RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 3

Fri Sep 20 9:14am ET
By MIKE BARNER
Contributing Writer

Related photo caption below

Bowers is off to great start


We saw a staggering number of injuries to key players in Week 2. Those injuries will have a significant impact on the Week 3 DFS slate. Let’s highlight some of the top players to consider at each position, as well as a few to possibly avoid.

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray, ARI vs. DET ($6,900): This has the potential to be one of the more high-scoring games of the week. In his first home game of the season last week, Murray torched the Rams for 266 passing yards and three touchdowns. He has also run for at least 57 yards in both games this season. His ceiling is as high as any quarterback for this slate.

Derek Carr, NO vs. PHI ($5,800): The Eagles allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the league last season and have given up the fifth-most passing yards per game this year. Enter Carr, who has five touchdown passes through two games. He has been airing out the ball with his average depth of target coming in at 10.7 yards. For those who don’t want to pay up for Murray’s salary, Carr is a great alternative.

Player to Avoid

Anthony Richardson, IND vs. CHI ($6,700): Richardson is still raw. It has shown in the early going with him throwing four interceptions and completing just 49.1 percent of his passes through two games. Things won’t get any easier for him against the Bears, who didn’t allow more than 19 points in either of their first two games. Murray has a much higher floor and a similar salary, so there’s no need to take a chance on Richardson.

Running Backs

Jordan Mason, SF at LAR ($6,200): Mason showed that his Week 1 breakout performance wasn’t a fluke, rushing 20 times for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in Week 2. Not only is Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) on injured reserve, but Deebo Samuel (calf) is also sidelined. There won’t be any shortage of carries for Mason in this matchup against a Rams team that has given up the third-most rushing yards per game in the league.

Carson Steele, KC at ATL ($5,400): The Chiefs are in a state of flux at running back with Isiah Pacheco (lower leg) landing on injured reserve. They did sign Kareem Hunt to their practice squad, but Steele and Samaje Perine will likely get the first crack at replacing Pacheco. Perine is known more for his pass-catching abilities, so when the Chiefs do get in close, it could be Steele who receives their red zone carries. At his cheap salary, Steele is probably going to be included in a lot of lineups.

Player to Avoid

J.K. Dobbins, LAC at PIT ($6,400): Dobbins turned 10 carries into 135 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. His workload increased to 17 carries last week, helping him finish with 131 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. As good as he has been, facing the Steelers defense is an entirely different matter. They have given up an average of 76.0 rushing yards over their first two games. Mason has a cheaper salary and a better matchup, so steer clear of Dobbins.

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI vs. DET ($7,400): After barely being involved in the offense in Week 1, Harrison was targeted eight times in Week 2. He made them count, posting four receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Stacking him with Murray won’t be cheap, but the duo brings tremendous upside to the table.

Diontae Johnson, CAR at LV ($4,900): The Panthers have mercifully benched Bryce Young, naming Andy Dalton as their new starting quarterback. His last start came in Week 3 last season. In that game, he threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks. Dalton should at least be able to make the Panthers have a functioning offense, with Johnson potentially being his top wide receiver option. Johnson is well worth the risk in tournament play at such a cheap salary.

Player to Avoid

Tyreek Hill, MIA at SEA ($8,400): Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games. Skyler Thompson will now take over at quarterback, which should make it difficult for Hill to live up to his hefty salary. Thompson started the final two games of the regular season and one playoff game for the Dolphins in 2022. Over those three games, Hill totaled 13 receptions for 147 yards and no touchdowns.

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, LV vs. CAR ($5,400): The Raiders have wasted no time making Bowers a significant part of their offense. He was targeted eight times in Week 1 and then nine times in Week 2. He caught all nine of those targets against the Ravens, finishing with 98 receiving yards. Volume alone makes him one of the top tight ends to consider.

Jake Ferguson, DAL vs. BAL ($4,500): It looks like Ferguson is only going to miss one week with the knee injury that he suffered in Week 1. He is an integral part of the Cowboys’ offense, coming off a 2023 campaign in which he was targeted 102 times. The Ravens have allowed 16 receptions for 180 yards to tight ends this season, so Ferguson could step back onto the field and provide immediate value.

