Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

 

These guys are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

 

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

His ADP placed him at QB31 … 

But through the first two games, Carr sits QB4 in fantasy scoring. He has completed nearly 77% of his passes for 443 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT.  

The 12.8% TD rate won’t continue. And that’s fine, since you’re only utilizing him in specific matchups.

Sunday’s home contest against the Eagles projects as a fine spot. Kirk Cousins looked much improved against their secondary, ultimately throwing for 241 yards and 1 TD on a 69% completion rate.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Fields threw his first TD of the season last week against the Broncos. He also ran for 27 yards, his lowest output since Week 4 of 2023. But the Steelers still won. 

OC Arthur Smith trusted Fields a bit more, which should continue into Week 3 for the home opener.

Fields' rushing gives him upside against the Chargers, and he is a solid one-week fill-in if you're waiting for Jordan Love to return or lost Tua Tagovailoa.

Don’t plan past one more week, though, as Russell Wilson might slide back into the starting role as soon as Week 4.

      

Running Backs

Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-18%

With Isiah Pacheco expected out for six-to-eight weeks, there are likely to be plenty of bids for Chiefs reserve RBs this week.

We like Steele to lead the backfield moving forward after he out-carried Samaje Perine 7-0 this week.

If Steele handles the early-down work and gets the goal-line carries, he is the player to own.

15-18% of FAAB isn’t guaranteed to secure Steele in leagues with big spenders, but with Kareem Hunt joining the Chiefs practice squad and Clyde Edwards-Helaire still due back, it could end up being a messy situation.

Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

Perine did not receive a carry this week, but he did earn a target and reception and projects as the passing-down back with Pacheco out.

There will be weeks that Perine pays dividends in PPR leagues, so he is worth adding to the end of your roster.

But with Patrick Mahomes looking to push the ball down the field often, production will be inconsistent. 

We are tempering expectations with only 10-15% FAAB, which may not be enough to get him in some deeper leagues where Perine is available, but he isn’t worth blowing your whole budget on.  

Also, with Kareem Hunt joining the Chiefs practice squad and the potential for CEH to come back, the backfield could become quite crowded.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

Allen was a surprise performer on Sunday, and it wasn't just his two scores.

The rookie saw 11 opportunities (carries + targets), mixing in for 12 routes. Breece Hall finished with 22 and 21, respectively.

It’s particularly noteworthy with the Jets running a below-average 56 total plays.

Barring a Hall injury, Allen’s a long shot for standalone fantasy value in 2024. Still, he’s clearly the No. 2 RB for an improved Jets offense.

At a minimum, that makes Allen one of the top handcuffs league-wide.

Cam Akers, Houston Texans

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Akers’ momentum started in the preseason, when he looked healthy en route to posting 4.6 yards per carry.

Now, he might see a true boost in opportunity for one of the NFL’s top offenses.

Joe Mixon’s ankle injury doesn’t appear serious, but there’s still a chance he’ll miss Sunday’s game vs. Minnesota. With Dameon Pierce also banged up, we could see Akers lead Houston in touches.

D’Onta Foreman, Cleveland Browns

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

After playing one snap in the opener, Cleveland ramped up Foreman’s activity against Jacksonville.

In fact, the veteran led Browns RBs in Week 2 with 14 carries. That was 7 ahead of Jerome Ford.

He played only five fewer snaps than Ford.

Foreman won’t offer much as a pass-catcher, but he might be solid bet for carries in the short term. Plus, Cleveland's upcoming schedule (Giants, Raiders, Commanders) looks favorable for scoring.

 

Wide Receivers

Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Robinson becomes the de facto WR1 for the Rams with Puka Nacua on IR and Cooper Kupp likely headed that way.

He scored a TD in four straight games last year and has a rapport with Matthew Stafford that should carry him to be a solid producer for the next few weeks.

This Rams passing game will struggle without those their top two wideouts, but Robinson should get enough volume to be a fantasy starter.

 

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

An eight-catch, 109-yard outing on 12 targets in the current TE landscape makes Henry an intriguing waiver addition this week.

It’s worth noting that Henry caught just two of three targets for 18 yards in the opener and that the Patriots' offense will never explode for a ton of points.

But Henry should stick as a top target earner with the Patriots WRs in shambles (the entire group combined for only five targets in Week 2).

He won’t be consistent, but if your TE position is a mess, Henry can give some spike weeks, especially on the weeks he finds the end zone.

       

Deep-League Waiver Wire Pickups 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 1-3%

Edwards-Helaire is currently on the Non-Football Illness list due to battling PTSD, but he can come back as early as Week 5 if he is ready. He could be back at that point or miss most of the season, we simply don’t know right now.

