Welcome to the Week 3 Waiver Wire. In this article, I will highlight the players you should prioritize on waivers as we head into Week 3. I have broken down my targets into shallow, standard, and deeper league options. However, I will list more options under the standard column, as that will be the most popular range of targets.
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Week 3 Waiver Wire Deep League Targets
Note: This range will apply to leagues with deeper benches and more experienced managers, with players available in at least 75% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Jake Browning, Bengals(0% Rostered) | $3-5
Week 2 saw Bengals starting quarterback Joe Burrow suffer a turf toe injury that will require surgery. That means this is Jake Browning‘s offense to run. In 2023, when Burrow missed the second half of the season, Browning was surprisingly relevant for fantasy managers. He totalled more than 20 points in six of his seven starts and filled in admirably. Browning is not Joe Burrow, and he is likely going to hurt the other Bengals’ weapons slightly. As far as waiver wire quarterbacks go, though, he is a solid option. If you are a deep-league manager who lost Burrow, Browning should be your target, unless you prefer my next player.
Russell Wilson, Giants (13% Rostered) | $4-5
This week, the Giants Let Russ Cook! After a disappointing Week 1 against the Commanders, Wilson put up a monster game in an overtime loss to the Cowboys. Wilson did throw an awful interception in overtime that cost New York the game, but we won’t hold that against him. Week 3 sees him match up against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs aren’t a great matchup and are likely to destroy the Giants, but the potency of their run defense leaves the Giants no option but to throw. The Giants won’t be able to run the ball and are going to be trailing. Hope Wilson slings it all over the field in an attempt to keep the game close.
Other Options: Mac Jones, SF (5% Rostered); Spencer Rattler, NO (6% Rostered)
Running Backs
Blake Corum, Rams (13% Rostered) | $2-4
The running back options available in deep leagues aren’t great, as evidenced by Blake Corum making the list. He was far from impressive, totalling 44 rushing yards on five carries. Corum was marginally fantasy-relevant because he managed to get into the end zone. I still view Corum as a straight-up handcuff who is only startable if Kyren Williams gets injured. But this week showed that even with a healthy Williams, he can be a half-decent flex option.
Miles Sanders, Cowboys (6% Rostered) | $1-2
Sanders is getting a handful of carries per game and found the end zone in Week 2 against the Giants. That’s the extent of his excitement. Again, the options at this tier of running back are slim, so a dart throw like Sanders is necessary. The Cowboys have a potent enough offense that Sanders could have some fantasy-relevant weeks, but this is Javonte Williams‘ job. If you are desperate for a running back, there are worse options than Sanders, but temper your expectations.
Wide Receivers
Troy Franklin, Broncos (8% Rostered) | $4-5
Through two weeks, Franklin has been surprisingly useful for fantasy managers. He posted four catches for 44 yards in Week 1 and eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. The evidence suggests that Franklin is starting to become a reliable option for fantasy, but bear in mind that Sean Payton hates your fantasy team. Payton has a habit of spreading the ball around and being notoriously difficult to predict for fantasy. I expect that to continue this season, but Franklin could be a worthwhile WR3 if his play continues to be consistent.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (23% Rostered) | $4-5
It was a Doubs week this week for Green Bay. Well, sort of. Doubs only had three catches for 28 yards, but he managed to score, which helped salvage his day. He is going to see a handful of targets each week in an offense that is spreading the ball around. This will make him a better best ball target, but he has his uses in standard formats. I don’t expect Doubs to be a stud for your fantasy team, but come bye weeks, he could be stream-worthy.
Other Options: Tyquan Thornton, KC (3% Rostered); Hunter Renfrow, CAR (3% Rostered)
Tight Ends
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers (9% Rostered) | $1-3
Sanders has seven catches on nine targets in Week 2, and while he only turned that into 54 yards receiving, that’s enough to make him playable at tight end. The Panthers’ offense has failed to take their game to the next step, and as a result, they are grasping at straws to produce. Sanders is a great check-down option for a struggling Bryce Young, and his physical traits and athleticism make him an enticing stash in fantasy leagues.
