Week 3 Bargain Plays: Bears' Brian Hoyer makes for a cut-price fantasy QB
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Here's a look at the top daily fantasy budget options for Week 3 of the NFL season:
QB Brian Hoyer, Bears (at Cowboys)
With Jay Cutler (thumb) all but ruled out for Sunday's meeting with the Cowboys, Hoyer looks set to make his first start as a Bear. Hoyer threw two or more touchdowns in seven of 11 appearances last season with the Texans, and Chicago's Alshon Jeffery (201 yards receiving through two games) can serve as a stand-in for DeAndre Hopkins, Hoyer's favorite target in Houston.
Dallas has allowed Eli Manning and Kirk Cousins to combine for 553 yards passing and four touchdowns thus far; if Hoyer can produce around 250 yards and two scores, it will represent a solid return on his backup-level price.
Hoyer appeared late in Monday's loss to the Eagles in relief of Cutler, and was an efficient 9-of-12 for 78 yards, connecting twice with each of Jeffery, WR Kevin White and TE Zach Miller.
WR Cole Beasley, Cowboys (vs. Bears)
Beasley isn't the flashiest choice, but he's nevertheless a serviceable PPR option despite not having caught a touchdown. In two games, the 5-foot-8 slot receiver has seen 18 targets, pulling down 13 receptions for 140 yards.
While none of Dallas' pass-catchers have found the end zone, Beasley leads the team in yards and receptions, and is tied for the lead in targets with TE Jason Witten.
Rookie QB Dak Prescott ranks 23rd in the NFL in averaging 6.92 yards per attempt; the conservative approach should continue to lend itself well to Beasley's fantasy production, especially since his near-minimum price makes him far more affordable than either Witten or fellow WR Dez Bryant.
TE Trey Burton, Eagles (vs. Steelers)
Still available at the absolute minimum price on some sites, Burton proved to be a worthy fill-in for the injured Zach Ertz, catching five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' Monday night win over the Bears.
Fellow backup Brent Celek was virtually ignored, seeing a mere one target to Burton's seven while mostly being involved as a blocker. With Ertz's rib injury expected to keep him out of the lineup for at least another game, Burton should once again start and receive the bulk of the passing snaps.
Ertz saw seven targets in Week 1, recording six catches for 58 yards, and with Burton following that up with a similar stat line, it seems safe to assume that the tight end will continue to be a significant part of the offense with rookie QB Carson Wentz under center.
RB Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers (vs. Vikings)
Another minimum-priced injury replacement, Artis-Payne could see the bulk of Carolina's rushing work despite having been inactive for each of the first two weeks. In three games at the end of last season where Jonathan Stewart was held out of the lineup, Artis-Payne carried 33 times for 152 yards, while catching five passes for 58 yards.
Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert will each see some touches with Stewart (hamstring) out, with QB Cam Newton also carrying his share of the rushing load. So while the second-year man won't necessarily receive a heavy workload, he's seen as the best fit to fill the lead-back vacancy.
The Panthers lead the NFL with 166.5 rushing yards per game, so the commitment to the run will be there even against a stingy Minnesota defense that has allowed 73.5 rushing yards per contest thus far. At Artis-Payne's basement-level price, it won't take much to return solid value even if he doesn't exceed 15 touches.