appears like a weekly top-three fantasy WR regardless in the pass-heaviest offense in football. Going through a Miami workforce that additionally ranks top-three in cross fee over expectation in a matchup with this week’s highest whole (54.0 factors), Diggs is a powerful DFS constructing block, as we aren’t even paying for final week’s stats right here.
Waddle could be much more useful in full PPR, however he’s nonetheless value utilizing with a wage exterior the top-10 extensive receivers. Any issues about Tua Tagovailoa or target competition have been completely erased, as Tua has looked terrific within the league’s most concentrated WR target tree. The truth is, each Tyreek Hill and Waddle’s target-per-route charges are higher than any single-season leader over the past five years!
The Jaylen Waddle-Tyreek Hill combo has been a boon for fantasy. (Picture by Joel Auerbach/Getty Pictures)
Waddle noticed the second-most air yards final week, and the Dolphins ought to must cross a ton once more Sunday going through a potent Payments offense. Their protection, nonetheless, is perhaps lacking starters Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson from their secondary. In a matchup that includes two offenses ranking top-three in pass rate over expectation with this week’s highest over/below, hearth up all wideouts concerned.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Begin: Jared Goff, Irv Smith Jr.
Goff was fantasy’s QB7 final week and now will get a matchup towards a Vikings protection that ranks bottom-three in DVOA and has allowed 7.9 YPA. Goff performed a lot better in Detroit than on the highway final season and has benefitted from opening the yr with two dwelling video games, however he’s taking part in in a dome Sunday. Helped by a dominant offensive line (and the Sun God), Goff ought to be compelled to cross continuously this week with Minnesota more likely to rating a bunch of factors. This matchup additionally has the second-highest whole (53.5 factors) of the week.
Smith Jr. dropped a would-be 65-yard landing Monday evening but nonetheless completed as a top-five fantasy tight finish in Week 2 anyway. He stays the DFS minimal right here — with salaries launched earlier than Monday evening’s efficiency — though Smith completed among the many tight finish league leaders in air yardage share and targets per route run. Smith Jr. can also be one in every of the season leaders in average depth of target at a particularly weak tight finish place, so he’s a cut price in a matchup with this week’s second-highest whole (53.5 factors).
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
Begin: Joe Burrow, Garrett Wilson
Burrow has struggled badly to open the season, taking essentially the most sacks (13) ever over the primary two video games. However he’s confronted a few powerful defenses with a brand new offensive line nonetheless studying to play collectively, and recall: This can be a quarterback who simply led the league in YPA (8.9) final season. This week Burrow will get a Jets D yielding an NFL-worst 0.32 EPA/cross (and isn’t unhealthy towards the run) whose base defense is a highly favorable matchup for the quarterback.
Wilson noticed a whopping 14 targets final week and has 225 air yards compared to 75 for Elijah Moore this season. The impressive rookie has run almost 50% of his routes from the slot this season, the place the Bengals have ceded the third-most fantasy factors (conversely, Cincinnati has allowed the fewest fantasy factors to exterior receivers). Corey Davis was a late addition to the harm report this week with a knee difficulty, so Wilson may simply be taking a look at double-digit targets once more Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders
Begin: Miles Sanders, Curtis Samuel
Coming into the season with fears of a committee and coming off an harm, Sanders has racked up 35 touches over the primary two video games. Taking part in behind arguably the league’s finest offensive line, Sanders has already been given half as many carries (three) contained in the five-yard line as he did all of final season, and the Eagles enter this week as near-touchdown favorites towards a Washington run protection that’s been gashed for the third-worst EPA/rush and the second-most fantasy factors by operating backs.
It’s onerous to not love how Samuel has been used this season, particularly when you’ve got him in your PPR fantasy workforce. He’s been given 20 targets and 5 carries, and since many of the work comes near the road of scrimmage, Samuel is on tempo to file 128 catches. He has the next goal per route fee than Terry McLaurin and now will get a main matchup towards an Eagles cross protection that shuts down exterior receivers however has allowed the fourth-most fantasy factors to the slot this yr (the place Samuel has run 67% of his routes).
