FanDuel NFL DFS Lineup Picks for Week 3 - Daily Fantasy Football

Dennis Clausen highlights the top FanDuel NFL DFS lineup picks for Week 3 of the 2021 season, and some value sleepers for your daily fantasy football rosters.

Week 2 is behind us. Still, it's imperative to acknowledge some of the impressive DFS performances, beginning with Tom Brady, who threw five touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, while Kyler Murray had another majestic outing, throwing for 400 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Going down the rest of the list, Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones combined for seven total touchdowns, and at the wideout position, Cooper Kupp totaled 32.3 fantasy points against the Colts, and Tyler Lockett accumulated 178 yards and a touchdown off eight catches against the Tennessee Titans.

Week 3 will begin with a Thursday Night Football showdown between Sam Darnold and the undefeated Carolina Panthers squaring off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Of course, as we head toward the Sunday slate of contests, there are some injuries to monitor. Dalvin Cook is dealing with a sprained ankle, Josh Jacobs continues to be plagued by a bad toe and ankle, and Saquon Barkley will look to increase his workload after undergoing knee surgery in October. Nonetheless, if any of these guys are out, there will be some value opportunities without a doubt.

In this article, I will be providing you with my Week 3 daily fantasy football lineup picks for FanDuel’s “Main Slate.” These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big! Feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @DennisMClausen. Also, be sure to check back on Saturday night and Sunday morning for updates heading into Week 2.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Article Updated: Saturday, September 25 @10:30 pm

It's late on Saturday night, but a good time to start examining how to attack Week 3. There have been a few updates throughout the day, some that could change the landscape of roster construction for Sunday. Lamar Jackson remains questionable with the stomach bug. However, it would be surprising if he didn't suit against Detroit.

However, Dalvin Cook and Darrell Henderson Jr. appear to be heading in the opposite direction, which will ultimately make guys like Sony Michel and Alexander Mattison see a significant increase in fantasy interest. Still, managers shouldn't be sold that either is a lock to produce, so pivoting off of those two could pay off.

FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 3 Picks

Patrick Mahomes, QB - @ LAC ($8,700)

Mahomes didn't get much recognition after his impressive showing during the overtime loss to Baltimore on Sunday Night Football. Instead, his brother, Jackson, received most of the attention, primarily after he was caught on video pouring water on a heckling Ravens fan. Unfortunately, the viral video overshadowed just how well the Chiefs' signal-caller has played throughout the first few weeks of the 2021 campaign.

Mahomes is playing better than ever this season, averaging 340 passing yards per contest and throwing six touchdowns in total. He also has a quarterback rating of 131.4, which is fantastic, and he only has one erroneous toss to his credit. Of course, as we examine the Week 3 matchups, it doesn't take long to realize that Vegas has Kansas City as the highest-scoring team on the slate. This game is also predicted to run close, which should allow the former MVP plenty of chances to make some noise on the fantasy end.

Kirk Cousins, QB - vs. SEA ($7,700)

Cousins has played as well as anyone could hope. Before the year started, the veteran was in the news. However, it wasn't for a good reason, as many questioned his ability to lead a team. Since then, things have settled down on that front, and Cousins quietly continues to build on to an efficient 2021 season.

The 33-year-old has historically been an accurate passer over the years. Yet, he has improved even more and is currently sitting on a 71.6 completion percentage and a 112.9 passer rating, both career-highs. Cousins' Week 3 opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, hasn't impressed on the defensive end this season either. As a result, he is someone to consider, especially with Dalvin Cook (possibly), Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson at his disposal.

Also Consider:

Kyler Murray, QB - vs. Jac ($9,000)

Murray could end up being one of the most rostered options at the position. However, keep in mind that the Cardinals are playing Jacksonville, a team that should get beat up pretty badly. DeAndre Hopkins is also in danger of sitting. Still, Murray can do so much using his legs and is capable of racking up plenty of fantasy points before the game gets out of

Josh Allen, vs. WAS ($8,000)

After getting more than enough attention in DFS columns for Weeks 1 and 2, Allen has been flying under the radar entering Week 3 against the Washington Football Team. Vegas' projections are favorable for the signal-caller, and he has just as good a chance as others to finish as the top quarterback on the slate.

Tom Brady, QB - @ LAR ($7,800)

Rolling with Brady in Week 3 can surely pay off, especially for DFS managers looking to save some cash by avoiding Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray. The GOAT will be without Antonio Brown. Yet, he still has Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Rob Gronkowski to keep him in the running as one of the most lethal options on the slate.

Matthew Stafford, QB - vs. TB ($7,600)

Stafford arguably has the most talented group of wideouts he has ever had at his disposal. He will also have plenty of opportunities to put up some numbers in a game that should be a shootout.

