Dr. Roto’s Visionary DFS Plays for Week 3 (using DK Salaries)
QB:
Cam Newton (6600)—For all of those of you who have followed me over the years, you know how much it pains me to write this because I HATE Cam Newton! But…as bad as his mechanics are, it doesn’t really matter because the Saints are the worst defense in the NFL. The Saints have let up three TDs passes to both Bradford and Brady. Even Cam should be able to get two in this game.
Russell Wilson (6300)—This is not a testament to Wilson’s ability as much as it is a testament to how badly the Titans secondary has played in the first two weeks of the season. 28 receptions in two games should mean that Wilson will connect to Baldwin and Lockett all game long.
Kirk Cousins (6100)—Call this one a hunch. Cousins started out slowly last season—remember when his teammates were doubting his ability to be a starter in the league? Then he got hot and it all died down. Cousins always plays better at home and on Sunday night I can see him in a wide-open, high-scoring game with the Raiders.
Andy Dalton (5100)—Call this the contrarian play of the week. No one will have Dalton. He has been awful. The Bengals have been awful. BUT-there is a new OC in town and the Bengals are too deep on offense to continue to play this badly. Dalton’s price is bargain basement too, so I like getting him at like less than 3% owned.
Deshaun Watson (4700)—I am not telling you to stack Watson with Hopkins or Miller or anything crazy like that, but I can see running Watson naked this week with a lot of expensive players around him. Both Alex Smith and Drew Brees torched the Patriots defense—is it impossible to think that Watson can put up 20 points? If he throws for 200 yards and a passing TD and runs for 60 yards, he might just get you the 20 points needed for 4x his salary.
RB:
Le’Veon Bell (8800)—The breakout is coming…and it could be this week. 100 yards and 2 TDs seems quite possible against a bad Bears defense.
Jay Ajayi (7700)—I am a bit worried that the Dolphins will get out to such a big lead that they might scale Ajayi back in the second half, but by that time he could have 100+ yards rushing and a TD. You are paying full value for him, but he is a great start.
James White (5400)—With all the new guys that the Patriots have brought in it appears that the guy Brady is most comfortable throwing to is White. He is a PPR machine and he should easily get you 3x this week.
Derrick Henry (5300)—If Murray is out, you better believe that I will have Henry in all of my lineups. In fact, I really want Murray to be active, because I still think that Henry will get most of the carries and then people won’t play him in DFS as much because of Murray’s presence.
Theo Riddick (5100)—The Falcons love giving up receptions to opposing RBs. Riddick should be the big beneficiary this week of those PPR points.
Isaiah Crowell (4800)—In Weeks 1 and 2 Crowell faced the Ravens and the Steelers, two very tough run defenses. Now, he finally gets the Colts and I think he hits 100 yards and gets a rushing TD.
Frank Gore (4200)—Marlon Mack is out which should mean that Gore will get a full load of carries. Even better is that the game against the Browns should be evenly matched, so there will be no major reason for Gore to leave the field. I know he’s not a sexy pick, but he should hit 3x in his sleep in this game.
WR:
A.J. Green (8100)—Here’s a big-time contrarian play. How bad has Green been the past two games? I think that he’s screwed so many DFS players that very few people will be willing to use him on the road in GB. That’s just fine by me—I will take the less than 5% ownership and his 20 point game and be pretty happy about it.
Brandin Cooks (7300)—Another contrarian play. Cooks KILLED DFS players last week (including me) who bought in on the revenge narrative vs. the Saints. Most people will look at his past two weeks and the hefty price tag and fade him. Not me, I am going in on Cooks for sure.
Michael Thomas (7000)—Let’s call this the inverse play of the week. Here’s how it works. I like Cam and will probably pair him with McCaffrey, Dickson, and/or Funchess. If I do that and think the game will be somewhat high scoring (which I do) I need to get in someone from the Saints. Enter Thomas. He’s the best WR on a good passing offense, and I think you might be able to get him less owned due to his poor matchup.
Doug Baldwin (6400)—The Titans secondary is a hot mess and I think that this is week that Baldwin (and not Lockett) takes advantage of them. Baldwin’s price has gone down each week, but he is too good of a player not to get something going soon.
Terrelle Pryor (5900)—Call this one a Visionary play. Pryor has been garbage this season, but he is always capable of making a big play when he is concentrating. Pryor signed a one-year deal with the Redskins this past off-season and is looking for a big contract in 2018 and beyond. If he wants to cash in, there is no better place for him to have a big game than on Sunday night with the whole nation watching. Put him down for 90+ yards and a TD.
Devin Funchess (4200)—No one is talking about him, but I like him to catch a TD this week. Olsen is out and those targets are going to have to go somewhere. Samuel and McCaffrey are good players, but they are not the red zone threats that Funchess is.
TE:
Zach Ertz (5000)—Ertz has been a PPR machine through the first two weeks. His price point is still in a great spot and I think he is a terrific play against a struggling NYG defense.
Austin Hooper (3800)—Evan Engram was open all game long against the Lions, so my thinking is that Hooper should be open quite a lot this week too. Better yet, Lions LB Jarrad Davis is out for Week 3 which really should leave the Lions struggling in coverage.
Jack Doyle (3600)—Through the first two weeks, the Browns are the second worst team in the NFL against the TE. This should bode well for Doyle who was Jacoby Brissett’s favorite target last week against Arizona.
Eric Ebron (3200)—Ebron looked great against the Giants and I expect that he will have a solid game against the Falcons who have struggled covering Eifert and Bennett.
Ed Dickson (2700)—If he goes 5 for 50 he will exceed value.
