The goal of your casual DraftKings player is often to try and find “sleepers” and use them to take town large field tournaments. While very rewarding when you hit, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s damn difficult to do.
I’ve become primarily a cash player over the years, which means playing in double ups, 50-50s and head-to-heads, with the hopes of finishing in the top half of the field and doubling my investment in that week’s slate. Of course, you’ll want to take that lineup and enter it into a tournament in case it goes off, but the larger goal is to just be above average.
The best way to do that is to identify two things —
- Which players have the safest/highest floor/ceiling combo?
- Which players are going to command high ownership?
Here are some players for the Week 3 main slate on DK that I’d consider cash viable plays:
You’ll find all kinds of DFS fantasy rankings, values, best/worst plays on DK Nation, but what about just identifying the good chalk? I play almost completely in cash games during NFL season, and it’s really important to know who we can trust, and who we can’t.
New to the cash game scene? Cash games on DK refer to double-ups, 50-50s and head-to-heads — all of which roughly the top half of the field doubles its money.
While Week 1 followed the chalk pretty well, Week 2 was a much more difficult slate. Here’s how things are starting to breakdown in Week 3:
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott ($6,500) vs. MIA — QBs have killed MIA this season. Dak went for 400+ yards and 4TD Week 1 vs. NYG. This is barely an NFL defense.
Josh Allen ($5,900) vs. CIN — Rushed for a TD in both games this season. Rushing ability helps his floor, safe matchup vs. CIN — gave up 41 vs. SF last week.
Matt Ryan ($5,700) @IND — 24.3 DK points per game. Lack of running game means more throwing — 89 attempts in two games. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley have been great.
Jameis Winston ($5,400) vs. NYG — Dak went off against this defense in Week 1. Winston should be able to have a big game at home here against this brutal secondary.
Kyle Allen ($4,000) @ARI — Minimum priced QB with arm talent starting in place of Cam Newton. Arizona defense shouldn’t scare any of us off. Easy plug and play.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey ($8,700) @ARI — CMC fell off in Week 2, but that gets us a discount on him in Week 3. Look for him to return to form against the Cards.
Dalvin Cook ($7,800) vs. OAK — Cook has a 41-265-3 line on the ground, and has scored at least 29 DKFP in each game. He’s the most consistent elite RB play through two weeks.
Austin Ekeler ($7,200) vs. HOU — Clearly getting the Melvin Gordon role in the offense, and succeeding with it. All you need to know until his price hits $8,000.
Chris Carson ($5,900) vs. NO — Carson struggled in PIT last week, which brings a discount think week. Dominated for 25 DK points as home favorite in Week 1, which he is again here.
Frank Gore ($4,400) vs. CIN — Let’s party like it’s 2008. With Devin Singletary out, Gore will be the featured RB after a big week against the Giants. CIN got shredded by the Niners last week.
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones ($7,300) @IND — Julio is finally reaching the end zone (3 TD) and is the cheapest he’s been in four years on DK. Easy decision.
Keenan Allen ($7,000) vs. HOU — Allen’s been targeted 25 times this season, and always has as high a floor as any WR.
Larry Fitzgerald ($5,100) vs. CAR — Fitz has found WR1 production with Kyler Murray, but isn’t priced there yet. He’s gone for over 100 yards in both games this season, and seen 24 targets.
Emmanuel Sanders ($4,800) @GB — Don’t ask me how but Sanders has returned from injury to have a ton of value in a lackluster Denver offense. 16-184-2 line on 20 targets through two weeks.
Nelson Agholor ($3,600) vs. DET — DeSean Jackson is out, and Alshon Jeffery is questionable. If Jeffery even plays, he won’t be himself. Agholor could be the WR1 for a monster discount.
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce ($7,100) vs. BAL — Coming off a 7-107-1 (26.7 DKFP) line in the first full game without Tyreek Hill (shoulder), he has to be in consideration if you can afford him.
Zack Ertz ($5,700) vs. DET — Eagles’ WR problems means more work for Ertz, who was targeted 16 times last week.
Mark Andrews ($4,600) @KC — Has been Lamar Jackson’s go-to-guy, but weather could be the only thing to hold him back in this game. KC terrible defensively vs. TE.
Austin Hooper ($3,600) @IND — Nice, cheap alternative at TE. Plenty of targets in ATL pass happy offense.
Defense/Special Teams
Dallas Cowboys ($4,300) vs. MIA — The Dolphins stink and are on the road.
New England Patriots ($3,800) vs. NYJ — The Jets also stink, and are on the road. Patriots have an elite defense, which makes me prefer the savings off Dallas.
Los Angeles Chargers ($2,500) vs. HOU — I wanted to provide a value option. Houston’s offensive line allows the most sacks in the NFL, and is on the road.
You can follow Julian on Twitter @JulianEdlow
