We’re in the midst of Week 3 of the 2022 NFL preseason. If you’re competing in a DFS tournament or searching for 50/50 picks for Friday Night Football, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve run through dozens of potential scripts for tonight’s games. Here is our recommended fantasy football lineup and top NFL DFS picks.
Top DraftKings NFL DFS picks for Friday Night Football
Tonight we’re playing a DraftKings “Classic” contest that includes one QB, two RBs, three WRs, one TE, one Flex, and one D/ST. Because this is the preseason, and because even sites like DraftKings had no idea who would play and for how long when they set pricing, they gave every player a $5,500 price tag.
What follows are two favorite high-upside players from each team playing tonight. We would advise throwing equal money at a 50/50 bet and at a tournament, with the understanding that these are mostly uber-ceiling options because most preseason players have comparable floors due to largely indeterminate snap counts.
Drew Lock, QB, Seattle Seahawks
About a half-dozen quarterbacks could play three or more offensive drives tonight, including Bailey Zappe and Ian Book. But no one has more to gain (or lose) than Drew Lock and his veteran teammate, Geno Smith. Seattle’s gotten a longer look at Smith, though he faltered last week. Lock is now healthy and should get plenty of opportunities to win the Week 1 job.
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Seattle Seahawks
I’ve been pushing DeeJay Dallas for more than a year. Don’t be surprised if this 2020 fourth-round draft pick earns a start or two in what should be a lost season for a once-dominant franchise in transition. While Travis Homer looms — and could realistically outperform Dallas tonight — I prefer the younger Dallas’ upside and potential target share.
Raheem Blackshear, RB, Buffalo Bills
He was in my recommended DFS lineup last weekend. He’s back in it today. On the roster bubble, and with three-down experience (including in the passing game), Raheem Blackshear might see more touches than any other running back in tonight’s Panthers vs. Bills matchup.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir was also in my suggested DFS lineup last week. A talented rookie fighting for a top-five role in the passing attack. His ceiling remains No. 3, though he’ll need to keep producing to push past Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder. Still, I’ve believed in Shakir since the Bills wisely drafted him. As long as he gets snaps tonight, he should produce.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR, New England Patriots
New England reportedly will play their starters minimally tonight as they prepare for Week 1. Lil’Jordan Humphrey is a cut candidate, though he proved last week he might be one of the best of those who aren’t roster locks. With teammate Kristian Wilkerson ailing, Humphrey realistically could be the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver tonight.
Bo Melton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Another rehash from last week. I believed Bo Melton would thrive against the Bears. On paper, he didn’t: four catches for 18 yards. But he earned 11 targets, which is hard to ignore.
My reasoning last week is the same as today. The seventh-round rookie might take a backseat early if Seattle gives more run to their upper-echelon playmakers. However, Melton should see enough second-half work to keep him relevant.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Another rookie, though not in any precarious position on the depth chart. I like Jake Ferguson’s chances if he’s catching balls from Cooper Rush. He’s reeled in all five passes thrown his way this preseason. Dalton Schultz remains one of my favorite fantasy TEs, while Ferguson remains one of my favorite backup TEs.
Travis Homer, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Speaking of Dallas, remember DeeJay Dallas? Then let’s pivot to Travis Homer. Kenneth Walker III is recovering from surgery, and Rashaad Penny has dealt with injuries for more than four years. Assuming Dallas gets a lot of run tonight, we should assume Homer will, too.
Carolina Panthers, D/ST
As we know, picking a D/ST in the preseason is like picking a birthday card for an aunt you barely know. But you might see that aunt next year at your mom’s birthday party, so it’s important to show you’re invested in the relationship.
The Panthers will face a lot of deep Buffalo backups tonight. While I like guys like Shakir, overall we should expect at least a couple of turnovers and sacks. Carolina appears to be one of the safest D/STs in this Friday night slate.
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