GPP plays will always be volatile, which was certainly the case last week. The injuries suffered around the league were hard to fathom, and it’s sad to see so many big-name players go down. That will always add even more chaos to an already chaotic hobby, but we’re hopeful that won’t be an issue this week!
With that in mind, let’s dive into this week’s GPP plays.
Week 3 GPP DFS Advice & Picks
The players below are the ones I’m looking at for GPP considerations for Week 3.
Quarterbacks
DraftKings
Geno Smith (QB – SEA): $5,600 vs. MIA
Why is Geno still being slept on? This guy has been a different player since signing with Seattle, averaging 20 DraftKings points per game this season. That has much to do with this new-look offense, and it’s hard to believe that Smith is still sitting below $6K. The matchup with Miami makes it even more confusing, with the Dolphins allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold (QB – MIN): $5,500 vs. HOU
Darnold is in the same boat as Smith because these post-hype breakouts are carrying their new franchises. This Vikings quarterback has stepped into a system that caters to his skillset, averaging over 18 DK points per game. That’s all you can ask for from a $5,500 player, and we don’t mind that Houston owns a 23rd OPRK against opposing signal-callers.
FanDuel
Anthony Richardson (QB – IND): $8,000 vs. CHI
Richardson is a GPP-type player because he can look like the best quarterback in the league at times and like Kenny Pickett at other times. He looked more like Pickett last week, scoring 13 FanDuel points in that ugly outing. Amazingly, Richardson finished as a Top 5 quarterback in the other four games he started in his career, and we have to bank on that sort of upside since people will be overlooking him after such a stinker on Sunday.
Brock Purdy (QB – SF): $7,400 at LAR
People are worried about Purdy because they’ve lost Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey, but this is a great time to hop on the Purdy train. This guy established a 20-point floor in his first two seasons with San Fran and should be asked to do more with McCaffrey out. The best part is this matchup against LA, with the Rams allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Running Backs
DraftKings
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE): $5,800 vs. NYG
Ford was outplayed by D’Onta Foreman last week, but we’ll call that an outlier. This guy has done a fantastic job of filling in for Nick Chubb since the start of last season, averaging 15 DK points per game in this expanded role. That’s a tremendous total from a sub-$6K player, and we love that he has a home matchup with the Giants. New York has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL, and Ford should get plenty of chances since Cleveland is a massive home favorite.
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN): $5,400 at TB
Nobody is excited about using any Denver players, but it’s about time they get Williams more involved. This is their best playmaker on the offense end, averaging 12 DK points per game before his knee injury. We saw glimpses of that last season, and a matchup with Tampa could get him back on track. The Bucs own a 30th OPRK against opposing rushers!
FanDuel
Zamir White (RB – LVR): $6,000 vs. CAR
White is one of my favorite plays of the week. The most crucial factor is the matchup because Carolina allowed the most fantasy points to opposing backs last season. That’s no surprise since they’re the worst team in the NFL, and Vegas could lean on White as a massive home favorite. That’s what they did last season, with White averaging nearly 20 FD points per game when he started for Josh Jacobs.
Carson Steele (RB – KC): $5,200 at ATL
Somebody in this Chiefs backfield has to touch the ball because Isiah Pacheco is out for the next six weeks. Many people believe it’s Semaje Perine, but Steele was the first option last week. It’s rare to see a rookie get that opportunity, but any running back in an Andy Reid offense can be an attractive GPP option, especially at just $5,200.
Wide Receivers
DraftKings
Chris Olave (WR – NOS): $6,300 vs. PHI
The Saints have developed the best offense in the NFL, and it’s just a matter of time before Olave gets going. That hasn’t happened yet, but that’s mainly due to a game script issue. Derek Carr hasn’t even attempted 40 total passes yet, which will obviously limit Olave’s opportunities. That should change here because this is expected to be a high-scoring and competitive game, with Philly surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL since the start of last season!
Demarcus Robinson (WR – LAR): $5,000 vs. SF
Robinson might be rostered more than we anticipate, but he’s of great value at just $5,000. We care most about the opportunity because he will be the top wideout in LA with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined. That’s quite the prospect with Matthew Stafford behind center, and we saw D-Rob score at least 14 fantasy points in the four games he played at least 50 snaps last season. A 100 percent snap share and double-digit targets look like a lock, which is amazing from a $5K player.
FanDuel
Tyreek Hill (WR – ARI): $9,000 at SEA
It’s rare to have a stud like Hill in this section, but nobody will roster him with Skylar Thompson behind center for Miami. That does make Hill a risky option, but we were talking about the top-scoring receiver last season! He also has at least 119 catches and 1,700 receiving yards in back-to-back years, but this might be his lowest roster percentage at any point due to that quarterback situation.
Diontae Johnson (WR – CAR): $5,300 at LVR
We had DJ in this section last weekend and are going right back to the well. This guy is one of the best route runners in the NFL, averaging nearly 100 receptions and 140 targets in his time with the Steelers. That’s why the Panthers brought him in, and a veteran like Andy Dalton will surely feed him because he wants to hold on to this job. Nothing about his first two games will make you want to use DJ, but this guy is too good to be this cheap.
Tight Ends
DraftKings
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL): $4,800 at DAL
Andrews has been terrible through the opening two weeks, but to see him below $5K is wild. This guy has been closer to $7K throughout his career, and we’re willing to bet he creeps closer to that over the next month. Nothing about his early-season numbers backs that up, but a decade of consistent play makes him a great GPP option below $5,000, especially since this is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games on the slate.
FanDuel
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL): $6,200 vs. KC
Pitts has been a disaster for two weeks, and DFS managers are getting sick of this guy. The talent earned him a Top 10 pick in the draft, and people were hopeful that Kirk Cousins would be the one to unleash him. That’s still possible because Cousins is still trying to find his footing after Achilles surgery. The matchup is the most enticing part, though, with KC allowing the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
DraftKings
Chicago Bears D/ST: $2,600 at IND
Anthony Richardson is one of the most volatile quarterbacks in the NFL, causing mayhem for his offense and the opposing defense. His rushing and inaccurate passing have led to some massive games from opposing defenses, and Chicago has looked great in the opening two weeks. We only need a few mistakes from Richardson for the Bears to be a massive value at just $2,600!
FanDuel
Tennessee Titans D/ST: $3,700 vs. GB
Malik Willis is expected to start for Green Bay, and if there’s one team that knows everything about Willis, it’s Tennessee. That’s where he played his whole career, and you had better believe that this underrated defense will be prepared for whatever he brings to the table.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
