daily fantasy sports articles

Three weeks into the NFL season now, and we are starting to get an idea of each team’s identity moving forward. Last week we continued with the trend of close games, with 11 of the 16 games ending in one score margins of victory. We can expect much the same this Monday, with only one game lined at over a touchdown, and the vast majority of games lined between 1 and 3.5. So buckle up for another exciting slate of games this Monday morning.

Draftstars are ponying up once again, with a $50,000 slate for Monday morning, with a first prize of $4,935. There’s plenty of other contests that might tickle your fancy, so get on over to Draftstars and get involved.
 

Quarterback

Josh Allen (First Choice) - $16,370

A tough match up on paper this week for Josh Allen and the Bills, and I believe this match up could go either way. However, when looking purely at a fantasy perspective, the quarterback conversation between Allen and his counterpart this week Lamar Jackson becomes potentially the biggest decision you’ll make this week. Jackson is averaging 37.8 to Allen’s 32, and there is no doubt Jackson has the better pedigree, being a far more established runner compared to Allen. However, I’m taking Allen this week, for the simple reason of the talent on opposing defences. The Ravens defence has been the worst this year defending quarterbacks in fantasy, whereas the Bills have been the best. When considering the Ravens have taken on pocket passers Joe Flacco, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones so far this year, this sets up beautifully for a Josh Allen masterclass.
 

Jalen Hurts (Alternate) - $16,090

Maybe you don’t have the funds, or you’re backing the Ravens to shut Josh Allen down. If either are the case, Jalen Hurts is a solid backup option to Allen. Whilst the Jaguars defence has looked improved this season, they have so far taken on two has-been quarterbacks and the remnants of Justin Herbert. Despite this, they are still only middle of the pack when it comes to quarterback points allowed. Hurts is a solid dual-threat quarterback, and I believe the Eagles will be far too good for the Jags this Monday.

Running Back

Austin Ekeler - $13,550

Ekeler and the Chargers running game have struggled to get going this season. His numbers pale into comparison compared to previous seasons, with 32 carries for 80 yards (2.5 ypr) and 21 receptions for 139 yards (46.3 ypg). Despite his poor numbers, his usage is still high, and I don’t see any reason for this to change. His use in the passing game will continue to be high, given the Chargers coaching staff are trying to protect their injured quarterback with quick throws. The kicker this week though is how poor the Texans run defence has been this season. They are the worst defence against the run, conceding 159.3 rushing yards per game, at 5.4 yards per carry. The Chargers are desperate for a victory here, and they’ll be placing a huge emphasis on the run game and getting Ekeler going.
 

Breece Hall - $8,700

The rookie 2^nd round selection has gradually seen his usage increase, with his snap count being higher than fellow running back Michael Carter for the first time this season last week. Has high upside due to his ability in the receiving game, and should get plenty of targets with the return of Zach Wilson, as the coaching staff will surely want Wilson to have a check down option on most plays to avoid any further injuries to their young quarterback.
 

Jonathan Taylor - $15,100

If you’ve got the money to splash out on a premier running back, and don’t like Ekeler, Jonathan Taylor could be your man. Wasn’t huge in either game last season against the Titans, however the Titans run defence this season has been a shambles, particularly in week 1 against the Giants, with Saquon Barkley gashing them for 164 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards. Will want to show that he’s the alpha dog running back in the AFC South, with a dominant performance up against Derrick Henry.
 

Wide Receiver

Stefon Diggs - $16,730

The Ravens are conceding the highest number of yards per game to opposing wide receivers and the most total yards through the air of any team in the NFL. Their secondary is old and/or banged up, and they just don’t seem to be able to cover anyone at this stage of the season. Add this to the fact that Diggs is currently equal first in the league at wide receiver targets, and you’ve got a recipe for a big game for the Bills star wideout this week. Don’t be scared to pull the trigger on the Bills’ WR2 (Gabe Davis – if fit) and Isaiah McKenzie if you’re looking for cheaper options to get involved with the Bills’ offense.
 

DeVonta Smith - $10,260

Smith was shut out in week 1 against the Lions, however his target share has increased the past two weeks, and he gets a good matchup this week against the Jaguars. The Jags have struggled against WR2s, especially those that line up in the slot, and DeVonta Smith ticks both those boxes. Has almost identical target share and air yards share with Eagles WR1 A.J Brown, and I only see that number going up this week. An excellent selection as a number 2 wideout in this slate.
 

Allen Lazard - $9,360

Lazard’s targets have slowly increased as he eases his way back from injury. He has a touchdown in both games he’s played this year, and having chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is hugely positive. The concern is the Patriots defence against the pass this season has been tremendous, and in particular Jonathan Jones has been outstanding. I’m hoping Jones marks up on standout rookie Romeo Doubs, which will leave Lazard to go up against Jalen Mills, who has struggled in coverage so far.
 

Michael Pittman Jr. - $12,590

Pittman is a solid WR1 option if you don’t have the cash to stump up for Diggs, an expensive WR2, or a FLEX option this week. Is currently averaging 11 targets a game, good enough for 7^th in the league, and is clearly Matt Ryan’s go to guy in this Colts offense. Had a huge game against the Titans last time out, catching 10 passes for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Titans pass defence is bottom 5 in the league this year, which gives me even more reason to believe Pittman is a great option.
 

Tight End

David Njoku - $7,280

Njoku has a great match up this week, coming into a game against a bottom third of the league team against tight ends in the Falcons. It took him a few weeks, but Jacoby Brissett has finally found his big tight end, with Njoku going off last week for 9 catches, 89 yards and a touchdown. He looks like he will continue to be Brissett’s number 2 target moving forward, and has high upside this week for tight ends. With the Falcons lockdown corner A.J. Terrell likely to line up on Amari Cooper, expect Njoku to get 8 plus targets this week.
 

T.J. Hockenson - $9,610

Hockenson has had a slow start to the season, with Lions WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back D’Andre Swift getting the majority of targets from quarterback Jared Goff. This week, however, both Brown and Swift are out, whilst WRs 2 and 3 Josh Reynolds and D.J. Chark Jr. are both listed as questionable. With all this uncertainty at wide receiver, expect Hockenson to be targeted heavily in practice all week, which should leave to his targets increasing during the game.
 

D/ST

Denver Broncos - $4,720

The Broncos defence has been miserly this season, much like they were last year. They have given up totals of 17, 9 and 10 this year, whilst only taking the ball away 4 times. The Raiders offense hasn’t quite clicked into gear, and they will more than likely struggle to right that ship here. I expect a lot of running the football from the Raiders, as they look to avoid going 0-3, with conservative play calling surely high on the Raiders’ coaching staffs brief this week. This is a game I won’t be watching too much of, but I’m sure it’ll come down to the wire and be a 3-point game either way.