We're back in the mines for Week 3! Last week we actually hit on a lot more DraftKings lineup picks than I would expect for deeper sleeper plays, with Crockett Gillmore being the best find.

Weeks 1 and 2 have come and gone, and now we've got two data points really weighing on everyone's mind. Some have been stellar both weeks, which will probably lead to heavy ownership in Week 3 games, while others have disappointed and will have low ownership tags.

Use this to your advantage. Let's look around the lobby and find some DFS guys who could provide great return for your DraftKings lineups in Week 3.

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Week 3 Quarterback Sleepers

Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers: $5,400 - @ HOU

Jameis turned in a good performance last week against whatever excuse for a defense the Saints roll out onto the field these days. It was on the road as well, which is always nice to see from a rookie regardless of opponent. Now if the name is appearing in this article, there are going to be some fleas. We know Tampa Bay has their obvious issues. Winston is finally getting Mike Evans back for real this time, but instead of adding a weapon, Evans looks like he'll just be stepping in for the injured Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Oh, and Jameis will hopefully be in "automatic shotgun" to give himself another half second before J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Vince Wilfork blow through the saloon doors that is the Bucs' offensive line. If he can get the ball out though, the Texans' secondary has been pretty darn bad (Johnathan Joseph has a -4.6 PFF rating already, which is awful), as evidenced by Alex Smith and Cam Newton's solid lines in Weeks 1 and 2 show.

Nick Foles, QB, Rams: $5,200 - vs. PIT

I don't enjoy writing that name next to the Rams offense, but the truth of the matter is that Foles and company get to face the crummy Steelers' defense. This game is going to go one of two ways. Either the Steelers jump out to an early lead on the heels of a strong passing attack and the return of Le'Veon Bell, and the Rams need to air it out in order to catch up, or the Rams defense holds up and Foles still gets to tee off against a terrible secondary. The Steelers are actually rated as being good against the run with a positive 4.6 grade from ProFootballFocus, but their pass defense is in the bottom three with a cool -14.8. Yuck. I think the horrid Steelers' secondary outweighs Foles' mediocrity, and it could pay off in a big way.

Other deep plays that might have higher ownership: Tyrod Taylor, $5,800 @ MIA, Blake Bortles, $5,100 vs. NE.

 

Week 3 Running Back Sleepers

Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers: $5,000 – @ MIN

Even if owners are drawn to the Chargers matchup against a Vikings defense that has been destroyed on the ground, they're much more likely to take the cheaper buzzier option in Danny Woodhead. While there's merit to picking Woodhead over Gordon when there's a $600 difference, we're looking to zig where other's are zagging. There's a decent amount of love being given to Gordon on the heels of a Week 2 showing where he had three rushes of over 20 yards. He has big play ability, and if he ends up with the best line out of the San Diego backfield you will reap the benefits of a potential 20-125-2 line that many others won't be looking for.

Chris Polk, RB, Texans: $3,400 – vs. TB

Arian Foster is still out, and Jonathan Grimes is a game-time decision. While Alfred Blue predictably failed to make any real mark, Chris Polk might just be in prime position to have himself a great day at the hands of Tampa Bay's struggling defense. While many people who "pay down" for running back are going to hope that Eddie Lacy doesn't play so that James Starks can be inserted into lineups, Polk gets passed over. The Texans are favorites at home, and their RB stable is thin. While Polk will probably split carries with Blue a bit, he looks better out of the backfield and he is more effective pass catcher. If Grimes is active, he's the guy I want, but as of now I'm going to move forward with the thinking that his knee injury is extremely limiting and that he cannot go.

Other deep plays that might have higher ownership: Lorenzo Taliaferro, $3,000 vs. CIN, Bilal Powell, $3,000 vs PHI (if Ivory cannot go).

 

Week 3 Wide Receiver Sleepers

Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars: $3,700 - @ NE

People are going to be (appropriately) all over Allen Robinson, so you might be able to swerve the pack by taking a shot with Hurns in a game that should see Jacksonville needing to throw the ball early and often. The strange thing is that the Patriots defense has actually been pretty darn bad, although if you ask most people they'd probably just assume everything New England is at least average. Their run defense and pass coverage grades from ProFootballFocus are both bottom five. You know their offense is very, very good though, and points will be scored as New England puts on a show for their home crowd. Allen Hurns has shown flashes in the past, and he is in prime position to capitalize off of gameflow and tilted coverage towards Robinson. Rashad Greene should not be a threat, I truly do not understand what his usage is about, but Hurns and Marqise Lee (who practiced in full this week) are both better. Hurns could be the sneaky anti-chalk play that sets you apart.

