Draft Kings Value GPP Plays
We have an interesting week where the top-priced quarterbacks play each other on MNF so they are not on the main slate. With the top WR priced at $7,700 and the top two running backs hurt, you won’t need many cheap plays to fill a lineup this week, so I would suggest one or two at the most. If you are new to DFS there are many “casual” tournaments that do not allow the sharp players to enter and I would recommend taking advantage of this while you can. Let’s look at what we have for Week 3:
Wide Receiver
K.J. Hamler – $3,000
I talked about Hamler last week on our Unscripted podcast as a value play with Courtland Sutton looking to miss the game. Sutton ended up playing so I didn’t write him up, but he went down during the game and entered K.J. Hamler, rookie WR from Penn State. Hamler came in and played 66% of the snaps while getting an impressive 7 targets and showed his ability to get in and out of breaks and use his body to get open. He had a hamstring injury so he was unable to run the 40 at the NFL combine but is said to have 4.3 speed and was clocked at almost 22 mph last year. His NFL comp is DeSean Jackson per PlayerProfiler.com and it is important to note that Jackson struggled to do just a few bench press reps and Hamler did 15! With Sutton out for the season, the Broncos are going to give Hamler a long look and this week he draws Jamel Dean from the Buccaneers who is ranked 67th for coverage out of a little over 100 players. Fellow rookie Jerry Jeudy looks to play this week but has been hobbled by a rib injury. The Hamler breakout is coming soon so we will play him at the bare minimum pricing.
Darnell Mooney – $3,000
Another rookie and another bare minimum pricing play that could pay huge dividends. Mooney played ahead of Anthony Miller in 12 personnel groupings last week and also saw 66% of the snaps like Hamler, however was only targeted 3 times but caught all 3 and scored a touchdown. The enticing part of this play is the match up and likely game script. Mooney squares off against A.J. Terrell this week who ranks 63rd in coverage and this game sets up to be a possible shoot out. We all know that the Falcons will keep their foot on the gas and put up points. Mooney is in a similar situation than Hamler: breakout coming soon!
Running Back
Joshua Kelley – $5,000
Everyone knew that Austin Ekeler would need a complementary RB as he was never going to get 25 touches a game so enter rookie RB Joshua Kelly from USC. While many were talking about 2nd-year player Justin Jackson, I was talking all late summer about Jackson’s core injury and the fact that Kelley was clearly the #2 back. This is purely a volume play as Kelley received 25 touches last week and draws the historically bad Carolina defense. The Panthers allowed a horrific 145 yards and two touchdowns last year per game and this year so far have allowed 255 yards and a whopping 6 rushing touchdowns. If Kelly can find paydirt just once he is a lock to make value and score 18+ DK points.
Devin Singletary – $4,900
Everyone will be playing Jerrick McKinnon in this price range this week but I will be pivoting to Singletary who gets the Bill’s backfield all to himself with rookie Zack Moss out with what appears to be turf toe.
I don’t think Mckinnon is a horrible play per se, but winning tournaments in Draft Kings is often about “pivoting” from a highly rostered player to one in the same price range that has a great opportunity and will likely be much lower rostered. McKinnon has only gotten 9 touches this year and everything I’ve heard from camp is that they want to ease him into the offense. With Tevin Coleman out indefinitely and Mostert missing this game and maybe more AND their huge need for playmakers in the passing game, I’m not sure how much “Jet” will need to be, or the team wants him to be, used this week against a likely positive game script versus the Giants who are missing their star player Saquon Barkley for the rest of the season.
I look for Jeff Wilson and rookie JaMycal Hasty who was recently called up from the practice squad to get more work than the McKinnon crowd will like. Singletary on the other hand, is a virtual lock for 18 touches in a game versus the Rams at home that has the markers to shoot out with two teams that play fast and don’t let off the gas. The other two RBs that will suit up Sunday for the Bills are T.J. Yeldon and Taiwan Jones. Those are two names that we haven’t heard in quite some time and won’t hear much on Sunday. Singletary also gets passing work. Look for him to get 6+ targets.
Tight End
Drew Sample – $3,500
Second-year player Drew Sample from the University of Washington is now the starting tight end for the Bengals now that, C.J. Uzomah is out for the season. I’m actually surprised that Uzomah was playing ahead of Sample in the first place. Sample has glue for hands and had an instant rapport with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow last week. Sample had 9 targets that he turned into 7 catches for 45 yards. It’s also important to note that Uzomah received 7 targets before he went down. This week he draws the Eagles and their linebackers who couldn’t cover a bowl of Tupperware. The Eagles made Logan Thomas a thing week one and allowed Tyler Higbee to score three times last week. I don’t see the Bengals defense stopping the Eagles so look for them to have to throw for 60 minutes. Another very important note: A.J. Green, who got a huge 13 targets last week, draws shutdown corner Darius Slay this week. Slay has excelled so far in Jim Schwartz’ scheme and is the lone bright spot on this defense. Look for Sample to be a strong connection with Burrow for many years to come.
Jordan Reed – $4,000
I wrote up Reed in my article last week and harkened back to my old adage “if Jordan Reed is healthy, you play him”. The 49ers are starved for pass catchers with a litany of injuries at the wide receiver position and franchise tight end George Kittle missing another game with his knee sprain. Reed was a no brainer last week, turning 8 targets into 7 catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Reed is a smash play again. Sometimes, fantasy isn’t hard.
Quarterback
Jared Goff – $5,600
As already mentioned, these two teams play fast and this game could shoot. Goff is priced right and I look for him to have a low rostership %.
Defense
Los Angeles Chargers – $2,600
I usually don’t even write up defenses but I will have 100% exposure to the ‘Bolts D this week. The price isn’t bad at all and with CMC out the Panthers will be forced into the passing game early and often. With the Chargers stout secondary I expect many turnover opportunities and “coverage sacks”. Teddy is not acclimated to this offense yet and has an extremely tough task at hand playing the Chargers in their own house.
Bonus – Cash Game Plays
My advice is always centered around tournament play but below is a suggested cash game lineup to use in head to head and 50/50 contests by my long-time associate and gash game guru, Jackson Mears.
Russ Wilson – $7,300
Kenyan Drake – $6,000
Miles Sanders – $6,400
Diontae Johnson – $6,400
Tyler Lockett – $6,400
Allen Robinson – $6,200
Logan Thomas – $3,700
Bucs Defense – $3,700
Have fun this week, fam, and always remember to gamble responsibly!
