Hunter Report Week 3 2017

By Dave Hunter
Dave Hunter I hope you listened to me and paid up for Tom Brady’s services in Week 2, while also taking advantage of Jarvis Landry’s 11-catch day. But I sure hope you didn’t listen to me on Kareem Hunt and Michael Crabtree, both listed in my “Overvalue” section last week. Yikes, that sure did hurt.

I love Kareem Hunt, but I just wasn’t ready to pay his price tag last week. Hunt is turning into a premier running back, only two weeks into the young season, so it won’t be long before he’s in Le’Veon Bell’s class. Still, I’m not prepared to just lock Hunt into my lineups carte blanche. What’s my excuse on Crabtree? I was wishy-washy in listing him as an overvalue option, but I was counting on Amari Cooper to step things up. And, Cooper didn’t happen.

This week I’ll be pulling salary information from DraftKings NFL $4.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire ($1M to 1st) contest. I see some good values already, and I hope you can take advantage for your lineups this week.

I won’t give away my exact lineup every week, although you’ll have a rough idea of what my strategy is and the players I’m leaning towards. Keep in mind all suggestions are not equal, and some players I like more for particular tournament or cash lineup builds.

Week 3:

QUARTERBACK


Top Level

Derek Carr, OAK @ Washington Redskins ($6,800) – Carr is a borderline top-tier QB for me this week, so I’m listing him here even though his price tag dips below the $7K mark. Aaron Rodgers makes a lot of sense in Week 3 facing a struggling Bengals defense and I would be fine rostering Tom Brady in the right situation. I worry a bit about the Raiders traveling coast-to-coast, but Carr is up to the task. I love his weapons and the Raiders are clicking on all cylinders right now. Carr should hit his 20 FPPG seasonal output, which is well worth the $6.8K price tag. He’s a perfect cash-lineup play, but feel free to use him in tournaments as well.

Other choices: Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($7,300); Matt Ryan, ATL @ Detroit Lions ($7,100)

Mid-Range

Matthew Stafford, DET vs. Atlanta Falcons ($6,200) – If you used Stafford in your lineup last week you have to consider his 122 passing yards a major disappointment, even though he did toss two TDs on Monday night to defeat the Giants. I like the bounceback effect for Stafford this week, throwing for 300-plus yards and two more TD passes. The matchup is enticing facing the Falcons pass defense that has allowed 242 YPG to this point.

Other choices: Kirk Cousins, WAS vs. Oakland Raiders ($6,100)

Value

Trevor Siemian, DEN @ Buffalo Bills ($5,500) – It’s hard to believe that Siemian has given DFS owners 24.2 FPPG so far this season, but I really think he’s worth plugging into your lineup as a value option if you’re looking to spend up elsewhere. I love the tournament implications with Siemian, although I’d avoid in a cash lineup setting if you’re expecting 24 points.

Other choices: Andy Dalton, CIN @ Green Bay Packers ($5,100); Jacoby Brissett, IND vs. Cleveland Browns ($4,800)

Over-Value

Philip Rivers, LAC vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($6,400) – The price on Rivers isn’t out of this world or anything, although I’m not feeling a particularly big day from the Los Angeles quarterback. Yep, it still feels strange that Rivers is in Los Angeles now, although that has no bearing on his production. Rivers does have some good weapons to throw to, so that does make me pause some listing him here, although I think you can get more bang for your buck overall.


RUNNING BACK

Top Level

Le’Veon Bell, PIT @ Chicago Bears ($8,800) – This will be the week when the Steelers load up on Bell, giving him as many touches as his heart desires. I like the idea of rostering Bell in a lineup and then complimenting him with a value option for the other RB slot in your DraftKings lineups. Look for Bell to have at least one scoring opportunity, but if he comes away with less than 150 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs I’ll be disappointed.

