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DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH GAME PICKS - 2023 WEEK 3

By Jamie Calandro

DRAFTKINGS DFS CASH GAME PICKS - 2023 WEEK 3

QUARTERBACK

TOP PLAY

Justin Herbert, LAC ($7500)

This is a tough call of who the best per-dollar play is at the top, but Justin Herbert checks all the boxes if you’re spending. Austin Ekeler isn’t practicing again, which puts his week 3 status into doubt. This should ensure another air-centric attack by the Chargers as they look to break into the win column. Minnesota is in the bottom five in pressure rate and has allowed the tenth most FPPG to opposing QBs. Their secondary has already given up 54 points this year and have an incredibly soft secondary. The only issue I’d have with Herbert is that he doesn’t correlate well with Joshua Kelley, who is a top value if Ekeler misses again.

Other options - Patrick Mahomes

Mid-tier options - Kirk Cousins, Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, Jared Goff

VALUE PLAY

C.J. Stroud, HOU ($5300)

$5300 seems like a very reasonable price tag for a guy who has thrown 91 passes already through the first two weeks. He’s not only on pace for over 700 attempts in his rookie season, but he’s also yet to throw an interception with this volume. Stroud seems to have a legit WR1 in Nico Collins and Tank Dell is getting peppered with targets as well, and Jacksonville has allowed the fourth most FPPG to QBs thus far.

Other options - Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, Sam Howell

RUNNING BACK

Tony Pollard, DAL ($8000)

I picked Tony Pollard as the RB1 at the beginning of the year, and his usage is lending credence to the fact that it may actually happen. Through two games Pollard has 39 rushes and 11 targets, along with a whopping EIGHT red zone touches which leads the NFL. Arizona is a middling matchup against RBs so far, but Dallas is 13-point road favorites which creates a positive game script. I think Pollard is GPP-fadeable with his ceiling potentially capped by Dallas not needing him late, but he’s a rock-solid cash play.

Other options - Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry

Mid-tier options - Travis Etienne, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker

VALUE PLAY

Jerome Ford, CLE ($4800)

As unbelievable as it seems, this is now the third week in a row where we’ve had a cheap RB thrust into a mega chalk situation, yet will face the top rush D in the Titans. In Week 1, it was Jamaal Williams; last week, it was Joshua Kelley. Both RBs busted but were acceptable bad chalk in cash at high ownership percentages. This week should be no different. After the sickening injury to Nick Chubb Monday night, Jerome Ford should be thrust into at least a short-term lead role for the Browns, and $4800 is too cheap to fade in cash. I will likely be adopting the same strategy once against Tennessee. Lock in Ford for cash contests, and full fade him in GPPs. I understand Kareem Hunt was recently resigned, but I do think he’ll be just a change-of-pace back in his first week back.

Other options - Miles Sanders, AJ Dillon, Zack Moss, Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Pacheco

WIDE RECEIVER

TOP PLAY

Justin Jefferson, MIN ($9300)

If I’m paying for anyone this week in cash, it’s Justin Jefferson. He’s already storming the league again with 20 catches on 25 targets, and the matchup is absolutely unreal for him this week. WRs have gone wild on the Chargers to begin the year, as they’ve allowed the highest YPC and the most FPPG through two games. This game is the highest totaled one of the slate, it’s in a dome, and Jefferson’s 28 DK PPG is second only to Tyreek Hill.

Other options - Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ceedee Lamb

Mid-tier options - Keenan Allen, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Michael Pittman

VALUE PLAY

Nico Collins, HOU ($5300)

After Collins nuked this past weekend, I figured he was at least going to be priced in the low 6k range, so imagine my surprise (and pleasure) when we find he’s not even at $5,500 yet. Collins has 20 targets and an aDOT of 17.1 through two games, and he’s third in the NFL in air yards as well. He’s such a solid play in cash right now, and I’d even go overweight in GPP for the amount of times Houston is letting Stroud throw the ball.

Other options - Mike Williams, Tank Dell, Jahan Dotson, Marquise Brown, Jayden Reed

TIGHT END

TOP PLAY

Travis Kelce, KC ($7200)

Kelce saved his day with a TD, but rust was to be expected given his injury right at the end of the preseason. Despite being on a pitch count, Kelce still was targeted nine times in his debut last week and his price dropped $400 this week. I’d rather pay for WRs in cash, but Kelce is always worth it for cash given his role in that KC offense.

Other options - Mark Andrews

Mid-tier options - Evan Engram

VALUE PLAY

Zack Ertz, ARI ($3500)

Zack Ertz at $3500 is an easy punt at the TE position this week. It’s difficult to get excited about anyone in the Arizona skillset positions. However, Ertz has been the safety blanket for Josh Hobbs thus far, amassing 18 targets through the first two weeks (leads all TEs) and is second in air yards share. He’s been inefficient with those targets, but at $3500, you’re really only looking for volume and potential EZ looks (he has two).

Other options - Sam LaPorta, Dalton Schultz, Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave, Durham Smythe

TOP FIVE DEFENSES FOR CASH

New York Jets ($2800)
Buffalo Bills ($2900)
New England Patriots ($3500)
Seattle Seahawks ($3200)
Washington Commanders ($2400)