Quarterback
Kyler Murray ($6,800), Ryan Tannehill ($5,900)
Max: Kyler Murray has a great matchup here, facing a struggling Detroit Lions team. Murray is playing with confidence and the Cardinals passing game is firing on all cylinders. The Lions are thin in the secondary right now with many of their starters remaining out in Week 3.
Themi: It’s tempting to take the elite QBs from expected shootouts like the Cowboys-Seahawks and Chiefs-Ravens games, but Tannehill is a value at this price when his matchup might be the best. The Vikings have been torched by the Packers and Colts now. With Tannehill throwing for 6 touchdowns and no interceptions, this matchup is too juicy to pass up.
Running Back
Aaron Jones ($7,600), Miles Sanders ($6,400), Kenyan Drake ($6,000), Devin Singletary ($4,900)
Themi: Davante Adams is doubtful and likely to miss the SNF game against the Saints. With no elite receivers left and a confusing TE situation, Jones will continue to act as a major receiving threat. If the Packers are down, he has the PPR upside. If they’re winning, he’ll churn out yards on the ground. Don’t overthink it.
Max: Miles Sanders feels like the only functional piece of the Eagles offense. The Bengals are not a good football team, no matter what anyone says about Joe Burrow. The Eagles need a win to get back on track and expect them to lean heavily on their lead back, Sanders, even if his fumbling problems rear their ugly head.
Themi: Drake has been passable so far, but not worth the draft pick used on him. The Cardinals have unfortunately faced two of the scariest lines in the league but now get a Lions team that should not only be losing, but also provide little challenge.
Singletary has been barely scraping by in what is actually a high power offense, which is concerning. Rookie teammate Zack Moss is out, and they essentially split carries. The Rams are no slouches but I see Singletary getting 25 touches this week, with his usual TD upside bolstering his value.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins ($7,900), DK Metcalf ($6,500), Allen Robinson ($6,200), Ceedee Lamb ($5,400), Russell Gage ($5,100), Adam Humphries ($3,900)
Max: Hopkins is clearly in play for the same reasons that Kyler Murray is. The matchup against the Lions is way too good not to stack these Cardinals. At the least make sure you get Murray/Hopkins into your lineups.
Themi: A.J. Terrell is out, but this Falcons defense was not scary even with him in. Robinson has been struggling a bit, no thanks to his QB’s atrocious completion percentage. Things should change with a third great matchup in a row.
While I’m not taking Dak or Russ as my QB, I want every part of their receiving groups. As compared to Tyler Lockett, I personally prefer Metcalf’s upside. He proved he can’t be stopped after winning a tough matchup against Stephon Gilmore last week.
Just like Metcalf, I love receiving upside for Ceedee Lamb. Lamb is the bigger value over Cooper, and while Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz will get theirs, Lamb has just been too dominant to not take in this perfect scenario.
Tight End
Hayden Hurst ($4,700), Drew Sample ($3,500)
Max: With Julio Jones out, expect Matt Ryan to target Hayden Hurst a lot in this game, even against a tough Bears defense. I don’t think Chicago has looked great on defense this year and the Falcons can certainly move the ball on anyone at their current pace. I think Hurst has some of the best touchdown upside across the league today.
After C.J. Uzomah went down, rookie phenom Joe Burrow still targeted the tight end position. Expect a bounce-back performance from Wentz to keep the Bengals passing. Targets will be plentiful from the QB who already leads the league in attempts through two weeks.
Defense
LAC D/ST ($3,600), CAR D/ST ($2,200)
Themi: Tampa Bay demolished the Panthers and kept bullying Teddy Bridgewater. With their biggest playmaker gone, it’s unlikely the Chargers will need to do much to stop the run. Their elite defense kept Patrick Mahomes at bay most of the game, and only allowed 23 points. Expect them to do even better against an offense they know will need to pass against a lockdown group.
Max: This feels like a slow burner type of game. I think the Panthers will struggle to move the ball on offense and the Chargers will look to dominate possession time. In just his second start, Justin Herbert will be prone to rookie mistakes and sacks, even against a generally poor Panthers defense. There is value here on the Panthers for the simple fact that this shouldn’t be a high scoring game and the Chargers will look to limit Herbert.
