Daily Fantasy Football: FanDuel Week 3 lineups

Quarterbacks:

Best values:

Sep 14, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins ($6,800)- Cousins is just now getting the starting job in Washington, but the Redskins get the Eagles who have given up back-to-back multiple touchdown games to quarterbacks. Cousins is going to have success in this offense. He might throw a lot of interceptions, but he will throw for enough yards and touchdowns to have fantasy football success.
Tony Romo ($7,600)- I really like Tony Romo and I always convince myself that he is going to manage to turn this year around. I don’t quite think Tony Romo is on the same page with new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan yet, as he is working this running game into the offense. However, Romo will come around, and he has a nice matchup with Rams. The Rams have struggled against number one receivers, so Dez Bryant could be big if the Cowboys let him.
Jay Cutler ($8,100)- What a performance we saw on Monday night! Cutler threw for four touchdowns, and they’ll be facing the Jets secondary that gave up a big game to Aaron Rodgers last week. Cutler isn’t Aaron Rodgers, but his weapons are certainly just as good, if not better. The Bears won’t be able to run, so they will have to throw, increasing Cutler’s value.

Expensive but well worth it:

Matthew Stafford ($9,000)- Stafford v. Rodgers in the dome at Ford Field? Shoot out. Green Bay just allowed Geno Smith to be a top-10 fantasy quarterback this week at home. Now they go on the road against Stafford? I like him a lot this week.
Drew Brees ($9,100)- They just lost Mark Ingram for a month, the passing game hasn’t been what is was, and the Saints are 0-2. They’ll come out throwing in the SuperDome and light up the scoreboard.
Andrew Luck ($9,500)-Jacksonville’s defense fell apart after they lost Jonathan Cyprien to a concussion in week one. He’s the glue that held that team together. But Andrew Luck is coming to town, and is a man on a mission after starting 0-2. I have to believe that Colts Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton is smart enough to let Luck be Luck in this game.
Aaron Rodgers ($9,800)- Rodgers v. Stafford in the dome at Ford Field! Lions are hurting at corner, which is the same issue that the Jets had and Rodgers made them pay.

No thanks (Bad Values):

Peyton Manning ($9,900)- At Seattle. I don’t care that he’s looked good to start the season. This is an untrustworthy matchup.
Cam Newton ($8,600)- Looked great against the Lions secondary. This is going to be a dull Sunday Night Football game against Pittsburgh. It should be pretty low scoring, so I’ll pass on Cam Newton this week.

My Pick: Kirk Cousins ($6,800)

Running Backs:

Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) returns a kick during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Best values:

Knile Davis ($7,000)- Knile Davis has never scored less than 20-fantasy points in a game when he is given majority of the carries. If you are wondering what three games I am talking about, it’d be last week, week 17 last year, and the playoff game against the Colts. Knile Davis has been an injury risk and he’s also been known to fumble, but he has the hot hand and I’m going with him.
Joique Bell ($6,800)- The Packers just gave up a score to Chris Ivory last week and Joique Bell has the same role with more touches than Ivory. He will be a good play here. Although something to monitor is Bell’s two fumbles. He hasn’t come off the field for any of those fumbles yet, but if it continues to be a problem they won’t leave him out there.
Darren Sporles ($6,000)- Anytime I can get the number two running back in fantasy football for a cheap price, I’m going to jump all over that. Darren Sproles has looked resurrected in this Chip Kelly offense. It seems through two weeks that they are going to consistently give Sproles touches. I didn’t think Sporles would have this role to start the season, but I’m not surprised that both Eagles running backs are top 10 running backs right now.
Bobby Rainey ($5,700)- Rainey is becoming the starting running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. and he has a great matchup this week. Atlanta has given up five touchdowns in two games to opposing running backs, and I’m not buying that Doug Martin is Tampa’s guy. Supposedly they were really worried about Martin’s pass protection, and Rainey looked good against the Rams this week. I think both running backs could play, but I’d rather use Rainey.

Expensive but well worth it:

DeMarco Murray ($8,700)- New look Cowboys? They are giving DeMarco Murray the football. DeMarco Murray is averaging 27 touches over the first two games, and until we see differently, we have to trust Murray. Especially in a game against the Rams, where Bobby Rainey looked good against them just last week.
Giovani Bernard ($8,500)- Jeremy Hill looked great, but Giovani Bernard was still touching the ball at a ridiculous rate and against Tennessee, he’s worth a look. DeMarco Murray just got done running all over the Titans and Giovani Bernard should do the same.
Marshawn Lynch ($8,900)- Lynch only saw 6 carries last week due to the heat, and he didn’t play that great in the Super Bowl against Denver. However, this is different than the Super Bowl. This is in Seattle, and with that crowd, Seattle will be able to run at will.

No thanks (Bad Values):

Le’Veon Bell ($8,800)- Carolina is an incredible run defense, and although he’s the number one running back in fantasy football, this Carolina defense makes him untouchable for this game.
Matt Forte ($8,400)- Forte gets the Jets, who have looked good against the run this season. I think the Bears will be throwing on the secondary and will just kind of forget about Matt Forte.
Eddie Lacy ($8,200)- Lacy owners are frustrated, but he had the toughest first three games amongst running backs. I knew that heading into the season, so I didn’t expect a lot from him early on. The schedule gets easier after this week, and we will see a new Eddie Lacy, but for this week, stay away.

