NFL Preseason Week 3 DFS plays for Friday's slate

• Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Khalil Shakir boasts the NFL’s seventh-best rookie PFF receiving grade (87.3) and has a great matchup for DFS purposes on tap against the Carolina Panthers.

• Los Angeles Chargers slot receiver Michael Bandy has been creating separation at will against preseason cornerbacks, earning a league-leading 18 targets in the process. The University of San Diego alum belongs on an NFL roster.

• A barrage of injuries has cleared the way for second-year New England Patriots wide receiver Tre Nixon to leave his mark.

Welcome to the NFL Preseason Week 3 DFS plays of the week. All players and defense/special teams units on this list come with a $5,500 DraftKings salary. From chalk plays to contrarian options, this list has DFS competitors covered.

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WR Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

Draft Kings salary: $5,500

Shakir, the Bills’ fifth-round draft pick, has stormed his way to an 87.3 PFF receiving grade, which trails only that of teammate Stefon Diggs and his 90.8. The Bills brought in veteran slot receiver Jamison Crowder this offseason to compete with Isaiah McKenzie, but the latter won that battle almost immediately while Shakir has made the case that McKenzie shouldn’t be the only one to push Crowder down a spot. Shakir’s 4.43 yards per route run ranks second among all NFL rookies with at least six preseason targets and his six explosive pass play gains of 15 yards or more rank No. 1. Expect Shakir to get open with ease against a Panthers’ secondary that has allowed an explosive pass play on 14% of their coverage snaps this preseason, tied for eighth most in the NFL.

The PFF Fantasy Draft Guide notably tagged Shakir as a value pick in season-long fantasy formats. Be sure to keep eye on PFF’s draft rankings and projections for any movement for the rookie wide receiver.

RB Raheem Blackshear, Buffalo Bills

Draft Kings salary: $5,500

Bills head coach Sean McDermott made clear that Friday night’s game is all about the backups. It is a near-given that Devin Singletary, James Cook and Zack Moss are roster locks, which leaves UDFA rookie Blackshear to duke it out with journeyman Duke Johnson Jr.