This article is part of our FantasyDraft NFL series.
QUARTERBACK
Kirk Cousins, WAS vs. OAK ($11,400): I wasn't a big Cousins fan entering the season (in terms of fantasy) and I'm still not, but there are reasons to like him at this price. For starters, he gets a secondary that hasn't been fully challenged yet. The Raiders faced a work-in-progress offense led by Marcus Mariota and then let Josh McCown have a fairly successful game last week. After traveling to Tennessee in Week 1, the Raiders are back east for this trip, which is just the start of their gruesome schedule. Khalil Mack will be a problem, but the Raiders defense isn't on the same level as the Eagles or Rams, so I like at least a couple touchdowns for Cousins. This game also has the biggest over/under of the week by a good margin.
RUNNING BACK
Jay Ajayi, MIA at NYJ ($14,500): It may not be a good thing for your season-long fantasy team that Ajayi is getting 30 touches per game, but that doesn't matter in this format. Ajayi should see a ton of touches once more against a Jets defense that has let running backs do whatever they want thus far. Add in a touchdown to last week's stats and Ajayi should be one of the best backs in Week 3.
Tarik Cohen, CHI vs. PIT ($10,600): It's not a guarantee Jordan Howard will play or see the field much if he does play, which makes Cohen the steal of the week. His rushing numbers aren't great, but for the amount he's used as a receiver, it wouldn't be surprising if he gets another eight receptions. The Steelers are expected to be leading most of the way, which should lead to more receptions for Cohen, and with Howard banged up, that could mean at least 15 touches again.
WIDE RECEIVER
Antonio Brown, PIT at CHI ($17,000): After Mike Evans did whatever he wanted against this Bears secondary last week, I expect Brown to bounce back. Prince Amukamara could return, but his ankle was still bothering him midweek. The Vikings had the tools to shut down Brown, but between Kyle Fuller and Marcus Cooper, I'm not sure Chicago will limit the best receiver in the league from reaching 100 yards. I also have less faith in the other high-end WRs this week.
Michael Crabtree, OAK at WAS ($14,000): Everyone thought Amari Cooper would break out this season, but red-zone magnet Crabtree is still in Oakland catching touchdowns. With Josh Norman expected to be on Cooper for a good portion of this game, I'll take Crabtree to continue scoring and being Oakland's best fantasy receiver.
TIGHT END
Eric Ebron, DET vs. ATL ($6,400): Unlike the first two games, the Lions will be forced to pass more in this one, which means more field time for Ebron. He was great in the first half against the Giants and he should see more action against the Falcons, who haven't exactly held tight ends in check. Both the Packers and Bears tight ends combined for at least six catches. I'd much rather have Ebron than Austin Hooper ($7,400), who is a bit piece in the Atlanta offense.
FLEX
Jack Doyle, IND vs. CLE ($7,000): Going with two tight ends may be crazy, but hear me out because this is my favorite play of the week. Doyle was the Colts best receiver last week and was clearly one of Jacoby Brissett's favorite options. After Benjamin Watson went for 91 yards against the Browns last week, Doyle is in a good spot to produce. If he doesn't have five catches for 50 yards at a minimum, I'd be surprised.
Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. TB ($11,000): Sam Bradford or not, the Vikings are a much better team at home. Expect this game to be closer than last week's loss against the Steelers, which should mean more touches for Cook. The Bucs just shut down the Bears rushing attack, but that's not saying much. Cook comes in at a cheaper rate and should be closer to his totals from Week 1 than Week 2.
DEFENSE
Dallas Cowboys at ARI ($5,600): There haven't been many positives for the Cardinals offense and there's no reason to think there will be in this game. This could be a repeat of the first week when Dallas held a defunct Giants offense to three points. And while the Broncos ran through the Cowboys last week, the Cardinals don't have that rushing element without David Johnson in the backfield. If you don't like backing a defense on the road, the Eagles ($5,900) hosting New York is a decent spot to turn, as well.