My pick: Darren Sporles ($6,000); Knile Davis ($7,000)

Wide Receivers:

Aug 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) makes a move on Tennessee Titans strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) after a catch in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Titans won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Best values:

Andre Johnson ($7,100)- Johnson gets the New York Giants this week. He hasn’t been able to get to the end-zone so far, but I think he takes advantage of this matchup and scores.
Roddy White ($7,000)- Roddy was banged up last week, but this is a home game and Roddy White is always dominant at home. The Falcons have a good matchup, so I think he’s worth a consideration here.
Jeremy Maclin ($6,300)- Maclin has two touchdowns in two games, and he is still getting multiple targets in his direction. I love the 22 targets, not liking the only 8 catches. Maclin seems touchdown dependent at the moment. That said, I’m still buying into the targets for this price.
Julian Edelman ($6,900)- Edelman is another highly targeted receiver, and the Patriots will be playing Oakland this week. A week where the Patriots could decide to let Tom Brady loose and throw for 400-yards. I want to own Julian Edelman this week.

Expensive but well worth it:

Calvin Johnson ($9,000)- He’s playing Green Bay. It’s safe to say that the Lions are going to want to throw, so this could be another 200-yard game for Megatron.
Dez Bryant ($8,600)- Dez is fighting through a shoulder injury, but he’s still set for a big game against St. Louis. St. Louis doesn’t defend number one receivers well if they have a capable quarterback and a great receiver. They were able to limit Vincent Jackson last week, but his quarterback was Josh McCown.
Randall Cobb ($8,100)- Cobb is becoming the Packers redzone target, meaning he could rack up 16 touchdowns this year with ease. Everytime they get in close, they look in Randall Cobb’s direction.
Jordy Nelson ($8,600)-Nelson is the most targeted receiver in the NFL so far this year. He’s been targeted 30 times in two weeks and has caught 18 of them. He is currently the number one fantasy wide receiver, and he will be started by a lot of people this week against Detroit.

No thanks (Bad Values):

Demaryius Thomas ($8,700)- Thomas has looked bad in his first two games of the season. If you have Thomas you are likely starting him, but in this challenge, I want no part of Demaryius Thomas.
Wes Welker ($6,900)- This is his first week back with the offense, and he officially hasn’t practiced in a month. I don’t trust him being on the same page with Manning his first week back. The fact that the game is in Seattle makes me want to stay further away.
Vincent Jackson ($7,200)- I don’t trust his quarterback. The targets aren’t there yet, and until I see Mike Glennon on the field, I have no faith in Vincent Jackson.

My Pick: Dez Bryant ($8,600); Calvin Johnson ($9,000); Julian Edelman ($6,900)

Tight End:

Best values:

Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; [San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) pulls in an 8-yard touchdown pass in front of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) during second period action at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Dwayne Allen ($5,200)- Allen has actually had some success against Jacksonville, and he should again. However, Pep Hamilton is the Colts offensive coordinator and he likes to throw a hole into every thing that seems logical. It’ll be interesting to see how he uses him this week.
Niles Paul ($5,000)- Niles Paul is the real deal, at least in this offense. Offensive coordinator Sean McVay was a former tight end coach, and he loves targeting his tight end. Niles Paul seems to have good chemistry with Cousins. He’s a cheap, safe value for me.
Antonio Gates ($6,000)- Gates is playing really well and while he won’t have three touchdowns again this week, he could score a couple of touchdowns against Buffalo.

Expensive but well worth it:

Jimmy Graham ($8,400)- Jimmy Graham has a really easy matchup, and the Saints must get their passing game right. He’s going to dominate.
Julius Thomas ($8,000)- I know it’s at Seattle, but he’s been Peyton Manning’s go to guy so far this season. He already has four touchdowns and the Seahawks just gave up three touchdowns to Antonio Gates. I’ll gamble on Thomas.
Rob Gronkowski ($7,700)- The Patriots need to get their passing game right, and Brady will be looking for Gronkowski.
Vernon Davis ($7,100)- Arizona is horrible against tight ends, but Davis is banged up. Colin Kaepernick has been looking for Davis in the end zone, and he will continue to do that.

My Pick: Antonio Gates ($6,000)

Defense/ Kicker:

Defense:

Sep 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) prior to the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Green Bay 36-16. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Best values:

Saints ($4,600)- They play Matt Cassel at home. If the Saints defense has any chance to be good, it starts here.
Cowboys ($4,800)- The Cowboys have looked good and they play St. Louis. I’ll take a cheap chance on them.
Chargers ($4,700)- The Chargers defense has looked good. John Pagano has done a good job.

Expensive but well worth it:

Seahawks ($5,200)- Seahawks are at home. Come on! They play Denver, but this will be the cheapest they ever are.
Texans ($5,200)- J.J. Watt v. Giants offensive line, usually leads to a J.J. Watt victory.

No thanks (Bad Values):

Eagles ($5,300)- They play Washington and they can’t defend the pass. The Colts gave them problems, the Washington offense is going to be good.

My Pick: Saints ($4,600)

Kickers:

Best values:

Justin Tucker ($5,000)
Mason Crosby ($5,100)
Matt Bryant ($5,200)
Dan Carpenter ($5,300)

My Pick: Justin Tucker ($5,000)

My Picks: $60,000

Sep 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) catches a pass during warm ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

QB- Kirk Cousins ($6,800)
RB- Knile Davis ($7,000)
RB- Darren Sproles ($6,000)
WR- Calvin Johnson ($9,000)
WR- Dez Bryant ($8,600)
WR- Julian Edelman ($6,900)
TE- Antonio Gates ($6,000)
DEF- New Orleans Saints ($4,600)
K-Justin Tucker ($5,000)