This article is part of our DraftKings NFL series.
It's the third week of preseason action, which means most of the regular starters will be playing two full quarters, if not three. Then again, Tom Brady probably doesn't even need to play and it's doubtful he'll see the field more than last game when he attempted nine passes. Still, Brady's playing time will make drafting Jimmy Garoppolo tough and leaves only a couple options at quarterback.
QUARTERBACK
Matthew Stafford, DET vs. NE - The Patriots don't show their cards in the preseason and that leads to offenses carving them up (58 points allowed to Jags and Texans in first two games). Stafford and Russell Wilson are the best bets of the day with Brady a toss-up. I like the Lions to get Stafford plenty of work early and replicate what he's done in the first couple games on 10-of-13 passing for 120 yards and a touchdown.
RUNNING BACK
Chris Carson, SEA vs. KC - Carson never stood out to me in college, but here he is, in my preseason NFL picks. He's listed ahead of Alex Collins on the depth chart, and I'll take him over Eddie Lacy for this game with C.J. Prosise and Thomas Rawls both out. Carson has 66 total yards and a couple touchdowns through the first two games.
Dwayne Washington, DET vs. NE - Washington has been Detroit's best running back in preseason (16 touches, 74 yards) and that should continue. He leads the team with 14 carries, and the Lions definitely don't want to give Ameer Abdullah more touches in a game that doesn't mean anything.
WIDE RECEIVER
Doug Baldwin, SEA vs. KC - Receiver is tough in preseason because some guys need a quarter or two to get into the game. Baldwin is one of the few top receivers who has a decent yardage (69) through the first two games. The Chiefs haven't seen an above-average offense yet, and Wilson should create some trouble with his receivers.
Marvin Jones, DET vs. NE - I'm taking Jones ahead of Golden Tate because I think the Lions may play Jones a series more. They need to Jones implemented into the offense better after dropping off last year, and hopefully that will result in some more targets against the Patriots.
Austin Carr, NE at DET - The Patriots have been all over the place in terms of getting the ball to receivers this preseason, but Carr is one of the better ones with eight catches for 75 yards. I don't expect Brady and the first team to be on the field more than two quarters and that should equal plenty of time for Carr and Garoppolo against a bad Lions secondary.
TIGHT END
Travis Kelce, KC at SEA - With Eric Ebron injured and Ron Gronkowski not playing much, there aren't many places to go for tight end. Kelce is my pick because he's one of the top options in the Chiefs' passing game and should see one target at a minimum.
FLEX
Mike Gillislee, NE at DET - I'd like to take more players from the Patriots, but their production has varied in the first two games. This will be Gillislee's first game of the preseason and he should see a decent amount of work as he's considered fully recovered from a bum hamstring. With Rex Burkhead likely out, Dion Lewis is a solid pick, as well. Detroit's defense has good early preseason numbers, but its two opponents have been the Colts and Jets.
DEFENSE
Seattle Seahawks vs. KC - I don't like any of the defenses Friday night, but have to pick one. The Seahawks are slightly better than the Chiefs defensively, so I'll hope they contain Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes and maybe force the rookie into a couple mistakes in the second half.
