In the weekly Ballin' on a Budget DFS column, I'll provide you with a list of players with an attractive price tag and even more attractive potential. These are players I project to return tremendous value in your DFS lineups without breaking the bank on their salaries. By saving money with these players, you can spend up elsewhere in your lineup on some of the more marquee players that will undoubtedly put up big point totals. Think of this as a way to find the "Store Brand" alternatives that can be just as good as the expensive "Name Brand" products. * All salaries are based on DraftKings Week 3 Specials: WR - Darnell Mooney (CHI @ ATL) - $3,000
Mooney is my CHEAP sleeper pick at the WR position for Week 3. Chicago's rookie WR caught a touchdown in Week 2 and is seeing increased usage in the Bears offense. His snap percentage increased from 32% to 60% from Week 1 to Week 2. This is an encouraging sign paired with the positive talk surrounding him by players and coaches in Chicago. An added bonus: Mooney squares up against an awful Falcons secondary who will be without first-round rookie CB A.J. Terrell, who tested positive for Covid-19.
WR - Adam Humphries (TEN @ MIN) - $3,900 Adam Humphries is getting looks as a starter with the injury to A.J. Brown continuing to keep their number one wideout sidelined. At this salary, DFS players can have a discount in the Titan's passing game vs. the porous Minnesota secondary, as Humphries is $1,300 cheaper than fellow Titans WR Corey Davis ($5,200). In Week 2, Humphries had 1 more target (6) than Davis. Fire him up to save some money!
RB - Devin Singletary (LAR @ BUF) - $4,900 I was surprised Devin Singletary's salary was sub-5000 for Week 3. With his backfield running-mate, Zack Moss, ruled out with a toe injury, Singletary will get a lot of volume against a Rams team that has been susceptible to the ground attack. Opportunity is the prerequisite for big fantasy days - and at this price tag, Singletary will have opportunity that is too good to pass up.
RB - De'Andre Swift (DET @ ARI) - $5,000 The game script in this weeks Detroit vs Arizona game should favor rookie RB De'Andre Swift. He seems to have settled into the pass catching role in Detroit's running back room, and I think he will be used in this capacity a ton on Sunday. The over/under for this game is at 55, so Vegas predicts a ton of scoring. For the Lions to keep up, they will be Airing It Out. Swift shapes up as a nice money saver who could have the volume to really pay off.
TE - Drew Sample (CIN @ PHI) - $3,500 After C.J Uzomah went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2, it was Drew Sample who soaked up targets in relief. In fact, he finished that contest with 10 targets! This week, the Bengals take on an Eagles team that just gave up 3 touchdowns to tight end Tyler Higbee of the Rams. You could do worse than Sample, and at a $3,500 salary, this Sample could lead to a tasty feast!
TE - Logan Thomas (WAS @ CLE) - $3,700 Logan Thomas finds himself here again in the Ballin' on a Budget column - and for good reason. His salary is a great money saver, and he continues to see a great target share in a Washington offense that is hungry for playmakers in the passing game. Through two weeks, Thomas has seen a total of 17 targets come his way. This opportunity paired with a game against a Cleveland Browns team that has been generous to tight ends. Most recently, Cleveland gave up 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown to the tight ends of Cincinnati.
QB - Mitch Trubisky (CHI @ ATL) - $5,700 I know - putting your trust in Trubisky when it comes to your money is not an inspiring, but I think this Sunday's matchup could be one to take advantage of. Trubisky's salary is attractive, especially since he is going up against the Falcon's horrific secondary. I expect Trubisky to throw the ball a ton, and with success. Stacking him with a Bears WR could prove fruitful in Week 3.
- JD