Player to Avoid

Kyle Pitts, ATL vs. KC ($5,000): New quarterback, same disappointment for Pitts. Kirk Cousins did connect with him for a touchdown in Week 1, but Pitts has a total of six receptions for 46 yards through two weeks. The biggest concern was that he was targeted a total of just seven times. Pay the extra $400 and roll with Bowers at tight end.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.

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Player Notes
Chris Conley Nov 11 8:40pm CT
Chris Conley

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley (hamstring) is expected to practice this week, according to David Lombardi. Conley sat out of Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a hamstring injury. He suffered that injury during the Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The return of Conley gives this team depth with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) done for the season. Conley hasn't done much this season and is unlikely to contribute right now with this offense mostly healthy.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slay Nov 11 8:20pm CT
Darius Slay

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Darius Slay Jr. (ankle) wasn't available to open up the practice week on Monday. This comes a day after Slay was forced to exit early during Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys. Slay left in the first quarter due to an ankle issue, but he did return in the second half. He missed Monday's practice, but that could be the Eagles giving him a rest day. His status will be something to follow throughout the week with the Eagles taking on the Washington Commanders on Thursday.

From RotoBaller

Audric Estime Nov 11 7:00pm CT
Audric Estime

Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime will "continue to get more reps," according to head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos said early last week that they wanted to get Estime more involved in their backfield before giving him a team-high 14 for 53 yards in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. He played 45% of the offensive snaps, with Javonte Williams playing 29% of the snaps and seeing only three touches. Payton was encouraged by Estime's performance against the Chiefs, which means he could once again lead Denver's backfield in a Week 11 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The 21-year-old fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame has been efficient on his 29 carries in six games, averaging 5.1 yards per tote, and is worth waiver-wire consideration for any fantasy managers in need at the RB position. Williams' fantasy stock could be on life support soon.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Nov 11 7:00pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (ankle) will return to practice this week and be designated to return from Injured Reserve. The Packers will now have 21 days to officially activate Lloyd from IR, but he's now eligible to potentially return to the field this Sunday to face the division-rival Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 23-year-old third-round pick hasn't played since suffering an ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, but he's nearing a return and certainly could take over lead backup duties behind Josh Jacobs by the end of the season. Lloyd isn't a bad deep-league stash, especially if you have Jacobs rostered, but you should also temper expectations. He missed most of training camp as well due to an injury and has lots of catching up to do. Emanuel Wilson has been Jacobs' primary backup for most of the year.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Nov 11 6:50pm CT
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is non-committal on who will start at quarterback when the team returns off their Week 11 bye to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. Bryce Young has started the last three games with veteran Andy Dalton tending to a sprained right thumb and has led the team to back-to-back wins. However, following a bye this week, Dalton could be fully recovered from an injury he sustained in a car accident. Although young has posted modest numbers the last three weeks, the 23-year-old former first overall pick has shown improvement over his dreadful rookie season in 2023, going 55-for-88 (62.5%) for 521 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing nine times for 45 yards. At this point, it would be a surprise if Carolina went back to Dalton. Young will have a difficult matchup coming out of the bye against KC if he's named the starter, though.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Nov 11 6:40pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (ribs) could be limited in practice early in the week after injuring his ribs in the Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but head coach Kevin O'Connell said he feels good about having Jones available for this Sunday's Week 11 game at the Tennessee Titans. Jones got X-rays, which came back negative, on his chest in the second half of the game against the Jags but eventually returned and should be fine to play this coming weekend against the Titans. Don't be surprised if the 29-year-old veteran does a whole lot in practice this week, though. He's quietly having a strong season in his first year in Minnesota and is currently the RB15 in half-PPR scoring with 142 carries for 653 rushing yards and two touchdowns, adding 28 receptions for 258 yards and another score.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Nov 11 6:40pm CT
Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said he doesn't have anything definitive as to whether quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) will be able to play on Sunday in Week 11 versus the Detroit Lions. In addition, Pederson is unsure where talk of surgery for Lawrence surfaced. Lawrence was inactive for the Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the year. However, the 25-year-old former first overall pick put in some limited practices last week, leading us to believe there's a chance he'll be able to return in 2024. If he's forced to miss another game this weekend, former Patriots QB Mac Jones would make a second straight start. Jones didn't look great in the 12-7 loss to Minnesota and will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues for however long Lawrence is out.

