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Daily Fantasy Football Week 3: Ideal Last-Minute DraftKings Picks

Fantasy Football
September 24, 2015

The best daily fantasy football teams have a good variety of established stars and high-upside sleepers. You will likely need both to win big in whatever contest you enter.

Although I don’t want to waste your time explaining why Antonio Brown, Julio Jones or Rob Gronkowski are good bets every week, these consistent performers are great additions to your team regardless of price. If you start with them and balance out your team with a few sleeper picks, you should be in good shape.

Of course, you will still need to pick the right players at each position if you want to win. Here is a look at the top targets across the board for Week 3.

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals ($6,600)

It was almost too easy for Carson Palmer in Week 2, as the veteran torched the Chicago Bears defense for four touchdowns while completing 70.8 percent of his passes. His offensive line is giving him time to throw the ball, and the wide variety of receivers are making plays all over the field.

The only downside from a fantasy perspective was his lack of yardage. He only managed 185 yards on 17-of-24 passing in Week 2, although that can be blamed on the flow of the game during a blowout. Palmer simply didn’t need to throw the ball with the Cardinals scoring on special teams and continuously giving the offense a short field.

As long as he is healthy, Palmer should remain an elite fantasy option at quarterback for what has been an amazingly cheap price.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs ($7,400)

Although spending money on receivers has been the better strategy so far this season, especially with points-per-reception scoring, this might be the week to splurge on a top running back. Aside from Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles, there is a whole lot of uncertainty at the position, and one of these players (plus possibly Le’Veon Bell) could be a huge difference-maker.

Out of this top group, Charles is arguably the best option thanks to a great matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. The defense has allowed 5.3 yards per carry so far this season, which ranks second to worst in the NFL ahead of only the New England Patriots.

Charles was excellent last game against a strong Denver Broncos defense, totaling 125 rushing yards on 25 carries. He did lose two fumbles, but this has never been a problem for the running back in his career, so it should not be a big deal.

He remains a safe option for fantasy owners going forward.

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders ($5,800)

Although he didn’t have huge numbers in Week 2 (15 carries, 65 rushing yards and a touchdown), Latavius Murray showcased the skill and athleticism that helped generate so much preseason hype.

Most importantly, it’s clear he is the true lead back in Oakland with Taiwan Jones seeing minimal touches and Roy Helu having no impact. All Murray needs is some clear lanes and he will have the breakout game we have been waiting to see.

That could very well come in Week 3 against a Cleveland Browns team currently ranked dead last in the NFL with 160 rushing yards allowed per game. Based on the upcoming schedule, this could be the last time you get Murray for so cheap.

Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers ($7,300)

As explained above, you should have no hesitation going after the top receivers on the board. That said, you can still get a lot of production while saving some money by going after Randall Cobb this weekend.

Cobb was extremely useful out of the slot in Week 2, racking up 116 receiving yards on eight catches while avoiding Seattle Seahawk Richard Sherman in coverage. We could see the same strategy Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a good No. 1 corner in rookie Marcus Peters but not much else.

After getting more than twice as many targets as anyone else on the Packers, it’s clear Cobb will remain Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite target for the foreseeable future.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets ($6,200)

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell has not lived up to his hefty salary so far this year. Nick Mensio of Rotoworld explains just how bad things have been for the former Seahawk:

Brandon Marshall is coming off a big game against the Indianapolis Colts where he finished with 101 yards on seven catches and a touchdown. He could have even more opportunities next week with Eric Decker questionable with a knee injury, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.

It’s likely the Eagles will give a lot of attention to the veteran wideout, but it just doesn’t seem like there’s anyone on the roster capable of stopping him.

Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins ($3,800)

Besides maybe Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Reed might be the top fantasy option for Thursday night. Washington Redskins running backs Alfred Morris and Matt Jones will likely split carries in the backfield, but Reed has established himself as a go-to option for quarterback Kirk Cousins.

In two games, the tight end has 13 catches on 17 targets, showing a usage rate not often seen in tight ends who don’t go by “Gronk.”

With the New York Giants allowing the most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks, plus three touchdowns to opposing tight ends, Reed has a chance to provide great value.

Note: All prices and fantasy score info courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.


DraftKings is giving away over $10 million in Week 3 of the NFL season. Use this knowledge to help you win some of that cash. The biggest first-place prize ever at $2 million will be awarded. Play now for free at DraftKings.com.

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