NFL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel - Preseason Week 3 (8/26/22)

The NFL 2022 preseason Week 3 is here. This is the last game of the preseason. But for now, it is time to enjoy what we have, preseason DFS.

In this article I will be providing you with daily fantasy football picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for Friday, August 26^th, 2022. Both DraftKings and FanDuel give us opportunities to play DFS during the preseason. This is where we are going to get a better feeling for the strategies we will use while earning a few dollars.

During the preseason slates, both sites will have a uniform price for the players. Currently, on FanDuel it is $6,000 and on DraftKings, it is $5,500. On each site, you will play a 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex, and 1 Defense. The main difference between the two sites is in scoring. DraftKings utilizes full PPR scoring and FanDuel utilizes half PPR scoring.

Preseason Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks - Quarterbacks

Drew Lock, SEA vs DAL

I am currently fighting the urge to say that Lock is a Lock. But as far as the preseason goes this might be the closest, we get to it. First, the Dallas defense hasn’t been all that great in the preseason. They allowed Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks Easton Stick to amass 134 passing yards and one touchdown (one interception) and Chase Daniel to throw for 111 yards and one touchdown. And oh, by the way, Denver Broncos’ Josh Johnson passed for 172 passing yards and two touchdowns.

And then there is the fact that the Seahawks have not declared who will be starting quarterback. Lock was supposed to start the second preseason game but was diagnosed with Covid.

He did play the first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he had 102 passing yards and two touchdowns on 11-of-15 passing attempts.

Head coach Pete Carroll has stated that Geno Smith will start but Lock will play quite a bit.

Matt Barkley, BUF vs CAR

The Bills have been hot all preseason. They are averaging 34.5 points per game and that is playing their starters sparingly. The Bills starters will not be playing this game. This means no Josh Allen and Case Keenum (the expected QB2) sparingly. Enter Barkley.

Last week Keenum played 52% of the snaps and Barkley played 38%. This week the Bills will be trying to showcase the players who are not guaranteed a spot while keeping those who are healthy.

Barkley has yet to throw a touchdown in his two preseason games. He has 32 attempts and 25 completions while tossing in 289 passing yards and one interception.

Jarrett Stidham, LV vs NE

Quarterback Nick Mullens was traded to the Minnesota Vikings Monday. Stidham’s surge is preseason presumably led to that. That leaves Stidham firmly in control of QB2 in Vegas. It also helps that he has not thrown an interception while completing 25 of 45 passes. He has two rushing touchdowns and a run of 31 yards.

This game against the Patriots comes after practice sessions so there is not much surprise going to happen here. Count on the dual-quarterback ability of Stidham for your fantasy points.

This is the same Patriots’ defense that allowed Carolina’s PJ Walker to amass 107 passing yards (albeit two interceptions but that is more about Walker than the defense) while Tyrod Taylor collected 129 passing yards and one touchdown against them.

Preseason Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks - Wide Receivers

Isaiah Hodgins, BUF vs CAR

Hodgins is in a fight to make the team. With the Bills starters sitting he has an opportunity to show why he should. Last week he was on the field for 42% of the offensive snaps, led the team in targets (4) and finished with three receptions for 28 yards. In Week 1, he led the team in targets (11) and receptions (9) while being second in receiving yards (77).

Keith Kirkwood, CAR vs BUF

The Panthers haven’t been very good in preseason. They are averaging 16.5 points a game and to call their offense anemic is being generous. But things may look a little different this week.

While the Bills will be sitting their starters, the Panthers will be playing theirs. This means an offense led by Baker Mayfield. An offense that has averaged 2.8 yards on the ground in the preseason. Combined with the Buffalo Bills likely to be ahead for most of the game, the passing game should get a good look.

Kirkwood played 61% of the snaps last week. That was the most among position players, he also had seven targets (leading the receivers) for 31 receiving yards and two receptions. While that isn’t earth-shattering, he will be playing with a different quarterback this week.

Michael Gandy, LAC vs NO

The Chargers have decided not to play their starters. This game has the lowest predicted scoring outcome. And the Chargers have only scored 40 points this preseason.

This is more of a play for DraftKings and their PPR scoring system. Gandy has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games. But more importantly, he has had 20 targets in those two games. He also managed 69 receiving yards the first preseason game and 73 in the second.

Preseason Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks - Running Backs

Rico Dowdle/Malik Davis, DAL vs SEA

Both are playing for a roster spot, and both have given good reason to be considered.

Dowdle had 22 rushing attempts, 80 rushing yards, and one touchdown, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He has one target in the receiving game.

Davis, the undrafted rookie has 16 rushing attempts in two games, 88 rushing yards, and one touchdown. He has averaged 5.5 yards per carry,  and he has been targeted five times.

Davis is the better play on DraftKings, and both will serve you well on FanDuel.

Duke Johnson, BUF vs CAR

Johnson is in a battle with Raheem Blackshear for a spot on the roster. Johnson and Blackshear are listed fifth on the depth chart. Johnson has shown steady improvement from Week1 to Week2, while Blackshear flashed in Week1 and fell off slightly in Week2.

Both have two touchdowns, but Blackshear has seven targets to Johnson’s two. Five of Blackshear’s targets happened in Week1, and Johnson’s two touchdowns happened last week.

Last week Blackshear was on the field for 12 snaps and Johnson 11.

In this fight once again, you can’t go wrong. I suggest Johnson because he is trending up, but Blackshear is no slouch in this fight.

And of course, the Panthers’ defense is giving up 4.5 yards per carry in the preseason. So, there is that.

Preseason Week 3 DFS Lineup Picks - Tight Ends

Nick Vannett, NO vs LAC
Devin Asiasi, NE vs LV

Both are coming off injuries that have limited their preseason time. Both are listed as the third tight end, and both need to solidify their status on the team.

DFS Lineup Picks Honorable Mentions

• QB - Will Grier, DAL
• WR - Kristian Wilkerson, NE
• RB - Abram Smith, NO
• TE - O.J. Howard, BUF

Thanks for checking out my picks and good luck in your DFS contests!

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