Ladd McConkey Aims for Redemption Against Broncos as NFL Odds Overlook His Skills
As the NFL season progresses into Week 3, teams are beginning to reveal their tendencies and strategies. With two weeks of data at hand, we can pinpoint matchups that present enticing opportunities for players to shine. Here, we highlight our top three player prop bets, taking advantage of various NFL betting bonuses available on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings.
NFL Player Prop Picks
Ladd McConkey Over 57.5 Receiving Yards -114 on FanDuel
CeeDee Lamb Over 80.5 Receiving Yards -111 on DraftKings
Puka Nacua Over 6.5 Receptions +102 on FanDuel
McConkey Poised for a Strong Performance
The betting line for Ladd McConkey has shifted significantly, and it appears undervalued. Initially set at 71.5 yards in Week 1, it climbed to 74.5 yards in Week 2, only to drop to a surprising 57.5 yards for this week. Such a drastic reduction raises eyebrows, especially considering McConkey’s consistent involvement in the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense.
In Week 1, he racked up 74 receiving yards, and while his Week 2 performance yielded a modest 48 yards on five receptions, it was far from disappointing. Notably, in his 19 career games, McConkey has surpassed 50.5 receiving yards in 13 of those outings, including 12 of his last 13. The only game he fell short was the Chargers’ latest effort, but it’s crucial to note that he is still adapting to competition with established star Keenan Allen.
Despite Allen’s presence, the line still seems too low for a player who has shown significant growth since his rookie season. McConkey leads the Chargers in separation score and ranks second in win rate. Facing the Denver Broncos, a team that has been dissected by quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, offers a favorable matchup for McConkey, particularly since he primarily operates from the slot—well away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain’s coverage.
Lamb’s Hot Streak Expected to Continue
In contrast to the fading strategy based on recent results, we are backing CeeDee Lamb to continue his impressive start to the season. With the Dallas Cowboys’ defense struggling, they may need to lean heavily on their passing game. Lamb has consistently eclipsed his prop total, hitting the mark in 19 of his last 30 games, including 15 of 22 with quarterback Dak Prescott—if we exclude a game where Prescott was injured.
This season, Lamb has recorded 110 and 112 receiving yards in his first two games, benefiting from a high-target volume of 13 and 11, respectively. With the Chicago Bears’ secondary in disarray, including the absence of their top cornerback, Lamb is poised for another standout performance. Last week, the Lions showcased the vulnerabilities in the Bears’ defense, with two wide receivers surpassing 100 yards. Expect Lamb to exploit the same weaknesses this week.
Nacua’s Heavy Involvement Continues for the Rams
Similar to Lamb, Puka Nacua is a player making waves early in the season, and we expect that trend to persist. Having achieved over six receptions in both games thus far, Nacua’s workload and the favorable matchup make this prop tantalizing. Excluding two games with limited snaps last year, he has successfully recorded 7+ receptions in 10 of his last 13 games, averaging nearly 11 targets in that stretch.
The Los Angeles Rams effectively utilize Nacua by moving him around the formation, often setting him up for easy screen passes that contribute to his reception totals. When facing the Philadelphia Eagles last year, who boasted one of the league’s top defenses, Nacua managed nine receptions in one game and six in another, despite a playoff blizzard impeding play during the latter.
With the Eagles maintaining a strong run defense yet showing vulnerabilities in their secondary, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the Rams will lean heavily on the passing game again. Nacua is primed for another productive day on the field, reinforcing his value in this matchup.
As the landscape of the NFL continues to evolve, these player prop bets present intriguing prospects worth considering as we head into Week 3.