AJ Barner, Seahawks (2% Rostered) | $2-4
Barner hasn’t shown much to this point in his career, but he managed to get into the end zone in Week 2. He only had two catches, but an explosive tight end in what should be a solid offense is a good formula for success. Barner should be considered a stash candidate, similar to Sanders, but the potential for a breakout is there. He has only three catches on the year, but the Seahawks need some production at the tight end position; he could see an expanded role moving forward as an easy option for Sam Darnold.
Other Options: Brock Wright, DET (0% Rostered); Adam Trautman, DEN (0% Rostered).
Week 3 Waiver Wire Standard League Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to most leagues with standard benches, with players available in at least 50% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, Colts (35% Rostered) | $3-5
Daniel Jones is a must-add quarterback. I did not think I would ever say that. Through two games, Jones has thrown for at least 270 yards and a touchdown in every game. While Week 1 was discarded as a result of facing the Miami Dolphins, Week 2 came against Denver. The Broncos are one of the best defenses in the NFL, and Jones managed to top the 300-yard mark. Another solid performance in Week 3 against the Titans could prove to cement Jones as a trustworthy fantasy starter.
Sam Darnold, Seahawks (27% Rostered) | $2-3
In Week 2 against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense, Darnold managed to throw for 295 yards and two touchdowns. This was an impressive stat line, but in true Sam Darnold form, he dampened the party by throwing two interceptions. Darnold gets the Saints and Cardinals in Weeks 3 and 4 and is likely to see his production increase in the coming weeks. He isn’t a great long-term play, but he should be considered one of the better stream options against New Orleans and Arizona.
Other Options: Bryce Young, CAR (28% Rostered); Matthew Stafford, LAR (27% Rostered)
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (49% Rostered) | $8-10
Coming into the season, I was hesitant to buy in on rookie TreVeyon Henderson because I am a firm believer that NFL coaches prefer to stick with their veterans for extended periods of time. I figured Stevenson would be a thorn in his side and lower his ceiling as a rookie. I did not anticipate this being the Rhamondre Stevenson show and Henderson being almost irrelevant through two weeks. Stevenson outcarried Henderson and was also targeted more than him in Week 2. If this usage continues, Stevenson is a high-end RB2 and might be the steal of this year’s fantasy drafts.
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (45% Rostered) | $0-1
Tuten was clearly the RB2 in the Jacksonville offense, but the split was more like 60/40 than a dominant workload for Travis Etienne. Etienne outcarried Tuten 14 to eight, and was targeted three times to Tuten’s two, but both were heavily involved in this offense. Trevor Lawrence has struggled to throw the ball effectively at times, and the Jaguars appear content to lean on the run game to carry them. Etienne is still the preferred back in Jacksonville, but Tuten could also be useful.
Other Options: Tyler Allgeier, ATL (33% Rostered); Jerome Ford, CLE (40% Rostered)
Wide Receivers
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (27% Rostered) | $10-12
In Week 1, Robinson saw eight targets and did almost nothing with them, posting only 55 yards. He was and has always been highly targeted, but extremely inefficient. Enter Week 2, where Robinson was targeted 10 times by Russell Wilson and turned that into eight catches for a whopping 142 yards and a touchdown. I don’t expect Robinson to produce like this every week, but in favorable matchups that allow Russ to Cook, he has plenty of upside. He is targeted consistently; let’s hope he can continue to pile up yards and find the end zone.
Elic Ayomanor, Titans (28% Rostered) | $5-7
In his first NFL game, rookie Elic Ayomanor was targeted seven times. He turned that into two catches for 13 yards. In his second NFL game, his targets dropped to six, but he managed to turn those six targets into 56 yards and his first NFL touchdown. If fellow rookie Cameron Ward can be a serviceable NFL quarterback, these two rookies could be an underrated duo worth rostering. If he can develop into a well-rounded receiver, Ayomanor could easily be the best receiving option for Tennessee.
