Two weeks of NFL action have given us a much better idea of how teams plan to deploy their players in 2026, but NFL DFS tournaments still require more than simply chasing the best box scores from the previous week.
For my NFL DFS tournament/GPP picks for Week 3, I’m looking for a mix of high-upside game environments, players whose DraftKings salaries haven’t caught up to their roles, and a few lower-owned options that can separate your lineup from the field in these massive DraftKings GPPs.
Obviously, we want some low-owned options. Who doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean we need to fade every popular option either. We’ll focus on finding the right salary-saving plays, which allows us to combine those more obvious targets with players and stacks that can make our lineups unique.
Below are my top NFL DFS tournament picks for Week 3, including a contrarian game stack and high-upside DraftKings GPP plays at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and defense/special teams.
NFL DFS Tournament Strategy for Week 3
We’re still dealing with small samples, but after two weeks, snap rates, targets, and backfield usage are becoming more meaningful. Week 3 also gives us several interesting situations created by injuries. That can create value when DraftKings salaries were released before a player’s role changed, and those are exactly the situations I’m willing to attack in larger-field tournaments.
Best Contrarian Stack for NFL DFS Tournaments in Week 3
Game Stack: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
Lamar Jackson (7,500) – Zay Flowers (6,900) – Rashod Bateman (4,700) – George Pickens (6,600)
Just like last week, I like targeting the Dallas Cowboys game with a GPP stack. Dak Prescott played much better than he did in Week 1, while throwing four TDs. Unsurprisingly, that’s led to a slate-high 52.5-point total on this game, with Baltimore favored by three. One big key for me this week is that Dallas’ secondary remains banged up. The Cowboys have already lost multiple defensive backs and now face a Baltimore passing offense averaging over eight yards per attempt. Lamar Jackson is expensive at $7,500, but his rushing ability gives him a path to being the highest-scoring QB on the slate even without an extreme passing performance.
Zay Flowers’ health needs monitoring after he missed Week 2, but if he’s cleared, pairing him with Bateman gives us exposure to a legit breakout WR1 at potentially lower ownership who can account for most of Baltimore’s meaningful WR production. Bateman is also particularly interesting at $4,700 after playing 93% of the offensive snaps without Flowers last week and leading Baltimore in targets, catches, and receiving yards while also scoring its only passing touchdown. If Flowers remains out, Bateman may become one of the heaviest owned players on the slate but an even stronger standalone value, and Mark Andrews ($4,400) would be an easy replacement in this stack. We could also look to an alternate Ravens WR like DeVontez Walker to help with uniqueness.
On the other side, I like targeting Pickens ($6,600) in this spot as it gives us a high-upside bring-back without paying all the way up for CeeDee Lamb who figures to be more popular after a monster Week 2. Dallas should stay aggressive if Baltimore scores as expected, and Pickens gives us the downfield and touchdown ability that fits better in tournaments at his price.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Justin Herbert (5,800) + Ladd McConkey (5,900) + Oronde Gadsden II (3,500) + Khalil Shakir (4,800)
- Tyler Shough (5,400) + Chris Olave (7,200) + DeVaughn Vele (4,400) + Tre Tucker (5,000)
NFL DFS Tournament Quarterback Pick
Tyler Shough ($5,400)
Shough has been one of the more impressive fantasy quarterbacks through two weeks, and DraftKings still hasn’t adjusted his salary much. He threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns on 56 attempts against Detroit in Week 1, then followed with 252 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore while adding nine carries, 23 rushing yards, and another score. Through two games, he’s averaging 331 passing yards and 6.5 rushing attempts.
