NFL DFS Picks for Week 3

NFL DFS Week 3 Picks in Summary

• Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
• Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
• George Pickens, WR, Cowboys

Part of the beauty of NFL DFS on FanDuel is that the slate changes — sometimes drastically — from week to week.

Using our NFL DFS projections as a guide, let's take a look at some of the best daily fantasy football plays at each position — accounting for salary — on this week's FanDuel main slate.

Note: All stats come from NextGenStats or Pro Football Focus unless stated otherwise.

NFL DFS Week 3: Picks, Best Plays for This Week

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions — $9,200

Jahmyr Gibbs carries a lofty FanDuel salary this week, but his combination of workload and receiving involvement gives him the kind of ceiling worth targeting in NFL DFS.

Through two games, Gibbs has handled 45 carries for 208 rushing yards while adding 11 receptions for 91 yards. He's already found the end zone three times, including once through the air, and his passing-game role has been especially encouraging. Gibbs saw eight targets last week against Buffalo, turning six catches into 61 yards and a touchdown.

That gives Gibbs 299 scrimmage yards through two weeks, and his workload hasn't come at the expense of playing time. He logged an 83.1% snap rate in Week 2 despite the Detroit Lions playing from behind, illustrating how valuable he can be regardless of game script.

The matchup with the New York Jets isn't super inviting on paper. New York has opened the year playing excellent defense and ranks near the top of the league in several defensive categories. But Gibbs' versatility makes him less dependent on a favorable rushing matchup than most running backs.

With 20-plus-touch upside, a significant receiving role, and plenty of touchdown equity in Detroit's offense, Gibbs has all the ingredients needed for another ceiling performance in Week 3.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens — $8,600

Lamar Jackson‘s combination of passing efficiency, rushing upside, and matchup gives him a massive ceiling against the Dallas Cowboys.

Through two games, Jackson has completed 67.9% of his passes for 559 yards, averaging an NFL-best 10.0 yards per attempt. He's also produced 74 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, giving him the coveted dual-threat production we're looking for in DFS.

Dallas looks like a matchup to attack. The Cowboys have allowed the third-highest EPA per pass through two weeks while surrendering a 71.9% completion rate and five passing touchdowns. They've also struggled to contain quarterbacks on the ground, giving Jackson another avenue to a big fantasy performance.

The game environment adds to Jackson's appeal, with this game holding a high total (52.5) and tight spread (3.5), giving it plenty of shootout appeal. Jackson is also expected to have Zay Flowers back this week, giving him a high-upside stacking partner.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Chiefs — $8,300

Kenneth Walker III has wasted no time establishing himself as a top-end DFS weapon in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ backfield, and his $8,300 FanDuel salary is appealing in an excellent Week 3 setup against the Miami Dolphins.

Walker has opened his Chiefs tenure with consecutive 100-yard rushing games, totaling an NFL-high 290 yards on 47 carries. He's been remarkably efficient, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while forcing 23 missed tackles and generating 243 yards after contact, both of which lead all running backs.

The most exciting development for DFS has been Walker's receiving involvement. He's caught 9 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown through two games, and he followed up three receptions in Week 1 with six catches for 61 yards against Indianapolis. That expanded passing-game role raises his floor while giving him another path to a ceiling performance.

Then there's the game environment. Kansas City is a 10.5-point favorite over Miami, setting up the kind of positive game script that could lead to a lot of carries for K3.

Walker should have ample opportunity to pile up carries against a Miami defense that has already struggled to contain opposing running backs. His combination of rushing volume, receiving work, and touchdown potential makes him one of the slate's most appealing high-salary running backs.

George Pickens, WR, Cowboys — $7,700

George Pickens is one of my favorite plays this week because he’s in one of the best DFS games of the slate and might not be popular due to his slow start.

Pickens hasn't delivered a big game yet this season, but his underlying usage makes him an intriguing option. Pickens has turned 14 targets into 9 catches for 68 yards through two games. The raw production is modest, but the volume is encouraging. His targets increased from six in Week 1 to eight in Week 2, and he's accounted for a 22.9% target share and roughly 34% of Dallas' air yards. His 13.3-yard average depth of target also shows that he's being utilized in a role capable of generating chunk plays.

We also know Pickens possesses significantly more big-play ability than he's displayed so far in 2026. He erupted for 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in his first season with Dallas last year while averaging 15.4 yards per reception.

That makes this an appealing spot to buy into Pickens before the box-score production catches up to his opportunities. With Lamar and the Baltimore Ravens on the other side, Dallas could be pushed into an aggressive offensive approach, and Pickens' downfield role gives him the upside we're looking for.

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Texans — $5,800

Xavier Hutchinson stands out as a potential value option with Nico Collins looking unlikely to suit up against the Indianapolis Colts.

We already got a glimpse of Hutchinson's expanded role without Collins last week. He played 65 offensive snaps and led all Houston wide receivers with nine targets, catching three passes for 37 yards. Hutchinson also saw 112 air yards in the game, so there was considerably more upside available than his final receiving line suggests.

In fact, Hutchinson has drawn 15 targets through two games, the most among Texans wide receivers. He's turned those opportunities into 6 catches for 69 yards, and his 12.5-yard average depth of target gives him access to downfield production rather than forcing him to rely solely on receptions.

Hutchinson obviously doesn't carry the same floor or ceiling as the high-salary receivers on the slate, but that's not what we need from him. If Collins is indeed ruled out, Hutchinson can produce a big game against a Colts defense that’s been shredded through the air.

NFL DFS FAQ

What are the best NFL DFS plays each week?

The best NFL DFS plays can change from week to week based on salary, matchup, expected workload, injuries, projected popularity and game environment. Players with strong opportunities and favorable salaries can offer the best combination of floor and upside.

How do you choose NFL DFS plays?

NFL DFS plays are evaluated using factors such as projected volume, recent production, matchup, touchdown potential, expected popularity, game script and salary. Injuries and changes in player roles can also create new opportunities each week.

What is an NFL DFS value play?

An NFL DFS value play is a player who has the potential to produce strong fantasy numbers relative to his salary. Lower-salaried players can become particularly appealing when injuries or other circumstances lead to increased playing time or usage.

What makes a good NFL DFS lineup?

Matchups, expected volume, salary, lineup correlation, projected draft percentage and game environment are all important factors when building a lineup. You’ll need upside to take down a contest.

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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.