Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Week 3
Another week of football in the books, another week of waiver pickups! A handful of Week 3 injuries have opened things up for other players. Hear or watch the full Week 3 Waiver Wire breakdown on the podcast.
Wide Receivers
J.J. Nelson vs DAL (ESPN 15%, Yahoo 20%)
Week 2: 5/120/1 on 7 targets
Last week, Andy was spot on calling for a big J.J. Nelson game as soon as John Brown was ruled out. The Cardinals have another nice matchup this week against the shaky Cowboys secondary. With John Brown’s status already trending downwards for Week 3, Nelson could be in for another good game.
Cooper Kupp @SF (ESPN 35%, Yahoo 69%)
Week 2: 3/33/0 on 6 targets
Last week was “The Gurley Show” for the Rams offense. This week could be more of the same against the 49ers, but the offense overall should put up points and Kupp could be a part of that.
Rashard Higgins @IND (ESPN 0.3%, Yahoo 2%)
Week 2: 7/95/0 on 11 targets
Higgins received an eye-popping 11 targets in Week 2. Corey Coleman is out for awhile with a broken hand and Kenny Britt hasn’t done much through two weeks. Higgins played more snaps than Kenny Britt in Week 2. While the Browns may be one of the worst offenses in the league, Higgins is worth an add if you need a WR, especially in PPR leagues.
Kenny Golladay vs ATL (ESPN 42%, Yahoo 76%)
Week 2: 1/8/0 on 3 targets
Kenny G. ran the smooth routes but it was Marvin Jones who came down with the long pass for a TD. Still, Kenny Golladay has shown his big play ability and should be owned in most leagues.
Allen Hurns vs BAL (ESPN 7.6%, Yahoo 26%)
Week 2: 6/82/1 on 7 targets
We knew someone would have to step up (or at least try) with the absence of Allen Robinson. It was Allen Hurns in Week 2. Unfortunately, the Jaguars go up against the Ravens in Week 3. He should be owned in most leagues but might be best left on the bench until Week 4 against the Jets.
Tyler Lockett @TEN (ESPN (33%, Yahoo 40%)
Week 2: 6/64/0 on 9 targets
Lockett’s health was the question coming into the season. He’s been on the field and saw 9 targets on Sunday. The Seahawks’ next two matchups with the Titans and Colts are appealing, and Lockett could definitely hit big in one of them.
Jermaine Kearse vs MIA (ESPN 7%, Yahoo 7%)
Week 2: 4/64/2 on 5 targets
For now, Kearse seems to be the #1 wideout for the Jets. With Josh McCown healthy, the #1 Jets receiver actually has fantasy purpose, as shown by Kearse’s 2 TDs in Week 2. The matchup vs the Jets in Week 3 isn’t too bad but he’s still more of a desperation play.
Nelson Agholor vs NYG (ESPN 17.8%, Yahoo 51%)
Week 2: 1/9/1 on 3 targets
A late game TD saved Agholor’s fantasy week. Still, he’s noticeably taken a step forward in his development as a receiver and the Eagles are throwing the ball A LOT.
Running Backs
Javorius Allen @JAX (ESPN 8%, Yahoo 56%)
Week 2: 14/66/0 — 5/35/1 on 6 targets
It was another week where Javorius “Buck” Allen had many touches in the Ravens backfield. It came out after the game that Terrance West is dealing with an ankle injury. It’s not the best matchup at Jacksonville this week but Javorius should have a decent floor with the kind of volume he’s been receiving.
Alex Collins @JAX (ESPN 0%, Yahoo 0%)
Week 2: 7/42/0 — 1 fumb
There’s not much else behind Terrance West and Javorius Allen in the Ravens backfield. They released Jeremy Langford (then resigned him to the practice squad) and signed Alex Collins to the active roster. He was decent on 7 carries last week. West is dealing with an ankle injury and if he misses time, Collins could see 10+ touches.
Chris Carson @TEN (ESPN 8%, Yahoo 40%)
Week 2: 20/93/0 — 1/7/0 on 2 targets
Eddie Lacy was healthy scratch on Sunday and Thomas Rawls barely played. There was clearly a point when Carson started to dominate the touches in the Seahawks backfield. He should be owned in all leagues but the biggest downside is that the Seahawks offensive line is a mess.
Samaje Perine vs OAK (ESPN 2%, Yahoo 23%)
Week 2: 21/67/0 — 1/0/0/1 on target
The Redskins shifted into run mode in Week 2 and Perine received 21 carries after Rob Kelley left with a rib injury. He only put up 67 yards on those 21 carries and had 1 catch. Rob Kelley is day-to-day for now, and while Perine was ineffective last week, 15+ rushes is hard to come by in fantasy football these days. He should be owned in all leagues and potentially worth a start if Rob Kelley can’t go in Week 2 vs the Raiders.
