A massive 13-game slate kicks off Monday morning in Week 3 of the NFL, the biggest slate of the season so far! It’s the type of week where DFS strategy becomes just as important as player selection. With so many options across positions, it’s critical to find the right blend of chalky, high-projection players and lower-owned leverage spots that can separate your lineup from the field.
We start with nine early window games, highlighted by the massive Rams vs Eagles clash, plus three huge divisional matchups that could swing playoff races later in the season. The late window features four more games, including two divisional tilts: the undefeated Chargers (2-0) hosting the Broncos, and the Cardinals traveling to San Francisco to face Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers.
Draftstars has a $30,000 contest, with a $3,000 first prize. There are plenty of other contests for everyone to get involved, no matter your budget.
NFL 2025-26 Daily Fantasy Tips: Week 3 Monday
Quarterbacks
Mac Jones – $11,010
Mac Jones is in one of the most fascinating DFS spots of the week. Now operating Shanahan’s famously quarterback-friendly system in San Francisco, Jones has already flashed efficiency, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-39 passing in his debut start. At just over $11K, he’s underpriced for his ceiling — making him one of the best point-per-dollar options on the slate.
The matchup sweetens the deal. Arizona’s defence was shredded last week by Bryce Young for 300+ yards. Shanahan’s scheme creates open looks, and Jones has the accuracy to capitalize. In cash formats, he provides a safe floor with touchdown equity. In tournaments, he’s an attractive stacking candidate with one or two 49ers receivers, especially given that ownership will gravitate toward bigger-name quarterbacks.
DFS Tip: Pairing Jones with a low-owned receiver creates leverage against the field, especially if most stacks go to Hurts, Herbert, or Daniels.
Daniel Jones – $13,270
Daniel Jones is thriving in Indianapolis, and his DFS profile is strong. He’s posted 29.5 and 25.8 points in his first two games, combining efficient passing with rushing upside. Already logging three rushing scores, Jones is being used in high-leverage red-zone spots. That rushing usage raises his floor and ceiling.
The Titans’ defence is middle of the pack, but Jones looks nearly matchup-proof at this stage. His price is higher than Mac’s, but his rushing involvement makes him a strong option in all formats. For tournaments, ownership will matter: if Jones pushes 20-25% ownership, consider pairing him with a secondary pass-catcher like a tight end rather than the obvious WR1 to gain leverage.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson – $18,210
The premier play of the slate. Carolina’s run defence has graded bottom-10 per PFF, and Robinson is set up for a workhorse role as both a rusher and receiver. He’s averaging elite usage, and Atlanta should lean on him heavily in a projected positive game script.
In cash games, Robinson is almost a lock. His workload + efficiency make him one of the safest floor-ceiling combos available. In GPPs, the only reason to fade him is ownership: if he hits 40%+ across the field, leveraging by pivoting to another high-priced RB could be viable. But fading comes with risk — Robinson is projected as the highest overall scorer on the slate.
Javonte Williams – $13,220
Williams has taken over Dallas’ backfield, seeing consistent snaps and around five targets per game. Against Chicago’s porous run defence, his combination of rushing volume and passing-game involvement makes him a mid-tier gem.
DFS application: Williams’ salary opens flexibility for stars-and-scrubs roster builds. He’s strong in balanced lineups too, where you avoid overpaying at one position. His ceiling isn’t Robinson-level, but he offers multi-touchdown potential if Denver controls game flow.
Trey Benson – $8,000
Every slate needs punt RBs with upside, and Benson is exactly that. His role has been limited, but his 7.5 YPC last week screams efficiency. If his workload ticks upward even slightly, he could crush value at just $8K.
Cash games: too risky.
Tournaments: prime GPP dart throw. One long touchdown run could unlock the rest of your lineup.
Wide Receivers
CeeDee Lamb – $18,090
The Cowboys–Bears game owns the highest implied total of the slate, and Lamb is Dallas’ alpha. Chicago’s secondary is in shambles, missing key corners, and Prescott will pepper Lamb with double-digit targets.
Cash: Lamb is WR1, plain and simple.
