NFL DFS: Best stacks for DraftKings Week 3 Main Slate

You either die a hero or you live long enough to be disappointed by Dak Prescott and Justin Herbert in NFL DFS. If you were someone who faded Prescott and Herbert entirely in Week 2, congratulations to you because you’re probably feeling like a superhero right now. Of all of the things that could have happened in the supposed high-scoring matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers, I didn’t envision Prescott and Herbert combining for one passing touchdown and three interceptions. But all we can do is look ahead and figure out how to bounce back in Week 3.

There are a handful of games that I have an interest in on Sunday’s DraftKings Main slate. Finding a quarterback to pay up for won’t be tough to do as we have Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson to choose from at the top. After a rough week stacking the Cowboys and the Chargers, here are my favorite stacks — and bring-back options — to target on DraftKings in Week 3.

Favorite Stacks

LAR: Matthew Stafford ($6,400), Cooper Kupp ($6,800), Robert Woods ($5,700), Tyler Higbee ($4,000)

You’re telling me that I can get Matthew Stafford for the same price as last week despite playing against a pass-funneling defense in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Tampa Bay’s defense forces teams to air it out more due to their stout front, which bodes well for the aerial attack of the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford has looked fantastic in his first two games with the Rams, making Cooper Kupp his favorite target. Kupp has combined for 66.6 DraftKings points on 21 targets in two games. While Robert Woods has been quiet thus far, it’s only a matter of time before he finds his footing with Stafford. Tyler Higbee is worth a look at tight end at an affordable $4,000 salary on DraftKings.

Bring-back options: Mike Evans ($6,300), Chris Godwin ($6,100), Rob Gronkowski ($5,500)

It’s going to be tough to determine which wide receiver on the Buccaneers is going to explode every week. In Week 1, it was Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown that had relevant performances. As for Week 2, it was Mike Evans and Godwin that had notable outings while Brown was held in check versus the Atlanta Falcons. Brown was placed on the team’s COVID-19/reserve list on Wednesday, putting his status for Sunday’s game in question. While Evans, Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski could all see more usage if Brown is sidelined, Scotty Miller or Tyler Johnson could replace Brown in three wide-receiver sets.

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ARI: Kyler Murray ($8,300), DeAndre Hopkins ($8,200), Christian Kirk ($5,400), Rondale Moore ($5,000), A.J. Green ($4,500)

Kyler Murray is going to win a lot of people their fantasy football leagues this year if he can stay healthy. The air-raid offense of the Arizona Cardinals has been nearly unstoppable in the first two weeks as Murray is averaging 36.3 DraftKings points per game. While Murray provides a safe floor with his rushing, he’s spreading the ball around to DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, and A.J. Green. I’m also not against including Chase Edmonds in this stack as he’s gotten nine targets in the first two weeks and he’s seeing more snaps than James Conner.

Bring-back options: D.J. Chark ($5,300), Marvin Jones Jr. ($4,900), Laviska Shenault ($4,400)

It has been a putrid start to the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Urban Meyer’s first year calling the shots. Trevor Lawrence has shown flashes of his brilliance from Clemson, but he’s made plenty of rookie mistakes. Nevertheless, Sunday’s game with the Cardinals is going to force the Jaguars to put the ball in the air to keep up with Murray and his arsenal of weapons. If I had to rank Jacksonville’s wideouts in order of preference, I’d go with Marvin Jones Jr., D.J. Chark, and then Laviska Shenault (who is dealing with a shoulder injury).

KC: Patrick Mahomes ($8,200), Tyreek Hill ($8,400), Travis Kelce ($8,200), Mecole Hardman ($3,900)

Whenever the Kansas City Chiefs are on the main slate, they provide us with one of the safest floors. Patrick Mahomes is always going to be relied upon to throw the ball often, and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are the primary targets in the offense. Of course, fitting in Mahomes, Hill, and Kelce is easier said than done, as all three of them combine for $24,800 of your salary. Instead of going with a higher-owned Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Mecole Hardman is a decent way to get cheap exposure to Kansas City’s high-octane offense.

Bring-back options: Austin Ekeler ($7,200), Keenan Allen ($6,600), Mike Williams ($6,400), Jared Cook ($3,900)

Could this finally be the year we see Mike Williams put it all together? Williams has had a 1,000-yard season before, but he did so by catching only 49 passes (which is mighty impressive I might add). Keenan Allen is still Justin Herbert’s go-to option in the passing game and Austin Ekeler quieted those that were nervous about his zero targets in Week 1 by catching all nine of his targets in Week 2. Ekeler is going to be in a ton of my lineups in Week 3.

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BAL: Lamar Jackson ($7,800), Marquise Brown ($5,600), Mark Andrews ($5,000)

Besides Murray, another quarterback that gives us a safe floor with his legs — and for $500 cheaper — is Lamar Jackson. Jackson has put the Baltimore Ravens on his back amid the countless injuries they’ve endured. In his first two games this season, Jackson has carried the ball 28 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns. When Jackson elects to pass, Marquise Brown has been the main recipient thus far, hauling in 12 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Brown is severely underpriced given the matchup and his role on the Ravens. It’s head-scratching to see Sammy Watkins only $100 cheaper than Brown, so if I’m looking for a double stack, I’d rather go with Brown/Mark Andrews to give me more options at wide receiver.

Bring-back options: D’Andre Swift ($5,800), T.J. Hockenson ($5,200), Quintez Cephus ($3,900)

The start of the season has gone just about as expected for the Detroit Lions. Detroit holds an 0-2 record under new head coach, Dan Campbell, but the offense has looked better than anticipated with Jared Goff. The Lions are going to be constantly playing from behind this season, making D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, and Quintez Cephus viable bring-back options if you stack the Ravens. Hockenson appears to be Goff’s favorite target, while Swift has garnered 16 targets in the first two weeks. With Tyrell Williams still out, Cephus has emerged as the top wideout on the Lions (at least for now).

SEA: Russell Wilson ($7,600), Tyler Lockett ($7,400), D.K. Metcalf ($7,300), Freddie Swain ($4,000)

The Seattle Seahawks are another team that is easy to predict due to their targets being funneled to Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Russell Wilson is looking primed for a stellar campaign in 2021 under new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. Lockett has been the wide receiver to have on the Seahawks, as he’s averaged 31.9 points on DraftKings. So if I’m a betting man, I’d be willing to bet we get a massive Metcalf game sometime soon. Freddie Swain does provide us salary relief after coming out of nowhere to corral five catches for 95 yards and a score in Week 2. Though, it is hard to trust a third wide receiver on the Seahawks every week, so play Swain with caution.

Bring-back options: Justin Jefferson ($7,200), Adam Thielen ($6,700), K.J. Osborn ($3,500)

Playing the No. 3 wideout on the Minnesota Vikings has also been a risky venture in recent seasons. However, K.J. Osborn is second on the Vikings with 17.4 DraftKings points per game, which is 1.9 more points than Justin Jefferson. Adam Thielen is always going to be a viable option due to his ability to command the majority of the receiving touchdowns from Kirk Cousins. If you’re looking to get exposure in the later games and need salary relief, you could do a lot worse than Osborn. I’m also not against using Dalvin Cook ($8,400) as a bring-back option if you have the salary to make it work.