Week 3 DFS Cheapskate Plays is here to spotlight a few budget-friendly players who can help you stretch your salary cap without sinking your lineup.
We’re not chasing the “studs”. If I don’t mention the slate’s most expensive QB, it’s not because I think he’s a bad play; it’s because you don’t need me to tell you they will score the most points. The real purpose here is to dig for value, the affordable (cheap) options that make it possible to fit those high-priced studs into your build.
Of course, these picks come with more risk, and they don’t have the same floor as the proven stars. But when they hit, the payoff is huge. DFS is ultimately a game of points per dollar: a $4K player scoring 20 points (5x value) actually outperforms an $8K player scoring 24 points (only 3x). That’s why we hunt for these gems. They give you a better return on investment, even if they whiff more often.
Player prices are referenced from DraftKings, but the concept applies across all major DFS platforms.
Week 3 Cheapskate Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz $4,000, MIN vs. Bengals
Wentz was once considered a leading MVP candidate during his peak years in Philadelphia. He is now the starting quarterback in Minnesota, where the offense features elite weapons such as Justin Jefferson on the outside and T.J. Hockenson at tight end. Jordan Addison will not be available this week, but the Vikings still have depth in their receiving corps. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has built a reputation as a “quarterback whisperer,” having helped quarterbacks find efficiency and rhythm in his system.
If I’m playing Wentz this week, I’m likely avoiding the stack with Justin Jefferson. Instead, I’d rather plug in Jaelon Nailor or oldie-but-goodie Adam Thielen with the hopes they are on the receiving end of a touchdown strike.
Marcus Mariota $4,000, WAS vs Raiders
Mariota may step in for the injured Jayden Daniels this week, bringing a skill set that has previously produced notable spike weeks in fantasy scoring. In Week 6 of 2022 with Atlanta, he threw for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 50 rushing yards and another score, finishing with over 24 fantasy points. Mariota’s rushing ability remains a key part of his profile, giving him the potential to extend plays and sustain drives. In Washington, he would have strong receiving options in Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, along with veteran tight end Zach Ertz, to provide reliability underneath.
Like Carson Wentz, if I stack Mariota, it will likely be with Ertz. Deebo could benefit from a lot of the short passes that could turn into YAC opportunities, but for almost $2k more, I’d rather spend that on a higher ceiling receiver.
Week 3 Cheapskate Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson $5,300, NE vs Steelers
Stevenson has stepped into a clear bellcow role this season, handling the majority of New England’s backfield touches. His workload has steadily increased, giving him control over both early-down carries and passing-game usage. Stevenson has already shown he can deliver high-volume production, averaging over 250 touches in a season when given the opportunity. Now under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are leaning into a run-heavy identity, consistent with Vrabel’s history of emphasizing physical ground games. With Stevenson as the focal point of the offense, his role combines volume, durability, and system fit in a way few backs can match.
In Week 3, he faces the Steelers, whose defense has given up back-to-back 100-yard rushing days to Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker.
Jordan Mason $5,400, MIN vs Bengals
Mason is in line for a major opportunity this week with Aaron Jones sidelined for Minnesota. Mason has shown he can be efficient in limited work, averaging over 4.5 yards per carry to this point, and now projects to handle the majority of the Vikings’ backfield touches. Minnesota has relied heavily on its backs when the depth chart has thinned, and Mason’s role should expand significantly in Week 3. When his number was called in San Francisco, he led the NFL in rushing for the first three weeks.
My only concern is that this is not a Shanahan-friendly offense for running backs. The Bengals have been stingy against opposing running backs so far, and neither team is playing its starting quarterback. And, this could be a 6-3 crap fest, so tread carefully.
Jaylen Warren $5,500, PIT at Patriots
Warren has earned praise from his quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers stating, “We might have to keep giving him more opportunities in the pass game, because every time he touches it, something good happens.” That endorsement fits well with Arthur Smith’s offensive philosophy, as his schemes have historically leaned on running backs not only as ball carriers but also as versatile receiving options in space. Smith’s offenses regularly feature backs in multiple roles, making Warren a natural fit for expanded usage.
His Week 3 opponent, New England, has quietly been one of the toughest matchups so far in 2025, allowing just 58.5 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks. But they did just give up 92 receiving yards to De’Von Achane, not too shabby.
Week 3 Cheapskate Wide Receivers
Dontayvion Wicks $3,700, GB at Browns
Wicks is positioned for a bigger role in Green Bay’s offense with Jayden Reed sidelined by injury. Wicks has already shown his ability as a vertical playmaker, drawing multiple deep targets through the first two weeks of 2025. He has caught 6 of 8 passes for 74 yards, averaging more than 12 yards per reception, and his snap share has climbed as Reed’s absence has opened up opportunities.
Rather than working primarily underneath, Wicks stretches defenses on the perimeter and downfield, giving Jordan Love an option to attack in chunks. With Reed unavailable, Wicks’ role as a big-play threat should expand, making him one of the more intriguing DFS options (if they can just find a way to connect).
Elic Ayomanor $3,700, GB at Browns
Ayomanor caught 4 of 6 targets for 56 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 2. In PPR scoring, he ranks around WR56 among all receivers so far, which places him in the lower tier of DFS starts. Compared to other rookies, Ayomanor isn’t dominating in volume yet, but his touchdown and consistent target share suggest he is on a steeper upward trajectory than many of his peers.
The Browns are no slouch on defense, giving up less than 200 yards a week on average so far in 2025, but with targets comes opportunity, so I think he’s playable if you need to pay down.
Week 3 Cheapskate Tight End
Jake Ferguson $4,000, DAL at Bears
Ferguson is off to a promising 2025 start, already seeing 18 targets across two games (averaging 9 per game) and hauling in 14 catches for 101 yards. With CeeDee Lamb and newcomer George Pickens drawing heavy coverage as Dallas’ top wideouts, Ferguson often works as the reliable safety blanket, especially on intermediate routes and in traffic. He already had a “spike week” in Week 2 vs. the Giants, where he caught 9 of 12 targets for 78 yards, tying for the team-high in receptions that game. His target share (21.2%) and air yards per game (~54.5) indicate that Prescott trusts him with more than just checkdowns. All of that makes him one of the more under-priced, high-upside tight ends for DFS, particularly in matchups where defenses struggle to cover both the perimeter threats and tight ends.
Week 3 Cheapskate Defense
Las Vegas Raiders $2300, LV at Commanders
The Raiders DST could be a strong DFS pick this week against a Commanders offense facing turbulence. Jayden Daniels is questionable for Week 3 due to a knee sprain, which opens the door for backup Marcus Mariota to start. Washington’s offense had its worst statistical output with Daniels under center in their recent loss to the Packers, managing only 230 total yards. The pocket has been shaky too: Daniels was sacked four times and under duress often, which tends to mean more opportunities for sacks, pressures, and turnover chances.
On top of that, Washington is missing key weapons (the aforementioned Daniels, and Austin Ekeler is out for the season), which increases the likelihood of more predictable and one-dimensional play. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt not quite yet taking the bellcow reins, Washington could be forced to lean on the pass, which has never been one of Mariota’s strengths.
For help filling out the rest of your lineup, check out the FSAN Rankings Page.