Week 3 NFL DFS WR Breakdown: Top Cash Game and Tournament Picks

Wide receivers are the backbone of your NFL DFS lineups. It’s a spot where you’ll need massive production if you’re going to take down a GPP, but it’s also a spot where you can save money on occasion. Some of the best values in a given week are likely to be found at the receiver position.

In this piece, I highlight wide receivers who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.

As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.

And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.

Or you can just use our NFL DFS sims to effortlessly create advanced lineups.

Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase (Chris Raybon’s come included with a FantasyLabs subscription) within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).

You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:

Top NFL DFS Cash Game Options

Rome Odunze ($5,300 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel)

The Bears’ offense has been a slight disappointment through the first two weeks. They brought in Ben Johnson this offseason as head coach, who was supposed to turbocharge their system. The Bears have improved a bit – they’re 15th in yards and points per game – but things haven’t been as impressive as expected. They’ve posted outstanding numbers on their scripted plays to start games, but they have been unable to keep that pace throughout.

What success the Bears have had offensively has come through Odunze. Last year’s first-round pick has blossomed into the team’s No. 1 option through the first two weeks. He’s posted alpha-like utilization, racking up a 29% target share and 44% air yards share. He’s also seen 100% of the team’s end zone targets, resulting in three receiving touchdowns.

Odunze is coming off a monster week in Week 2, finishing with 11 targets, seven receptions, 128 yards, and two touchdowns. He ultimately finished with 34.8 DraftKings points, resulting in a WR4 finish for the week.

Despite his elite numbers, Odunze remains priced at a discount across the industry. He’s still priced like the “1B” option in Chicago, with his price tag closely aligned with D.J. Moore. If the first two weeks are any indication, that’s a mistake.

Odunze also benefits from one of the best possible matchups this week. He’s taking on the Cowboys, who have looked like a disaster defensively without Micah Parsons. They were shredded by Russell Wilson and Malik Nabers last week, with the Giants’ top receiver going for nine catches, 167 yards, and two touchdowns.

Ultimately, Odunze possesses the best combination of per-dollar value and upside at the position. If he continues to produce like he has to start the year, he’s going to be significantly more expensive in the future.

Keenan Allen ($4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel)

The Chargers’ passing attack has looked much more dangerous in 2025 than it did last year. They’re currently averaging 270 passing yards per game, which is the third-highest mark in the league. They also boast a massive Pass Rate Over Expectation (PROE), with no team faring better in that category. It represents a big stylistic shift from what we’ve seen from Jim Harbaugh in the past, and it gives everyone in the passing attack plenty of upside.

Allen stands out as undervalued in this system. He’s had a pretty consistent role through the first two weeks, leading the team with a 28% target share. He’s not on the field for every passing play, but he’s been a clear focal point when he is. Allen has been targeted on at least 28% of his routes run in back-to-back weeks, which is an outstanding figure for a player with Allen’s volume. Among receivers with at least 50 routes this season, only four players have been targeted at a higher frequency (Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, Zay Flowers, and Davante Adams).

Allen has at least seven targets in each of his first two games, and he’s also scored a touchdown in both. His price tag has yet to reflect his role for the Chargers, making him one of the better values at the position in Week 3.

Jakobi Meyers ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel)

The Raiders’ passing attack is basically a two-man show. Brock Bowers is one of the best tight ends in football, while Meyers dominates the looks at receiver. He’s had double-digit targets in both games to start the year, and he leads the team with a 28% target share overall.

Bowers hasn’t quite looked like himself to start the year, and it’s possible that he takes on a bigger workload moving forward. He’s been officially removed from the team’s injury report, so he could improve upon his marks from the first two weeks.

That’s still going to leave plenty of opportunities for Meyers. The Raiders are fourth in PROE through the first two weeks, and Meyers has been a target hog dating back to last season. He posted a 27% target share from Week 4 on, so he should continue to approach double-digit targets on a weekly basis.

He’s another player who is simply not priced correctly at the moment. There was some concern about whether or not Meyers would play for the Raiders – he requested a trade before the start of the season – and he could still be moved before the deadline. Until that happens, expect the Raiders to try to keep his value as high as possible. That’s great for fantasy players.

Jaxson Smith-Njigba ($6,500 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel)

Smith-Njigba might be the busiest receiver in football this season. He has minimal competition for targets, and Sam Darnold has leaned on him heavily through the first two games. He posted a massive 59% target share in Week 1 before dipping to 32% in Week 2. Overall, his 44% target share is the top mark in football.

JSN stands out as a clear buy for fantasy purposes, particularly on DraftKings. His $6,500 salary makes him just the eighth-priciest receiver on the main slate, but he ranks fourth in median projection and third in ceiling. His price tag also comes with a 91% Bargain Rating. He owns the top optimal lineup rate at the position in Sim Labs, so he’s an outstanding option in all formats.

Now available: our NFL DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

Top NFL DFS Tournament Options

Tetairoa McMillan ($5,900 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel)

While JSN stands out as the best pure value on DraftKings, McMillan owns that designation on FanDuel. His price tag remains too cheap for the role he’s handled through the first two weeks. His utilization numbers took a slight step back in Week 2, but he made up for it with efficiency. He finished with six catches for 100 yards, and he earned two targets in the red zone.