Now he finally gets to play at home against Las Vegas. The Raiders have started 2-0, but this is more about Shough’s price and the Saints’ willingness to put the offense in his hands. He’s attempted 90 passes through two games and has three viable stacking options in Chris Olave, DeVaughn Vele, and Juwan Johnson. Overall, the Saints just don’t seem interested in being a rush first team, even if they do have two capable backs, and their receivers are still being underrated by the general public even after great starts. At $5,400, Shough gives us enough salary relief to spend aggressively at RB and WR without sacrificing the potential for a 300-yard passing bonus and multiple touchdowns.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Trevor Lawrence ($5,700)
- Patrick Mahomes ($6,200)
NFL DFS Tournament Running Back Picks
Higher End: Ashton Jeanty ($7,000)
Jeanty is coming off a disappointing Week 2 against the Chargers, but the workload remains exactly what we want from a higher-end DFS running back. He’s handled 44 carries and 13 targets through two games, while playing close to 80% of Las Vegas’ offensive snaps. Even in last week’s poor outing, Jeanty handled 21 carries and caught four passes, and he showed the upside of that dual-threat role in Week 1 when he produced 147 total yards, six receptions, and two receiving touchdowns.
The matchup with New Orleans is a much better spot for him to turn that volume into a big fantasy day. The Saints have allowed 273 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns through two games, with opponents averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Overall, they allowed 165 yards and two rushing scores in Week 1, then another 108 yards and a touchdown last week. We can’t expect that every week, but the Saints run defense is an issue right now. Jeanty’s passing-game role also gives him some protection if Las Vegas falls behind, and at $7,000, I’d rather target his combination of workload, matchup, and receiving upside than pay significantly more for the elite backs at the top of the slate.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Jonathan Taylor ($7,600)
- Bucky Irving ($6,300)
Lower End: Jonah Coleman ($5,100)
Coleman is one of the more volatile plays on the slate, but the price makes the potential reward worth investigating. With RJ Harvey inactive and J.K. Dobbins leaving Week 2 with a hamstring injury, Coleman stepped in for 10 carries, 39 yards, and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for another 19 yards. Most of his rushing production came after Dobbins exited, giving us a glimpse of what his workload could look like if Denver remains short-handed.
Obviously, we need to monitor Dobbins and Harvey before locking Coleman into lineups. If one or both return at full strength, this becomes a much less appealing play. But if Coleman enters Sunday as Denver’s healthiest option, $5,100 is simply too cheap for a back who can contribute on passing downs and around the goal line. The Rams are a tougher matchup on paper but it may also leave his ownership at a very low number this week despite the great opportunity lurking. This is exactly the kind of injury-created upside situation we want to target at this price-range so there is no reason to shy away even if the matchup is less than ideal.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Jaylen Warren ($5,700)
- Cam Skattebo ($6,200)
NFL DFS Tournament Wide Receiver Picks
Higher End: Ladd McConkey ($5,900)
McConkey doesn’t technically carry a high-end salary this week, which is part of the reason why I like him in Week 3. He was limited by a cracked rib in Week 2 and essentially operated as a decoy, catching all three of his targets for 35 yards. In Week 1, before the injury, he commanded seven targets and produced five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, which is much closer to the role we should expect when he’s healthy in Mike McDaniel’s new offense.
The matchup and potential game flow should also favor him. Los Angeles travels to Buffalo as a sizable underdog, creating a strong chance that Justin Herbert is forced into a pass-heavy second half. Buffalo’s secondary has already allowed big games to opposing No. 1 receivers, with Nico Collins and Amon-Ra St. Brown combining for 23 targets, 16 catches, 217 yards and three touchdowns over the first two weeks. Assuming McConkey’s ribs continue to improve, $5,900 is a very reasonable salary for the Chargers’ top receiver in one of Sunday’s highest-scoring game environments.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Justin Jefferson
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
Lower End: Denzel Boston ($4,500)
Boston has been one of the early-season surprises, but DraftKings is still giving us a chance to roster him at just $4,500. The rookie caught five of seven targets for 95 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay last week after producing 59 yards and another score in his debut. Through two games, he leads Cleveland in route rate at 95%, while his 16.5-yard average depth of target gives him exactly the kind of downfield role we’re looking for in tournaments.
