NFL Draftkings Picks
Week 2 of the NFL told Week 1 to hold my beer. We thought the first week was strange, well Week 2 certainly one-upped it. We were a little better last week hitting on 14 for 20 in our player picks here. The good hits included Kyler Murray (again), Tom Brady, and Gronk. The disappointing misses were DK Metcalf, Jonathan Taylor, and Darren Waller. Each week Fantasy Data will bring you 20 players that we like for the Draftkings Sunday main slate. Let us get right to it.
Quick Links
Studs to Splurge For
Here we will highlight two players at each position that are in the top-five of their respective position and are deemed worthy of “paying up” for in your lineup. Please note these players will likely be highly owned so if you are looking to differentiate, you will want to pull more players from the next two sections.
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray | $8300 | 7.4% | ARI @ JAX
We are going back to the well for the third straight week with Kyler Murray in Week 3. Murray has been unstoppable through two weeks and leads all quarterbacks with 36.3 DK points per game. On tap is a road game with the Jacksonville Jaguars who rank 26th against the position. Through two games, the versatile quarterback has accounted for nine touchdowns, including one on the ground each of the first two weeks. Murray will continue to dominate against a Jags team that is searching for its identity under new head coach Urban Meyer.
Russell Wilson | $7600 | 16.8% | SEA @ MIN
Kyler Murray just put up 38.1 DK points against this Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 2. Look for Russell Wilson to have similar success. The price on the Seattle quarterback only rose $100 after his impressive 26.32 point performance against the Tennessee Titans. Wilson has not done much on the ground thus far, but look for that to change against a defense that just surrendered 31 rushing yards and a score to Murray last week. The veteran quarterback is also sixth overall in DK points per game with 26.7. This is a fair price for him.
Running Backs
Derrick Henry | $8600 | 22.2% | IND @ TEN
After a lackluster Week 1, Derrick Henry went ham on the Seattle Seahawks. The most impressive stat was the six targets Henry saw. He turned that into six catches and another 55 yards, good for 11.5 more DK points. Up next are the Indianapolis Colts who have allowed Chris Carson to average 5.7 yards per carry against them in Week 1. Darrell Henderson was on his way to a solid game as well before going down with an injury in Week 2. In 10 career games against the Colts, Henry is averaging 86.4 yards per game and a stellar 5.64 yards per carry. Fire him up for Week 3.
Dalvin Cook | $8400 | 8.9% | SEA @ MIN
We just talked about what a great game Derrick Henry had against this same Seattle defense (50.7 DK points). While it will be nearly impossible for Dalvin Cook to duplicate that performance, the matchup is still tasty. Seattle ranks 32nd against the position in terms of DK points allowed and Cook is as versatile as they come. The only concern here is health. If Cook is active, lock and load him in your lineup and expect an improvement on the 20.6 DK points per game he currently averages.
Wide Receiver
Deandre Hopkins | $8200 | 2.6% | ARI @ JAX
Both of our high-cost receivers this week are being stacked with their quarterback. Deandre Hopkins has been a man possessed in 2021, averaging 20.9 DK points per game. On deck is a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars who are 21st against the wide receiver position. Hopkins was only targeted four times in Week 2 and still managed to put up 15.4 points. Rondale Moore stole the show last week. Look for Hopkins to be the focal point again in Week 3 and take advantage of the projected low ownership.
Tyler Lockett | $7400 | 1.1% | SEA @ MIN
Last week we mistakenly plugged DK Metcalf in this spot. It is too hard to ignore Lockett at this point. He has seen 16 targets in two games and is averaging a spectacular 31.9 points per game. At just $7,400 and a projected ownership of 1.1%, Lockett could be a tournament-winning play. Did we mention they play the Vikings that rank 28th in DK points versus the wide receiver position? Look for a shootout on Sunday and expect Lockett to be heavily involved.