The Panthers’ offense has been disappointing overall, and things aren’t going to get any easier for them in Week 3. The Falcons have been elite defensively through the first two weeks, and they’re No. 1 in EPA per play.

Still, McMillan leads all receivers in projected FanDuel Plus/Minus. If the Panthers continue to struggle, they’re going to have to throw the ball a lot to try to stay in games. That’s exactly what happened last week, with Bryce Young taking to the air 55 times vs. the Cardinals.

Puka Nacua ($7,700 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel)

The Rams’ offense is looking like a potential fantasy goldmine. When Matthew Stafford drops back to pass, he’s locking in on his top two receivers. Nacua and Adams both have target shares of 34% through the first two weeks, making this one of the most highly condensed passing attacks in football.

Nacua has also been extremely efficient with his opportunities. He’s failed to catch just two of his 20 targets through the first two weeks, resulting in 18 catches for 221 yards. He’s also been involved as a runner, including a 45-yard touchdown run in Week 2.

Overall, Nacua is the No. 1 receiver at the moment in terms of PPR points per game. He’s had at least 26.1 DraftKings points in both contests, giving him an elite floor and ceiling. Nacua is going to have to navigate a tough matchup vs. the Eagles on Sunday, but he still tops the position in ceiling projection in our NFL Models.

CeeDee Lamb ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel)

Lamb is just slightly behind Nacua from a ceiling standpoint, and he’s in a much more favorable situation. The game between the Cowboys and Bears is expected to feature plenty of offense. It leads the slate with a 50.5-point total, and no other game is above 46.0. The Cowboys are also listed as road favorites, giving them the top implied team total of the day.

Lamb has a bit more competition for targets this season after the acquisition of George Pickens, but he’s still been the go-to guy for Dak Prescott. He’s posted a 29% target share and 42% air yards share through the first two weeks, both of which rank first on the team.

The Bears had an elite defense last year, but they have not looked remotely close to the same unit this season. They’ve dealt with plenty of injuries on that side of the ball, and they’re currently 30th in pass defense EPA. It’s another potential eruption spot for Lamb, who has had at least 110 receiving yards in each of his first two games.

Contrarian NFL DFS Tournament Options With Upside

D.J. Moore ($5,400 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)

Moore is an intriguing pivot off Odunze for tournaments. Odunze is expected to be one of the most popular receivers on the slate. He has the fourth-highest ownership projection at receiver on DraftKings, and he’s third at the position on FanDuel.

That’s deserved, but there’s no guarantee that Moore isn’t more involved in Week 3. He benefits from the same elite matchup vs. the Cowboys, and he has been a top-flight receiver for years now. He’s had at least 888 receiving yards in six straight seasons, and he’s cracked 1,100 yards in four of them.

Moore had a 27% target share for the Bears in 2024, despite Allen still being on the team at that point. Now that he’s gone, it’s reasonable to expect more opportunities. The gap between him and Odunze probably isn’t as wide as it’s looked the past two weeks, making this a nice potential buy-low spot.

Deebo Samuel ($6,100 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel)

The Commanders are going to be without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels on Sunday, which makes their passing attack a bit of a question mark. However, they have one of the best backups in the league. Marcus Mariota had two brilliant relief appearances for the Commanders last season, so it’s possible the offense keeps right on humming.

The Commanders have made getting Samuel involved a point of emphasis to start the year. He racked up an outstanding 34% target share in Week 1, and he had his first receiving touchdown with the team in Week 2.

Samuel stands out as an excellent leverage option in Sim Labs for Week 3. He has the second-largest gap between projected ownership and optimal lineup rate on both DraftKings and FanDuel, making him a nice differentiator.

Justin Jefferson ($7,500 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel)

It’s been a slow start to the year for Jefferson. He’s one of the best receivers in football, and he’s had a historic start to his career. Unfortunately, he’s been unable to overcome his team’s poor quarterback play. J.J. McCarthy has not been able to get him the ball at the same rate as Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins in previous years.

With that in mind, it’s possible that McCarthy’s injury could be a positive for Jefferson’s fantasy stock. Carson Wentz will get the nod at the position in Week 3, and he has vastly more experience than McCarthy. We’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks succeed in this system in the past, so it’s possible that Wentz represents a short-term upgrade.

Jefferson also gets a phenomenal matchup vs. the Bengals. Their defense was one of the worst in football last season, and they don’t figure to be much improved this year. They surrendered 400 yards and 27 points to the Jaguars last week, so the Vikings could be undervalued in this spot. Jefferson is expected to carry less ownership than the other top receivers on this slate, but his ceiling is just as high.

Troy Franklin ($4,000 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel)

Franklin could be poised for a second-year breakout in Denver. He started the year slowly, posting just a 65% route rate and 17% target share in Week 1. However, those figures skyrocketed in Week 2. He was on the field for 90% of the team’s passing plays, and he led the team with a massive 32% target share. Franklin also saw 40% of the team’s air yards in that contest, and he finished with eight catches, 89 yards, and a touchdown.

If Franklin can solidify his spot in the offense, he has the potential to be a fantastic value at his current price tags. The Broncos are also expected to play in one of the highest-scoring games of the way, with the current total sitting at 46.0.

Pictured: Justin Jefferson
Photo Credit: Imagn