Antonio Gibson additionally deserves a lift this week. Philadelphia has quietly allowed the second-worst EPA/rush and is in a main letdown spot touring throughout a brief week after wanting unbeatable Monday evening.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Sit: Chris Olave
Begin: Panthers D/ST
Olave has a shiny future and just saw a historic number of air yards final week, however Jameis Winston is clearly comprised whereas taking part in via a damaged again, and there’s an actual likelihood we see Andy Dalton this week towards a Carolina protection permitting an NFL-low 4.4 YPA. Alvin Kamara has returned to follow, and additional goal competitors stays in Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. Olave may simply grow to be New Orleans’ most precious fantasy receiver down the stretch however search for alternate options this week.
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The Saints have allowed the third-most fantasy factors to D/ST opponents and now go outside for the primary time this season. Winston has struggled attempting to play via a damaged again and now additionally has an ankle harm, so Andy Dalton could quickly take over on a New Orleans workforce down a few left tackles. Carolina’s protection is top-10 in EPA/play this season (higher than the Eagles).
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Los Angeles Chargers
Sit: Travis Etienne, Justin Herbert
Etienne’s snap share fell to only 37% final week when he additionally ran fewer routes than James Robinson, who’s made a a lot faster return from Achilles surgical procedure than anybody anticipated. The Chargers’ run protection has been a lot improved this season as effectively. Etienne is a tricky fantasy begin till he begins seeing extra targets.
Whereas a static -7 line all through the week may counsel Herbert is nice to go, there’s an actual threat he’s a shock inactive or leaves early whereas taking part in via torn rib cartilage. At a minimal, LA’s sport plan will probably be extremely affected/restricted by his harm, and it definitely doesn’t assist heart Corey Linsley and RT Trey Pipkins are questionable after leaving final week’s sport with accidents. The Chargers additionally face a sneaky-tough Jaguars protection permitting the third-lowest EPA/cross this season (solely the Payments and Bucs have been higher), so Herbert isn’t the elite fantasy play this week he often is (the later afternoon begin time presents extra uncertainty too).
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Begin: Tyler Higbee, Zach Ertz
Higbee leads all tight ends with 20 targets via two weeks, as he’s going to profit drastically all season from the Rams missing a 3rd extensive receiver and any capability to run the ball. LA now will get an Arizona protection that’s been gashed for essentially the most fantasy factors to tight ends this season by a large margin (27% greater than the following most!) and the second-most EPA/cross. Higbee ought to be handled as a borderline top-three fantasy tight finish this week.
Tyler Higbee may make critical noise in Week 3. (Picture by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-Information by way of Getty Pictures)
Ertz is one other sturdy fantasy choice at an in any other case weak tight finish place. Lastly over his calf harm, Ertz noticed 11 targets final week and may stay busy Sunday with so few choices in Arizona and going through a real pass-funnel protection; the Rams rank twenty seventh in cross protection but first towards the run in DVOA.
Los Angeles has additionally been by far the stingiest protection towards the run (-0.44 EPA/rush!) however ranks third-worst in EPA/cross (0.27), so you’ll be able to hearth up Greg Dortch in PPR codecs as effectively.
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks
Begin in DFS: Drake London ($17), Rashaad Penny ($18)
London has been extraordinarily spectacular given his offensive environment and having missed so many practices proper up till the season began. The rookie wideout one way or the other ranks top-five in goal share amongst all WRs this season. London is getting an eye-opening 2.76 yards per route run that ranks top-10 within the NFL, and he led the league in first-down target% final week (first-down targets are worth 20% more PPR points).
It’s additionally attainable Seattle opens it up and lets Geno Smith cook dinner extra Sunday. There’s a threat of a Kyle Pitts breakout sport in an Atlanta passing offense unlikely to have two pass-catchers blow up without delay, but it surely’s onerous to disregard simply how dominant London has been via two video games. This week he will get a Seattle pass-funnel protection permitting 7.8 YPA that ranks thirtieth versus the cross and top-10 towards the run in DVOA.