With Pacheco out for at least six to eight weeks, CEH could step into a role upon his return and be at the top of the depth chart, even with Kareem Hunt joining the practice squad.

In Deeper leagues, he is worth a cheap stash just in case.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

Johnston led Chargers WRs in snaps (48), routes (19) and targets (6) against Carolina. Of course, he also led the team in receiving TDs with 2.

We're not overrating the big game vs. the league's worst defense. But we're not giving up on the promise the 23-year-old brought entering the league. And it's clear there's opportunity in a thin Chargers WR corps.

This unit will remain run-heavy most weeks, but a Week 4 matchup vs. Kansas City could force more work from Justin Herbert.

Tyler Johnson and Jordan Whittington, WRs, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Johnson played 87% of the Rams snaps, second on the team to Robinson. He filled in admirably for Nacua in Week 1, earning seven targets, but Week 2 was a different story, with only two catches on three targets.

The Rams receiving game will take a step backward without Kupp and Nacua, but Johnson will get plenty of snaps and routes to have a breakout game here and there.

Whittington played every snap in the second half after Cooper Kupp went down. He played 69% of his snaps in the slot in Week 2. Kupp was at a 75% slot rate this season. In other words, Whittington looks like the Kupp replacement.

The rookie was a training camp darling showcasing his experience as a blocker and hands catcher.

Whittington has the upside to potentially break out to become the next star young Rams WR.

Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 1-3%

Nailor found the end zone on 3 catches and a 15.3% target share vs. San Francisco.

Minnesota played without Jordan Addison, while Justin Jefferson departed in the 3rd quarter with a quad contusion. Nailor’s TD came with Jefferson in the lineup, though. Nailor also ran as the clear No. 2 option in terms of snaps (50), while he led in routes run (31).

HC Kevin O’Connell said it’s possible Addison returns for Week 3. And Jefferson appears very likely to suit up.

But if one happens to sit, Nailor would become a deep-league fill-in for owners in a bind.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

We’re leery of this one turning out to be fools gold. But given the league-wide production issues at TE, Gesicki makes the cut.

To his credit, the former Dolphin led the Bengals in targets (9), catches (7) and yards (91) against Kansas City.

Of course, this one came without Tee Higgins (hamstring). He could return as soon as Week 3.

Plus, it’s only a matter of time before Ja’Marr Chase (5 targets on Sunday) sees a larger role.

Perhaps the best argument in favor of Gesicki: A perfect Week 3 matchup vs. Washington.

       

Top Streaming Defense for Week 3 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Denver Broncos

The Broncos have become one of the best offenses to target each week, with Bo Nix at the helm and uninspiring players in other skill positions.

They are averaging only 13 points per game -- and three turnovers a week.

The Buccaneers defense held the Lions to 16 points in Week 2 while intercepting Jared Goff twice. 

If you want other defenses to stream this week, check out our Defense/Special Teams Streaming Guide for Week 3.

 

Grab This Guy

Isaac Guerendo, 49ers

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-12%

Opportunity is the name of the game at RB. And as San Francisco’s roster sits now, Guerendo’s the No. 2 RB behind Jordan Mason.

That role might belong to the rookie for a while, especially with the negative injury news on Christian McCaffrey.

We know Guerendo isn’t short on raw athleticism. At 6’0, 220 pounds, he ran a 4.33 forty at the Combine. He jumped 40.5 inches in the vertical and 129 inches in the broad.

All absurd numbers.

If Mason misses time, Guerendo should step in as the lead back on one of the NFL’s top offenses. The 49ers sit third in adjusted line yards; 11th in Pro Football Focus’ run blocking grade.

 

Drop Candidates

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

HC Dave Canales has benched Young for Andy Dalton. Even if he regains the starting role down the line, he's not worth holding on to.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

Johnson only played 24 of the 59 snaps for the Saints in Week 2. That ranked third among TEs behind Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill (despite Hill getting injured in the game). Johnson wasn't targeted.

Jeffery Wilson, RB, Miami Dolphins

Wilson managed only 11 snaps in Week 2 due to an oblique injury. Plus, with Tua Tagovailoa set to miss time, this offensive environment no longer looks favorable.

Jahan Dotson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Even with A.J. Brown out with a hamstring injury, Dotson only had one target. He did play 79% of the snaps, but being out-targeted by Britain Covey (6) is not a good sign for Dotson’s future. 

Demario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots

Douglas appears to be falling down the depth chart, now third in WR snaps behind K.J. Osborn and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk. Douglas was not targeted in the game and seemed visibly frustrated about that. The Patriots offense isn’t exciting enough to keep Douglas on your roster.