Other choices: Kareem Hunt, KC @ Los Angeles Chargers ($8,000); Melvin Gordon, LAC vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($7,600)

Mid-Range

Christian McCaffery, CAR vs. New Orleans Saints ($6,100) – Expect to see McCaffery bust out in this game facing a very weak Saints defense. We should see some decent runs from McCaffery, but the best of his damage will be through the air in the passing game. I see screens, wheels and dump-off passes coming his way on Sunday. You have to love this $6.1K price tag, which works in any lineup.

Other choices: Ty Montgomery, GB vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($6,900); Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($5,900); Tarik Cohen, CHI vs. Pittsburgh Steelers ($5,600)

Value

Derrick Henry, TEN vs. Seattle Seahawks ($5,300) – I’m not a fan of the Seahawks matchup; however, I’m going to just ignore it this week. I like Henry too much at $5.3K with the prospect of DeMarco Murray missing Week 3. Henry will at least get a big chunk of the touches and have an opportunity to score a TD this week, which makes him well worth the shot in tournament play.

Other choices: Isaiah Crowell, CLE @ Indianapolis Colts ($4,800); Ameer Abdullah, DET vs. Atlanta Falcons ($4,700)

Over-Value

LeSean McCoy, BUF vs. Denver Broncos ($7,000) – Normally I don’t put too much emphasis into early-season matchups, but did you see what the Broncos did to Ezekiel Elliott? Man, that was a sight to see, one wasn’t particularly happy about. Ugh. McCoy’s price should be lower this week, don’t you think? I’m passing, you should too.


WIDE RECEIVER

Top Level

Julio Jones, ATL @ Detroit Lions ($9,300) – It’s going to be difficult this week to roster Jones at this price point, although if you scrimp and save elsewhere at other slots you may be able to do it. I really dig Jones this week in a high-scoring affair, and considering the lineup you’ll have to build with Jones anchoring it you’ll need to keep him in tournament play. Maybe you can find a way to make it work in cash lineups, but it won’t be easy.

Other choices: Antonio Brown, PIT @ Chicago Bears ($9,000); A.J. Green, CIN @ Green Bay Packers ($8,100)

Mid-Range

Amari Cooper, OAK @ Washington Redskins ($7,100) – It’s Cooper’s turn this week, isn’t it? Well, if you start planning your lineups that way you’re going to be in real trouble. Still, I like Cooper to get more looks his way with the Redskins defense having a tough time covering him downfield. The matchup doesn’t seem bad on paper though, I do see that; however, expect Carr to get Cooper involved in the game extremely fast, even setting him up for an opening-drive score.

Other choices: Golden Tate, DET vs. Atlanta Falcons ($6,900); Kelvin Benjamin, CAR vs. New Orleans Saints ($6,700); Tyreek Hill, KC @ Los Angeles Chargers ($6,600); Stefon Diggs, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,500) – assuming Sam Bradford is back.

Value

Adam Thielen, MIN vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($5,700) – Starting Thielen, and Stefon Diggs, is dependent upon Sam Bradford playing on Sunday. Rumor has it that Bradford has a solid chance to play, so that’s the main reason I like Thielen here. There will be good opportunity overall for the Vikings offense in this game with Bradford at the helm, but be prepared if the Vikes quarterback sits for a second week in a row.

Other choices: Jamison Crowder, WAS vs. Oakland Raiders ($4,900); Kenny Stills, MIA @ New York Jets ($4,400); Nelson Agholor, PHI vs. New York Giants ($4,200)

Over-Value

Jordy Nelson, GB vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($7,800) – Nelson makes me nervous these days, especially when he’s almost $8K. I know he practiced fully on Wednesday and he seems to be a healthy go, but I just can’t get over the fact that he’s burned owners so badly in the past. He was held out of last week’s game as a precaution it seems. You should roster Nelson at your own risk.


TIGHT END

Top Level

Travis Kelce, KC @ Los Angeles Chargers ($6,000)

Mid-Range

Zach Ertz, PHI vs. New York Giants ($5,000)

Value

Martellus Bennett, GB vs. Cincinnati Bengals ($4,000)

Over-Value

Rob Gronkowski, NE vs. Houston Texans ($6,800)


Good luck in Week 3! Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter: @TheRolyPolyBoy