Two weeks into the season, and the fantasy football waiver wire already looks like a box of Christmas lights: tangled, frustrating, and somehow missing the one piece you actually need. That is why I am here: to untangle the knots before Sunday’s games spark the next expensive waiver frenzy.
Every player discussed is rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues. We are looking beyond last week’s fantasy points and focusing on changing roles, sustainable volume, and injury-created opportunities. Let’s untangle the wire before Sunday’s games kick off.
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Week 3 Weekend Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders
Cousins has passed for 3 touchdowns in each of the first two games. That alone should have you paying attention. He appears to have a tough schedule coming up, but if you need a QB, Kirk could be just who you need cuz.
Geno Smith, New York Jets
Geno has passed for over 200 yards in each of the first two games. In Week 3, he draws a Detroit Lions defense that has given up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. At least for this week, Geno is a plug-and-play.
Other quarterbacks to consider:
- Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders: 111 yards, TD
- Drew Lock/Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks:
- Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: 238 yards, 2 TDs; rushing 22 yards
- Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans: 183 yards; Rushing: 7 yards, 2 TDs
Quarterback Notes: Daniel Jones is someone you also might want to watch and see what happens this week in a good matchup. Mariota has proven he can produce, but I am not excited about him or Jameis Winston just yet. After this week, the schedule is pretty good for Winston. If Sam Darnold is playing, you can plug him in this week; if not, Drew Lock is a nice streamer. I hate even having Watson’s name in here, but we cannot ignore production.
Running Backs
Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
White led the team in running back snaps in Week 2. He had 7 carries for 43 yards. In the passing game, he saw 6 targets and turned them into 6 receptions for 40 yards. With the change to Mariota at quarterback, White may factor into the passing game even more the rest of this season. He would be my top running back addition this week.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Kamara had 14 touches in his return to the lineup. 9 carries for a whopping 15 yards and 5 receptions for another incredible total of 7 yards. He didn’t do much with his touches, but he got them. With Travis Etienne being questionable, Kamara might see a lot of work in Week 3. I wouldn’t be overly excited about this, but if you need a starting running back, he fits the bill.
Other running backs to consider:
- Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs: 2 carries, 15 yards; 2 receptions, 20 yards
- Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers:7 carries, 25 yards rushing
- Emmanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: 21 carries, 92 yards
Running Back Notes: If Jadarian Price’s snaps are managed because he’s dinged up, or if he is out in Week 3, Emmanuel Wilson will be a great option at running back. Black and Johnson are just high-end handcuffs right now. White looks like he could turn into something. I know Kamara is not doing much with touches but may get 5 – 10 receptions a game.
Wide Receivers
Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles
In Week 1, Wicks saw 4 targets, turning them into 2 receptions, 73 yards, and a touchdown. He followed that up in Week 2 with 6 targets, turning them into 5 receptions for 74 yards. He is the Eagles’ vertical threat and will produce there. I believe Wicks should be rostered in every league.
Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
Mitchell is someone I love for the next 3 games and beyond; the targets and production are there, and the touchdowns will come. He has over 60 yards in each of the first two games. In Week 2, Mitchell saw 12 targets, which he turned into 6 receptions for 63 yards. The volume will be there. Week 3 brings the Lions and a defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing teams’ wide receivers. Everything is lined up for AD Mitchell this week, except his finger. He is currently questionable with a finger injury from Thursday’s practice.
Other wide receivers to consider:
- Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 63 yards
- Joshua Palmer, Buffalo Bills: 3 targets, 1 reception, 43 yards, TD
- Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 119 yards, TD
- Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens: 9 targets, 7 receptions, 88 yards, TD
- Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears: 5 targets, 5 receptions, 40 yards
Wide Receiver Notes: If Zay is out, Bateman is a play in Week 3. Flowers did not practice on Thursday; if he is out, you can move Bateman to the top of the WR adds this weekend. Mitchell is someone I love for the next 3 games and beyond; the targets and production are there, and the touchdowns will come. You can say the same for Wicks to a lesser extent. Tucker has done this before in spurts, so we need to watch him. Palmer and Coleman could both be potentially in play this week, but we need to know the status of DJ Moore and Keon Coleman.
Tight Ends
Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers
Gadsden caught a 10-yard touchdown in Week 2 and now has a clear path to a larger role. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar have both been placed on injured reserve, leaving the Chargers without their top two tight ends. Gadsden showed his receiving ability as a rookie. The volume still needs to materialize, but this is exactly the type of role change we want to attack before the production catches up. Add Gadsden now instead of waiting for everyone else to notice him..
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Freiermuth, though, caught 5 passes on 5 targets for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. He followed this up in Week 2 against a very tough Patriots defense with 5 targets, 4 receptions, and 32 yards. He had a 13% target share. Freiermuth is a volume play at tight end. 5 targets a game is good.
Other tight ends to consider:
- Cade Otton. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 38 yards
- Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
- TJ Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 29 yards
- Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 2 TDs
- Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 1 yards
Tight End Notes: Freiermuth has a solid weekly target share. Gadsden will be the Chargers’ primary TE after injuries to both players competing for snaps with him. Waller may continue to gather touchdowns, especially in the next few games. Everyone else is what they are.
My Priority Order
- Dontayvion Wicks, WR: Two weeks of useful production and a meaningful role in Philadelphia.
- Rachaad White, RB: Six Week 2 targets make him my preferred PPR backfield add.
- Oronde Gadsden II, TE: Njoku’s absence gives him the best opportunity for a lasting role among the available tight ends.
- Adonai Mitchell, WR: Twelve Week 2 targets put him near the top if his finger injury does not limit him.
- Pat Freiermuth, TE: Five targets in each game and a favorable Week 3 matchup.
- Alvin Kamara, RB: Fourteen touches in his return give him PPR appeal; Travis Etienne’s status will determine how high he moves.
- Tre Tucker, WR: Big-play upside is real, though I need to see his Week 2 target volume repeat.
- Rashod Bateman, WR: Move him higher if Zay Flowers is ruled out.
- Kalif Raymond, WR: Chicago’s early target leader deserves a roster spot while that role holds.
- Geno Smith, QB: My preferred quarterback stream for Week 3 against Detroit.
- Kirk Cousins, QB: Six passing touchdowns in two games earn attention, but I would add the players with steadier opportunities first.
- Darren Waller, TE: A touchdown-upside option whose three-target Week 2 limits his floor.
Sunday-morning move: If Jadarian Price is out, move Emanuel Wilson near the top of this list for managers who need an immediate running back. If Price plays, Wilson remains a speculative stash.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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