Fan Duel Strategy Week 3: Best Bargains at Each Position

The best way to cash on weekly fantasy football sites is to load up on as many stars with good matchups as possible. Due to budget restraints, however, fantasy players must sacrifice other positions to nab the stars they want.

Here, you'll find the top bargains at each position on FanDuel that will let you splurge elsewhere. And remember, scoring is IMPORTANT. Here is FanDuel’s scoring system.

The bargains are listed in the order I like them.

Quarterbacks

Mason Rudolph, Steelers ($6,400): As you probably realized, the picks I give here are “bargains” because they are below the average cost of $6,600 (or so) of players per position. This week, sadly, it’s probably worth it to pay up at QB. Few starters clock in at the appropriate price this week, and the only one I feel can have a big week is Rudolph. I won’t act like I’m well-versed in this man’s college career, because I’m not – like, at all – but he was pretty impressive vs. Seattle in relief of Big Ben. Unlike other teams’ backups, like David Falk (Jets) and Teddy Bridgewater (Saints), Rudolph came in an executed, finishing with 112 yards and two touchdowns in just about one half of football. He has the benefit of some strong skill players to help him make plays, especially WR Juju Smith-Schuster. The 49ers boast one of the NFL’s best defenses through two weeks, but FootballOutsiders indicates a weakness vs. No. 1 wideouts. If Rudolph can exploit this, and pepper Juju all day long, he has a chance to provide value.  

Running Backs

Carlos Hyde, Texans ($6,000): Hyde has been a guy I’m harping on this week, because I don’t feel like the fantasy community is recognizing how great the situation is for him. The Texans don’t want to overwork Duke Johnson, and Hyde is the only other RB of note in the offense. He’s been productive in the past, and he’s averaging just fewer than 90 yards per game in 2019. The Chargers rank just 26th in the NFL so far against the run, so if Hyde sees another 20 attempts, like he did last week, he’s got a chance for 100 yards and a score for the price of a FLEX.

Kenyan Drake, Dolphins ($5,300): Drake is a Dolphin, and therefore you might’ve vomited a little bit in your mouth at this suggestion. Hear me out. Drake is a very talented back, and even though his workload is exceptionally light most weeks, and always has been, the Dolphins’ back-to-back ass whippings might force them to admit he needs the ball more. In a week where Drake’s main competition, Kalen Ballage, literally DUCKED OUT OF THE WAY OF A PASS INTENDED FOR HIM, the light had to have clicked for Miami’s coaching staff. Drake hasn’t been good this year either, but he’s annually one of football’s most efficient running backs, and he has two-way capability. This week the world is expecting another savage beating for Miami. The Cowboys are rolling, and the spread has hit 24.5 points, a truly, utterly, absurd number. I am zagging here, and if Miami is to put up any points this week, it’ll be by feeding Drake on the ground and in the passing game. At $5,300, even if he busts it’ll only sting a little.

Wide Receivers

Tyler Lockett, Seahawks ($6,600): Lockett was a huge, weird bust in Week 1, but Week 2 proved him to be the target hound we expected in the preseason. After securing 10 of 12 targets for 79 yards, Lockett is in line to light up a Saints defense that has so far ranked 27th in the NFL vs. No. 1 receivers. Lockett, at home, with a soft matchup, an opponent that plays significantly worse on the road is a dream WR2 play. Also, don’t forget that Lockett scored six touchdowns as a rookie, and hauled in 10 touchdowns last season on just 57 receptions. There’s serious blowup potential here.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals ($5,900): Fitzgerald has been reborn with Kyler Murray at QB, reminding the world that he’s a lock Hall of Famer, one of the best wide receivers we’ve ever seen, and potentially still a stud in 2019. It’s unfathomable that a 36-year-old wide receiver can still dominate, but after two games Fitz is averaging 108.5 yards. Even more impressive, he’s averaging 16.7 yards per reception, his best mark since 2011. Fitz is far from done, and he has a matchup this week against a reeling Panthers team that sports a middling defense. I absolutely love Fitz this week.

Tight Ends

Evan Engram, Giants ($6,400): My enthusiasm for Engram in Week 3 hasn’t changed one bit despite Eli Manning’s benching, because nothing meaningful has changed. Whether it’s Eli or Daniel Jones, the Giants are hurting right now for receivers who can make an impact, and if Sterling Shepard misses another week then Engram is literally the best pass catcher on the team. Engram was a non factor for nearly the entire game last week, yet finished with six grabs for 48 yards. That line is because when push comes to shove, Engram is the guy right now who can make things happen. He’s up against the Buccaneers, who have improved on defense dramatically under Todd Bowles, but have not been so good against tight ends.

O.J. Howard, Buccaneers ($5,800): The squeaky wheel gets the grease is an old adage that rings true in the NFL for pass-catchers. Howard has been severely underused through the first two weeks of Bruce Arians’ tenure in Tampa Bay, catching four passes in Week 1 and failing to draw a single target in Week 2. I’ve predicted a get-right game for QB Jameis Winston vs. the Giants’ pathetic defense, and that will include Howard. He’s a big play guy, so when he eventually makes a splash – probably  this Sunday – expect it to create a monsoon.

Raimundo Ortiz