NFL DFS Week 3: DraftKings, FanDuel sleepers and value picks for daily fantasy lineups

Last week ranked as one of the highest-scoring weeks in NFL history, so DFS enthusiasts had a rollercoaster of a weekend. However, high-scoring daily fantasy lineups require a balance of proven weekly studs and under-the-radar sleepers. 

That's why this column gets crafted each week! We scour the DFS player pools, pinpoint the most overlooked and undervalued names from the main slate, and serve them up for you on a proverbial platter.

If you can't find the best deals, you probably won't win the big prizes. Let us do the research for you — we'll highlight the best players at every position on DraftKings and FanDuel, so you can create an optimal lineup and cash in on Sunday. 

Let's take a gander at our biggest hits last week, with each player's DK salary and ultimate Week 2 fantasy production:

Fifteen hits! Not bad at all! We especially cashed in on our featured players, including Goff, Prescott, Hubbard, Etienne and Smith-Njigba. Heck, three of those guys were in the photo to last week's column! It's a beautiful thing when it all comes together. Now, let's carry over that success into Week 3 for another fully-loaded week of DFS action!

Here's the Sporting News' Week 3 DFS sleepers and fantasy football value picks for DraftKings and FanDuel tournaments.

MORE: Learn how to play NFL DFS

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 3: Quarterback

Caleb Williams, Bears vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,100)

Considering how bad Williams has looked in real life, his fantasy stats have actually been pretty good. He put up 24.2 DK points in Chicago's season-opening loss to Minnesota, and now he draws an atrocious Cowboys defense at home.

If the second-year QB can't get it done this weekend in the Windy City, it might be a long season. Dallas has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to the QB position through two games, and Micah Parsons ain't walkin' through that door.

C.J. Stroud, Texans at Jaguars (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,700)

Stroud has enjoyed plenty of success against the division-rival Jags, averaging 292.8 passing yards per game and racking up eight total TDs (and no interceptions) over four games. Look for the third-year signal-caller to get it going this weekend in Jacksonville. 

Other QBs whose Week 3 values exceed their price tags:

• Mac Jones, 49ers vs. Cardinals (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,700)
• Drake Maye, Patriots vs. Steelers (DK: $5,300 | FD: $7,300)
• Aaron Rodgers, Steelers at Patriots (DK: $5,200 | FD: $7,000)
• Sam Darnold, Seahawks vs. Saints (DK: $5,100 | FD: $6,900)

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 3: Running back

Jordan Mason, Vikings vs. Bengals (DK: $5,400 | FD: $5,800)

It's all happening for Mason. He looked terrific in Week 1, turning 16 touches into 75 yards. He then looked much better than Aaron Jones in Week 2, and then Jones suffered a hamstring injury which could sideline him for Week 3.

Oh, and the Vikings' Week 3 opponent, the Bengals, have surrendered the second-most DK points to running backs this season. Yahtzee! 

Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks vs. Saints (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,600)

So much for Zach Charbonnet leapfrogging K9 on the Seahawks' depth chart! Walker turned 14 touches into 118 yards and a TD on Sunday, and that was in Pittsburgh. Now he gets to smack around a vulnerable Saints defense at home in front of the 12s!? Yeah, sign us up. 

More strong Week 3 RB values: 

• Javonte Williams, Cowboys at Bears (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,200)
• Breece Hall, Jets at Bucs (DK: $6,000 | FD: $6,900)
• Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Steelers (DK: $5,300 | FD: $5,900)
• Rachaad White, Bucs vs. Jets (DK: $5,100 | FD: $5,200)
• Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars vs. Texans (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,200)

SET YOUR LINEUPS: Weekly fantasy rankings

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 3: Wide receiver

George Pickens, Cowboys at Bears (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,200)

Pickens has clearly developed chemistry with Dak Prescott, as the two connected for 68 yards and a TD in Week 2. Now they draw a Bears defense that allowed the Lions to rack up five TDs through the air on Sunday.

Only three defenses have surrendered more PPR points to wide receivers than Chicago. Pickens should stay busy this weekend, especially if the Cowboys' D keeps looking like Swiss cheese.

D.K. Metcalf, Steelers at Patriots (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,800)

Give me a star receiver in an Aaron Rodgers offense any day. The future Hall-of-Fame QB hyper-targets his WR1 until the wheels fall off. Jordy Nelson. Davante Adams. Greg Jennings. Garrett Wilson. D.K. Metcalf. 

And, when the opposing secondary is as bad as New England has been without Christian Gonzalez, the results tend to be pretty, pretty, pretty good. The Pats have surrendered the third-most DK points to wide receivers through two weeks. Don't overthink this one.

More strong Week 3 DFS values at WR:

• Deebo Samuel, Commanders vs. Raiders (DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,700)
• Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers at Cardinals (DK: $5,400 | FD: $6,000)
• Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Raiders (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,600)
• Ricky Pearsall, 49ers vs. Cardinals (DK: $5,500 | FD: $5,600)
• Rome Odunze, Bears vs. Cowboys (DK: $5,300 | FD: $6,400)
• Michael Pittman, Colts at Titans (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,700)
• Kayshon Boutte, Patriots vs. Steelers (DK: $4,600 | FD: $5,300)

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 3: Tight end

Juwan Johnson, Saints at Seahawks (DK: $3,900 | FD: $5,700)

Johnson looks like Spencer Rattler's favorite target through two weeks. The veteran tight end cleared 15.5 DK points in both games, yet his price tag remains below $4,000 on DK.

New Orleans draws a Seattle D that perennially struggles to defend the TE position and has already given up more TE points than all but one other defense (the Patriots). Fire this guy up if Juwan win big.

More Week 3 TEs worth a look:

• Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons at Panthers (DK: $3,900 | FD: $5,400)
• Jonnu Smith, Steelers at Patriots (DK: $3,600 | FD: $5,100)
• Jake Tonges, 49ers vs. Cardinals (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,800)

MORE TIPS: Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 3 | Week 3 sleepers

Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 3: D/ST

Washington Commanders vs. Raiders (DK: $3,000 | FD: $4,400)

The Commanders have an underrated defense, with impact players at all three levels. Washington's D/ST put up nine points in Week 1 vs. the Giants and we expect a similar output in Week 3 against the Raiders.

Las Vegas still seems like it's a long way from being a stable offense — Geno Smith threw three interceptions vs. the Chargers on Monday. Expect more of the same in Greater DC this Sunday. 

More sleeper D/ST plays for Week 3:

• Atlanta Falcons at Panthers (DK: $3,200 | FD: $3,800)
• Los Angeles Chargers vs. Broncos (DK: $2,900 | FD: $3,500)

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