We've reached the final weekend of the preseason, and as customary, the second half of these games should particularly feature plenty of job battles playing out. Consequently, I'll look to focus on some players that should clearly be in line for extended looks in these preseason finales based on their positions in the pecking order of their respective teams' depth charts.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel give us opportunities to play DFS during the preseason. Both sites will have a uniform price for the players during the preseason slates. You will play a 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex, and 1 Defense on each site. As customary, DraftKings utilizes full PPR scoring, while FanDuel utilizes half PPR scoring.
Here you will be provided with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Saturday night four-game slate of Week 3 of the NFL preseason on 8/26/23. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Thanks for reading, and good luck RotoBallers!
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Quarterbacks
Nathan Rourke, JAX vs. MIA
Rourke has gone from CFL standout to NFL preseason star this summer, completing 19 of 29 passes for 274 yards with a touchdown and adding 34 yards and another score on 12 carries. Head coach Doug Pederson has said Rourke's ceiling is still the No. 3 quarterback job to open the season, however, meaning he should get plenty of playing time in the finale with No. 2 signal-caller C.J. Beathard likely only making a cameo. Consequently, Rourke should have plenty of opportunity to rack up numbers against bottom-of-the-roster Dolphins defenders throughout the second half.
Will Grier, DAL vs. LVR
Grier is very likely auditioning for another team Saturday, given Dallas' trade for Trey Lance on Friday. However, the 2019 third-round pick of the Panthers should have a chance to play plenty and already has a strong body of work this preseason, completing 35 of 49 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns over the Cowboys' first pair of exhibitions. With plenty of incentive to put some strong play on film in what could well be his last game in a Dallas uniform, Grier makes for an intriguing tournament play.
ALSO CONSIDER: Skylar Thompson, MIA at JAX; Ben DiNucci, DEN vs. LAR; Baker Mayfield, TB vs. BAL
Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Running Backs
So excited to see Tank Bigsby at the NFL level! Jaguars OL is a big upgrade from what he had at Auburn.
Snappy runner with sharp vision, whose ability to go from lateral to vertical mode at will always comes in handy. Was RB3 for me.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) August 19, 2023
Tank Bigsby and/or D'Ernest Johnson, JAX vs. MIA
Bigsby has been impressing all summer after being selected in third round of April's draft, and he'll check into Saturday's finale having gained 122 yards on 22 carries. The efficiency is nothing new for Bigsby, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry over his three college seasons at Auburn. Bigsby should get some solid run again in the finale, but given the sizable role behind Travis Etienne he's slated for in the regular season, Johnson could certainly see his fair share of carries as well. The young veteran has 11 carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns and a 3-14 line through the air through two preseason contests and certainly has the skills to outperform the caliber of defender he's likely to face in the second half.
Rico Dowdle and/or Malik Davis, DAL vs. LVR
Another running back tandem to consider Saturday is this Cowboys duo, which is presumably in a battle for the fourth running back job in Dallas. Deuce Vaughn has sewn up his roster spot already, while Ronald Jones, despite a season-opening two-game suspension, is expected to make the roster as well and likely get some snaps in this game if he can overcome his groin injury. Nevertheless, Dowdle and Davis should primarily have all the run in the second half, at minimum. Both players have regular-season experience and can be effective receivers out of the backfield in addition to their rushing prowess, making strong nights very possible for each.
ALSO CONSIDER: Sean Tucker, TB vs. BAL
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Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Wide Receivers
Rakim Jarrett, TB vs. BAL
Jarrett carried over some of the momentum from his strong training camp practices into the second preseason game, posting a 3-84 line to lead the Buccaneers pass catchers in yardage against the Jets last week. The Maryland product is a player the coaching staff undoubtedly wants to get a long look at Saturday, and with the likes of rookie Trey Palmer seemingly having done enough to earn a spot and veteran David Moore a known quantity already, it could be Jarrett logging somewhere in the neighborhood of the 33 snaps he saw versus New York.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey, DEN vs. LAR
The Broncos' receiver room is dealing with some serious attrition, with Jerry Jeudy's hamstring injury the latest malady to befall the group following season-ending injuries to Tim Patrick (Achilles) and Jalen Virgil (knee). With keeping the likes of Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and potentially even Marquez Callaway healthy a priority ahead of Week 1, Humphrey should see plenty of snaps Saturday night. The former Saint has four receptions for 56 yards in his first two preseason games, and he has 24 games of regular-season experience to rely on while facing what should be very beatable defenders in the second half.
Tyler Johnson, LAR at DEN
Johnson has been busy this preseason, posting an 8-105 line on 14 targets through two games. The 2020 fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers will likely be one of the most accomplished skill players on the field during the majority of Saturday night's game once any starters are out, given he has 48 regular-season catches and a pair of touchdowns, all while working with future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. Johnson has shown good rapport with rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett, who could see plenty of run once again, and he could remain one of the busiest pass catchers on the field.
ALSO CONSIDER: Tre Tucker, LVR at DAL; Mike Evans, TB vs. BAL; Chris Godwin, TB vs. BAL
Preseason NFL DFS Picks – Tight End
Albert Okwuegbunam, DEN vs. LAR
This is admittedly a "blind faith" type of pick, so it's likely most prudent to keep Albert O. in tournament lineups only, and large-field ones at that. However, this is reportedly a make-or-break game for the talented but inconsistent tight end's chances of sticking on the roster, so he could certainly get an extended look in favorable matchups during the latter portion of the contest. Despite his inability to string together extended stretches of success, there's no denying Okwegbunam's physical ability, and the urgency surrounding his circumstances could certainly lead to some strong production.
ALSO CONSIDER: Brenton Strange, JAX vs. MIA
Thanks for checking this out, and good luck!
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