Tight End
Travis Kelce | $8200 | 4.7% | LAC @ KC
Travis Kelce is averaging the fourth most points out of all players on DK. If you saw the game Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens, you know why. Kelce is unstoppable and has 15 targets over the first two weeks of the season. This is just four fewer targets than Tyreek Hill. The Chargers do pose a bit of a challenge but come in at 19th overall against the position. Expect the stud tight end to see his usual seven or eight targets and find the end zone for the fourth time in three games.
Rob Gronkowski | $5500 | 0.5% | TB @ LAR
Rob Gronkowski was listed as a favorite play last week and did not disappoint. He now has scored two touchdowns in each of the first two games of the season. Antonio Brown may not play and Mike Evans got nicked up last week. Up next for Tom Brady and the Bucs are the Los Angeles Rams. Look for Gronk to be heavily involved in the passing game as Tampa has still not found an answer to their running game. The two touchdowns likely will not be repeated, but expect an increase over the five targets he saw last week. At just 0.5% owned, this is potentially a leverage play.
Sleepers to Separate From the Pack
Up next we give you some players to help differentiate your lineup from the masses and give you the edge you need to compete in some of the bigger tournaments. Just like the section above, we highlight two players at each position except now instead of studs, you get players that are expected to be less than 10% owned on the main slate.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson | $7800 | 7.9% | BAL @ DET
Keep an eye on the injury report before kickoff but Lamar Jackson did return to practice on Friday and appears to be good to go. Jackson is averaging a cool 28.6 DK points per game and now faces a Detroit defense that just surrendered four touchdowns to Aaron Jones (three on the ground). In Week 1, the Lions were shredded by the 49ers on the ground and that trend likely continues in Week 3, giving Jackson a huge floor and ceiling on the ground in Week 3.
Daniel Jones | $5800 | 2.1% | ATL @ NYG
Daniel Jones. Really? Hear us out. DFS is all about finding value. Jones is currently the QB8 (25.9 PPG) in DK from a point per game perspective. This is more than Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, and even Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert. On deck for the Giants are the defensively challenged Atlanta Falcons at home. Jones has a rushing touchdown in each of the first two weeks and is averaging 61 yards on the ground. We mentioned that he is eighth in scoring, yet he is the sixteenth most expensive quarterback. This is the true meaning of value and rostering him allows you to pay up for studs at other positions.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor | $6700 | 0.5% | IND @ TEN
Despite Jonathan Taylor’s disappointment last week, we are going with him again this week. Up next on the schedule is the division rival Tennessee Titans. With an ailing Carson Wentz returning to practice, look for head coach Frank Reich to protect his starting quarterback and go run-heavy. Taylor has seen 17 and 15 rushing attempts respectively and will likely see upwards of 20 carries in Week 3. The Titan’s defensive stats against the rush are deceiving because teams have had so much success through the air against them. Plug Taylor in your lineup and reap the rewards.
Myles Gaskin | $5400 | 0.5% | MIA @ LV
There was a lot of preseason hype behind Myles Gaskin being the lead dog in Miami for 2021. Thus far he has only had nine and five rushing attempts respectively. The Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills can be thrown out. Tua went down early and the Dolphins were never competitive. A trip across the country to Vegas could be what the doctor ordered. Jacoby Brissett will be at the helm and look for a similar game plan like the one mentioned above for the Colts. The Baltimore Ravens had plenty of success on the ground in Week 1 against this Raiders team, meaning there is a path for Gaskin to put up solid numbers.
Wide Receiver
Cortland Sutton | $6000 | 8.4% | NYJ @ DEN
Cortland Sutton quietly put up 27.9 DK points in Week 2. In the first game of Jerry Jeudy’s prolonged absence, Sutton saw 12 targets, catching nine of them and turning it into 159 yards. Up next on the docket are the New York Jets. While the Jets are improved against the pass, look for Sutton to still get peppered with targets. The running game remains a question mark in the mile-high city and Teddy Bridgewater seems to be just what the Broncos needed at the quarterback position for the time being. The journeyman quarterback is completing 77.1% of his passes. This should continue and Week 3 and Sutton should benefit from the accuracy here.