There is obviously some touchdown regression risk after Boston scored in each of his first two games, but he’s got upside outside of catching TDs. He’s already accumulated 154 receiving yards on 11 targets and has shown he can create explosive plays in multiple ways. Carolina also just lost starting CB Jaycee Horn to a hamstring injury, potentially making this a more attractive matchup for Cleveland’s outside receivers. At $4,500, Boston doesn’t need another touchdown to be useful, but his big-play ability gives him a legitimate path to another 4x or better return if he does find the end zone.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- DeVaughn Vele ($4,400)
- Tre Tucker ($5,000)
NFL DFS Tournament Tight End Pick
Pat Freiermuth ($3,800)
Freiermuth has quietly been one of Aaron Rodgers’ most reliable options through two games, catching nine of his 10 targets, including four of five last week against New England. Pittsburgh’s receiving corps also remains thin behind DK Metcalf, with younger options Germie Bernard and Roman Wilson playing significant roles. That makes Freiermuth one of Rodgers’ more established targets, particularly in the intermediate and red-zone areas.
The bigger attraction is Cincinnati’s inability to cover tight ends. The Bengals allowed an NFL-record number of receptions, yards, and touchdowns to the position last season, and the problem hasn’t disappeared in 2026. Dalton Schultz just caught 12 of 14 targets for 140 yards against Cincinnati in Week 2, while Bengals opponents have already completed 17 passes for 200 yards to tight ends through two games. At just $3,800, Freiermuth doesn’t need Schultz’s ridiculous volume to pay off; five or six catches and a touchdown would give him the kind of return we’re looking for.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- T.J. Hockenson ($3,200)
- Juwan Johnson ($4,100)
NFL DFS Tournament Defense Pick
Carolina isn’t quite the punt-level defense we targeted in the first two weeks, but the matchup with Cleveland makes the Panthers interesting for tournaments. The Browns have already allowed seven sacks and committed two turnovers through two games, while Carolina enters Week 3 after holding Atlanta to just three points last week. The Panthers have also generated an above-average pressure rate early in the season.
Deshaun Watson played better against Tampa Bay, but this is still an offense I’d be comfortable targeting with opposing defenses until the Browns prove they’re a legitimate NFL team. Cleveland’s passing game is also built around an inexperienced receiving corps, and Watson’s tendency to hold the ball creates sack opportunities even when the Browns are moving the football. At $3,000, Carolina doesn’t need a shutout to return value, and there is clear upside here for another multi-sack performance with a couple of turnovers and a potential defensive TD, which gives them enough overall upside to challenge the more expensive defenses.
Alternatives I’m considering:
- Cincinnati Bengals ($2,900)
- Tennessee Titans ($2,400)
NFL DFS Tournament Picks FAQ
What is a GPP in NFL DFS?
A GPP, or guaranteed prize pool tournament, is a DFS contest that generally rewards high-ceiling lineups capable of finishing near the top of a large field. Unlike safer lineup constructions, tournament lineups often place more emphasis on ceiling, correlation, ownership and leverage.
What should I look for in NFL DFS tournament picks?
Strong NFL DFS tournament plays should offer a combination of upside, salary value and a realistic path to outperforming their expected ownership. Correlated game stacks and lower-owned pivots from popular players can also help differentiate lineups in larger contests.
How are NFL DFS tournament picks different from cash-game picks?
Cash-game lineups generally prioritize projection, workload and consistency, while tournament lineups can take on more volatility in exchange for a higher ceiling. GPP players may also consider ownership and leverage more heavily when deciding between similarly projected options.
What is the best DraftKings NFL DFS tournament stack for Week 3?
My favorite Week 3 tournament stack is Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and George Pickens. The combination provides exposure to one of the slate’s higher projected scoring environments while offering several pieces that could come in at lower ownership than other popular Week 3 options.
