Welcome to the NFL DFS Week 3 RB Coach article!! I had a pretty good Week 2. I bravely (tongue firmly planted in cheek) recommended starting Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs, and they delivered as top-tier NFL DFS RBs. Both appear to be matchup-proof moving forward. In this article, we'll break down the best running backs to roster from each price tier on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Stay tuned for my RB Play of the Week and some key value picks. 

 

 

 

NFL DFS Week 3 RB Coach for FanDuel & DraftKings Fantasy

Before we get to the NFL DFS Week 3 RB Coach, let's review a bit more on how last week went. I had some other good choices as well. De’Von Achane had a huge Week 2, and Josh Jacobs has been a consistently productive NFL DFS RB dating back to last season. Javonte Williams and Travis Etienne seem secure as their team’s primary NFL DFS RBs, and despite his poor Week 2 performance, I’m confident that Chase Brown will be an RB that we can put in our DFS lineups throughout the season. 

Unfortunately, not all of my recommendations hit their mark last week. Breece Hall is still clearly the New York Jets’ RB1, but with his team playing from behind all day and taking a drubbing from the Bills, running the ball was not an option.

 

NFL Week 3 Running Backs

Cleveland Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins looked remarkably good in his first action of the season against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. He led Browns RBs in carries and rushing yards, and his Week 3 DFS salaries ($5000 DK/$5600 FD) are probably the lowest they’ll be for a while. He has a tough Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but based on his DFS salary and upside, you still might choose to slide him into your Week 3 NFL DFS lineups. 

Dylan Sampson, whom I recommended in Week 2, moves down the Browns’ RB depth chart as long as Judkins is healthy and avoids suspension. Sampson scored a TD, and that somewhat saved his day, but in retrospect, suggesting him as an NFL DFS RB option in Week 2 did not work out as planned.

New York Giants rookie RB Cam Skattebo may be a future starting NFL DFS RB. He looks like he’s ready to supplant Tyrone Tracy as the Giants’ RB1.   

Other than Judkins and Skattebo, rookie NFL DFS RBs like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton disappointed in Week 2. Both led their respective teams in RB snaps played and carries. I’m avoiding them in Week 3 but will look to add them to NFL DFS lineups in the future. 

For the purposes of this article, the future is now, and while I won’t be putting Hampton and Jeanty in my lineups this week, there are several other NFL DFS RBs that can help you win some cash in Week 3. These are some of my favorites.

 

 

 

NFL DFS RB Top Tier Picks for Week 3

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

DraftKings: $7,200 | FanDuel: $8,500

It looks like the Colts are for real, and they have a very winnable game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. They’re already executing the third-most-run plays in the NFL, and I see the Colts taking a big early lead against the Titans this week. That will cause them to run the ball a ton as they look to run out the clock in the second half. Taylor already leads all NFL DFS RBs with 43 carries, and he’ll add to that lead in Week 3. He’ll be busy feasting on a Titans’ defense that is giving up 5.52 YPC to NFL DFS RBs. 

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DraftKings: $7,200 | FanDuel: $7,400

Rachaad White vulturing Irving’s potential TD on Monday night hurt, but Irving played more than twice as many snaps as White. He was also heavily used in the Bucs’ passing game, catching all six of his targets. Irving is the Bucs’ lead back, and he takes on a Jets run defense that is tied for having given up the most total TDs to NFL DFS RBs this season and is yielding 4.23 YPC to the position as well. 

 

NFL DFS RB Mid-Tier Picks for NFL Week 3

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

DraftKings: $6,600 | FanDuel: $7,600

Cook has picked up right where he left off last season. While too many fantasy football analysts are expecting Cook’s TD production to slow down, all he does is keep finding the end zone. Cook has now scored at least one TD in six straight games dating back to last season. He already has three this season after rushing for 16 TDs last season. It should not be surprising that Cook has scored five career total TDs in six games against the Miami Dolphins, his Week 3 opponent. The Dolphins have also given up the fifth most receptions (11) to NFL DFS RBs this season, a weakness that Cook can exploit.

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

DraftKings: $6,300 | FanDuel: $8,000

Speaking of NFL DFS RBs who can exploit a defense that allows RBs to catch passes out of the backfield, we now turn our attention to Alvin Kamara. Kamara got back on track in Week 2, catching all six of his targets. He also averaged 4.7 YPC in Week 2. The Seahawks have given up the most catches to NFL DFS RBs (19) this season and are about to give up several more in Week 3.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

DraftKings: $6,900 | FanDuel: $7,800

Brown is coming off an underwhelming Week 2 performance, but he’ll be in a good spot to redeem himself in Week 3. He’ll be matched up against a Minnesota Vikings run defense that’s giving up 4.95 YPC and the most rushing yards (272) to NFL DFS RBs this season. He may benefit with Joe Burrows out, as QB Jake Browning may have to use Chase Brown as a safety valve and check down to him as he slowly becomes acclimated to the Bengals offense. 

 

 

 

NFL Week 3 DFS RB Value Picks

Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings: $6,100 | FanDuel: $7,200

Back in May, Williams said that he finally felt like his old self heading into the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL and LCL  in the 2022 season, and it shows. He is the Cowboys’ lead back and averaging over 20 fantasy points per game in both DraftKings and FanDuel platforms. Williams takes on the Chicago Bears in Week 3, who have given up the third most rushing yards (246) to NFL DFS RBs this season.  

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

DraftKings: $5,200 | FanDuel: $5,600

If there’s one team that can help kick-start Pacheco’s 2025 season, it’s the New York Giants. We’ve already targeted the lackluster Vikings and the Bears' run defenses, but the Giants have also been very kind to NFL DFS RBs. The Giants have given up 246 rushing yards to NFL DFS RBs (fourth most in football) and the most fantasy points per game in PPR scoring. The Chiefs are winless this season, and they are angry. Pacheco will have a huge game on Sunday night when the Chiefs take out their frustrations against the Giants' defense.

 

NFL Week 3 RB Play of The Week

Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings

DraftKings: $5,400 | FanDuel: $5,800 

I love Mason’s very affordable DFS salary. I love his potential opportunity as the Vikings’ lead back, and lastly, I love his matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals have held NFL DFS RBs to just 3.69 YPC this season, but they’re tied for having given up the most total TDs (3) to the position. They’ve also given up the fourth most receptions to NFL DFS RBs (13) this season and the second most fantasy points per game in PPR scoring. 
 

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