Welcome to NFL Preseason, Week 3. It’s the dainty appetizer of what’s to come in just over two weeks from now (TWO!!), where the starters will take the field to play through roughly one half to part of three quarters of action and second string to follow that. And thankfully we don’t have to wait two weeks to play Daily Fantasy Football with starters, which is why we’re looking toward Thursday’s kickoff at 4 pm Pacific Standard Time. Plus, it won’t be too shabby to take a look at the direct backups involved in some drives of their own.
This week let’s dive into some picks that stand out as potential cash game and/or Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) plays and go through an overview of position by position this time, while keeping in mind that opportunity is what matters most when aiming to rack up fantasy points. But first we’ll walk through another glance at how we’ll approach the general theme of this Preseason DFS slate.
The Gameplan
With the consideration to how Week 3’s game flow will favorably project for starters and second string in mind, I plan to navigate this slate by looking at existing battles for starting positions and situations that will feature some favorable matchups for second-string later in the game as well.
Looking at many second-string players with equivalent potential for playing time (especially identifying the up-in-the-air starter scenarios in certain camps) is ideal for GPP play as I’m sure there will be a number of daily fantasy bettors cut from the season-long ilk who will only bear in mind the starters’ playing time while glossing past lesser-owned talent. There will be equal if not more playing time for second-string with some teams (of course we don’t know where specifically until it happens), and it’s a matter of mulling the gamble of who could possibly inherit that additional time.
Like in the rest of Preseason NFL daily fantasy, the pricing is all flat so there are no leverage points in that regard to take into roster consideration.
Quarterback
Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
This one sticks out to me for a number of reasons. First, I feel like there’s no need for Eli Manning to come into this game for any more than one full half of action. I believe this will be an opportunity for the Pride of Gettleman to shed further light on his value, particularly following stellar performances in his first two appearances.
Jones has thrown 16 for 19 with two touchdowns and no interceptions thus far, and I think he could be in store for more against a second-string unit of Bengals defenders in the second half.
Despite not being the starter here in a week where starters get much of the attention, I think Jones should be receiving his fair half of time against a weaker opposition than in the first half which Eli is left to endure. I believe he should be considered for cash games as well as in GPP’s, as I’m not so sure how much ownership he’ll actually garner not being a starter in a popular week for them.
Case Keenum & Dwayne Haskins (Washington Redskins)
Speaking of battles for starting position supremacy, the Redskins find themselves in the middle of one at the moment between Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins. Based on the tight-lipped situation with Jay Gruden in Washington amidst an indecision to name a starter at quarterback, I’m leaning toward the idea that there will be an even split in time between the two on Thursday and think that both will be vying hard for their case to take over the reins of this offense during the regular season.
Haskins compiled 114 passing yards on seven of fourteen attempts, along with one touchdown in his last outing. Keenum only played one quarter in Week 2, registering 52 yards on three completions of seven attempts, and you can assume he will get double that volume this week while showcasing his starter bid. While playing time is anyone’s guess here, it would only make sense that you should see at least one half for Keenum.
Keenum would be more the Cash Game play, where Haskins may be a good GPP consideration.
Running Back
Miles Sanders (Philadelphia Eagles)
Miles Sanders looked solid last week in his five carries, amounting 31 yards (averaging 6.2 yards per carry) and the position is packed from top to bottom on the depth chart with eight guys battling it out for four spots. Sanders should see further opportunity this week as the next in line to Jordan Howard and still looking to confirm that role.
However, that’s not to say Jordan Howard (RB) won’t get his bulk of the split majority carries as well, but I feel like Coach Pederson will be giving a fair split between the two here with the rest getting distributed to the other available backs.
Mark Ingram & Justice Hill (Baltimore Ravens)
With Kenneth Dixon and Gus Edwards missing practice on Sunday and Monday, this paves the way for opportunity with work behind Mark Ingram in the case of rookie Justice Hill. The Ravens love to run the ball and there’s plenty of promise for both players in this offense.
With Thursday’s dress rehearsal providing a lot of potential playing time for both backs and things not looking promising for either Dixon or Edwards, these two will look to get the bulk of the carries along with De’Lance Turner (GPP) against the Eagles.
I would consider Ingram in Cash Game plays with Hill in GPPs, especially if Edwards and Dixon don’t look to suit up.
Wide Receiver
Jake Kumerow (Green Bay Packers)
Yes, I have included him in my write-up once before this Preseason. But I can’t help but bring him up again, and apparently I am not the only one. He’s been the talk of Packers Preseason as a hit among the offense and especially with Aaron Rodgers. Whether Rodgers is playing or not on Thursday against the Raiders, Kumerow should be involved early and often.
Kumerow hauled in three of five targets for 52 yards against the Ravens last week, and he’s pretty much a lock at this point to make the final 53-man roster for the Pack.
Calvin Ridley (Atlanta Falcons)
With Julio Jones likely sidelined for much of this outing, and Russell Gage now injured, we can expect to see a healthy dose of Calvin Ridley involved in the Falcons passing game at home against the Redskins.
Ridley had been sidelined with a hamstring injury but returned to action against the New York Jets last week and will look to get more involved with the first-team offense this week even if Matt Ryan is limited to any less than a half of playing time. He had an explosive rookie season in 2018 and should look to add volume this week back from shaking off the rust a bit. Devin Gray would be the other Falcon candidate I’d be seeking to roster at the same position here.
Tight End
Vernon Davis (Washington Redskins)
Old reliable here proving he’s every bit as worthy as he ever was to be the reliable safety net to the quarterback position, and in case you skimmed past part of the quarterback segment above, Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins will be fighting to earn their right to startership and Davis will likely play a role in keeping either of them alive using him as a dump-off option for this preseason venture.
Despite the fact that Jordan Reed is ahead of him on the depth chart, I believe his track record when it comes to injury hasn’t been the greatest and I couldn’t see him getting too much run beyond that of Davis at that rate. He’s trustworthy at the position and I can see either quarterback using him to keep drives alive, or in the end zone.
Other Picks
- Deshone Kizer (QB, Green Bay Packers)
- Ryquell Armstead (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Josh Jacobs (RB, Oakland Raiders)
- JJ Arcega-Whiteside (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)
- Tyler Boyd (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)
- Austin Hooper (TE, Atlanta Falcons)