Unfortunately, Week 2 brought even more injuries to big-name fantasy players, some of whom will be missing a long time.
When a running back is hurt, we usually have a backup we can target with big FAAB bids, but that might not be the case this week with Isiah Pacheco and the Chiefs.
An already nebulous workload split between Samaje Perine and Carson Steele might be further complicated if the Chiefs bring in Kareem Hunt, who started his career in Kansas City and is set to visit the team.
We will discuss that situation and more in the Week 3 Wavier Wire.
As a reminder, recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.
The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in no more than 5% of ESPN leagues for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because that decision comes down to too many factors to make an accurate recommendation including league size, team weaknesses, and the aggressiveness of the other managers in your league.
That said, I will try to clarify when there is a player I am going big on in FAAB bidding.
Also, FAAB Lab is a great, crowdsourced way to get a feel for how much a player will cost in FAAB bidding each week.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because frankly I don’t care about them and want them to disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
- Derek Carr
- Deshaun Watson
- Justin Fields
- Sam Darnold
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
- Samaje Perine
- Carson Steele
- Cam Akers
- Kareem Hunt
- Bucky Irving
- Braelon Allen
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
- Demarcus Robinson
- Jordan Whittington
- Quentin Johnston
- Jauan Jennings
- Alec Pierce
- Jalen Tolbert
- Noah Brown
- Elijah Moore
- Britain Covey
- Jahan Dotson
- Jalen Nailor
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
- Brenton Strange
- Hunter Henry
- Mike Gesicki
- Jonnu Smith
- Zach Ertz
Best Quarterback Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
1. Derek Carr – Available in 90.4% of leagues
Carr went into Dallas and proved his performance in Week 1 against the Panthers was no fluke. There are certainly some areas in which he will regress – 11.4% of his completions have been at least 20 yards, and he has completed 61.5% of his throws of at least 15 air yards for 19.9 yards per attempt – but this offense looks like it will be good. And we want the quarterback of a good offense.
2. Deshaun Watson – Available in 68.8% of leagues
It was not a massive fantasy day for Watson, but he looked much better against the Jaguars and found the end zone on the ground. Those are positive signs heading into a great matchup at home against the Giants. The concern is the Giants will not score enough to push Cleveland’s offense – the game total is currently 38.5 points – but this is a good spot for this entire passing game. The Giants have allowed 8.2 yards per attempt so far this season.
3. Justin Fields – Available in 68% of leagues
It is certainly possible the Steelers go back to Russell Wilson, who appears to be nearing full health, but that will be tough with Pittsburgh sitting at 2-0. Mike Tomlin has said he is planning as if Fields will start this week. Even if that is the case, the potential game environment with the Chargers is not ideal, but Fields’ rushing ability always gives him a shot at a usable fantasy game.
4. Sam Darnold – Available in 94.4% of leagues
Darnold currently sits as the QB10 after throwing for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns against the 49ers. Perhaps he should be above Fields in this pecking order, but the potential even if unlikely absence of Justin Jefferson and the matchup give me pause. The Texans gave up some deep passes and rushing production to Anthony Richardson, but for the most part, they have gotten pressure and stood up well against the pass.
Watch List: Geno Smith threw for 300 yards against the Patriots, but pressure continues to be a concern. This week, he also has game environment questions going against a Dolphins team without Tua Tagovailoa…Daniel Jones heavily targeted Malik Nabers and was at least fine against what is likely one of the worst defenses in the league. That gives us some hope for future good matchups, but this week in Cleveland is not one of those…Malik Willis only had to throw 14 passes as the Packers ran over the Colts. He has a #RevengeGame narrative this week against the Titans if he gets the start, but the Titans’ revamped defense has lived up to the billing through two weeks…Bouncebacks from Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins have made Jameis Winston and Michael Penix less attractive holds in Superflex, but stashing them still makes sense if possible…Andy Dalton is taking over in Carolina. He was quietly fine in his last season with the Saints, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt with a low 7.1% off target rate, but he is only an option in deeper 2QB leagues until we see how this offense works. His real fantasy impact could be unlocking Diontae Johnson.
