Waiver Wire: Week 3
Through two weeks, we’ve seen a significant decline in scoring and passing. Also, injuries piled up in Week 2. That will force many fantasy managers to turn to the Waiver Wire: Week 3 to replenish rosters.
Along with knowing who to pick up, FullTime Fantasy‘s Matchup Analyzer Tool will help you get the most out of your lineup.
Here are the low-rostered players you should consider adding ahead of the season’s third week.
Bucky Irving (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Irving only saw three fewer carries than Rachaad White last week. Speaking of White, he’s dealing with a groin injury that could result in reduced snaps. Also, White has been inefficient. That opens the door for Irving to secure a larger share of playing time for the first-place Bucs.
Carson Steele (RB) Kansas City Chiefs – The loss of Isiah Pacheco (leg) for multiple weeks will leave a huge void in Kansas City’s backfield. The benefactor will be Patrick Mahomes and the passing game. However, Steele logged seven rushing attempts against the Bengals. Andy Reid will probably resort to a committee backfield. But the rookie fullback is the favorite to lead the team in attempts and short-yardage work moving forward.
Samaje Perine (RB) Kansas City Chiefs – Perine can also see an increased role while Pacheco is sidelined. He’s been buried on the depth chart so far. However, nothing shakes up a depth chart more than losing a standout rusher. Perine is the favorite to see more targets and may factor in change-of-pace carries.
Kareem Hunt (FA) – It’s rumored that a reunion with Kareem Hunt and the Chiefs could happen. If Hunt signs with Kansas City, he would vault up to the No. 1 waiver priority.
Quentin Johnston (WR) Los Angeles Chargers – We can’t count on multiple touchdowns every week. Johnston is tied for the team lead with 11 targets through two contests. This is a low-volume Charger’s passing attack. However, Johnston has some fleeting value as a streamer with bye weeks on the horizon.
Ja’Lynn Polk (WR) New England Patriots – Against Seattle, Polk ranked second on the team in snaps (41) and routes run (22). Polk, K.J. Osborn, and Demario Douglas are the top wideouts to target in New England. Polk and Osborn are available in over 75% of public leagues.
Braelon Allen (RB) New York Jets – Don’t overreact to Allen’s two-score performance. Allen only had nine touches and is the No. 2 to Breece Hall. However, New York’s passing attack hasn’t impressed, so it’s feasible to think that Allen could see 8-12 weekly touches. If you’re a Hall manager, prioritize adding Allen as a handcuff where he’s still available on waivers.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) New York Giants – Robinson has a healthy 16 targets through two games. That’s the same amount of looks as Chris Godwin and Courtland Sutton.
Josh Reynolds (WR) Denver Broncos – Denver’s passing attack has been abysmal. However, Reynolds has absorbed more targets than Diontae Johnson, Stefon Diggs, and Terry McLaurin through two games. The ceiling is low, but that volume makes Reynolds a decent option for managers dealing with injury woes.
Hunter Henry (TE) New England Patriots – Fantasy football’s No. 4 tight end through two weeks, Henry leads the Patriots with 15 targets and 10 grabs. With several elite tight ends missing or underperforming, Henry needs to be rostered in all leagues as a viable weekly option.
Antonio Gibson (RB) New England Patriots – After generating 18 yards on seven Week 1 touches, Gibson exploded for 103 scrimmage yards on a dozen touches against Seattle. It’s probably an anomaly. However, that kind of performance shouldn’t be disregarded fully. Rhamondre Stevenson managers with a free roster spot might want to target Gibson.
Jordan Whittington (WR) Los Angeles Rams – After losing Puka Nacua the Rams are now dealing with a Cooper Kupp injury. Whittington has run 64.3% of his routes out of the slot, which is second only to Kupp’s 69.4% slot rate. Whittington, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Tutu Atwell are all replacement options worth tossing speculative waiver bids on.
Jalen Tolbert (WR) Dallas Cowboys – Entrenched as Dallas’ N0. 3 wideout, Tolbert just played 60 snaps and ran a team-leading 41 routes. He’s a depth target whose role could expand as the season progresses.
Jalen Nailor (WR) Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Addison is sidelined by an ankle injury. Subsequently, Nailor now is Minnesota’s WR2. Nailor now ranks second on the team in targets and third with a 10% target share.
Mike Gesicki (TE) Cincinnati Bengals – Like Hunter Henry, Gesicki makes sense as a solid streamer readily available on waiver wires everywhere.
Andy Dalton (QB) Carolina Panthers – Bryce Young was benched after another appalling outing. Therefore, the Panthers are turning back to Andy Dalton under center this week in Vegas. Dalton gives the Panthers a better chance to win. Therefore, he’s a better fantasy option for Diontae Johnson and all of the Panthers’ pass catchers.
Foster Moreau (TE) New Orleans Saints – Taysom Hill exited Sunday’s game with a chest injury. Moreau led the Saints’ tight ends in snaps (47) and routes run (10) and stands to benefit if Hill misses time.
Cam Akers (RB) Houston Texans – Dameon Pierce missed Week 2, opening the door for Akers to lead the Texans in rushing. Akers is a better fit in Bobby Slowik’s zone scheme. With Joe Mixon (ankle) banged up, Akers in an insurance policy worth a minimal bid in deeper leagues.
Brenton Strange (TE) Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Engram hurt his hamstring in pregame warmups. In his place, Strange reeled in half of his six targets for 65 yards. If Engram missed multiple weeks, Strange makes sense as a cheap fill-in.
Tyler Huntley (QB) Miami Dolphins – We don’t know how long Tua Tagovailoa will be out. Miami claimed Huntley off of Baltimore’s practice squad. However, it might take time for Huntley to learn a brand new offense. He’s merely worth a minimal bid for desperate Superflex managers.
Streaming Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield vs. Broncos
Derek Carr vs. Eagles
Geno Smith vs. Dolphins
