UPDATED 9/20 11:00PM ET

Well, Week 2 was an ugly one for QBs with Joe Burrow, J.J. McCarthy, Jayden Daniels, and Justin Fields all going down with injuries.

These injuries bring us to Week 3 of the NFL season, where we have some min-price QB plays on the slate once again for us to build our DraftKings and FanDuel DFS lineups around.

In Week 2, the min-price play of Mac Jones was a winner, as he threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints.

Will this week’s min-price plays find the same success? Let’s dive in and break it all down.

 

 

 

NFL DFS Week 3 QB Coach for FanDuel & DraftKings Fantasy

NFL DFS QB Top Tier Picks for Week 3

Jalen Hurts, QB Philadelphia Eagles - DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel:$8,500

Facing the Chiefs on the road was always going to be a challenge, especially since Hurts didn’t score the rushing touchdowns he typically needs to justify his cost, given his limited passing volume as the Eagles’ QB.

Still, we’re sticking with him because he’s capable of delivering a three-touchdown game, and this week, the Eagles are back home facing the Los Angeles Rams.

Baker Mayfield, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DraftKings: $6,600 | FanDuel: $7,900

Baker Mayfield has started the season strong, throwing five touchdown passes and averaging over 30 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks.

After playing his first two games on the road, Mayfield and the Buccaneers return home in Week 3 to face a Jets defense that has allowed 30 and 34 points to opponents so far.

Mayfield is well-positioned to keep up his passing attack, connecting with Mike Evans and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka this week.

 

 

 

NFL DFS QB Mid-Tier Picks for NFL Week 3

Dak Prescott, QB Dallas Cowboys - DraftKings: $5,900 | FanDuel:$7,300

We anticipated a tough Week 1 for the Cowboys on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles, but we were optimistic about their Week 2 home matchup against the New York Giants.

While Dallas started slowly, and the high-scoring game in Week 2 was unexpected, this week’s road game against a Bears defense that’s been shredded early in the season looks promising. J.J. McCarthy led a second-half comeback in Week 1, and Jared Goff threw for 334 yards and five touchdowns in Week 2.

It’s easy to be excited about the potential for Dak Prescott connecting with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens this week.

Caleb Williams, QB Chicago Bears - DraftKings: $5,600 | FanDuel: $7,100

Poor on-field performance doesn’t always mean poor fantasy football output, and that’s the case with Caleb Williams. Despite the Bears’ 0-2 start and a crushing loss to the Detroit Lions last week, they’re back home facing a Dallas Cowboys defense that just allowed Russell Wilson to throw for 450 yards and three touchdowns.

Williams scored 18 fantasy points in Week 2 and 24 in Week 1, more than justifying his cost. If the Cowboys’ defense continues to struggle against passing attacks, Williams could deliver a breakout performance as Ben Johnson chases his first NFL head coaching win.

Jake Browning, QB Cincinnati Bengals - DraftKings: $5,500 | FanDuel: $6,800

Losing Joe Burrow is a clear setback for the Bengals’ overall success, but as I mentioned earlier, you don’t need to play great football to rack up fantasy points.

In Week 2, Jake Browning filled in for Burrow, completing 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, throwing two touchdown passes, three interceptions, and adding a rushing touchdown in a win against the Jaguars.

Browning isn’t an inexperienced rookie either; at 29, he played nine games in 2023, completing 70% of his passes for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions while contributing 127 rushing yards.

While the Vikings’ defense, led by Brian Flores, is formidable, I’m not ruling out an offense powered by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at wide receiver.

 

 

 

NFL Week 3 DFS QB Value Picks

Sam Darnold, QB Seattle Seahawks - DraftKings: $5,100 | FanDuel: $6,900

The matchup against the Saints looks like a prime spot for our DFS plays this season. In Week 1, Kyler Murray delivered a strong performance, followed by Mac Jones throwing for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. Now, the Seahawks, coming off a road win against the Steelers, face this vulnerable Saints defense at home.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been dominant through the first two weeks, and Cooper Kupp had a standout game in Week 2.

Sam Darnold could be in line for 250 yards and two or more touchdowns in this favorable matchup.

Mac Jones, QB San Francisco 49ers - DraftKings: $5,000 | FanDuel: $6,700

Return of the Mac? Last week, we discussed how Kyle Shanahan wanted to draft Mac Jones third overall in 2021 but was overruled by management, who pushed for Trey Lance.

Years later, Shanahan finally has his quarterback, and Jones delivered, throwing for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints. While the Saints’ defense looks like one of the league’s weakest this season, Shanahan’s plug-and-play offensive system is clearly working.

In Week 3, Jones faces a Cardinals defense that bolstered its roster in the draft and capitalized on matchups against the Saints and Panthers early this season.

Now, they face a tougher challenge hosting the 49ers. I’m backing Jones to keep the momentum going in this dynamic offensive scheme.

Tyrod Taylor, QB New York Jets - DraftKings: $4,800 | FanDuel: $6,500

With Justin Fields sidelined by a concussion, veteran QB Tyrod Taylor will start this week.

Taylor is one of the NFL’s top backup quarterbacks, with a strong track record of starting and winning games. He’s a more accurate passer than Fields and, while not as dynamic a runner, still brings rushing upside.

Facing a shorthanded Buccaneers defense, the game plan will likely be simplified. If Taylor manages the game effectively, he should produce enough fantasy points to justify his cost.

Carson Wentz, QB San Francisco 49ers - DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $6,000

This week, Carson Wentz steps in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, landing a favorable home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kevin O’Connell’s system, much like Kyle Shanahan’s, is designed for plug-and-play success, regardless of the starting quarterback.

While losing Aaron Jones to IR hurts, given his role in the passing game, Wentz still has Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Adam Thielen to target in this promising matchup.

UPDATED - Marcus Mariota, QB Washington Commanders - DraftKings: $4,000 | FanDuel: $6,000

There is actually a lot to like here with Mariota as the Commanders take on the Raiders. He has rushing upside, he has good pass catchers and the Raiders defense is questionable at best. Yes, there is still a ton of risk here but if you told me to guess between Taylor, Wentz and Mariota which would have the most fantasy points I'd lean towards Mariota.

 

 

NFL DFS QB Fades for Week 3

Kyler Murray, QB Arizona Cardinals - DraftKings: $6,100 | FanDuel: $7,400 

Kyler Murray has been solid but not spectacular this season, and the road matchup against the 49ers is unappealing this week. There are better, cheaper options on the slate to anchor your lineups.

Bo Nix, QB Denver Broncos - DraftKings: $5,800 | FanDuel: $7,200

I remain optimistic about Bo Nix’s long-term potential, and the Broncos QB has been solid to start the season. However, this road matchup against the Chargers doesn’t feel like the one to target, especially when other quarterbacks at similar price points have more favorable situations I’m more confident in.