We are coming in hot off last week with by far the most successful post so far this season. Targets like Charles McClleland, Cam Camper, and Garrett Shrader all came through and in a big way during the day. If you happened to play the night contest, Keon Coleman was one mention that really paid off while Miami’s Brashard Smith managed three grabs in a defensive struggle. At the contest minimum price of 3k, I’ll take that considering what it can do for salary cap flexibility.

The key now is to keep it going as we head into conference play with more “normal” matchups where game flows are usually more reliable/less volatile. And, the actual games themselves are of a higher caliber from all standpoints.

The purpose of every post I make here is to attempt to identify value for any particular slate. I am never going to offer the most expensive, obvious, and essentially best players as my “suggestions” or “picks” for a slate. I’m trying to point out options that could help you afford those players and/or options that I believe could provide similar results at a cheaper price based on logic and statistical evidence. That said, let’s talk some of my favorite plays for the Week 3 Saturday afternoon slate!

Donovan Ollie | WR | Washington St. $3,500

This sophomore wideout emerged late last season and it’s carried over wonderfully into his 2022 campaign. The 6’3″ 212-pounder has recorded at least five catches in all three games this season as new FCS transfer quarterback Cam Ward’s clear go-to guy in the passing game.

Simply put, this price is an error and Ollie should be somewhere in the 5k range based on how reliable his production has been through three games. That said, he’ll likely have a high ownership in most contests so the “separation from the pack” factor might not be great. What will be great is what this selection does for cap flexibility as a fantastic building block piece. I’ll take that all day and attempt to be different elsewhere.

Two other targets I would consider as building block candidates are tight ends Ja’Tavion Sanders and Corey Dyches. Sanders has the better matchup against Texas Tech. Dyches has better quarterback play in a pass-first offense with Baby Tua slinging it for Maryland. Though, admittedly, he has the tougher task at Michigan as substantial underdogs. Either way, both can be trusted at this point to come away with at least a couple of grabs with decent touchdown upside as popular red zone targets.

Notre Dame Offense

The Marcus Freeman tenure has had a humbling beginning to say the least. The good news is that the Irish got their first win last week at home over Cal, and may have started to forge an identity of what they want on the offensive side of the ball. In that game, Irish running backs Audric Estime and Chris Tyree combined for 140 yards on 35 carries with a score. They also added a combined eight catches for 87 yards and another score.

Sure. It’s just one game at home against a mediocre opponent. But, through the first two games, it was painfully obvious that the offense lacked explosive plays and any weapons outside of tight end Michael Mayer. Add to that Drew Pyne taking over as QB1 for injured Tyler Buchner for the rest of 2022, Estime and Tyree will need to be heavily relied on as playmakers in order for Notre Dame to be successful whether it’s in the run, or passing game.

This week, the matchup is perfect. If we all know one thing about the Mac Brown era at North Carolina other than being slightly more relevant than before he showed up in Chapel Hill, it’s Tar Heel teams giving zero fucks defensively! Both Tyree and Estime are still moderately priced and have enough upside in this plus matchup to outperform their price and compete with some of the top backs in the slate.

Medical Tent Watch

There are several key injuries to monitor heading into to Week 4 that could have major DFS implications. First, it’s Jayden Reed’s status for the Michigan St. Spartans. I speculated that last Saturday night that if he was held out, Keon Coleman would likely be a major benefactor. As if I spoke it into existence, Reed was ruled out and Coleman went nuts notching a 9-116-2 line. Still priced at a moderate $5,900 tag, copy/past everything I said last Saturday here.

Next, Tennessee’s WR1 Cedric Tillman and RB1 Jabari Small are both day-to-day after leaving their last game with injuries. Jaylen Wright would be the clear pivot at running back if Small can’t suit up and would be a really nice value at his current price. At receiver, Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy would see an increase in workload and ceiling if Tillman doesn’t play. McCoy would be one of my favorite price/floor/ceiling combos at his position if Tillman is out.

Speaking of that tasty meal combo we all want sliding into our LUs, Xavier Worthy routinely displayed an ability to drop monster games as a true freshman last season for Texas. Weird game flows and a quarterback switch have kept him from putting up those gaudy numbers we grew accustomed to expecting from him so far in 2022. But, it’s only a matter of time before he erupts. Their conference opener this week should provide a full four quarters of action for him to produce with Hudson Card under center in a matchup where Worthy broke out last season with a 5-100-3 line. Don’t be late to the party on him at his current price. It won’t last.

Good luck in Week 4! Follow me on twitter @realBobbyAdcock compliments and insults are always appreciated.