From RotoBaller

George Kittle Nov 11 6:30pm CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is dealing with some "hamstring irritation," according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the team will monitor him this week as they prepare to face the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 on Sunday. Kittle has been banged up with multiple injuries in 2024 but has only missed one game -- back in Week 3. The 31-year-old's practice statuses will be monitored closely, but we'd be surprised if his hamstring irritation keeps him from playing against Seattle this weekend. Running back Christian McCaffrey is finally back to take away plenty of offensive touches, but Kittle remains a high-end TE1 in fantasy when he's active. Through the first 10 weeks of the NFL season, Kittle leads all TEs with 119.5 half-PPR fantasy points on 43 receptions for 560 yards and a league-high seven touchdowns on 53 targets.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Nov 11 6:20pm CT
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said he expects wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday. Macdonald remains "optimistic" that Metcalf can end a two-game absence and play in Week 11 against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers this Sunday after coming off a bye week. The 26-year-old suffered an MCL sprain back in Week 7 and hasn't played since, but the expectation all along was that he'd be able to return to the field this weekend to face San Fran. Metcalf's return will make both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and veteran Tyler Lockett less attractive as flex options for fantasy managers, but it will make Seattle's offense much stronger as a whole. Before the injury, Metcalf had 35 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns in seven games played. He has averaged 13.2 half-PPR points per game, which ranks 13th among all wideouts.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Nov 11 6:20pm CT
Amari Cooper

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist), who has missed the last two games, is improving, but the team will continue to evaluate him leading up to the Week 11 contest against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills could really use Cooper back as they look to give the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs their first loss of 2024 since they will be missing rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) for the second straight game. Buffalo is on bye in Week 12, so that could influence their decision to hold Cooper out for a third straight game. The 30-year-old caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in his debut with the team on Oct. 20 against the Titans but was injured in the next game. If he returns to the field this Sunday against KC, Cooper should have a significant role, albeit in a tough matchup.

From RotoBaller

Austin Seibert Nov 11 6:10pm CT
Austin Seibert

Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert (hip) remains on the team's injury report and was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report. The Commanders conducted a walkthrough on Monday and didn't hold an official practice. Seibert injured his right hip in Week 9 and didn't play in the Week 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the 27-year-old is not able to return to practice on a short week, he figures to miss a second straight game this Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. In eight games before his injury, Seibert connected on a league-leading 25 of his 27 field-goal tries while making all 22 of his extra points, so he was firmly on the fantasy radar. In his first NFL game since 2021 while filling in for Seibert in Week 10, Zane Gonzalez made both of his field goals and all three of his extra points.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Nov 11 6:00pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) was listed as limited during the team's walkthrough practice on Monday. The team didn't actually practice, so Robinson's status is an estimation. Robinson missed his second straight game in the Week 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and could be in danger of missing a third straight contest if the team doesn't clear him to play on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. However, if the 25-year-old is able to get back to a full practice in the next two days, he could have a shot to return to Washington's backfield. However, if B-Rob is active on a short week, he could see a smaller workload as he works his way back into the fold. With Robinson out again this past Sunday, Austin Ekeler led the backfield yet again and found his way into the end zone two more times.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Nov 11 5:50pm CT
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. The team didn't actually hold a practice. Smith has been dealing with a hamstring injury but didn't carry an injury designation into the Week 9 blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys, where he had a disappointing two receptions for 14 yards. The 25-year-old didn't appear to aggravate the injury on Sunday, so the Eagles are likely just resting him on a short week before he'll play on Thursday night against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Smith had a season-high 87 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and is fully capable of breaking out again in Week 11 if he's fully healthy. The Commanders have had issues in their secondary this year, too. Smith has already scored four times in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Nov 11 5:50pm CT
Dallas Goedert

The Philadelphia Eagles listed tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report since they didn't actually hold an official practice. Goedert missed three games due to injury but returned in the Week 10 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys to catch two of his three targets for 25 yards and a touchdown. With the 29-year-old not reportedly suffering any setbacks on Sunday, he's likely just being rested on a short week before playing again this Thursday night against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Check back on Wednesday for Philly's final injury report before Thursday's game. Goedert is at least in the low-end TE1 conversation when healthy, but volume could be an issue with all of the team's receivers healthy at the moment. If Goedert's ankle is an issue this Thursday, Grant Calcaterra could step into a bigger role again.

