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Ben Rolfe analyzes optimal DFS cash game value plays for Week 3 of the NFL season. These players are worth considering on FanDuel and DraftKings daily fantasy sports cash games.
Week 2 was a struggle for many DFS players as things got wild and surprises sprung from all directions. However, we are now onto a new week and new hope. For those of you playing cash games hopefully, you had enough to get out of the week with a little profit, even if those GPP games were a struggle.
This week we once again have a 13 game slate, with the bye weeks not yet here. The headliner is the game in Kansas City with a total in the 52 region. However, with bad weather potential in that game and the players priced reasonably high, it is not a game you will see feature below. The rest of the games have an even spread of totals in the 40s and should provide plenty of opportunities to find some value.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, usually when you look at value plays for GPP you are swinging for the fences somewhat. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, be that pass attempts, targets or carries. Let's take a look at the cash value plays for Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season.
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Week 3 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Matthew Stafford, DET @ PHI | DK: $5,500, FD: $6,900
Matt Stafford has not set the world alight this season, but I really like this matchup for him. The Philadelphia defense gave up 380 yards and three touchdowns to Case Keenum in Week 1 and 320 yards and six touchdowns to Matt Ryan in Week 2. While they have a solid front seven they have a real weakness in the secondary, and quarterbacks and receivers have taken full advantage. The Eagles offense should be able to put up 20 or so points in this one so expect Stafford to be throwing plenty to try and keep up. As Stafford is the cheaper of the two on FanDuel he is the easy selection on that site.
Kirk Cousins, MIN vs. OAK | DK: $5,100, FD: $7,200
Trusting Cousins is not something you will find me doing often. However, he is facing a defense who has given up plenty of yards to opposing quarterbacks this season. In fact, where this Raiders Defense has had success has been against running games. The run game has been the main part of the Vikings offense so far this season and if they are blunted then Cousins will need to throw against a team who gave up 443 yards and four touchdowns last season. Yes, that was Patrick Mahomes, but that Raiders secondary is struggling for talent right now, and even Cousins should be able to pick them apart.
Week 3 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Devonta Freeman, ATL @ IND | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,200
I am largely off the Freeman train but his value has now dipped so low he is worth a play in both cash and GPP. My expectation is that many people will be put off by his ugly start and this could be a zig when everyone else zags moment. He is still the lead back in that offense and they need him to fire so everything can feed off him. Austin Ekeler had a field day against the Colts and Freeman needs to produce similar results or he will start losing more time.
Carlos Hyde, HOU @ LAC | DK: $4,500 FD: $6,000
This was a toss-up between Hyde and Frank Gore in this spot. However, I have been so impressed with how fast Hyde has looked this season. After looking a little slow and indecisive last year he is now hitting the holes with purpose. Hyde has seen 30 carries through two weeks and is averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry. His upside is limited it limited as he has just one target through two games, but he is facing a Chargers Defense who was gashed by Marlon Mack in Week 1. They bounced back against the Lions in Week 2, but still allowed 71 yards on 17 carries from Kerryon Johnson and Ty Johnson.
Miles Sanders, PHI vs. DET | DK: $3,900, FD: $5,400
The fantasy community is well and truly out on the Eagles rookie running back now, which has presented a value opportunity. Sanders leads the Eagles in carries with 21, and despite struggling in week 1, still saw 10 carries and four targets in their Week 2 game. The only risk here is that he loses more time to the more productive backs so far in the form of Jordan Howard and Darren Sproles. However, the Eagles seem committed to opening the game with Sanders and until we hear otherwise this price is a solid value.
Week 3 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
Mike Williams, LAC vs. HOU | DK: $4,900, FD: $6,100
Williams came into the game banged up last week and still had 83 receiving yards on five targets. He even saw a couple of red-zone targets and should once again be the main red-zone threat for the Chargers. Now fully healthy he is the clear number two receiver behind Keenan Allen and should see his numbers rise now that he is back to full health.
Emmanuel Sanders, DEN @ GB | DK: $4,800, FD: $5,700
It is close to impossible to find a reason not to pick Sanders this week. Through two games he has 16 receptions, 184 yards, and two touchdowns. He has caught 80% of his 20 targets and has quickly proven to be Flacco's most trusted weapon. He will be facing a tough pass defense in the form of the Packers but the veteran receiver should be able to make plenty of positive plays and could be in line for five or more receptions.
Nelson Agholor, PHI vs. DET | DK: $3,600, FD: $4,800
The Eagles offense is banged up all over the place. Even if some of the receivers and tight ends suit up they will likely be limited. Perhaps the only fit and healthy Eagle right now is Agholor, who is coming off the back of an 11 target game in Week 2. I am really not sure who else the Eagles are going to have regularly this week, and with Detroit looking stout against the run last week, I expect to see the Eagles go to the air plenty.
Week 3 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Greg Olsen, CAR @ ARI | DK: $3,800, FD: $6,100
Wel Olsen made us all look stupid benching him because of his injury concern last week. Obviously there is a concern with Kyle Allen coming in for Cam Newton, but right now is Allen really a downgrade with the way Newton was playing? Olsen saw nine targets for 110 yards last week and now faces a defense who have been gashed by TJ Hockenson and Mark Andrews the last two weeks.
Olsen is not a great value on FanDuel, but is outside the top-five priced options so is still worth considering.
Austin Hooper, ATL @ IND | DK: $3,600, FD: $5,800
Hooper might be my favorite under the radar play at any position this season. The fourth-year tight end has caught 13 of his 15 targets for 111 yards. Not sexy numbers by any means but in PPR leagues he offers a decent floor. Matt Ryan trusts him and that is key in a game that could turn into a shootout in the second half.
