We have yet to have a hammer running back addition hit the wire, but for the second week in a row, some interesting receiver options are available who could help out immediately.
We also have some movement at quarterback with one and perhaps two highly drafted guys scheduled to miss some time.
Let's look at all those options and every other notable player available on the waiver wire heading into Week 3.
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 fewer than 5% of ESPN leagues, for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because there is a much better resource for researching what you need to bid, thanks to our friends at FAABLab.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because, frankly, I don’t care about them and would like to see them disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Contents
Best Week 3 Wavier Wire Pickups: Quarterback
- Daniel Jones
- Marcus Mariota
- Mac Jones
- Michael Penix
Best Week 3 Wavier Wire Pickups: Running Back
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Blake Corum
- Tyler Allgeier
- Jeremy McNichols
- Kyle Monangai
Best Week 3 Wavier Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver
- Troy Franklin
- Wan'Dale Robinson
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Elic Ayomanor
- Kayshon Boutte
- Romeo Doubs
- Dyami Brown
Best Week 3 Wavier Wire Pickups: Tight Ends
- Harold Fannin Jr.
- Isaiah Likely
- Chig Okonkwo
Quarterback Waiver Targets, Week 3
1. Daniel Jones, Colts — Available in 78.8% of ESPN leagues
Is the Daniel Jones stuff real? I don't know. Will he keep getting QB sneak opportunities at the goal line? I don't know. What I do know is he is currently the QB2 overall, the QB10 in passing fantasy points per game if those rushing scores dry up, and the matchup against the Titans looks a lot better after the Rams averaged 7.4 yards per play against them in Week 2.
2. Marcus Mariota, Commanders — Available in 99.9% of ESPN leagues
Perhaps Marcus Mariota should be below Mac Jones because we don't know if Jayden Daniels is going to miss time, but the fantasy upside is worth a shot. If he starts, Mariota will be in a good spot against the Raiders. More importantly, he was a great fantasy option on an admittedly limited sample last season. Mariota averaged 0.92 fantasy points per dropback last year. He had 34 and 56 rushing yards in his two games with real playing time. Mariota has played at least 30 snaps in 16 games since the start of the 2022 season. He has 5 rushing scores in those 16 games while averaging 36 yards per contest.
3. Mac Jones, 49ers — Available in 98.6% of ESPN leagues
Kyle Shanahan expressed some optimism that Brock Purdy would return this week, but every report from late last week suggested Mac Jones will get another start. Jones did nothing wrong against the Saints, throwing for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Cardinals defense has benefited from starting the season against the Saints and Panthers. It is reasonable to think Jones can do an impression of Purdy in a good matchup if he gets the start.
4. Michael Penix, Falcons — Available in 71.8% of ESPN leagues
I would not include Michael Penix on this list in a normal week, but the rash of quarterback injuries means we need to dig a little deeper. The Falcons were able to sit on their hands and ride the running game on Sunday night, and that could happen again this week against the Panthers. It is a good matchup, though, and we saw Penix put up yards when pressed to throw in Week 1.
Watch List: It looks like Carson Wentz will get at least a couple of starts in Minnesota. He is in a good spot at home against the Bengals, but that game is tied for the lowest total of the week. The Vikings have also been one of the most run heavy teams in the league, sitting 7.1% under their expected pass rate. I would expect that to continue even with Aaron Jones out, since Jordan Mason is there to pick up the slack…That game state is also a concern for Jake Browning, and he does not have the benefit of a good matchup. The Bengals also reined in their pass rate during his starting run a couple of seasons ago, although they were still in the top half of the league…I am not going to chase the Russell Wilson game with the Chiefs next up on the schedule, but it does look like he will hold off Jaxson Dart for at least a little while longer…The Browns have both been pass heavy (2.9% over expected pass rate) and in enough negative game script that they are tied for the league lead in dropbacks. The problem is they get the Packers this week, and the schedule does not get much better after that. Still, it is something to keep in mind for later in the season. Of course, Joe Flacco may have already ceded the job to Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders by the time the better matchups come around.
Running Back Waiver Targets, Week 3
1. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars — Available in 60% of ESPN leagues
I am not going to linger too long here because Bhayshul Tuten should have been added last week. This was still Travis Etienne‘s backfield in Week 2, and there are no signs that will change. Still, Tuten stepped into that No. 2 role with Tank Bigsby no longer on the team, got 8 carries, and found the end zone on a catch. Tuten should get a handful of touches every week for those who are desperate in deeper leagues, and he has big upside if something happens to Etienne or the Jaguars decide to let the rookie loose if the season gets away from them.
2. Blake Corum, Rams — Available in 94.7% of ESPN leagues
It is not a great week on the wire for running back, so filling bench spots with high-upside handcuffs who can also offer some weekly touches makes sense. Blake Corum would not have fit that bill at this time last week, but he surprisingly logged 5 carries for 44 yards and got a touchdown in Week 2. 3 of those carries and the touchdown came in the fourth quarter, which is important to remember, but Kyren Williams has not exactly lit the world on fire so far this season, averaging 3.9 yards per touch. This is a situation to watch.
3. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons — Available in 65.9% of ESPN leagues
Tyler Allgeier is in a similar situation to Tuten. He should get a decent number of touches every week. He could also find the end zone from time to time. But he will likely need an injury ahead of him to be a real factor outside of deep leagues.
4. Jeremy McNichols, Commanders — Available in 99.9% of ESPN leagues
Chris Rodriguez should be active moving forward with Austin Ekeler headed to injured reserve, but he is not a real replacement for the Ekeler role in the offense. Jeremy McNichols might not be either, but he at least was active in the first two weeks and ran 12 routes in Week 2. Washington also added Chase Edmonds, making him a name to know in deep leagues.
5. Kyle Monangai, Bears — Available in 97.8% of ESPN leagues
It was not a promising Week 1 for those who jumped on the Kyle Monangai train before the season. Even with Roschon Johnson out due to injury, Monangai touched the ball just once in the season opener. Johnson was back this week, but he did not play a single snap. Instead, Monangai logged 7 carries, got 3 targets, and ran just 1 fewer route than D'Andre Swift.
Watch List: Dameon Pierce getting a healthy scratch on Monday night hurt my soul. Perhaps there is a trade coming, but it is more likely that the dream is dead. The dream is still alive for Woody Marks, who played 13 snaps and ran 7 routes on Monday night…As it should be, we saw the backfield tilt more toward Jaylen Warren in Week 2, but Kenneth Gainwell retained a big role and is still miles ahead of Kaleb Johnson, who made a key mistake on special teams…Kareem Hunt only had 2 fewer touches than Isiah Pacheco in Week 2 and had the 1 touch in goal to go. This looks like a situation to avoid, but Hunt does offer some weekly touches…Tony Pollard is the clear workhorse right now, but the Titans said this offseason they don't want that to be the case. That could mean Tyjae Spears has a decent role once he is off injured reserve.
Deep Cuts: As mentioned above, the Commanders added Chase Edmonds and need someone to fill that Ekeler role…Miles Sanders found the end zone, but he is well behind Javonte Williams in the pecking order. Also, pour some out for Jaydon Blue…AJ Dillon worked as the No. 2 option with Will Shipley sidelined, but that could change once Tank Bigsby acclimates to the offense…Chris Brooks is the passing down complement to Josh Jacobs right now, but I wonder if Emanuel Wilson will be the one we want if something happens to Jacobs…Antonio Gibson had one more touch than TreVeyon Henderson in Week 2…Tyler Badie ran just 1 fewer route than J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in Week 2. That is not enough for him to be fantasy viable, but it does put a dent in the other two.
Wide Receiver Waiver Targets, Week 3
1. Troy Franklin, Broncos — Available in 98% of ESPN leagues
It is certainly possible that what we saw in Week 2 from Troy Franklin was something of an anomaly, so some hesitation is warranted when it comes to FAAB bidding this week. That said, the usage more than the production is why we are excited. Franklin ran a route on 87.5% of Denver's dropbacks. He ran 4 more routes than Courtland Sutton. That has simply not happened in this Denver passing game since the start of last season. Even with that route rate, he was targeted on 32.1% of his routes. He is currently the WR15 in target rate per route this season. My offseason hope was that Marvin Mims would step into a full time role and be a fantasy factor. It looks like I picked the wrong Bronco.
2. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants — Available in 70.1% of ESPN leagues
Perhaps Wan'Dale Robinson should be first here, but he both has a No. 1 receiver I trust more — no shade at Courtland Sutton — and is in an offense I trust less. He does have an advantage over Franklin when it comes to my confidence in his role. Robinson has picked right back up as the No. 2 option in the passing game, and he is currently the WR21 in target share. More importantly, he is seeing more usage down the field. After averaging 4.7 air yards per target in 2024, he is at 10.4 air yards per target through two games this season. 22% of his targets have traveled at least 20 air yards.
3. Dontayvion Wicks, Packers — Available in 99.8% of ESPN leagues
Romeo Doubs (a few spots down) is the safer bet, but Dontayvion Wicks is the swing on upside. Wicks has been a target magnet when he has been on the field throughout his career. Since the start of last season, Wicks is the WR11 among 105 qualified receivers in target rate per route. Those targets have not always gone well — he had 8 drops last season — but those issues have yet to show up this year. With Jayden Reed off the field in Week 2, Wicks ran just 3 fewer routes than Doubs and saw 1 more target.
4. Elic Ayomanor, Titans — Available in 92.3% of ESPN leagues
We would still like to see Elic Ayomanor‘s route rate increase, but nothing happened in Week 2 to push us away from adding him where available, as I advised last week. He is currently the WR23 in target share and WR27 in target rate per route. Cam Ward needs to play better, which would get us more from this offense as a whole, but Ayomanor is a talented young receiver with a big role. That is what we want.
