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Brandon Murchison analyzes optimal DFS value plays for tournaments for Week 3 of the NFL season. These GPP value plays are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports games.
Week 2 in DFS again proved to be a somewhat surprising weekend of scoring. The leaderboard was littered with players that we are not accustomed to seeing atop the rankings. Proving that you do not have to play the top half of the board while filling out your lineups each week. Hitting on the low-cost players like a Raheem Mostert is generally what separates you from cashing or not. Identifying these plus matchups for the low-owned yet cost-effective players allow you flexibility with your roster construction.
Heading into Week 3, there will be several new faces on the board as the injury bug in the NFL is at an all-time fever pitch. Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger going down have opened the door for the potential plays of Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph as low-cost options. While injuries to position players like Damien Williams and James Conner could tilt the scales in GPPs for Week 3. Those players missing time boosts the potential workload for LeSean McCoy and Jaylen Samuels, both of whom will be highly owned options due to their costs.
So what are some the under the radar plays that can help you cash in this weekend? That is what we look to identify in the Week 3 Sneaky Plays for DFS.
Week 3 Quarterback Value Play for GPPs
Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Pittsburgh Steelers ($7,200 FanDuel, $6,200 DraftKings)
Coming off of a Top 10 scoring week (297 yards and 3 TDs), Garoppolo has the good fortune of facing another soft pass defense in the Steelers. Through the season's first two week's, the Steelers are a bottom-five defense in points allowed to opposing QBs (24.92 FPPG). With the running game for the 49ers hitting on all cylinders to begin the year, it is allowing Garoppolo to work through his progressions and hit the open receivers. There could be plenty of those occasions in this matchup as the Steelers secondary has looked lost at times during games. I expect for Garoppolo to again return Top 10 value this week and he will be a QB that will go overlooked in DFS. Stacking him with George Kittle could be the foundation to a lineup that could easily cash in Week 3.
Week 3 Running Back Value Plays for GPPs
Frank Gore vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($5,700 FanDuel, $4,400 DraftKings)
After a slow start in Week 1, Gore was given a majority of the work a week ago and responded well (68 rushing yards and a score). This week he will be facing a Bengals run defense that was just embarrassed in Week 2 by the 49ers backfield. Also, with Devin Singletary nursing a hamstring injury heading into the game, the Bills could look to give most of the work yet again to Gore. All this lines up for a productive week for Gore, who should run for around 85 yards and get into the endzone once again. He can be an RB2 in your DFS lineups that will be low-owned and cost-effective. Allowing you to load up in other areas.
Peyton Barber vs. New York Giants ($6,100 FanDuel, $4,600 DraftKings)
Barber bounced back from an underutilized Week 1 with 23 carries (82 yards and a score) last week. It is fairly obvious that this is his backfield and in Week 3 he will see a plus matchup against a soft Giants run defense (22.55 FPPG allowing to the position). This game could turn into a surprisingly high scoring affair, allowing Barber multiple opportunities to score. I could see him pushing for close to 100 yards in this game and should find a touchdown yet again this week. Based on public perception, Barber will be a player that will be virtually unowned in DFS this week, giving you an advantage with lineup construction if he returns on the investment.
Week 3 Wide Receiver Value Plays for GPPs
Marvin Jones @ Philadelphia Eagles ($5,400 FanDuel, $5,000 DraftKings)
Coming back from an injury that ended his 2018 season, Jones has been fairly consistent to begin the 2019 season (9 catches for 99 yards). That should continue to be the case in Week 3 as the Lions go on the road to face the Eagles. The Lions could be playing from behind for much of this game, putting more emphasis on the passing attack. The Eagles secondary has struggled to begin the season (53.60 FPPG allowed to opposing receivers) and could be faced with another tough matchup in this one. I expect to see Jones bring in a five-catch day for 80 yards and a score this week. Making him a solid play as a WR3 in DFS and someone that will not be highly owned.
Devin Smith vs. Miami Dolphins ($5,200 FanDuel, $3,400 DraftKings)
The long-shot play of the week, Devin Smith will now be starting opposite Amari Cooper due to the injury to Michael Gallup. Coming off of a 3 catch, 74 yards, and one touchdown game, the case could be made that he is ready to step up. Facing the lowly Dolphins Defense (44.20 FPPG) that will be without Minkah Fitzpatrick could mean plenty of room to run for the Cowboys receivers. Smith likely will not be a big-time player in PPR formats this week, but the likelihood that he can give you four catches and a score is not a bad return on investment from a player that is virtually free in DFS this week.
Week 3 Tight End Value Play for GPPs
Greg Olsen @ Arizona Cardinals ($6,100 FanDuel, $3,700 DraftKings)
Olsen found the fountain of youth in Week 2 (6 catches for 110 yards) and could be in store for a repeat performance this week. Facing a Cardinals Defense that is currently the worst in the league (31.15 FPPG allowed to opposing TEs), Olsen should be heavily involved in this week's gameplan. Not to mention Cam Newton's injury concerns heading into the game, much of the passing attack could come in the short to the intermediate area. Where Olsen typically does his damage. Look for Olsen to find the endzone in this game and be a player that is worth rostering in DFS.
