Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 3 (Fantasy Football)
Well…I think it is safe to say Week 2 was a drastic 180 degrees from Week 1, with far fewer TDs and fantasy points. Not only that, but the injuries were brutal. I hope that everyone stayed vigilant last week and picked up one or two of the backup options that were laid out. Or maybe you thought your team was solid and you were confident riding into Week 2 with the guys you drafted? Then, here is the tough lesson: you cannot rest on your laurels in fantasy football.
Injuries will happen, and the best managers continually make moves to prepare for just that.
Young, promising QBs went down left and right, with injuries impacting Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Jaxson Dart. Saquon Barkley left the game with a stinger but was able to return, still leaving most of the work in the hands of Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley. A few other prominent names affected by this week’s injury epidemic: Mike Evans, Caleb Douglas, Dallas Goedert, and *sigh* Alec Pierce.
For a full picture on injuries, follow our injury expert, Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT), on X for live updates and catch his weekly article outlining timelines and injury implications on our website. Keep reading for this week’s waiver options.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough is still available in about 51% of leagues. I find this relatively surprising after last week’s performance, but maybe managers needed to see another week in the 2026 season before believing. He got off to a rocky start in both of the last two games, but he has been coming alive in the fourth quarter. Last week, he completed 27-of-34 passes for 252 yards with one TD and completed the upset against the Baltimore Ravens. We will see if he can hold up against another top-tier defense in Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. If he does, he will be rewarded with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
Ok, Bryce! It has been so refreshing to see competent QB play for the Carolina Panthers continue to trend up from the end of the 2025 season. Young came off the win over the Atlanta Falcons with three TDs, 287 yards, and zero INTs. The next three matchups are favorable with the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles down the pike – but be aware that he will have an early bye in Week 5.
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos
Rookie Jonah Coleman got his chance in Week 2 with hamstring injuries taking out both RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. The fourth-round pick did well with his opportunity, rushing ten times for 39 yards and scoring the game-winning TD against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This bodes well for his future on this team, gaining the confidence of coaches in critical game-time situations. It looks like Dobbins should be good to go for Week 3, but we are still waiting on news for Harvey. Regardless, we know how hammys can go; they are high-risk for reaggravation. Should Dobbins and/or Harvey remain out or under full capacity, Coleman is a great option for Week 3.
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Emanuel Wilson has found his way into waiver wire rankings with another injury in the Seattle RB room. Rookie RB Jadarian Price left the game against the Arizona Cardinals due to what was originally called a chest injury and has since been updated to a shoulder injury that seems to be “nothing serious.” Wilson’s opportunities were bolstered both by Price’s injury and by game script, earning 92 yards on 21 attempts. Keep an eye on Price throughout the week, but Wilson is a good stash either way.
Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Fear was struck into the hearts of Saquon Barkley managers everywhere on Sunday when he left the field due to a stinger after his first play in the game. From there, Tank Bigsby led the backfield, carrying the ball 13 times for 33 yards, including a three-yard TD. Saquon ended up coming back after halftime, but he will need to be evaluated more closely throughout the week. If Saquon needs to sit in Week 3, Bigsby will take the lead role with Will Shipley in at backup.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
With limited options at RB this week, Alvin Kamara is worth mentioning. He came back from his MCL injury in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens with an okay-ish performance. He rushed nine times for 15 yards and caught five of six targets for seven yards. If you are desperate, he could be worth the pickup to see if the Saints start to use him more in the passing game as he gets acclimated off the injury.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns
Rookie WR Denzel Boston took a step up this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in some very unfavorable conditions. In a game that I was not sure was going to be completed, Boston came away with 95 yards on seven targets and a TD. More than that, he led the team in routes, targets, and receiving yards, standing out in what was an ambiguous WR room. Boston is looking like a top pickup for Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.
Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of ambiguous WR rooms, it looks like we are starting to get some clarity in Las Vegas. With star TE Brock Bowers out again, Tre Tucker is making himself known. He is leading the receivers in snap percentage and percentage of targets and now has seven catches on 11 targets for 146 yards through the first two games, proving he has the capacity to make big plays. Tucker is an excellent grab ahead of the matchup against the Saints, but keep an eye on Brock Bowers as it looks like he will be practicing this week.
Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Houston Texans
WR Xavier Hutchinson will be a key component of the Houston Texans’ offense moving forward until veteran WR Nico Collins is able to return to the field off of a hamstring injury. Hutchinson led the Texans’ receivers in Week 2 with 65 snaps and nine targets, but he will have to improve his catch percentage to really break out for fantasy. He is a promising pickup as we expect rookie WRs to perform better in the second half of the season, and Collins is known for missing games throughout the season.
Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets
The New York Jets offense has managed to surprise through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Geno Smith’s passing game is by no means stellar, but he is at least supporting two viable WR fantasy options in Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell led the team on targets in their contest against the Green Bay Packers, going six of 12 for 63 yards compared to three for three targets and 60 yards in Week 1. The increase in opportunities is promising for Mitchell, and the Jets are up against the Detroit Lions in Week 3, who have a more forgiving secondary.
Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
After veteran WR DJ Moore went down with a shoulder injury in the Thursday night game against the Detroit Lions, Keon Coleman saw an increased workload, finishing the game with six receptions on six targets and 63 yards. He saw 74% of snaps compared to 50% in Week 1. The Bills are calling DJ Moore day-to-day, but Coleman will be a good pickup should Moore miss time or need to take a reduced workload as he gets back to full health.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Darren Waller, TE, Carolina Panthers
Are you a Dallas Goedert manager? Well, luckily, there is a decent option for you this week. Darren Waller is available in over 90% of leagues and was jiving well with Bryce Young in his second game with the Carolina Panthers. His on-field snap percentage is trending up, and he caught two TDs in the contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Waller will be an excellent option if snaps and targets continue to rise as the Panthers offense gets familiar with him throughout the season.
Oronde Gadsden, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers took a beating in their matchup on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders and ended up with a depleted TE corps. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar are expected to find themselves on IR, leaving Oronde Gadsden as the lone TE option. Star WR Ladd McConkey is also banged up with a rib injury, so the team needs another reliable target for any hope of a competent offense. Gadsden showed promise in his rookie season, so there is a chance he can step up for the Chargers and for your fantasy team.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Over the first two weeks of the season, the Minnesota Vikings defense has looked formidable. They ranked in the top-12 fantasy defenses both weeks, and their upcoming schedule is sweet, looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and then the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings are still available in 51% of leagues; make sure you snatch them up.
Available in just under 60% of leagues, and they are playing the broken Miami Dolphins in Week 3. Need I say more?
Comments
Surprisingly Hutchinson is not a rookie. He’s just never been relevant hahah.
Great read! Congrats on your first waiver wire article, Maggie! It was awesome