5. Kayshon Boutte, Patriots — Available in 73.6% of ESPN leagues
Kayshon Boutte got the touchdown, but his usage was not what we were hoping for coming off a big Week 1. Still, he ran a route on 73.3% of New England's dropbacks, the highest rate for any Patriot, and we have a history of him being a favorite target of Drake Maye. I am not bailing yet.
6. Romeo Doubs, Packers — Available in 79.7% of ESPN leagues
As mentioned above, Doubs is the safer option in Green Bay's banged up receiving corps because we know he is going to be on the field. He also has a decent history of earning targets himself, and he has been a factor as a touchdown scorer. Since Jordan Love took over in 2023, Doubs has been targeted on 19.5% of his routes and leads the team with 22 end zone targets.
7. Dyami Brown, Jaguars — Available in 98.2% of ESPN leagues
Travis Hunter took a step back in route rate in Week 2, and Dyami Brown stepped into a larger target share. Brown has now run a route on 84.2% of Jacksonville's dropbacks this season. The Jaguars have not been as pass heavy as we expected before the season, but they are still in the top half of the league in neutral pass rate and pass rate over expected.
Watch List: We don't know when Christian Kirk will be back, and the Houston passing offense has left a lot to be desired through two games…Hunter Renfrow scored twice, but he has 17.2% of the team's targets through two weeks and is averaging 6.6 yards per catch…The Bills did not have to throw in Week 2, and that could be the case again on Thursday night against the Dolphins. When they throw, though, Josh Palmer will have a meaningful role…DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, and Devontez Walker combined for 4 touchdown catches in Week 2. They also combined for 28 total routes…Isaac TeSlaa made another great catch and saw his route participation grow. Unfortunately, that still only resulted in 11 routes.
Deep Cuts: Tyquan Thornton would be an add if we knew Xavier Worthy was going to miss more time, but it sounds like Worthy could be back this week. Either way, Thornton brought the big play element this Chiefs passing game has been craving since the Tyreek Hill trade…Tory Horton is a fine stash in deep leagues, but that is all he is right now with Jaxon Smith–Njigba and Cooper Kupp dominating targets…Kavontae Turpin got the touchdown, but we still need him to get more routes…It is worth watching what happens to Isaiah Bond‘s playing time. His route rate was up to 39.2% in Week 2…The upside probably is not there, but Olamide Zaccheaus should offer targets in deeper leagues…Jauan Jennings is healthy, which does not leave a ton of room for Kendrick Bourne, but he did run a route on 61.9% of the 49ers' dropbacks in his first game with the team…Devaughn Vele got a touchdown, but he still ran just 8 routes…Parker Washington is not going to get enough targets to be a weekly factor as things stand now, but I continue to contend he is a quality receiver.
Tight End Waiver Targets, Week 3
1. Harold Fannin Jr, Browns — Available in 72.3% of ESPN leagues
I am surprised Fannin still qualifies for this list — Juwan Johnson is also out there in a shocking number of leagues and is a primary add for those who need help at tight end — and the case for Fannin has not changed after Week 2. He ran a route on 64.7% of Cleveland's dropbacks, but he was able to get 5 targets because the Browns were forced into a pass heavy game script. That could keep happening, but Fannin will bottom out some weeks if his route participation does not increase.
2. Isaiah Likely, Ravens — Available in 93.5% of ESPN leagues
Isaiah Likely appears to be nearing a return, and he is joining a team that has gotten nothing from Mark Andrews through two weeks. Outside of Zay Flowers, no pass catcher has stepped up and claimed targets. With tight end as weak as it is right now, Likely is worth a speculative add to see what he can do when healthy.
3. Chig Okonkwo, Titans — Available in 90.2% of ESPN leagues
Elic Ayomanor has stepped into the No. 2 pass catcher spot, but we did get better usage for Chig Okonkwo in Week 2, and he has now run a route on 78.7% of Tennessee's dropbacks. That route participation is 14th among qualified tight ends. We are digging deep here, but that is the state of the tight end position right now. I hope you got Juwan Johnson last week.
Watch List: I am not selling out on Brenton Strange entirely, but it has not happened for him in two good spots to open the season…There is a case to be made for Ja'Tavion Sanders, who earned a 17% target share in Week 2, but his counting stats were bolstered by the sheer number of attempts for the Panthers. The Falcons have also shut down tight ends to this point in the season…Jonnu Smith has run a route on just 54.8% of Pittsburgh's dropbacks so far this season…Dalton Schultz did manage 4 targets on Monday night, and the Texans are desperate for options behind Nico Collins…Luke Farrell ended up with the touchdown, but Jake Tonges once again ran more routes and earned 5 targets…A.J. Barner got a touchdown, but the Seahawks are not passing enough to really support anyone behind Jaxon Smith–Njigba and Cooper Kupp.