NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Week 3
By Alvin Lange
Welcome to this week’s NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades – a Daily Fantasy Sports column focused on setting the foundation for NFL FanDuel DFS lineups with the best plays and fades. The foundation of NFL FanDuel DFS lineups are structured around QB, RB, and WR plays as well as recognizing plays to fade.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Quarterbacks
Top Play – Patrick Mahomes KC vs SF
Patrick Mahomes is coming off a fantastic 6 TD game last week. As a result, his price on FanDuel spiked upward and he will be popular – and he is worth it. This week’s matchup is vs the 49ers with their 7th worst pass defense that has allowed 5 TDs over 2 games to start the season. With a ton of weapons on offense, Mahomes will continue his hot start to the season and will show that the first 2 weeks were no fluke.
Value Play – Carson Wentz PHI vs IND
Eagles backup QB Nick Foles has not been as great as his postseason form, so it is Wentz time. Carson Wentz was on his way to MVP honors last season, and then suffered a season-ending injury. Wentz is priced at a bargain of $7,400 on FanDuel with weapons like Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz, and recently re-signed Jordan Matthews at his disposal. Carson Wentz is one of this week’s best values with the Eagles looking to avoid starting the season 1-2 vs Colts.
Fade – Case Keenum DEN @ BAL
Case Keenum has proceeded to continue showing who the Vikings thought he was – an OK backup quarterback with limited upside. Now, there is news that Keenum has a sore knee:
Case Keenum (knee) not practicing Wednesday https://t.co/1GwdINlw19 via @rotopilot #fantasyfootball
— FantasyPros (@FantasyProsNFL) September 19, 2018
This week, Keenum goes up against a solid Ravens defense that was embarrassed in Week 2 vs Bengals. Look for Keenum to add to his league leading 4-interception total (tied with Matthew Stafford) as the Ravens look to get back on track.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Running Backs
Top Play – Alvin Kamara NO @ ATL
Alvin Kamara is one of the safest DFS plays with a great floor and ceiling due to his high usage in the Saints offense. Last week, the Falcons allowed Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey to produce 14 receptions on 15 targets for 102 yards. Such an occurrence is great news for Alvin Kamara – he thrives as a pass-catching RB. This week’s Saints @ Falcons game features one of the highest O/U of the week, and Kamara will be a big part of the Fantasy goodness from this game.
Value Play – Tevin Coleman ATL vs NO
Tevin Coleman performed well last week in an undesirable matchup vs the Panthers – rushing for 107 yards with another 18 receiving. This week, the matchup is better vs Saints, whom have not faced a running back of Coleman’s caliber yet this season. Devonta Freeman missed last week’s game and is listed as day-to-day, but the expectation remains for Freeman to be out with the injury:
One source said it was a 3-4 week injury; another Falcons’ official said it is 2-3 weeks. Either way, Devonta Freeman’s absence will be multiple games. https://t.co/vfJvkSRVRH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2018
Look for Coleman to continue to carry the load and be heavily involved in the Falcons rushing and receiving attack.
Fade – David Johnson ARI vs CHI
David Johnson is on a bad team with a new coach and a high price tag on FanDuel. Johnson has a total of 118 yards total and 0 touchdowns through 2 games. Although the Cardinals will look to get Johnson more involved, this is not the week to expect a breakout. The Bears defense has been phenomenal the first 2 weeks of the season with the addition of Khalil Mack. David Johnson will have more of a role this week, but it will not warrant his FanDuel price of $8,200 in a tough matchup vs Bears.
NFL FanDuel DFS Plays and Fades: Wide Receivers
Top Play – Michael Thomas NO @ ATL
Michael Thomas will look to continue his torrid start to the season as he has a monster 30 targets in 2 games – converting those into 28 catches for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns. Division games are always great to target in DFS as the teams have their eye on the division title. It is early in the season, but this is a big game for these 2 NFL South teams and Thomas will play a big role in the outcome.
Michael Thomas has 28 receptions through two games for the Saints. He’s on pace for 224 catches. I’m pretty sure that would be a new @NFL record.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 16, 2018
Value Play – Nelson Agholor PHI vs IND
Nelson Agholor has been the biggest beneficiary of all the injuries the Eagles have suffered to begin the season. Agholor has amassed 16 catches on 22 targets for 121 yards and 1 touchdown in 2 games. The Eagles are already without Alshon Jeffery, and last week lost Mike Wallace. In addition to the loss of Wallace, the Eagles may also be without running back Darren Sproles – who is a great receiving back. Agholor is priced at a great value of $6,600 and will look to exploit the Colts secondary with franchise quarterback Carson Wentz returning from injury.
Fade – Corey Davis TEN @ JAC
The good news is that Corey Davis has received 20 targets in 2 games this season. The bad news is that Corey Davis now faces the dominate Jaguars defense in Week 3. To further complicate matters for Davis is that he will be catching passes from backup QB Blaine Gabbert or a less than 100% Marcus Mariota. When you factor in the matchup and QB situation, Davis is a fade as there are better values within his price range.
NFL Week 3 Game by Game Breakdown. dark. Next