From RotoBaller

Tyreek Hill Nov 11 5:40pm CT
Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) apparently felt good during pre-game warmups and is officially active for Monday night versus the Los Angeles Rams to close out Week 10 action. Hill missed some practice time this week and was listed as questionable coming into the game, but he'll suit up and should be good for his typical heavy workload as Miami's WR1. The Cheetah could have some issues securing contested catches if his wrist is bothering him, but now that we know he's active, he should stay locked into all starting fantasy lineups. He has not caught a touchdown pass since the season opener but has looked better the last two games with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back, catching 10 of 14 targets for 152 yards. The Rams present a nice matchup for Hill to revisit the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Nov 11 4:30pm CT
Chris Olave

The New Orleans Saints are not ruling wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) out for the rest of the season. However, Olave was placed on Injured Reserve over the weekend, meaning he'll have to miss at least three more games before being eligible to return in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15. The 24-year-old has already suffered two concussions (four in his career) in 2024, though, so the Saints aren't going to rush him back right away if he's still not 100 percent. Fantasy managers with a shot to make it to the playoffs should probably keep the former first-rounder stashed in an IR spot, but don't be surprised if he doesn't end up making it back later this year. Rookie Mason Tipton has not been able to capitalize so far with both Olave and Rashid Shaheed (knee) out, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling went over 100 yards receiving with two scores in the Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

N'Keal Harry Nov 11 4:20pm CT
N'Keal Harry

The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent wide receiver/tight end N'Keal Harry to their practice squad on Monday. Harry opened the 2024 campaign on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad but found himself back on the open market after being cut last month. The 26-year-old former first-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2019 out of Arizona State proved to be a bust in Boston, catching 57 of 103 targets for 598 yards and four touchdowns in 33 games (18 starts). He played in nine games with the Vikings last year but didn't see a single target while playing only 20 snaps on offense. DK Metcalf (knee) has missed the last two games for the Seahawks, so Harry will give the team some more depth at the position moving forward. Harry can continue to be ignored in all fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Tyrel Dodson Nov 11 4:20pm CT
Tyrel Dodson

The Seattle Seahawks surprisingly released linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who has started every game of the season in 2024, on Monday. Dodson was also quite productive for Seattle's defense in his nine starts, collecting a team-high 71 tackles (41 solo), two sacks, five tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. The 26-year-old played all of the team's defensive snaps in seven of their nine games and shouldn't be on the open market for long. Dodson made his NFL debut for the Buffalo Bills in 2020 after going undrafted and he spent his first four NFL seasons with the team, picking up 143 tackles (102 solo), 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, seven QB hits, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 59 games (15 starts).

From RotoBaller

Cooper Rush Nov 11 4:10pm CT
Cooper Rush

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Monday that the team is sticking with Cooper Rush as their starting quarterback moving forward. It means that Rush will make a second straight start in Week 11 against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football with Dak Prescott (hamstring) most likely done for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old veteran was pretty dreadful in the 34-6 loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, going 13-for-23 passing for 45 yards while also losing two fumbles. The Cowboys had packages for backup Trey Lance and even had him replace Rush late in the game, but Lance will remain the backup for at least another week. Rush isn't anything more than a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues, and it almost seems like a matter of time before Lance is making starts to play out the string in a lost season for Dallas.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Nov 11 4:00pm CT
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) is considered day-to-day after suffering an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in the Sunday night win over the Houston Texans and is "hopeful" he can play in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. LaPorta didn't suffer a serious shoulder injury on Sunday night, but it could still affect his status for Detroit's next game. We'll have a better idea of the 23-year-old's Week 11 status after the Lions resume practicing on Wednesday. Fantasy managers would hate to see the second-year tight end lose his momentum after catching three of his six targets for a season-high 66 yards and his third TD of the year against the Texans before getting injured. LaPorta remains a TE1 in fantasy when he's active, but managers might have to go in another direction this week.

From RotoBaller