Best Running Back Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
1. Samaje Perine – Available in 96.4% of leagues
2. Carson Steele – Available in 98.4% of leagues
This is a tough situation because there is not one clear back that will take on Isiah Pacheco’s role without even considering a potential addition to the depth chart – more on Kareem Hunt below. It is notable Steele was given the clock-killing carries against the Bengals despite losing a fumble earlier in the game, and he might be the best bet for usage around the goal line – Pacheco handled nearly 70% of the running back goal-to-go carries last season. On the other hand, Perine was used as a clear lead back filling in for Joe Mixon at times with the Bengals, and he is likely to add more early-down runs to his receiving role. Perine has run a route on 9 of the Chiefs’ 14 third-down dropbacks. I am prioritizing Perine here because he already has a role that lends itself to fantasy value and could add on work in the scoring area, but both need to be added. More importantly, the uncertainty makes it tougher to blow a ton of FAAB on this situation like we may if (when) another big-name running back goes down.
3. Cam Akers – Available in 99.5% of leagues
It looks like Joe Mixon will be fine, but adding Akers as some insurance makes sense in a somewhat weak fantasy running back market. Dameon Pierce sat out Week 2 with a hamstring injury he appeared to pick up during practice, making him extremely questionable for this week. If both Mixon and Pierce are out, Akers should lead the charge and has shown well thus far with the Texans.
4 Kareem Hunt – Available in 98.4% of leagues
Hunt signing with Kansas City’s practice squad is interesting because he has a history with the team and the offense. However, he struggled with the Browns last season. Among 68 qualified running backs, he was 66th in explosive run rate, 45th in negative run rate, and dead last in yards after contract per rush. He was more explosive and created more after contact in 2022, but this is not the same back from his early days with the Chiefs. We also have to see when he is ready to join the active roster. Perhaps it is as early as this week given his history with the scheme, but as we have seen in Dallas with Dalvin Cook, these things can take some time.
5. Bucky Irving – Available in 70.5% of leagues
Irving predictably struggled as a runner against Detroit’s stout run defense, but not as much as Rachaad White, who also picked up a groin injury in that game. White returned after the injury, and there has been no indication he will miss any time, but it is something to note when considering which of the many available backups to stash on the bench.
6. Braelon Allen – Available in 92.6% of leagues
Allen remains nothing more than a handcuff, but I am putting him on the list this week because he represents the kind of back we would spend A TON of FAAB on if something were to happen to Breece Hall. Allen has proven he is the clear backup to Hall, and he has flashed nearly every time he has touched the ball including scoring 2 touchdowns against the Titans. Hall will hopefully stay healthy all season, but Allen is the kind of get ahead stash that makes sense and could save you a lot of FAAB if there is room on your bench.
Watch List: Rico Dowdle played more snaps and had one more carry than Ezekiel Elliott in the first half against the Saints, but Deuce Vaughn also had four carries of his own. Also, Dalvin Cook remains on the practice squad, although Jerry Jones shot down the idea of him being activated this week. This looks like a situation to avoid until someone emerges as the clear lead…Alexander Mattison showed the downside of a committee back in a lackluster offense this week…Jaylen Wright is just a handcuff with De’Von Achane healthy, but Wright still carries a lot of upside…Derrick Henry has yet to run a route on third down this season, showing Justice Hill is the clear passing down option…Ray Davis is still playing behind Ty Johnson but has looked good when he gets the ball…Jamaal Williams is much more interesting as a handcuff now that the Saints offense looks great…Antonio Gibson saw a spike in playing time and made the most of his work in Week 2, but he is still the secondary back in a bad offense.
Deep Cuts: I am not sure when Clyde Edwards–Helaire will return as he deals with a personal issue, but he is eligible to return in Week 5…I almost put D’Onta Foreman in the adds section, but he is at best on the 1A side of a timeshare with Jerome Ford. Still, if you need carries in deeper leagues, he should offer them. He also got the work near the goal line in Week 2…I expect Dameon Pierce to sit this week and Joe Mixon to play, but Pierce could still be a contingency add in deep leagues…With Christian McCaffrey on the shelf for a while and Jordan Mason leading the backfield, Isaac Guerendo is next up in the often profitable 49ers handcuff sweepstakes.
Best Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
1. Demarcus Robinson – Available in 66.4% of leagues
2. Jordan Whittington – Available in 98.7% of leagues
I do not want to spend much time on Robinson because he was almost certainly added in competitive leagues even if his roster percentage does not show that, but the overall concept of him being the most likely of the Rams receivers to score touchdowns remains. Of course, it is fair to wonder how many touchdowns will be available with all the injuries to the receiving corps and offensive line.