Seattle’s backfield grew to become a full-blown three-way committee final week when Travis Homer joined Kenneth Walker throughout the rookie’s NFL debut, and the Seahawks are additionally on tempo to file the fewest offensive plays in 20 years, so Penny is barely a DFS match choice. However he was literally fantasy’s top scoring back over the final six weeks final season, and he will get a Falcons protection on Sunday with sturdy corners however one which ranks useless final in EPA/rush (0.18). Penny has gotten a profession 5.5 YPC and simply wants an sudden bump in alternative Sunday for an opportunity to go off this week.
Inexperienced Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sit: Aaron Rodgers
Begin in DFS: Leonard Fournette ($27)
The back-to-back MVP winner has misplaced fantasy worth via no fault of his personal. The return of Allen Lazard helps some, however that is nonetheless a restricted Inexperienced Bay offense that capabilities via their operating backs. Rodgers hasn’t been a top-25 fantasy QB after two video games along with his new receiving corps, even rating behind Justin Fields, who’s attempted fewer passes than Cooper Kupp has been focused!
Even with Akiem Hicks out for Tampa Bay, Rodgers has one other unhealthy matchup for fantasy functions this week towards an elite Bucs protection permitting the bottom EPA/cross (-0.45) within the league. Worse but, the Buccaneers are decimated on offense (together with Mike Evans suspended) and have been playing at a sluggish pace, so anticipate them to continue being run-heavy on first downs.
Put otherwise, the over/below on this matchup opened at 48.5 factors and has dropped all the way down to 42, which is dramatic line motion with out climate issues. Don’t anticipate top-15 QB numbers from Rodgers throughout this defensive battle. Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota are all superior fantasy choices in Week 3.
Fournette has barely been a top-20 PPR again via two video games, however his utilization has been really elite. Solely Christian McCaffrey has seen the next snap proportion amongst all operating backs, and Fournette rested throughout Tampa Bay’s straightforward Week 1 win. The receptions haven’t been there, however Fournette was second in RB route involvement last week, and Tom Brady has the very best RB goal% amongst all QBs over the past 5 seasons. Evans (already dominated out), Julio Jones and Chris Godwin are seemingly out as effectively. Fournette has the second-most carries (45) within the NFL, has confronted a tricky schedule (@Dal, @NO) and now returns dwelling to face a Packers run protection that’s allowed 5.6 YPC and ranks bottom-three in DVOA.
Fournette has additionally promised fantasy managers touchdowns are coming quickly!
San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos
Begin: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Sit: Albert Okwuegbunam
Jordan Mason is a sleeper to stash, however Wilson stays SF’s present lead again. He’s not explosive however value utilizing at a skinny RB place as the favourite for each goal-line and passing-down work in a often productive SF system. Go right here for a extra intensive Week 3 fantasy preview of this sport.
Albert Zero may even see extra targets if Jerry Jeudy is unable to play, however he’s been an enormous disappointment via two video games and faces a 49ers protection permitting the fewest fantasy factors to tight ends.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Begin: CeeDee Lamb, Sterling Shepard
Cooper Rush proved competent sufficient final week, and Lamb ought to as soon as once more see 10+ targets Monday evening, particularly with Dalton Schultz seemingly out. Michael Gallup’s snaps will probably be restricted if he returns, and Lamb has run 60% of his routes from the slot this season, so he’ll largely keep away from the Giants’ strong exterior corners. Deal with Lamb as a top-15 WR this week.
Shepard has been a quiet target hog since 2020 and has made a formidable return from Achilles surgical procedure. A seemingly deep NYG receiving group getting into the season instantly appears like one of many thinnest within the league, with Shepard the clear No. 1. This week the Giants get a Cowboys protection that’s harder towards the run than cross, so I’ve Shepard as a top-35 WR. He stays accessible in additional than 80% of Yahoo leagues.
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