Other Options: DeAndre Hopkins, BAL (25% Rostered); Marvin Mims, DEN (45% Rostered)
Tight Ends
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (28% Rostered) | $1-3
Four catches for 35 yards on six targets. That’s what qualifies as a tight end to watch. It’s sad, but at this point, if you didn’t land an elite tight end, you are likely just praying you run into a touchdown. Okonkwo didn’t score this week, but he is an athletic specimen who is a constant threat in the red zone. If you are desperate at tight end, add Okonkwo and hope you start him in the week he cracks the goal line.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars (40% Rostered) | $1-3
If you thought Okonkwo was impressive, you haven’t seen three catches for 17 yards yet. That’s what Strange had this week, but he is on the radar for fantasy managers after posting a usable stat line in Week 1 in a decent offense. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not starting him, but I am stashing him in case he sees an increase in role. Trevor Lawrence hyper-targeted Evan Engram last year, and if he does the same to Strange at some point this year, Strange could be highly productive.
Other Options: Jonnu Smith, PIT (48% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Shallow League Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to home leagues and those with shorter benches, with players available in at least 25% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Caleb Williams, Bears (63% Rostered) | $5-7
In real-life football, I feel like Williams has looked awful to start the season; in fantasy, he currently ranks as QB8. He has scored more than 22 fantasy points in both games and has shown some rushing ability in both. In both games, he has struggled to crack the 200-yard passing mark, but with rushing upside and a schedule with some good matchups along the way, he could prove to be a valuable asset for your fantasy team even if he kills the Chicago Bears in real life.
Jordan Love, Packers (71% Rostered) | $5-7
Love and the Packers might be the best all-around team in the NFL right now, at least top five. Love hasn’t lit the world on fire so far, but currently sits as the QB11. He has a plethora of weapons and is a perfectly capable quarterback when he is given the opportunity. The problem is between an elite defense and a solid rushing attack; he may not get the chance to air it out too often. I view Love as a slightly better version of Brock Purdy. He is going to produce usable results for fantasy each week, but his defense and run game are going to keep his ceiling relatively average. Still, he is a great addition if you lost Joe Burrow to injury.
Other Options: None
Running Backs
Cam Skattebo, Giants (73% Rostered) | $10-12
Skattebo outcarried Tyrone Tracy Jr. in Week 2, and while I’m not convinced it’s now his job to lose, it’s worth noting. This has every indication of being a split backfield that operates at a 50/50 share for most of the season. The question is, can Skattebo perform well enough with his added touches to turn it into a 70/30 split in his favor? Regardless of how it turns out or how long it takes to get there, Skattebo should not be available on waiver wires. If he is on yours, quickly scoop him up.
Dylan Sampson, Browns (72% Rostered) | $5-10
In Week 2, the Browns’ backfield trio of Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, and Jerome Ford all managed to produce nearly an identical amount of fantasy points. They each did it in slightly different ways, but it was the definition of a committee backfield. I anticipate Judkins taking over the majority of the work in this backfield, but it may take a few weeks to get him there. Add in some rough matchups over the next few weeks, and I prefer to roll with the hot hand of Sampson for now. All three of these Browns running backs could be flex-worthy, but it’s a risky situation. If you guess correctly and one of them wins the job, you will profit greatly, but that’s a tall task.
Other Options: Trey Benson, ARZ (60% Rostered)
Wide Receivers
Jauan Jennings, 49ers (73% Rostered) | $12-15
Jennings looks healthy and finally looks to have shaken off the rust. Even with Mac Jones at quarterback, he was able to post five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. The fact that it was on 10 targets is both a good and a bad sign. It means Jones was predictably inaccurate, but that he leaned heavily on Jennings. The 49ers face Arizona in Week 3, and if Jones can be halfway competent, Jennings should have another monster performance.
