NFL DraftKings Week 3 Tournament Picks: Finding Upside In The Mid-Range

Quarterback

Derek Carr – Las Vegas Raiders – $5,900 – Projection: 18.74

Through two weeks, Derek Carr already has over 100 more passing yards than the next closest quarterback. Carr and the Raiders face the struggling Miami Dolphins (without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) at home this week. There is no reason to believe Carr won’t continue his incredible start to the 2021 season. For some reason, Carr is still going for dirt cheap on DraftKings.

Daniel Jones – New York Giants – $5,800 – Projection: 19.68

From a fantasy standpoint, Jones has had a great start to the 2021 season. He has been tasked with going against the best secondary in the NFL, the Denver Broncos, in Week 1, and then facing the Washington Football Team on the road in Week 2. Still, he has put up solid weeks and been a reliable scorer in the air and on the ground. Based on his performance thus far, he is due for a massive day against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Atlanta has given Jalen Hurts and Tom Brady huge fantasy days in its first two games, and Jones should continue this trend.

Running Back

Cordarrelle Patterson – Atlanta Falcons – $4,600 – Projection: 9.16

Perhaps I am just leading the Patterson bandwagon this year, but I am very bullish on him. Atlanta utilizes him in so many different ways and is therefore not limited by game script or situation. Patterson is cheap again in Week 3 and should be utilized as a flex play or an RB2 if you go with a player like McCaffrey, who has a higher budget.

Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers – $7,200 – Projection: 18.16

After a lackluster game, where Ekeler received zero targets, he bounced back with a huge game where he rushed nine times for 54 yards and caught all nine of his targets for 61 yards. Ekeler is an excellent play because he is not reliant on touchdowns and should always be targeted in the passing game. Week 1 was an outlier, and everyone who plays fantasy football knows that. This matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs is great for Ekeler, too, as he should have plenty of opportunities to make big plays.

Wide Receiver

Mike Williams – Los Angeles Chargers – $6,400 – Projection: 14.95

Mike Williams is being targeted a ton. The Chargers legitimately can support two WR1s in their offense. Williams is a mega-talent that has great size and hands. This week, Los Angeles plays Kansas City, so it should be a very high-scoring game, and Williams will get double-digit targets.

Cooper Kupp – Los Angeles Rams – $6,800 – Projection: 18.99

How is Cooper Kupp still only $6,800? Stafford and Kupp have incredible chemistry. Kupp has flourished in the Rams’ offense through two games, racking up 16 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Continue to play Kupp until he is valued correctly because right now, he is a steal.

Courtland Sutton – Denver Broncos – $6,000 – Projection: 15.51

Sutton had a rough first week as he was shaking off some rust from missing an entire year of football. In Week 2, Sutton looked not only back to normal but perhaps, even better. He reeled in nine of his 12 targets for 159 yards. Be thankful that Sutton did not catch any touchdowns in Week 2; otherwise, he would have elevated above his current discount price range. This week, Sutton faces the New York Jets; not much more has to be said about that. Without Jerry Jeudy, Sutton is the clear WR1.

Tight End

T.J. Hockenson – Detroit Lions – $5,200 – Projection: 14.16

T.J. Hockenson is still undervalued at $5,200, especially with Travis Kelce going for $3,000 more and only scoring a few more points through two weeks. Hockenson looks fantastic through two games and is Jared Goff’s favorite target. He has already put two 20-point games together, and the Lions will have to pass a ton to try and keep up with the Ravens.

Defense/Special Teams

Ravens Defense – $3,600 – Projection: 8.80

Baltimore’s defense does not look like a great option at first glance, despite the fact it will be facing the Lions’ offense. However, the Ravens’ first two games were against the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, who have both had no issues putting many points on the board. Meanwhile, Detroit has faced two defenses that are struggling in the worst way to start its season. I like this game to be a momentum-shifting moment for the Ravens, who should be able to force a few turnovers.