GPPs: Stack with Dak for maximum correlation. But if he climbs toward 40% ownership, consider game-theory fades to differentiate.
Justin Jefferson – $16,320
Jefferson has opened the season slowly, leading to a rare price drop. DFS players know these are the spots where elite talent becomes the best leverage. Carson Wentz under center introduces variance, but Jefferson’s ability to dominate target share keeps his ceiling intact.
Tournament note: Jefferson is volatile but could easily post a 35+ point outing at sub-20% ownership. Pairing him with Wentz in large-field GPPs creates a contrarian stack that few will touch.
Romeo Doubs – $8,720
Green Bay’s receiving corps is banged up, leaving Doubs as Jordan Love’s most trusted target. His usage hasn’t exploded yet, but the opportunity is there with Watson and Reed sidelined.
Against Cleveland, where running room will be limited, Green Bay may have to pass more. Doubs’ salary puts him in the mid-tier sweet spot. In GPPs, you’re betting on volume meeting efficiency — and the path is clear.
Tight Ends
Juwan Johnson – $9,890
Johnson’s breakout continues: 20 targets in two games, leading all tight ends. He’s become Spencer Rattler’s top safety valve, and this week’s matchup against Seattle (a bottom-5 defence vs TEs) is perfect.
Johnson is usable in both cash and GPPs. His salary hasn’t caught up to his role, making him one of the strongest plays of the week. A touchdown vaults him into slate-breaking territory.
Jonnu Smith – $5,000
The punt tight end option. Modest volume (10 targets total) but extreme efficiency (9 catches). At $5K, he’s salary relief only — you’re betting on a touchdown.
DFS fit: In GPPs, punting TE to load up on premium RBs/WRs is viable. In cash, his floor is too low to consider.
D/ST
Atlanta Falcons – $6,790
High-variance option against rookie Bryce Young. Atlanta’s pass rush has looked sharp, and Young has been turnover-prone. Boom-or-bust profile — could score 15+ if turnovers hit, or flop if Carolina leans on quick passes.
Seattle Seahawks – $6,850
The safer alternative. Seattle has delivered consistent defensive scoring through two weeks, and a low-total game against the Saints sets up another steady performance.
DFS application: cash = Seattle, GPP = Atlanta.
Building Lineups & Strategy
With a 13-game slate, ownership leverage is everything. A few key guidelines:
- Cash Games: Anchor with safe, high-usage plays (Bijan Robinson, CeeDee Lamb, Juwan Johnson). Use Mac Jones as a cheap QB to fit in studs. Pick Seattle D/ST for floor.
- GPPs: Embrace volatility. Pivot off chalk with contrarian plays like Justin Jefferson, Trey Benson, or Falcons D/ST. Stack game environments — e.g., Cowboys/Bears or Chargers/Broncos — and differentiate with less obvious pieces.
- Stars & Scrubs vs Balanced: Both viable. Stars & Scrubs works if your punts (like Benson or Smith) hit. Balanced builds reduce bust risk but cap upside. Contest type matters — balanced for smaller fields, stars/scrubs for large GPPs.
- Correlation: Always consider stacking QB + pass catcher. Adding a run-back option from the opposing team maximizes upside if the game shoots out.
Conclusion
This Week 3 mega-slate is all about balancing safety with upside. Bijan Robinson and CeeDee Lamb headline as premium, high-projection cash anchors. Mac Jones offers immense value at QB, while Daniel Jones provides dual-threat upside. Juwan Johnson is a glaring misprice at TE.
But DFS is never about simply picking the best players. Ownership dynamics and lineup construction will decide winners. Leveraging contrarian upside with plays like Justin Jefferson, Romeo Doubs, or Trey Benson can swing tournaments. Choosing between a safe defence like Seattle or a volatile one like Atlanta is another way to gain leverage.
Ultimately, the edge lies in contest selection, bankroll discipline, and lineup correlation. Don’t just pick players — build a story for how your lineup wins. If you can combine chalky floors with contrarian ceilings, you’ll give yourself the best chance to climb the leaderboards in this monster Week 3 slate.
Suggested Draftstars NFL Lineup
