Top daily fantasy football plays for Thursday’s Week 3 preseason games

SB Nation will be bringing you the top options on virtually all preseason slates through the end of August. There are just two games on the Thursday slate, so the options are a bit more limited for DraftKings and FanDuel slates. This is also “dress rehearsal” week, so regular starters are more in play than in Weeks 1 and 2. As is always the case, keep an eye on Twitter throughout the day on gamedays, as injury and lineup news is always coming in prior to kickoff, turning popular plays into fades and lifting obscure plays into tournament-winning position.

First off, while Cam Newton is going to start for the Panthers tonight, he is not expected to play anywhere near the amount of plays of the other three starters on this slate, and it’s doubtful he does a lot of throwing in his first game, so don’t go there. As for the rest …

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins

The Eagles’ offense has not looked good through two games, but they’ve been shredding the Miami defense in joint practices this week, so there is hope. If the trend carries over to tonight’s game, Wentz has a great chance to be the highest-scoring quarterback on the slate.

Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers

The Jaguars announced Wednesday that Henne will be the starter against the Panthers, although Blake Bortles will also get snaps with the first unit. That might limit Henne’s time under center, depending on how long the first unit stays into the game. But a quarter and a half is probably the minimum, and a full half seems likely. That should be enough time for Henne, who is now in prime position to win the starting job outright, to put up enough numbers to convince the coaching staff of his worthiness.

Jay Cutler, Dolphins at Eagles

The Dolphins are saying a lot of good things about Cutler’s pocket presence, and the Eagles do not possess anything resembling a lockdown secondary. Cutler should have a very long leash in his final preseason tuneup, and the Dolphins want to see him throw the ball, so opportunity is there for a nice stat line at what is probably low ownership for a guy with Cutler’s poor reputation.

Christian McCaffrey, Panthers at Jaguars

The Panthers’ game last week was the lone afternoon game on Saturday, and wasn’t part of most DFS slates. Maybe people didn’t notice his plentiful stat line? Probably not, but so what, this guy needs to be in your lineup. And he needs to be an early pick in your season-long drafts. He’s the real thing.

Jay Ajayi, Dolphins at Eagles

Ajayi had two carries last week after spending time early this month in concussion protocol. He should get something closer to a full load in Week 3, although it would be wise to check Dolphins Twitter feeds during the day for more clarity on his expected workload. If Ajayi is going to be limited, Senorise Perry leaps to the fore as a quality option.

Wendell Smallwood/Corey Clement, Eagles vs. Dolphins

Keep a close eye on Twitter pregame news out of Philadelphia, as the availability of Smallwood could have an enormous impact on tournaments. Smallwood has been practicing this week and if he makes his preseason debut tonight, he has a chance to put up big numbers even in what would probably be a limited role. If Smallwood sits out again, Clement has a chance to be the top point-getter at the position against a bad Dolphins defense. Even if Smallwood plays, Clement is a fine option.

Allen Robinson, Dede Westbrook, Jaguars vs. Panthers

Robinson and Westbrook were the two most active receivers last week, and both have a chance to repeat those performances this week. Robinson, who had 10 targets last week, gets to work with Henne to start the game, which immediately improves his chances. Westbrook worked almost exclusively with third-stringer Brandon Allen in the fourth quarter, and that combo could be back in business in garbage time once again.

Alshon Jeffery, Eagles vs. Dolphins

Jeffery has not had a great preseason, but he and Wentz clicked like never before during Monday’s practice, and there’s a Mike Evans Week 1/Dez Bryant Week 2 feel to this one, when those No. 1 receivers went off in their limited time. Something tells me Jeffery is going to have that kind of game with the Eagles determined to put a solid offensive game together

Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers at Jaguars

With Newton starting, his top receivers should see some better throws than they’ve been getting from Derek Anderson. Benjamin had a couple of catches last week, but with more playing time tonight and his QB under center, Benjamin has a chance to stand out in this one.

Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Dolphins at Eagles

Admittedly, it’s impossible to know which one of these guys is going to have a big game, but with the Dolphins wanting Cutler to get as acclimated as possible to his receivers in this final dress rehearsal, the targets should be there to make at least one a top-scoring receiver on the slate.

Greg Olsen, Panthers at Jaguars

See Benjamin. Olsen should be play considerably more snaps and you know Newton will be looking for him as long as he’s in the game. He’s certainly the most talented tight end on the slate, which makes him the top option by default.

Zach Ertz, Eagles vs. Dolphins

Ertz is the second-best tight end. He’s also a fine option against the poor Dolphins defense.