FanDuel Running Backs - Week 3 Picks

Joe Mixon, RB - @ PIT ($6,700)

During Cincinnati's season opener against the Vikings, Mixon carried the pigskin 29 times, resulting in 127 yards and a touchdown to finish out the afternoon. That performance was definitely welcomed by fantasy managers, especially since he missed most of last year because of a foot ailment.

Naturally, many believed Mixon could produce a similar showing in Week 2 against Chicago. He did have 20 touches in that one, which was good. However, he only managed to scrounge together 69 yards on the ground while only catching one of his two targets. Nonetheless, the Bengals will face a familiar foe on Sunday, the Steelers, a team that the former Sooner has encountered many times throughout his career. He has played relatively well against Pittsburgh, too, amassing 5.5 YPC throughout six meetings. He should be a featured piece of the Bengals' offensive approach in Week 3, and after an average performance against Minnesota, his rostering cost took a considerable dip.

Saquon Barkley, RB - vs. ATL ($6,000)

After suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2020, Barkley wasn't a lock to play this early in the year. Yet, after he began the season with some restrictions, he seems to be moving in the right direction.

The former Nittany Lion finished Week 1 against the Denver Broncos by logging just 10 carries. Then, with a Thursday Night Football showdown against Washington just four days later, he touched the ball a few more times. He has been limited at practice throughout the week, but he could see a noticeable bump in snaps, mainly after getting some additional rest. Barkley was once considered the top fantasy back in the league, and with a rostering cost of $6,000, managers should be willing to take a chance on him in Week 3 against Atlanta.

Also Consider:

Derrick Henry, RB - vs. IND ($9,700)

Henry fell off the map in Week 1 but got his revenge in Week 2 by dumping nearly 45 fantasy points on the Seattle Seahawks. Vegas has him finishing with the most rushing yards in Week 3, so that's as good of a reason to keep him in mind, assuming managers are willing to pay nearly $10,000 for his DFS services.

FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 3 Picks

Tyreek Hill, WR - vs. LAC ($8,700)

With Patrick Mahomes expected to lead all quarterbacks in production in Week 3, it is only logical to pair him up with his favorite receiver. This is as good of a stacking opportunity as it can get, mainly with Kansas City potentially putting up a ton of points against the Chargers.

The 27-year-old got off to a fantastic start to the new year. He was targeted 15 times in Week 1, hauling in 11 receptions for nearly 200 yards and a touchdown. Yet, he fizzled against the Baltimore Ravens during Sunday Night Football and only came away with three catches for a miserable 14 yards. Fantasy managers should certainly give Hill a free pass for that performance, as he has a great chance to rebound in Week 3.

Cooper Kupp, WR - vs. TB ($7,900)

Kupp has arguably been the best wideout in the league this season. After Jared Goff was sent to Detroit in exchange for Matthew Stafford, he appears to be meshing quite well with his new signal-caller. He currently ranks first in receptions (16), sixth in targets (21), and third in receiving yards (271).

Although his effectiveness throughout the first two weeks of the year doesn't mean anything in terms of his Week 3 potential, his ceiling remains as high as ever. With the contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers foreseen to feature two gunslingers airing it out, Kupp should stay in the conversation as a must-start DFS option in all formats. Managers should consider that he will undoubtedly see a ton of interest, although pivoting here may not be wise.

Also Consider:

Stefon Diggs, WR - vs. WFT ($7,700)

Diggs had just four catches in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. However, he's been targeted 21 times by Josh Allen this season, and for the price, managers should be more than eager to get him back in their DFS lineups on Sunday.

DK Metcalf, WR - @ MIN ($7,200)

Metcalf has been overshadowed by the superior play of his teammate, Tyler Lockett, over the last few weeks. With Lockett playing so well, teams will have to adjust by paying extra attention to his activities on the field. As a result, the door could be open for Metcalf to benefit. He had 11 targets from Russell Wilson in Week 2, so he certainly hasn't forgotten about him.

FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 3 Picks

Travis Kelce, TE - @ LAC ($8,500)

Regardless of what the Chargers plan to do on the defensive end against the Chiefs, there isn't much the club can do to slow down Kelce, who, once again, is the best tight end in football. The veteran is as good as it gets, and he is nearly guaranteed to produce every time he steps on the field.

The 31-year-old is always involved, so much so that he hasn't had less than seven targets since Week 7 of the 2020 season, including the postseason. As expected, Kelce is anticipated to be the most popular option at the position for Week 3, and he could end up as the most rostered DFS option overall as well.

More Weekly DFS Analysis