The following are the best values at each position on FanDuel and DraftKings for NFL Week 3. Go ahead and plug them into your Week 3 Sporting News Football Championship qualifier.
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Best daily fantasy QB value picks
FanDuel: Marcus Mariota, Titans vs. Colts ($7,300). Neither the Jets nor the Bills can be considered an offensive juggernaut, but both played the part against a poor Colts defense. Look for Mariota – likely in catch-up mode – to have similar success against a secondary that was picked apart in Week 2 and lost top corner Vontae Davis to a concussion late in the game.
DraftKings: Carson Palmer, Cardinals vs. 49ers ($6,600). It’s likely that the 49ers defense we saw in Week 2 is closer to what we’ll see all season. And after watching Ben Roethlisberger hang 369 yards and three scores on their secondary (including 4-77-1 to Darrius Heyward-Bey), Palmer looks like a very strong play in Week 3. Sunday presents a good opportunity for Palmer to cross the 300-yard plateau again, making him a particularly strong play in bonus formats such as DraftKings.
Full Week 3 fantasy football QB rankings
Best daily fantasy RB value picks
FanDuel: Jonathan Stewart, Panthers vs.Saints ($6,500). Stewart’s numbers don’t look too hot at the moment, but both the Jaguars and Texans boast respectable defenses that did a nice job containing the Panthers’ lead back. In spite of this, Stewart still received 35 carries (40 touches total) over the first two weeks, so it’s not as if he’s lacking opportunities. Look for the Panthers to create more holes against a softer Saints defense and take the air out of the ball in a game they are favored to win.
DraftKings: T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars at Patriots ($4,400). With Denard Robinson (knee) sidelined for several weeks and Toby Gerhart yet to play in 2015, Yeldon will receive all the snaps and touches he can handle against a Patriots defense that has struggled against the run. Even if (when) New England builds a sizeable lead, Yeldon should still be active in the pass game, making him a sneaky PPR contributor.
Full Week 3 fantasy football RB rankings
Best daily fantasy WR value picks
FanDuel: Donte Moncrief, Colts at Titans ($6,000). Moncrief may have a high ownership percentage after catching a touchdown for the second straight week, but he may also be the best Colts receiver in Week 3 with T.Y. Hilton still looking a little hobbled at times against the Jets and Andre Johnson still looking like a senior citizen. Moncrief leads the Colts with 13 receptions and is second with 19 targets. That he still costs less than the likes of Johnson ($6,800) and Roddy White ($6,100) is a gift that fantasy owners should be happy to receive.
DraftKings: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals vs. 49ers ($5,800). In the last seven games that Carson Palmer has started, Fitzgerald has averaged eight catches for 94 yards and caught five total touchdowns. He’s reeled in 14 of 17 targets through two weeks and faces an opponent that couldn’t keep Darrius Heyward-Bey contained. Look for Fitzgerald to continue to get open and secure a high percentage of his targets. DraftKings’ PPR format makes him an even more enticing option.
Full Week 3 fantasy football WR rankings
Best daily fantasy TE value picks
FanDuel: Jimmy Graham, Seahawks vs. Bears ($6,300). Graham is a candidate to be ignored after last week’s dud, and it’s tough to blame those who do. However, those who go back to the well could be handsomely rewarded. It’s easy to forget Graham received eight targets in Week 1 (the same number as Rob Gronkowski that week) and caught six of them, including one for a score. Chicago hasn’t been able to stop anybody from scoring thus far, and the Seahawks should be able to provide Graham with some red-zone opportunities in what Vegas expects to be a blowout.
DraftKings: Vernon Davis, 49ers at Cardinals ($3,200). Largely neglected in recent seasons, Davis has been reintroduced to Colin Kaepernick and the Niners’ offense. He’s received 13 targets over the first two weeks – more than any combination of two games from 2014 – and hauled in eight of them. The Cardinals boast a tough defense, but they’ve allowed opposing tight ends to average 4.5 receptions and 40.5 yards through two games. Davis is on par with Martellus Bennett (4-48 vs. ARI) and better than any TE the Saints ran out in Week 1, so don’t be afraid to sprinkle Davis into your DraftKings portfolio.
Full Week 3 fantasy football TE rankings
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