NFL Week 3 DFS Bargain Picks: A Texans Stack Will Free Up Lots of Salary

Here are 10 lower-priced options to help you build a winning DFS lineup.

Here it is folks, the DFS Bargain article for Week 3. We’ve already given you some suggestions for players at all levels in our DFS Main Slate article. If you’ve spent up for high-priced players such as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and T.J. Hockenson, you may need some salary relief. Last week most of our bargains hit, including Tank Dell, Zack Moss, Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White, Tutu Atwell and Josh Reynolds.

Can we get lucky again? Let’s find out. Buckle up, this could get ugly.

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

This play worked out well for us last week, and we are willing to play it again based on the fact that no defense has allowed more DFS points or passing touchdowns to opposing passers than the Eagles.

C.J. Stroud, Texans

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Stroud looked excellent last week despite being without most of his o-line. He passed for nearly 400 yards and a pair of TDs vs. the Colts, and this week’s matchup is similarly juicy vs. the Jaguars. Game script says the young passer will have to put the ball in the air and that could pay dividends on his dirt-cheap salary.

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Running Backs

Javonte Williams/Samaje Perine, Broncos

Both backs are affordable this week, with Perine being the bigger bargain but Williams being the more dependable option. The matchup is ideal vs. a Dolphins defense that has allowed the fourth-most DFS points to opposing runners.

Joshua Kelley, Chargers

As of this writing, Austin Ekeler is still not practicing. Even if he goes on Sunday, we should expect him to be somewhat limited. Kelley has played 61% of the team’s snaps this season and the Vikings have allowed the second-most rushing yards to opposing runners.

Dalvin Cook, Jets

Yeah, I know Cook hasn’t looked that great -- but this is the bargains article after all! The matchup with the Patriots is good, as they have allowed the fourth-most yards per carry to opposing runners this year (5.24). Cook has played more snaps and had more attempts than Breece Hall, and Bill Belichick will be able to shut down Zach WIlson. New York will need to gain yards on the ground.

Wide Receivers

Tank Dell/Robert Woods, Texans

I like both receivers this weekend, but especially Dell if he is able to go. We played him last week and it paid off handsomely. Dell played 77.2% of the snaps Sunday, ahead of Nico Collins, who played 67%. He also ran 41 routes and saw 10 targets, slightly ahead of Collins. Dell is the much more affordable option. If Dell is unable to go, fire up Woods, who is also heavily involved in this pass-heavy offense.

Jonathan Mingo, Panthers

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No Panthers receiver has played more snaps than Mingo, who has lined up both in the slot and outside, and his 45% air yards share leads the team as well. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have allowed the second-most receiving yards and a 72.3% catch rate to opposing wideouts this year.

Alec Pierce, Colts

We don’t know if Anthony Richardson will be able to go, but even with Gardner Minshew under center, I like Pierce’s value. The Ravens have allowed the sixth-most DFS points to opposing receivers.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, Texans

Schultz is running routes 72% of the time, second only to Woods in Houston. The Jaguars have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to tight ends across the first two contests,

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

The matchup with the Cardinals is great for the Dallas tight end. Ferguson found pay dirt last Sunday vs. the Jets and was targeted four times. He caught three passes for 11 yards, but that number could be better vs. a Cardinals defense that allowed the most fantasy points to the position in 2022, and has allowed the third-most receiving yards to tight ends through the first two games of the season.