Chris Thompson vs OAK (ESPN 67%, Yahoo 30%)
Week 2: 1/3/0 — 3/51/0 on 7 targets
Thompson continues to impress as the scat back for Washington, making the most of his touches. It’s not a bad matchup against the Raiders in Week 3, and we’ll see if Rob Kelley is able to play. Without a big increase in touches, Thompson could finally come down back to earth with a mediocre fantasy day. Still, he certainly should be owned in all Half and Full PPR leagues.
Alvin Kamara @CAR (ESPN 15%, Yahoo 37%)
Week 2: 1/3/0 — 3/51/0 on 7 targets
It’s a messy backfield with Ingram, Peterson, and Kamara. Still, the Saints have shown that they want Kamara involved. He gets a boost in PPR formats and can break a big play anytime. He should be owned in most leagues but is hard to trust as anything more than a deep league flex play or RB backup, with the hope that his role grows even more.
Derrick Henry vs SEA (ESPN 67%, Yahoo 77%)
Week 2: 14/92/0 — zero targets
Henry is potentially the top handcuff in fantasy football. DeMarco Murray missed much of Week 2 with hamstring tightness. As the Titans had a big lead, Murray rested and Henry played. He should be owned in all leagues with even the slightest chance that Murray can’t go in an upcoming game.
Chris Johnson vs DAL (ESPN 2%, Yahoo 13%)
Week 2: 11/44/0 — no targets
Head coach Bruce Arians hasn’t named the Week 3 starter but has said Chris Johnson could move up the depth chart. Considering Kerwynn Williams started last week and didn’t do much, Johnson could be named the starter this week.
Handcuff Watch:
Mike Tolbert vs DEN (ESPN 2%, Yahoo 7%)
D’Onta Foreman @NE (ESPN 5%, Yahoo 7%)
Matt Breida vs LAR (ESPN 0.4%, Yahoo 3%)
Charcandrick West @LAC (ESPN 10%, Yahoo 10%)
James Conner @CHI (ESPN 2%, Yahoo 9%)
Chris Ivory vs BAL (ESPN 1%, Yahoo 3%)
Tight End
Ben Watson @NE (ESPN 0.4%, Yahoo 1%)
Week 2: 8/91/0 on 8 targets
Watson can still get it done with volume. Dennis Pitta led all TEs in receptions last season. Now old man Watson steps into that role. He’s certainly a better play in PPR formats. You hope for lots of targets and catches, with the occasional touchdown.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs MIA (ESPN 0.4%, Yahoo 3%)
Week 2: Suspended
ASJ returns from suspension to the worst team in the league. He’s a PPR volume based add, as the Jets don’t have much talent to throw to. As long as McCown is healthy and the offense has SOME potential, then so does ASJ.
Coby Fleener @CAR (ESPN 31%, Yahoo 63%)
Week 2: 3/33/1 on 4 targets
Be afraid, be very afraid. Coming off 2 straight weeks with a TD, this could be the week you buy into Coby and he burns you. However, Willie Snead is still suspended and in the pool of poopy TEs, you could do a lot worse than taking a shot on Fleener. Just don’t be surprised if he has an off week.
Jack Doyle vs CLE (ESPN 72%, Yahoo 64%)
Week 2: 8/79/0 on 8 targets
Doyle returns! With enough volume, Doyle can be a PPR play even with Luck out.
Zach Miller vs PIT (ESPN 1%, Yahoo 5%)
Week 2: 6/42/0 on 9 targets
The Bears pass catchers are basically non-existent. Zach Miller is still out there and right now he’s healthy. If you’re streaming TEs, grab Miller if you want guaranteed targets.
Evan Engram @PHI (ESPN 11%, Yahoo 25%)
4/49/1 on 7 targets
Is he really a tight end? The rookie that plays tight end like a wide receiver found the end zone in Week 2. He should continue to see a solid number of targets on
Eric Ebron vs ATL (ESPN 30%, Yahoo 65%)
5/42/1 on 5 targets
Jason’s favorite late round TE found paydirt on Monday Night against the Giants.
Hunter Henry vs KC (ESPN 62%, Yahoo 73%)
7/80/0 on 7 targets
The Chargers decided to go back to using the super-talented receiving tight end, Hunter Henry… as a receiver! He caught all 7 of his targets and is a solid add if anyone dropped him in your league after last week.
Jason Witten @ARI (ESPN 75%, Yahoo 67%)
10/97/1 on 13 targets
Witten is a big target for Andy on waivers this week. He continues to get it done and Dak continues to look his way often. 13! targets in Week 2.
Editor’s Note: Check out the Week 3 QB Streamers