NFL Week 3 FanDuel Cash Picks: JuJu Smith-Schuster Mr. Necessary vs. the Bengals

The NFL season is rolling now, and we are starting to get a clearer picture of team situations and matchups to target around the NFL. DFS was a bit kinder to me in Week 2 than Week 1, and I’m looking for even more cash out of my 50/50s, head-to-heads, and double-ups this week. We’re looking for the players who will maximize their scoring above all else this week. With plenty of options at all of the price points, let’s take a look at the best options at each position.

Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – $8,400 – Projection: 24.6

I had Justin Herbert in this spot last week in what I expected to be a shootout against the Cowboys, and that didn’t work out so well for me. So this week, let’s go with a quarterback who has been producing excellent stat lines and fantasy value for years. Russell Wilson is in a great spot against a Vikings defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the season. Wilson had 24.5 fantasy points against Minnesota last year, and I have him down for about the same production this week. The Vikings-Seahawks game should be high-scoring with a high over-under and plenty of upside for great fantasy success.

Daniel Jones – New York Giants – $7,400 – Projection: 20.3

So far this season, Daniel Jones is the QB5 in fantasy scoring, just like everyone expected. The wheels are likely going to fall off at some point for Jones as he frankly isn’t as good a quarterback as his production indicates, but that isn’t going to happen this week against the hapless Falcons defense. With Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay getting healthier and Evan Engram back this week, Jones has a lot of good skill-position talent surrounding him. So far, the Falcons have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, so this is an excellent spot for Jones.

Honorable Mentions: Kyler Murray ($9,000), Teddy Bridgewater ($7,300), Justin Fields ($6,500)

Running Backs

Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Vikings – $9,500 – Projection: 20.1

Dalvin Cook is dealing with an ankle issue and is considered a game-time call for Week 3. However, if he plays this week, he’s in a fantastic spot for DFS value. The Seahawks just let Derrick Henry rack up 44.7 fantasy points last week, and while they had a solid run defense last season, Seattle has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs so far this season. Cook is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL and will see 25+ touches in what should be a high-scoring matchup. With Alvin Kamara and Nick Chubb facing tougher matchups, Cook is my top target at running back this week.

Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers – $7,000 – Projection: 18.2

I didn’t expect the Chiefs to have a great defense this season, but they have had the worst run defense in the NFL so far as they have allowed 6.0 yards per carry, the most in the NFL. To be fair, they have faced two elite rushing offenses in Baltimore and Cleveland. Still, Ekeler presents another tough matchup as an incredibly talented running back behind what has become one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Ekeler should also be heavily involved as a pass-catcher. He carries top-five upside this week, and at this price tag, he’s my favorite value at any position on this week’s slate.

Ty’Son Williams – Baltimore Ravens – $6,400 – Projection: 13.4

This season, the Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs, and Ty’Son Williams is in a great spot to take advantage. He has averaged 13.5 touches per game through two games, which may not seem like a lot, but with 6.5 YPC and 9.0 YPR, he’s providing elite efficiency on those touches. In a positive game script where the Ravens should be running the ball a ton, the only way Williams doesn’t return value on this price tag is if he fumbles early in the game.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Carson ($7,700), D’Andre Swift ($7,400), Chase Edmonds ($6,600), Saquon Barkley ($6,000)

Wide Receivers

DK Metcalf – Seattle Seahawks – $7,300 – Projection: 17.1

DK Metcalf is ridiculously underpriced on FanDuel. I get it; he’s disappointed as just the WR35 this season while Tyler Lockett has been the WR2. However, Metcalf saw 11 targets last week and saw multiple deep opportunities, although he could never connect with Russell Wilson for a long play. That changes this week. Last season, Metcalf had six catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings, good for 24.3 fantasy points. I’m not projecting a two-touchdown game for Metcalf this week, but he’s a terrific value where he’s currently priced.

JuJu Smith-Schuster – Pittsburgh Steelers – $6,100 – Projection: 13.7

Diontae Johnson has been ruled out for the Steelers this week, leaving JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool to a massive target share in a plus matchup against the Bengals. Smith-Schuster already has 15 targets through 2 games (7.5 per game), and he could easily see 10+ targets in this matchup. He may not be the biggest touchdown threat or a dominant downfield receiver, but he is a PPR stud and will be necessary for the Steelers this week. He also has the benefit of being a player who doesn’t need to get in the end zone to cash at this price.

Robert Woods – Los Angeles Rams – $6,100 – Projection: 13.1

Cooper Kupp has been outstanding to start this season, and like Tyler Lockett, his excellent play has left their wide receiver teammate relegated to the sideline. It would be silly to completely overlook Woods this week, though, as the Buccaneers have a very beatable secondary that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position so far. In what is expected to be a high-scoring matchup, Matthew Stafford will rack up many passing attempts as the Bucs’ defense will severely limit their run game. Woods may not have the most enormous ceiling, but his floor is excellent in this matchup.

Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill ($8,700), Stefon Diggs ($7,700), Keenan Allen ($6,900), Chase Claypool ($5,800)

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson – Detroit Lions – $6,300 – Projection: 12.3

The start of this season has been tremendous for T.J. Hockenson as he has caught eight balls and scored a touchdown in each of his first two games – that has been good for 16+ fantasy points in each of his first two games. Hockenson is arguably still underpriced at over $1,000 cheaper than Darren Waller and over $2,000 cheaper than Travis Kelce, and he gets a decent matchup against the Ravens who have struggled to contain those two elite tight ends in the first two weeks of the season.

Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams – $5,500 – Projection: 7.8

I get why people would want to fade Tyler Higbee as he’s just the TE22 so far this season with just six catches for 76 yards through two games. However, the Rams are going to have to throw the ball a ton in this matchup. Darrell Henderson is injured, and they face one of the best front sevens in the NFL. That added passing volume will benefit Higbee greatly as the clear-cut third target in the offense after Kupp and Woods. Higbee faces a Bucs defense that has allowed an average of 5.5 catches for 67 yards to the tight end position so far this season, and he should be a solid play at this price if you’re looking for a cheaper option.

Honorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski ($6,500), Noah Fant ($6,100), Jared Cook ($5,300)