Sterling Shepard | $5900 | 2.1% | ATL @ NYG
As with his teammate Daniel Jones, Sterling Shepard ranks eighth in DK points per game at his position. And, just like his teammate, Shepard is way underpriced and will be low-owned. In the first two games of the season, the Oklahoma grad has seen nine and 10 targets and is averaging 103.5 yards per game. Up next are the Atlanta Falcons that rank 17th against the position. This duo is a nice pivot off of the projected 46.5% owned Saquon Barkley. Look for the Giants to attack through the air and Shepard will be the main beneficiary.
Tight End
Mark Andrews | $5000 | 3.7% | BAL @ DET
If you are looking for someone to pair up with Lamar Jackson this week, Mark Andrews may be your man. Somewhat of an afterthought in the offense through two weeks, Andrews is due for a breakout performance. The Lions have been somewhat stingy against the tight end position but got beat for a big play by Robert Tonyan in Week 2. Injuries have also decimated the Detroit defense. Look for the big tight end to start earning that big contract he just signed this week.
Kyle Pitts | $4900 | 3.2% | ATL @ NYG
We have talked at lengths about how much we like the New York Giants offense this week. A good place to run it back against them is with Kyle Pitts. While he has not put up the dominant numbers we had hoped for yet, he is getting involved. Through two weeks, the rookie has 14 targets from quarterback Matt Ryan. Russell Gage has been ruled out, leaving some vacated targets to go his way. The Giants rank 29th against the position for DK scoring purposes. This is the week the Florida grad finds the end zone.
Fantasy Data Favorites
In this section, we will give you one play from each position for the week that we like the most. This will be a player that likely will give you a high upside at a lower cost than their counterparts and also come with a low ownership projection. Here you go!
Quarterback
Justin Fields | $5200 | 1.1% | CHI @ CLE
The price point here is just too good to ignore. Justin Fields will be making his first NFL start on the road against the Cleveland Browns. Andy Dalton has already been ruled out. The Browns defense was struggling mightily against Tyrod Taylor in Week 2 before he went out with an injury. Fields has game similar to Taylor and is younger and more athletic. Look for the Bears to keep it competitive and Fields to be a big part of the reason why. At just $5,200, it opens up so many more plays for you in Week 3.
Running Back
Ty’Son Williams | $5800 | 3.6% | BAL @ DET
After watching the 49ers and Packers run roughshod over the Detroit Lions, it will be interesting to see what Ty’Son Williams will be able to do against them. Williams is averaging 14.9 DK points per game and is coming off a game that saw him nearly miss scoring yet another touchdown. Look for the Ravens to get up early with the likes of Lamar Jackson, Hollywood Brown, and Mark Andrews and then kill the clock with Williams. The price is right about where it should be and the UDFA should be able to hit double-digit points for the third straight game.
Wide Receiver
KJ Osborn | $3500 | 0.2% | SEA @ MIN
As with Justin Fields, the price here is just too good to ignore. Osborn is averaging 17.4 DK points per game and is being targeted regularly (15 through two games). The matchup versus Seattle is not a scary one and for $3,500 we just need him to catch about five passes for 50 yards for him to pay off. With Irv Smith out for the season, the second-year pro has seen more opportunities. Rostering Osborn opens up the bank account to fit in some of the higher-priced stacks we mentioned in the open.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson | $5200 | 40.0% | BAL @ DET
This play breaks the rules a little for this category in that the ownership is going to be crazy high on Hockenson, as it should be. He has been nothing short of spectacular and the price is just too gosh darn good. Up next for the Lions are the Ravens who rank dead last against the tight end position. We all saw what Travis Kelce did to them on Sunday night and Darren Waller the week before. Look for similar production from Hock. Be sure to differentiate in some of the other lower-owned plays to make up for the high ownership here.
Summing It All Up
As we all know, football is unpredictable, we make these picks using the data available to us at fantasydata.com and try to help our readers make educated, thoughtful decisions when creating their DK lineup. If you find this helpful or have any comments, be sure to notate them below. Thank you for reading.
