NFL

4 NFL FanDuel Studs to Target in Week 3

We are already to Week 3 in the NFL of the 2019 season, and it's time to set those FanDuel lineups and gear up for a monster weekend of football.

As is the case when playing any sport on FanDuel, it’s imperative to hit on the high-priced players in your lineup. They require a big chunk of your salary, and when paying up for a player, you shouldn’t have to worry about him letting down your lineup.

Here are four studs who should prove to be worth their high price tag.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans

FanDuel Price: $8,200
Projected Points: 19.2

With a plethora of outstanding options at the quarterback position each week, Deshaun Watson sticks out amongst the rest in Week 3, both because of his stellar play and the defense that he gets to attack.

While Watson admittedly struggled with only 159 passing yards in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was brilliant in a Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints. And this week may get even better -- facing a Los Angeles Chargers offense that is potentially missing Adrian Phillips and will definitely be missing Derwin James, he could be in line for an explosive day.

This season, the Bolts rank 12th worst against the pass, and they've allowed two touchdown passes in each of the first two games. Expect Watson to be in line for a big day.

Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts

FanDuel Price: $7,000
Projected Points: 14.5

After a jaw-dropping retirement from Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts were possibly expected to take a step back, but through two weeks of the season, they sit at 1-1.

And while they have had a stout defense leading the charge, a very efficient offensive attack led by running back Marlon Mack. Mack leads the NFL in rushes this season, and despite that voluminous workload, he ranks ninth in our Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) per carry metric (0.13).

Facing an Atlanta Falcons team that has been destroyed against the run, as they clock in 24th-worst against the run this season, expect a big day from Mack.

Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

FanDuel Price: $7,700
Projected Points: 15.2

We are lucky to get treated to not one, but two 20-plus point favorites this week in the NFL and one of those games is the Dallas Cowboys installed as monster favorites over the woeful Miami Dolphins.

While the 'Fins are bad against the rush, they are the league's worst defense against the pass so far this season, and the first two games showcase this as much. They were roasted last week by the New England Patriots for 264 passing yards and 2 scores, and in the opening week, were blasted by Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown for 324 passing yards and 5 touchdowns.

That all bodes well for Amari Cooper -- and while the game script wouldn't likely indicate a large scoring effort, with Michael Gallup out with a knee injury, the Cowboys wide receiver could be in for a monster afternoon.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

FanDuel Price: $6,600
Projected Points: 11.9

It's been a quiet year so far for George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, who set the world on fire at the tight end position in 2018.

While San Francisco's offense has been better than expected this year, it hasn't been due to Kittle's monumental workload -- while quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has tossed four touchdown passes so far, none have been directed to his tight end.

Now here's the good news to get Kittle back on track -- he leads the team in targets (13), and he faces a Pittsburgh Steelers team this week that ranks sixth-worst against the pass in 2019. It could be a great time to get back on the George Kittle train.


Matt Kupferle is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matt Kupferle also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username MKupferle. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.