Yahoo DFS Football: Week 3 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 3 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Kirk Cousins (WAS, $30)

Cousins has been a disappointment after throwing a single TD pass in each of the first two games, but facing the Eagles and the Rams had much to do with his weak output. This week he'll face the Raiders, who are a significantly easier draw in a game that could have shootout potential, giving Cousins a chance for his first big game of the campaign.

RB: Ameer Abdullah (DET, $19)

Despite seeing fewer touches than fantasy owners may have liked to start the year, Abdullah was close to breaking off a few big plays against a stout Giants defense in Week 2. He'll finally get a matchup that he can exploit when he faces the Falcons, and even if he's not seeing work at the goal line, he has the ability to score from anywhere on the field as both a runner and receiver.

WR: A.J. Green (CIN, $28)

Green has been decent but nothing special over the first two weeks of the season, but after the Bengals fired their offensive coordinator, it would be surprising if Green wasn't made the focal point of the offense in this week's contest against the Packers. Green Bay showed how weak their secondary was when they faced the Falcons last week, and Green could be in line for a massive breakout performance in a potentially high-scoring contest.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Andy Dalton (CIN, $24), Jacoby Brissett (IND, $24)
RB: Tevin Coleman (ATL, $17), Derrick Henry (TEN, $14), Joe Mixon (CIN, $14)
WR:DeVante Parker (MIA, $21), Rashard Higgins (CLE, $14), Terrelle Pryor (WAS, $18)
TE: Eric Ebron (DET, $13), Ed Dickson (CAR, $10)
DST: Houston Texans ($10), Cleveland Browns ($15)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford (DET, $36)

Despite starting the season with a pair of very difficult matchups against the Cardinals and the Giants, Stafford enters Week 3 with six touchdown passes in the books. He'll have a gorgeous matchup this week against the Falcons, and with multiple weapons in the Lions passing attack at his disposal, Atlanta's secondary will struggle to keep Stafford from posting another solid performance.

Running Back

Jay Ajayi (MIA, $30)

After enjoying a Week 1 bye, Ajayi took advantage of heavy volume to post 122 rushing yards against the Chargers. Expect more of the same this week, especially in a contest in which the Dolphins should play with the lead when facing the Jets. Although New York would seem to have the components for a strong rushing defense, they've been a disappointing unit to start the season, and it would be a major surprise if Ajayi didn't come through with another solid performance.

Isaiah Crowell (CLE, $23)

Many fantasy managers will write Crowell off after he posted just 70 rushing yards through the first two games of the season. However, he faced a pair of nasty rush defenses in the Steelers and Ravens in games that the Browns were mostly playing from behind. Things will stack up much better this week when facing the Colts, a team that Cleveland should stay competitive with for four quarters, which should allow Crowell to get enough volume to have his first big game of the season.

Wide Receiver

Demaryius Thomas (DEN, $22)

To start the season, Thomas has seen exactly eight targets in each game, which is exactly the type of consistency needed in cash games, especially at his affordable price tag. After having posted at least 67 yards in matchups against the Chargers and Cowboys, he should be in good shape to have another solid game against the Bills, who are still breaking in cornerbacks that are new to their system.

Adam Thielen (MIN, $21)

Assuming Sam Bradford is back under center after missing a week with a knee injury, Thielen remains very affordably priced as one of the key components of the Vikings passing attack. Even though he'll face a Buccaneers defense that is solid at the cornerback position, his work in the slot will ensure that he has a favorable matchup, which should lead to him having another productive afternoon.

Davante Adams (GB, $21)

Even if Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are able to play this week, it's likely that they'll be functioning at less than full strength. As a result, Adams should be in line for an elevated share of targets which will make him a strong option in cash games. Even though the Bengals have a solid defense, Aaron Rodgers has proven since last season that he's very willing to trust Adams regardless of matchup, and that trust should convert to production on the stat sheet.

Tight End

Zach Miller (CHI, $12)

After the Bears lost Kevin White to a shoulder injury in Week 1, Miller was targeted nine times in last week's loss to the Buccaneers. He'll continue to be one of the most trusted options in the struggling passing attack of the Bears, and although his ceiling isn't very high, his steady target share makes him well worth his affordable salary this week.

Defense/Special Teams

Miami Dolphins ($17)

The Dolphins weren't a very productive unit in the season opener against the Chargers, as they recorded one sack while failing to register a takeaway. However, facing the Jets, even in a road game, is a clear recipe for fantasy success. They should have little trouble posting multiple sacks, and while pressuring the quarterback, there's a strong chance that they have multiple takeaways as well.

Honorable Mentions

QB: Derek Carr (OAK, $36), Aaron Rodgers (GB, $37)
RB: Melvin Gordon (SD, $31), Dalvin Cook (MIN, $27)
WR: Kelvin Benjamin (CAR, $21), DeAndre Hopkins (HOU, $20)
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ, $11), Hunter Henry (LAC, $15)
DST: Oakland Raiders ($20)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jim Coventry plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mvp1986, DraftKings: mvp1986.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Coventry
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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