Nine games in the early NFL slate, and just the three in the late slate for this week’s Monday morning NFL card, as we enter Week 3 of the regular NFL season. Week 2 saw offenses take over, and with it fantasy scores exploding compared to Week 1. We’re all hoping for more of the same in Week 3, and with totals across the betting markets up by over 1.5 points per game, there’s a good chance of it happening.
Draftstars has a huge $50,000 contest, with almost $5,000 to the winner. There are plenty of other contests for everyone to get involved, and if you’re really keen on a chance to win big, there’s a $10 contest with the winner gaining entry into the $150,000 NFL Star Final. Bring it on!
And don't forget, if you're looking for sports betting NFL tips for Week 2 matches, then make sure you head over to our NFL tips page!
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert - $15,010
Herbert has been great in the opening two weeks of the season, despite the Chargers sitting at a concerning 0-2 record. First things first, the total in this game is set at 54, the only total this week starting with a 5. Secondly, Herbert gets a great matchup here against a Vikings defence that has struggled stopping anything in the opening two weeks. Most importantly, Herbert gets to take on a Vikings defence that is very zone heavy, and Herbert has been among the very best quarterbacks in the league against zone over the past few seasons. With one of the best WR1’s against zone coverage lining up for the Chargers (Keenan Allen), expect Herbert to once again score 20+ this week.
Tua Tagovailoa - $14,770
Tua and the Dolphins passing offense had a reality check in week 2, as Bill Belichick and the Patriots limited the Dolphins to just 249 yards passing. This week, Tua and the Dolphins get another tough defensive matchup in the Broncos, however one I believe the Dolphins will have a better time figuring out. As good as the Broncos were defensively last season, they have struggled early this season, conceding 26 points per game in the opening two weeks. In particular, the Broncos have struggled to generate any pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, and if Tua and his wide receivers have time, they will shred this Broncos defence.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson - $14,170
Ok, so Bijan is now the 2nd most expensive running back in this slate, however, he’s still not being priced up as an elite RB1 like a McCaffrey or Ekeler. Surely it won’t take much longer. Last week, Robinson upped his snap count from 33 in week 1, to 59 in week 2. Despite the Lions having a decent run defence, Bijan is matchup proof and is already a top 3 RB in the NFL. He leads the NFL in percentage of runs garnering at least 5 yards, 7th in missed tackles forced, and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. He will want to make a statement this week against fellow first round running back Jahmyr Gibbs, to confirm he is the alpha dog in this draft class.
Zack Moss - $9,120
Moss took over as RB1 in week 2 at the Colts, and he made an immediate impact as the bell cow of this offense. Moss played 98% of the offensive snaps for the Colts, and whilst this usage surely has to decrease, at this price Moss is a great purchase. Managed 88 yards from 18 carries and a touchdown on the ground, whilst gaining 4 receptions for 19 yards on 4 targets. He does get a far tougher opponent this week, as he takes on a Ravens defence that has been top 5 against the run in terms of fantasy points allowed to start the season. Should get the volume to be well and truly worth it as a cheap RB2 option.
Travis Etienne Jr - $13,500
The Texans have had the worst defence against the run the past two seasons, and Etienne will get a great chance to have a huge game in week 3. Whilst he, along with the entire Jags offense struggled in week 2 against a very solid Chiefs defence, I fully expect a bounce back in week 3. In the 2 games last season between these teams, Etienne ran for 179 yards on 19 carries, and managed 1 touchdown. That efficiency is sure to scare the Texans, so don’t be surprised to see the 3rd year back break 1 or 2 big runs this week.
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson - $17,650
The only negative you can say about Jefferson’s season so far has been his lack of touchdowns, otherwise he has just continued his ascendency towards a first ballot Hall of Fame career. Jefferson has 20 receptions for 309 yards through 2 weeks. This week, he gets to take on the Chargers, who have been shredded by opposing offenses in weeks 1 and 2. To be fair, it wouldn’t matter who the Vikings are playing, as Jefferson is matchup proof and cannot be guarded.
Keenan Allen - $13,020
We had the Chargers WR1 in our team of the week last week, and he well and truly delivered. The 11th year wideout managed 8 receptions for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 targets. Allen has been a focal point of the offense, and with the Chargers likely to once again be without Austin Ekeler, expect Allen to once again be Herbert’s main man. So far this season Allen has managed a 25.7% target share, a 29.4% first read share, and 31.5% air-yard share. He will be facing zone coverage in the slot, and should get plenty of opportunities. A genuine redzone target for Herbert, Allen is priced as a high-end WR2, and has high-end WR1 upside.
Nico Collins - $10,090
Collins has been a pleasant surprise to start the season for the Texans, pulling in 13 receptions on 20 targets for 226 yards and a touchdown so far through two weeks. He has quickly become C.J. Stroud’s main target, with a massive 40.7% air-yard share to go along with 22% target share. Takes on a Jaguars secondary this week that will play mainly in zone coverage, giving Collins another great chance at a big game. Priced up as a WR3, with low-end WR1 ceiling, Collins is definitely someone I’ll be looking to get into my teams this week.
Tight Ends
TJ Hockenson - $11,040
We might give Kelce another week to get right, after he was solid last week however clearly on a snap count. So, we look for who can get up there and take TE1 this week, and in my opinion, you need to look no further than the Vikings’ tight end. Hockenson has 17 targets through 2 games, managing 15 receptions for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. This week he gets a Chargers defence that was towards the bottom of the league last season regarding conceding fantasy points to tight ends. Is always a redzone threat for the Vikings, and if this matchup turns into a track meet, expect TJ to get a decent score.
Hayden Hurst - $5,750
Hurst is a nice cut-price option at tight end this week, as he should be heavily targeted by the Panthers new QB1, Andy Dalton. Hurst was rookie Bryce Young’s safety blanket in week 1, targeted 7 times and ending up with 5 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Whilst Hurst doesn’t have TE1 upside, he is relatively cheap and will be targeted by Dalton between the 20s and in the redzone. Seattle have been horrible against tight ends over the past two years, and this is a great chance to save some money on a cheap option that should hopefully score you between 10 and 20.
D/ST
Dallas Cowboys - $7,520
The Cowboys defence has lost their number 1 cornerback Trevon Diggs during the week, with the ballhawk suffering a torn ACL. It shouldn’t matter, as the Cowboys get the Cardinals at home, in a game the Cardinals are expected to score 14 points in. The Cowboys have the equal most sacks, and the most takeaways this season, and whilst the Cardinals have been fairly safe with the football this season, it’ll be tough against this aggressive Cowboys defence to not give the ball away at least once.
New England Patriots - $7,050
The Patriots are expensive this week, and I think it’s very much down to their opponent. Whilst the Patriots defence and special teams’ units have been elite for years, this week they get a New York Jets offense that is struggling with quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson has managed to throw 4 picks in two games to start the season, but the bigger concern is he has managed to throw 7 picks in his 3 and a bit meetings with the Patriots. He will be seeing ghosts all day at MetLife Stadium, and I’d bet money on over 1 pick thrown by Wilson this week.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
