3 Best NFL DFS Studs for Week 3

NFL DFS Stud Picks at a Glance

• Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions ($9,200)
• Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens ($8,600)
• Kenneth Walker III, RB, Chiefs ($8,300)

Hitting on high-salary players is one the first steps to having success in NFL DFS on FanDuel.

These players take up the biggest chunk of your salary cap, and they need to deliver quality performances for your lineup to reach its ceiling.

With some help from our NFL DFS projections, here are four studs to target on this week's FanDuel NFL DFS main slate.

All betting odds come from the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

NFL DFS Week 3: Best Stud Picks

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions

FanDuel Salary: $9,200 (vs. NYJ)

Jahmyr Gibbs carries a lofty FanDuel salary, but his workload and ceiling make him one of the premier running back options on the slate.

Through two games, Gibbs has already handled 45 carries while catching 11 of 12 targets, producing 208 rushing yards, 91 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns. That works out to nearly 150 scrimmage yards per game.

The game environment is another plus. Detroit is a 6.5-point home favorite over the Jets and are listed at -113 odds to go over 27.5 points, giving Gibbs a strong combination of touchdown equity and potential positive game script. His involvement through the air also gives him multiple paths to a ceiling performance even if Detroit doesn't spend the entire afternoon playing from ahead.

Given his combination of rushing volume, receiving work, explosiveness, and red-zone upside, Gibbs is worth finding the salary for when building around a high-end running back.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

FanDuel Salary: $8,600 (vs. DAL)

Lamar Jackson checks in at an $8,600 salary for a Brazil matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, and his dual-threat ability continues to give him one of the best ceilings at quarterback.

Through two games, Jackson has thrown for 559 yards while completing 67.9% of his passes, and he's added 74 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The Baltimore Ravens‘ star signal-caller opened the year with 324 passing yards, 40 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns against Indianapolis.

The matchup with Dallas also brings plenty of shootout appeal. Baltimore-Dallas has a 52.5-point total, one of the highest marks on Sunday's slate, with the Ravens favored by 3.5. Jackson's ability to generate fantasy points with both his arm and legs makes him particularly appealing when we're expecting plenty of scoring.

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Chiefs

FanDuel Salary: $8,300 (at MIA)

Kenneth Walker III has made an immediate impact with the Kansas City Chiefs, and his $8,300 salary still looks enticing considering the role he's handled through two weeks.

Walker has piled up an NFL-high 290 rushing yards on 47 carries, good for 6.2 yards per attempt, while also catching 9 passes for 79 yards. He's already scored once on the ground and once through the air.

His Week 2 usage was especially encouraging. Walker handled 24 carries for 117 yards against the Colts and added 6 catches for another 61 yards, giving him 30 touches and 178 scrimmage yards. That kind of receiving involvement significantly boosts his ceiling.

Now he gets Miami with Kansas City installed as a sizable favorite. That's an ideal setup for a running back who has already logged 23-plus carries in each of his first two games. Walker offers both massive rushing volume and enough receiving involvement to produce a slate-winning score, making him one of the most attractive RB plays this week.

NFL DFS Studs FAQ

What is an NFL DFS stud?

An NFL DFS stud is a high-salary player who is expected to produce a strong fantasy score in a daily fantasy football contest. These players typically have significant workloads, high ceilings and favorable opportunities to accumulate fantasy points.

How do you choose the best NFL DFS studs?

The best DFS studs are identified by looking at factors such as expected volume, recent production, matchup, touchdown potential and projected roster percentage.

Who are the best NFL DFS plays each week?

The best NFL DFS plays change from week to week based on matchups, injuries, salaries, projected draft percentage and expected usage. High-volume quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers are often among the strongest options at the top of the salary range.

What is a good DFS lineup strategy?

A strong NFL DFS lineup typically combines a few high-upside players with lower-salary options who have favorable matchups or increased workloads while also hitting on a player or two who does well but isn’t popular that week. Finding players who can significantly outperform their salaries is one of the most important parts of building a winning lineup.

Take advantage of Bet Protect+. Stay covered all game, all September with FREE Bet Protect+ on eligible NFL bets, including live bets. Click here to check out the full details.

Interested in playing NFL DFS? Head over to FanDuel’s daily fantasy football lobby to see all the offerings for this week's slates.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.