Rashid Shaheed, Saints (68% Rostered) | $10-15
Shaheed is a similar case to Jennings in the sense that he is starting to look fully healthy and was able to post a great game even with a below-average quarterback. He managed four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown and is showing signs of continuing the early-season breakout he started last season, before an injury put an end to it. The New Orleans offense and defense are both awful, but they are proving that even a potentially 0-17 team can produce a few fantasy-relevant players. Shaheed is a steal and should be rostered and started everywhere.
Other Options: Cedric Tillman, CLE (51% Rostered); Hollywood Brown, KC (74% Rostered)
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz, Commanders (52% Rostered) | $4-8
Ertz was supposed to be the boring and consistent tight end in this article. Apparently, no one told him that, and he thinks he is Tony Gonzalez. He posted six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against an elite Green Bay Packers defense and is making a strong case to be considered as a top-six fantasy tight end. I expect this to be a mirage, but pick him up, play him, and enjoy it until it comes crashing down.
Juwan Johnson, Saints (65% Rostered) | $5-10
Who needs Drew Brees or Michael Thomas when you have (checks notes) Juwan Johnson. Johnson currently sits as TE2 on the year and has a combined 20 targets in two games. Those targets have been horribly inefficient due to them being from Spencer Rattler, but regardless, they have allowed him to volume his way onto the fantasy map. Johnson is also likely to be a mirage, but just like Ertz, stream him until the production fades. Especially if he was your replacement for George Kittle.
Other Options: Jake Ferguson, DAL (65% Rostered); Harold Fannin Jr., CLE (67% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Defenses
(Available in at least 50% of leagues)
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers (2% Rostered) | $0-1
A very young Falcons defense showed massive signs of improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 and is giving every indication that it could be a team to fear in the very near future. This week, they get the Carolina Panthers, who have struggled to do much of anything this year. Bryce Young is going to allow them ample chances for turnovers, and this game should be a low-scoring affair. Stream the Falcons in a juicy matchup.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints (22% Rostered) | $0-1
The Seahawks are an underrated defensive unit. The Saints are an awful team. That checks the two boxes I need for a streaming D/ST. Spencer Rattler is going to turn the ball over in this matchup, and the Saints will have little chance of keeping pace with Seattle. A Seattle shutout in Week 3 wouldn’t be completely surprising. This should be another low-scoring game.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans (7% Rostered) | $0-1
Another game, and another weak offense with a struggling quarterback to target. Indianapolis has been decent through two weeks and is likely to feast on rookie Cameron Ward. This should present the Colts with turnovers aplenty and make for a solid fantasy day.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Kickers
(Available in at least 50% of leagues)
Matt Prater, BUF vs. MIA (23% Rostered) | $0-1
Prater has filled in well for the injured Tyler Bass, and this offense gives him tons of chances to put up fantasy points. If this Buffalo offense wasn’t enough to convince you to stream Prater, the Miami defense should be. They are awful. Buffalo will score early and often in Week 3, and in a likely blowout, Prater should put up a huge day. Prater has PK1 potential this week.
Daniel Carlson, LV vs. WSH (23% Rostered) | $0-1
The Raiders are a tough team to figure out as they haven’t looked good so far this season. Geno Smith should be competent enough to keep Las Vegas in this game long enough for Carlson to get his chances, and the Commanders’ defense is likely to shut down the Raiders enough to limit them to field goals. Look for a solid performance with multiple long field goals for Carlson.
Brandon McManus, GB vs. CLE (18% Rostered) | $0-1
The Packers look unbeatable. The Browns do not. Green Bay is going to destroy Cleveland, and this could be a situation where McManus has three to five field goals to go with three to five extra points. I’m not kidding. I expect 50 points out of Green Bay in this one, which means a great day for McManus. Fire him up with confidence.
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