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Panthers: $3,300 – vs. NO

Seeing "NO" there should scream "YES" to you. Don't get me wrong, if it was that lovely of a play it probably wouldn't be in this article, but Ted Ginn Jr. represents a true dice roll GPP play. If Cam Newton finds him on a deep strike, you're sitting pretty. Ginn Jr. has an atrocious target to reception ratio, as he's only converted six of his 16 targets into receptions, but he averages 15.8 yards per catch. A Newton/Ginn Jr. stack might be what propels someone to greatness this weekend, especially if the rest of those so bold as to roll out Cam pair him with Greg Olsen (which is a solid play as well). The Panthers may come out a little conservative against a Drew Brees-less Saints team, but Ginn Jr. is still going to get his home run opportunities.

Other deep plays that might have higher ownership: Nate Washington/Cecil Shorts III, $3,600/$3,500 vs TB, James Jones, $4,800 vs. KC.

 

Week 3 Tight End Sleepers

Jared Cook, TE, Rams: $2,800 - vs. PIT

You might think I'm being lazy, but I'm going back to this guy and this might read very similarly to my Week 1 write-up. Jared Cook is still the team leader in receptions and yards. While I thought a matchup with the Redskins would grant him great chances to put a serviceable line, he wasn't pretty darn average with a 5-47-0 line. Week 1 had him get a 5-85-0 line. You can refer back to what I wrote for Nick Foles, and also that Football Outsiders has Pittsburgh ranked 23rd in DVOA against the tight end .  Cook won't be on most people's minds, but he could turn in a sneaky two TD game. If you're going to stack Foles with someone, I really could get behind a Foles/Cook stack if you want to save a little and aren't intrigued by Kenny Britt or Brian Quick (if he's even active).

Gavin Escobar, TE, Cowboys: $2,600 - vs. ATL

If you managed to stomach watching the dumpster fire that was the Eagles-Cowboys afternoon game last week, you may have seen Gavin Escobar nearly score a touchdown twice. One time he caught a crosser and then his shin was down just before the goal line, after this he was targeted on the patented Dez Bryant isolation fade route, but either he wasn't in the right spot or the throw missed, can't say which. The point here is, the opportunities were there for Escobar, and Dallas knows what they have in him. The other obvious point is that the Cowboys have very few talented options left to move the ball with. Jason Witten is practicing, but he is beaten up with two sprained knees. Brandon Weeden isn't the greatest guy to rely on, but I like the odds here as far as dice rolls go. Escobar has the size, speed, and skill set to be targeted in the red zone, especially compared to smaller options like Cole Beasley and Lance Dunbar. Escobar is a sneaky play that should be very low owned.

Other deep plays that might have higher ownership: Kyle Rudolph, $3,300 vs. SD, Eric Ebron, $3,300 @ MIN.

 

Week 3 Defense Sleepers

Cleveland Browns, D/ST: $2,900 – vs. OAK

Cleveland finds themselves at home in a 1:00 PM game against a west coast team traveling east. While the Raiders looked good against the Ravens, the Browns also looked good against the Titans. It's not the prettiest play, but there's historically quite a bit behind rolling with an east coast home favorite against a west coast team in an early game. Who knows, maybe Travis Benjamin keeps the magic going in the return game as well. If you aren't rolling with the Seahawks, Texans, or Panthers, I think the Browns are the next move.

Philadelphia Eagles, D/ST: $2,700 - @ NYJ

I know, road dogs aren't the best teams to chase, but with Decker and Ivory banged up and the Eagles looking for a spark, I like the Eagles as a contrarian D/ST play. Ryan Fitzpatrick really isn't that careful with the ball, and the Eagles are still a slightly above average defense according to PFF (14th) and Football Outsiders (12th). Brandon Marshall is a bad man, and Byron Maxwell's player card really might as well be burnt toast, but the Jets are hurting yet have a lot of public backing. This is a great spot to go against the grain if you need a few extra bucks versus those top plays.

 

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