DraftKings NFL: Week 3 Lineup
By Joe Romano
Wide Receivers
1. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons – $8900
Drew Brees’ favorite target, Michael Thomas is having himself an incredible start to the season. He’s got over 300 yards and three touchdowns through two games. He gets his toughest test yet going to Atlanta to play the Falcons. Atlanta’s defense is 17th in points allowed to opposing receivers so far. Their talented defensive backfield will turn all their attention to Thomas and force Brees elsewhere. Thomas is always going to be a force, however I’d stack him with Brees as a way to cover the bases if you expect the Saints to score a ton on Sunday.
2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers – $8500
Is there any other receiver that pairs so perfectly with their quarterback’s play style than Tyreek Hill? Patrick Mahomes big arm was made for Hill and his deep speed. That is why he’s the second highest scoring receiver through two weeks. That should not change facing a 49ers defense who’s best corner is an aging Richard Sherman. Hill can torch everyone on that back-end and will on his way to another big game.
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans vs. New York Giants – $8300
The Houston Texans finally got Deshaun Watson back but it has done little to help DeAndre Hopkins in fantasy. The uber-talented receiver should be reaping the rewards of Watson’s ability to extend the play and get chunk yardage. His 188 yards is solid through two games but after last year many expected more. Hopkins gets a Giants team that’s been solid against the pass so far this season as well. If Janoris Jenkins is shadowing Hopkins, it’s not a deterrent but something to keep an eye on. This game could become ugly and that is not good news for Hopkins.
4. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants @ Houston Texans – $8200
A truly disappointing wide receiver this year has been Odell Beckham. Coming back from a mostly-missed 2017 with a rejuvenated offense was supposed to spark Beckham’s production. Instead through two games he has 162 yards. A week ago he only caught four passes for 51 yards. This week he gets a softer secondary in the Houston Texans, so this could be the week Giants fans were hoping for.
5. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints – $7900
After Week 1, the talk surrounding Julio Jones was about how he is being mis-used in the redzone. His team did not help his cause in Week 2 but his target share is encouraging. Jones is always going to rack up yards, if he can find the end zone eventually those good games become week-winners. Good news is they get the Saints defense that has allowed the most points to receivers this season. Jones is traditionally strong versus New Orleans averaging six catches for 89 yards. His touchdown dependency hurts his value but believers will stay strong.
Value Wide Receivers
Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins vs. Oakland Raiders – $5800
The Miami Dolphins let Jarvis Landry go in the offseason because they believed they had receivers in place that could replicate what he does. The prime target for that was Kenny Stills. The former Saint is finding a home in Miami with two touchdowns through two weeks. With the Raiders coming to town this week, and DaVante Parker return Stills could sneak under the radar for a big game. Oakland struggles coming east and Stills is one of the many Dolphins that have my attention this week.
John Brown, Baltimore Ravens vs Denver Broncos – $4800
This is an entirely new receiving corps in Baltimore for quarterback Joe Flacco. Early returns on the unit as a whole have been up-and-down. A bright spot in both games has been speedster John Brown. The former Arizona Cardinal has scored in each game on ten and four targets respectively. With most of the defensive attention going to Michael Crabtree (meaning to corner matchup), this could be another solid week for Brown. Someone has to score for this Ravens offense through the air and Brown seems like the best of the bunch to do so.
Taylor Gabriel, Chicago Bears @ Arizona Cardinals – $3800
Seeing a trend here? Receivers with bigger name counterparts that can outperform them this week. Taylor Gabriel is second fiddle on the targets for the Bears with Allen Robinson looking fully back for Chicago. This week Robinson draws Patrick Peterson’s shutdown style. That forces Mitch Trubisky to look elsewhere, that means plenty of work for Gabriel. The speedster can take advantage of a weak Arizona defense and make huge plays for this Chicago offense.