Whittington is far more interesting because he appeared to take over a starting job in the second half against the Cardinals. After not running a route in Week 1, Whittington ran 13 against the Cardinals. That was 12 fewer than Tyler Johnson, who also remains available and may end up being the better pickup, but in the second half, Robinson and Whittington were the primary receivers with Tutu Atwell playing more than Johnson. Whittington was also a star in the preseason, and this playing time progression suggests he could be establishing himself as a primary option with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out.
You can make a case for every Rams receiver given the uncertainty, but Whittington is the biggest home run swing of the bunch.
3. Quentin Johnston – Available in 93.1% of leagues
We might not want any attachment to the Chargers’ passing game, but at some point they will be in game scripts that force them to throw even if that is unlikely to happen this week against the Steelers. Johnston is tied with Ladd McConkey for the team lead in targets and is averaging a solid enough 2.12 yards per route run with 8.1 yards per target. Both are big improvements over his rookie season. It is also important to remember this guy was a first round pick just last year.
4. Jauan Jennings – Available in 98.6% of leagues
Jennings is worth a look with Deebo Samuel expected to miss time, but he has not been a fantasy superstar when one of the top receivers has been out in recent seasons. Jennings has run 238 routes with either Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk off the field since 2022. He has averaged 1.4 yards per route run with a target on 16.4% of his routes in that span. With just Samuel off the field, it is 1.45 yards per route run and a 17.2% target rate per route. George Kittle has benefited much more from one of the top two receivers missing time.
5. Alec Pierce – Available in 86.5% of leagues
I may have a blind spot here for Pierce because I expect Josh Downs back soon and just don’t trust there will be enough volume in this offense, but he earned as many targets as Michael Pittman and scored another touchdown.
6. Jalen Tolbert – Available in 96% of leagues
Tolbert appeared to have the role those who drafted him this summer were hoping for in Week 2. It was not just garbage time, either. Tolbert tied CeeDee Lamb for the team lead in targets in the first half against the Saints. The Cowboys need someone besides Lamb to step up even if Jake Ferguson can return this week.
7. Noah Brown – Available in 99.8% of leagues
We still have not seen Brown take over the No. 2 role in Washington, but he was active in Week 2 and led the receivers with 56 yards on his 3 targets. The Commanders need someone to step into that No. 2 role, and Brown’s route participation should only increase as he gets more comfortable in the offense.
8. Elijah Moore – Available in 99.2% of leagues
Moore has run a route on 87.8% of Cleveland’s dropbacks with David Njoku off the field this season and has a 20% target share on those plays. Unfortunately, he is only averaging 5.9 yards per reception, but that could still be valuable in deeper PPR leagues. Moore also had strong splits with Deshaun Watson playing last season, earning 21.2% of the targets but still averaging just 8.5 yards per catch.
9. Britain Covey – Available in 99.9% of leagues
10. Jahan Dotson – Available in 90.8% of leagues
We found out on the Monday night broadcast that A.J. Brown expects to miss more time, which is a tough pill to swallow for those who drafted him early. Perhaps those people is me. The Eagles traded for Jahan Dotson presumably for him to be the No. 3 receiver and primary backup, and he did run a route on 85.7% of dropbacks on Monday night. It was Covey, however, who earned 6 targets and had plays drawn up for him near the end zone. Will that continue? Will there be any fantasy value for pass catchers not named DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert with Brown out? Those are open questions – I lean toward no on both – but it at least makes Covey and Dotson interesting in deeper leagues.
11. Jalen Nailor – Available in 99.5% of leagues
Nailor would be higher on this list if Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison were out this week, but it looks like both are trending toward playing. Nailor should still be on the field with everyone active, but he has not proven to be a target earner even with increased opportunity.
