Week 3 FanDuel NFL DFS Picks: Stacking Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London for a Blowup Game
Geoff Ulrich uncovers the top plays for Week 3 NFL DFS on FanDuel, focusing on stacks like Michael Penix-Drake London and a bell cow back like Jonathan Taylor.
It's the weekend and time to focus on the Sunday NFL DFS slate for Week 3 and take a shot at some of the monster prize pools available across the DFS industry.
What are we looking at for Week 3?
FanDuel awards bonuses now at 100+ yards (3 points passing/receiving/rushing), but their 0.5 PPR setting does make TDs more valuable and receptions less so—something to keep in mind.
The plays and salaries listed here will be specific to FanDuel and their salary cap contests.
However, since we’re also relying on the FantasyLife+ projections, tools and advice, the specific game matchups and correlations (aka–game stacks) are things you can apply to lineup building across the DFS industry.
Hint: Use Code GRIND for 20% off a FantasyLife+ subscription today
If you'd like my favorite plays and GPP targets that are specific to DraftKings, you can also find them here.
Let’s get started. Week 3 is here.
Picks for FanDuel GPPs and the Sunday Million
Here's what we're looking at for this week.
NFL DFS Week 3 Picks for FanDuel GPP Contrarian Stack
Michael Penix (6800) and Drake London (7300)
- Pair with Tetairoa McMillan (6000) and Kyle Pitts (5400)
I like targeting the two top WRs in this game in bigger fields this week.
Drake London has started the season slowly, but remains the clear lead alpha in this Falcons offense with a 30% target share through two weeks. Last season, he and Michael Penix combined for multiple big games down the stretch, including a Week 18 game vs the Panthers, where he caught 10 passes for 187 yards and 2 TDs.
Tetairoa McMillan has looked fantastic as a rookie and managed his first 100-yard game vs. the Cardinals' tougher secondary in Week 2, going for 6 receptions and 100 yards on 10 targets. Atlanta did allow 3 passing TDs in Week 1 to Tampa Bay, and with top corner A.J. Terrell out, this is a spot where McMillan can excel. I love targeting him in larger fields on FanDuel this week as he’s undervalued at just 6000, and will have a great shot at being in a plus gamescript.
Our Big Brain Panthers stack actually worked out quite last week with Bryce Young hitting for 25.32 points on FanDuel, but with Penix just 200 more than Young, he’s the QB I’d look to if stacking this game. Not only is he the more competent QB, but having Pitts as an option to use in an Atlanta triple-stack gives him the better ceiling. Pitts has a 22% target share on the season and will face off against a Panthers defense that has allowed 14.46 yards per catch to opposing TEs and the third most fantasy points to the position overall.
Week 3 FanDuel “Big-Brain” Value Stack
Tyrod Taylor (6500) and Garrett Wilson (6900)
- Pair with Bucky Irving (7400)
It’s a small sample size, but Garrett Wilson and Tyrod Taylor did connect for a TD vs. the Bills last season, and 33 of Wilson’s receiving yards from last week came when Taylor was in the game against the Bills again, as well. This week, they’ll face a Buccaneers defense that is 26th in yards per pass attempt against and traditionally has been a great matchup for opposing WRs.
Using the value duo of Taylor and Wilson will also give you room to insert Bucky Irving into this lineup, who has serious blowup potential vs the Jets' rush defense. Through two weeks, New York ranks 24th in success rate vs. the run and has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Irving gave up some touches to Rachaad White last week, but this is a spot where he could break off a big run or two and put up a multiple-TD game, much like James Cook (21 carries, 132 yards and 2 TDs) did vs. the Jets in Week 2.
Week 3 FanDuel Core Targets
1. Jonathan Taylor (7500)
- Pair with Calvin Ridley (5500)
This should be a fantastic spot for Jonathan Taylor. The Titans are dead last in EPA per play vs. the rush and will be down NT T'Vondre Sweat, who is likely their top run stopper. Taylor looked great to start the year, and in FanDuel’s 0.5 PPR format (which values TDs more than full PPR scoring), he has as much multi-TD upside as any RB on this slate.
If you’re playing for a big game from Taylor, this is also a spot where I would not hesitate to get a little contrarian and target Ridley as a comeback play. Despite the poor start, he still has an elite 25% target share and will face a Colts secondary that allowed multiple big plays and two TDs to Broncos WRs in Week 2.
2. Javonte Williams (7200)
- Pair with DJ Moore (6300)
The passing attacks of both offenses will be popular in DFS this week, given the 50.0-point game total, so using Williams as your exposure to the Dallas side will give you leverage if Dak Prescott and the Dallas passing game busts.
Via the Utiliation Report, Williams has an elite 69% designed run rate on the season, has played on 71% of the snaps, and taken 100% of the SDD (short down and distance) and inside-the-5 carry attempts. He’s unlikely to be slowed down by a Chicago defense that has allowed 5.02 YPC to opposing RBs this season.
A DJ Moore over Rome Odunze comeback play will also provide some additional leverage, given Odunze is projected to be the highest-owned receiver in this game.
3. Bengals DST (3500)
- Pair with Chase Brown (7800)
The Bengals will face a Vikings team that will be without starting center Ryan Kelly, tackle Justin Skule, and may be forced into playing a less-than-100% Christian Darrisaw (knee—questionable), who only practiced in full on Friday this week. You don’t have to love this Bengals defense, but this is a spot where sack maestro Trey Hendrickson can excel vs. a potential backup or injured tackle, and a very sack-prone QB in Carson Wentz.
Pairing RBs and DSTs doesn’t give you the greatest correlation for DFS, but this is a spot where I might consider doing it. The Vikings' defense has suffered against the run (25th in EPA per rush), and has two starting LBs and a starting safety listed as questionable for this game. Using Chase Brown and the Bengals DST over Jordan Mason would also give you fantastic leverage over a player projected to be one of the most popular plays on the slate this week.
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