Ahead of our slate breakers article, I thought I’d write up some of my favorite DraftKings stacks for Week 3 of the 2023 season. There are a few articles you can find on why stacking is effective for DFS, so we won’t recap that here.
Instead, I’ll outline the criteria for being included:
- Main slate only
- Stack will include QB & 2 other players (optional bring back noted)
Stack 1 - Dallas Cowboys (@ARI)
O/U 43.5
Spread DAL -12 (DAL implied 28 Pts)
QB Dak Prescott ($6,600)
RB Tony Pollard ($8,000)
TE Jake Ferguson ($3,600)
Total $18,200
Optional bring-back Zach Ertz (ARI) +$3,500
The Cowboys DST are a good option with how they are playing, especially against this Cardinals offense, but feels like a cheat here. Instead, I’ll go with the combination of Prescott, Pollard and Ferguson. Pollard has been great taking the workload from Ezekiel Elliott, leaving little for the other running backs to share. Prescott hasn’t really had to do too much so far this season, but he has been serviceable and had a good outing against the Jets last week. Ferguson offers some salary relief, and is a TE that the coaching staff have spoken about getting involved in the offense.
The bring back of Ertz might seem a little odd, as it would mean a stack of TE’s and in all honesty, I’d go for him ahead of Ferguson at the TE spot. Ertz has started the season strongly and is the Cardinals target leader- and the Cardinals are going to need to throw the ball to try and keep pace with the offense.
Stack 2 - Detroit Lions (v ATL)
O/U 45.5
Spread DET -3.5 (DET implied 24.5 Pts)
QB Jared Goff ($6,500)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7,900)
TE Sam LaPorta ($4,000)
Total $18,400
Optional bring-back Bijan Robinson/ Tyler Allgeier (ATL) + $7,800/ $5,100
Detroit are going to feel a little bit hard done by to not be 2-0, especially after the no-call in overtime. But the offense has been moving the ball nicely, and getting into the endzone. The stack of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a succesful pairing, especially with DK’s PPR scoring. At this point, until they raise the pricing on Goff it’s going to be an automatic mention each week. The addition of LaPorta gives a little salary relief, and gives you an emerging target of Goff and the Lions, with 11 targets in his opening two games.
As a bring back here, I’d go for one of the tandem of running backs for the Falcons. Robinson has been performing well, but has given up some touches to Allgeier, who would leave a decent amount on the table for other plays.
Stack 3 - Seattle Seahawks (v CAR)
O/U 42.5
Spread SEA -5.5 (SEA implied 24 Pts)
QB Geno Smith ($5,700)
RB Kenneth Walker ($6,200)
WR DK Metcalf ($6,900)
Total $18,800
Optional bring-back Hayden Hurst (CAR) +$3,800
Seattle won in Detroit, but were fortunate with some bad calls late in the game. Despite some questionable decsions in the pocket, Smith ended up with a decent fantasy score- which he should manage against this Panthers defense. The decsision to be made is then the receiver to stack him with. Tyler Lockett is a fine play, but after showing up last week is going to be the popular play. Instead, I’d opt for Metcalf who should be able to stretch this Panthers secondary. The third player I’d opt for is Walker, who is the lead back for the team, despite the Seahawks drafting Zach Charbonnet in the offseason.
The bring back of Hurst, comes with needing to opt for a pass-catcher and Hurst has been used plenty in the passing game for the Panthers. Hurst has a similar box score on the season as Adam Thielen and has scored one of the two TDs that Bryce Young has thrown this season.
Stack 4 - Los Angeles Chargers (@MIN)
O/U 54.0
Spread LAC -1.0 (LAC implied 27.5 Pts)
QB Justin Herbert ($7,500)
WR Keenan Allen ($7,600)
TE Gerald Everett ($3,800)
Total $18,900
Optional bring-back Jordan Addison (MIN) + $5,500
The Chargers looked great last week, at least through the air, as the connection between Herbert and Allen was as strong as ever. The Vikings secondary are going to struggle to keep Allen from racking up receptions and yards, and there should be plenty of scoring opportunities with the highest O/U on the slate. Adding Everett gives a bit of salary relief, and has some upside here if he gets into the endzone.
The bringback of Addison comes from needing some salary relief. After scoring in his last two games, he is on a hot streak and the Chargers secondary isn’t a unit to actively avoid. You could go with Osborn instead, who has been on the field far more than Addison, and has more targets on the season. In doing so you are saving $1.5k, but Addison has a better ceiling and a similar floor.
Stack 5 - Minnesota Vikings (v LAC)
O/U 54.0
Spread MIN +1.0 (DAL implied 26.5 Pts)
QB Kirk Cousins ($6,900)
RB Alexander Mattison ($5,800) **PIVOT TO WR K.J. Osborn $4,000**
WR Justin Jefferson ($9,300)
Total $22,000/ $20,200
Optional bring-back Gerald Everett (LAC) +$3,800
The Vikings offense has been able to find gaps in opposing defenses this season, and Jefferson is still yet to score a TD! The Chargers defense has given up points in each of their two games so far, so a Vikings stack is a nice option here at home. Mattison has been struggling to start the season, and this could be the matchup that he needs to get back on track. The Chargers run defense isn’t great, giving up rushing TDs in each of their opening games, and an average of over 100 yards on the ground. **AFTER THE TRADE FOR CAM AKERS: I’d pivot now to K.J. Osborn, who has been consistently on the field in the offense, and has more targets than rookie Jordan Addison. Offers great salary relief and a nice pivot from Addison’s ownership.
With the cost of Jefferson, salary relief would be needed here. Although I’m not sure really if I’d go for a bring-back here if Everett was the option- you are already risking the play of Mattison.
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Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