Watch List: Tyler Johnson seemed to fall out of the rotation in the second half against the Cardinals, running fewer routes than Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Whittington, and Tutu Atwell, but there is an opportunity with Cooper Kupp expected to miss time…Curtis Samuel is clearly behind Khalil Shakir on the depth chart, which makes him tough to roster in standard leagues…The Patriots’ receiver situation is too muddled to make much fantasy sense, especially in a low-upside passing game. Ja’Lynn Polk did find the end zone in Week 2 while DeMario Douglas has expressed frustration about his lack of targets…There are rumblings Tee Higgins will be back this week, which would put a damper on Andrei Iosivas’ fantasy appeal even after he scored 2 touchdowns against the Chiefs…The Cardinals’ target tree looked a lot more like what we expected before the season, which is bad news for Greg Dortch…Josh Downs should be back this week, which likely makes both Downs and Adonai Mitchell unusable for fantasy…It was nice that Dontayvion Wicks got a touchdown, but there is unlikely to be enough passing to support even one fantasy receiver as long as Jordan Love is out…Wan’Dale Robinson got into the end zone, but he ran a route on just 70% of the dropbacks as the Giants correctly focused on Malik Nabers in Week 2…It has not worked out for him to this point, but Rashod Bateman is running a lot of routes for the Ravens.
Deep Cuts: As mentioned above, Tutu Atwell ran more routes than Tyler Johnson and drew 2 targets in the second half against the Cardinals…Ray-Ray McCloud got another 5 targets and is clearly going to be a factor in the Atlanta passing game…I’m not sure how much I want to invest in the Denver passing game, but Josh Reynolds has been consistently involved. We should also get Devaughn Vele back at some point. Meanwhile, pour some out for Marvin Mims…Jalen McMillan will struggle for targets behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but he looks like a good player who carries some contingency value…It might not matter because Tee Higgins is expected back soon, but Jermaine Burton ran 8 routes in Week 2, which is a step in the right direction…DeAndre Hopkins is still not a full-time player and does not seem fully healthy. That opens the door for Treylon Burks, but we need to see this passing game be better…Amon–Ra St. Brown should be fine, but Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick are names to know if that is not the case.
Best Tight End Waiver Pickups, Fantasy Football Week 3
1. Brenton Strange – Available in 99.9% of leagues
Things may change after the Jaguars have a full week to game plan, but Strange ran a route on 74.3% of Jacksonville’s dropbacks in Week 2, earned a target on 23.1% of those routes, and averaged 2.5 yards per route run. He is also not some scrub. Strange was a second-round pick just last year. With it sounding like Evan Engram will miss some time, Strange could be a multi-week starter.
2. Hunter Henry – Available in 89.9% of leagues
Henry has been the No. 1 pass catcher for the Patriots, running 7 more routes than the next closest player and seeing a massive 31.9% target share thanks to his 12 targets against the Seahawks. He was only targeted 3 times in Week 1, but one of those was New England’s only throw to the end zone, where we know Henry is a factor. It is tough to get excited about anyone in this passing game, but Henry can be viable if he is the clear No. 1 target at a low bar position.
3. Mike Gesicki – Available in 97.5% of leagues
Gesicki is tough because he has run a route on just 48.7% of the Bengals dropbacks through two weeks, but he was targeted on 25% of his routes in Week 1 including what should have been a touchdown and followed that up with 9 targets against the Chiefs. The potential return of Tee Higgins adds another layer of uncertainty, but the matchup this week against the Commanders is appealing.
4. Jonnu Smith – Available in 97.7% of leagues
The Dolphins used Smith as we expected them to all offseason against the Bills, giving him short targets and asking him to win after the catch. More importantly, he ran a route on 70% of the dropbacks in the first half when the game was still in doubt. The entire Dolphins offense takes a hit with Tua Tagovailoa out, but Smith’s usage in Week 2 might be exactly what Skylar Thompson needs as he tries to keep things afloat.
5. Zach Ertz – Available in 93.7% of leagues
Ertz was exactly what we expected in Week 2, leading the team with 62 yards on 4 catches, which was second on the team. His role is locked in, which makes him viable in deeper and TE premium formats.
Watch List: Luke Schoonmaker commanded 6 targets against the Saints, but he ran a route on only 33.3% of Dallas’ dropbacks. More importantly, it seems like Jake Ferguson will be back this week…Cole Kmet did actually see some targets on Sunday night, but he has now run a route on just 49.4% of Chicago’s dropbacks through two games…We are seeing the route participation we want for Noah Fant, but he will struggle to earn targets behind those top three receivers…The Packers are unlikely to throw enough without Jordan Love for it to matter, but Tucker Kraft was once again the lead tight end. It is something to revisit once Love returns…Ja’Tavion Sanders found himself in a timeshare with Tommy Tremble in Week 2, but he is a name to watch as the Panthers look to turn around the passing game with Andy Dalton.
