Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 3
Does your fantasy team look like a M.A.S.H. unit? Have no fear, the replacements are here. While you are unlikely to replace the production you were expecting from fantasy starters such as Jonathan Stewart and Danny Woodhead, there are many solid options in the fantasy landscape. Here’s the list for Week 3 waiver claims. You can check out the full discussion on the podcast each and every Tuesday. If you are looking for a QB option on waivers, check out the Full Stream Ahead article.
Wide Receivers
Tajae Sharpe (ESPN 59.1%, Yahoo 60%)
Continues to be the #1 WR for Marcus Mariota and this offense. He played 100% of their snaps in Week 2. Added value in PPR leagues.
Will Fuller (ESPN 79.4%, Yahoo 78%)
Chances are that Fuller has already been scooped up in your league, but you should go check just in case.
Quincy Enunwa (ESPN 5.6, Yahoo 11%)
If there was ever a handcuff to a WR, this is it. Brandon Marshall is nursing an MCL injury. If he is forced to miss any time, Enunwa would fill in nicely. Though Enunwa’s value is not dependent on Marshall missing time.
Phillip Dorsett (ESPN 40.3, Yahoo 42%)
I’d say Dorsett is a WR handcuff for Moncrief owners, but the fact is that he is much more than that. The 2015 first round pick is the Colts leading WR through two weeks. He could be a great start this week against San Diego if Moncrief is forced to miss the game and T.Y. Hilton is shadowed by Jason Verrett.
Jamison Crowder (ESPN 3.2%, Yahoo 6%)
Josh Doctson (ESPN 7.2%, Yahoo 6%)
This pair of Redskins WRs are tied to a prolific, if inconsistent, QB in Kirk Cousins. Crowder is the highly targeted underneath receiver while Doctson is being used exclusively in the red zone and on deep throws.
Chris Hogan (ESPN 41.6%, Yahoo 35%)
This is a speculative add. You will not be using Hogan in the next two weeks with Jacoby Brissett filling in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo in New England.
Victor Cruz (ESPN 42.3%, Yahoo 38%)
He looks healthy and played 100% of the snaps for the Giants in Week 2.
Tyler Boyd (ESPN 23.7%, Yahoo 13%)
The rookie Bengals WR is coming into his own. He had 6 grabs for 78 yards in Week 2. It’s only a matter of time before he passes Brandon LaFell on the depth chart.
Running Backs
Charles Sims (ESPN 65.3%, Yahoo 52%)
Charles Sims is the backup RB who benefits the most from the slew of injuries in Week 2. Doug Martin has a hamstring injury and the team seems concerned he may miss a few weeks. Sims should be owned everywhere and is a solid start this week.
Jerick McKinnon (ESPN 24.4%, Yahoo 25%)
Matt Asiata (ESPN 0.4%, Yahoo 2%)
The Vikings could be a gold mine at the RB position on waivers if they would just feature one of these guys. However, if Peterson’s 2014 suspension showed us anything, it is that they will use a backfield by committee approach with these two backs.
Fozzy Whitaker (ESPN 1.1%, Yahoo 7%)
Cameron Artis-Payne (ESPN 1.9%, Yahoo 2%)
When Stewart went down, Whitaker immediately took over amassing more than 100 total yards against the Niners. However, the Panthers drafted Artis-Payne to be the backup to Stewart, so this is a situation to monitor. Keep in mind they have a tough matchup with week against the Vikings.
Jay Ajayi (ESPN 46.0%, Yahoo 27%)
Breaking News: Arian Foster is injured. The clear candidate for between the tackles work is Jay Ajayi, who was the favorite to start in Miami before they acquired Foster in the off-season.
Kenyan Drake (ESPN 1.6%, Yahoo 1%)
Perhaps a more talented athlete than Ajayi, Drake isn’t built for a heavy workload. He could see some receiving work and is a threat for a big play.
Shane Vereen (ESPN 35.5%, Yahoo 20%)
Reports are that Rashad Jennings is wearing a cast on his hand. Should he be forced to miss time Vereen should fill the void, especially in the passing game.
Kenneth Dixon (ESPN 12.1%, Yahoo 9%)
If you have no immediate needs and can spare the roster spot, Kenneth Dixon has long term appeal in Baltimore.
Dwayne Washington (ESPN 0.3%, Yahoo 1%)
The explosive rookie projects to be the RB in Detroit should Abdullah miss time with a foot ailment. The Lions cannot give Theo Riddick a full complement of carries, so Washington should be involved.
Christine Michael (ESPN 58.9%, Yahoo 59%)
Thomas Rawls’ health is becoming a concern. He was already struggling in his return from his ankle injury, but now he is dealing with a leg contusion. Wake up, and add Michael where available.
Tight Ends
Jacob Tamme (ESPN 10.9%, Yahoo 7%)
Trust Tamme if you want. I, for one, do not have the stomach for it.
Dennis Pitta (ESPN 10.8%, Yahoo 12%)
Pitta is a great story this season. 12 months ago, it looked like he may never play football again, but in Week 2 he led the team in targets by a wide margin with 12. He should be the priority add at TE.
Clive Walford (ESPN 31.6%, Yahoo 17%)
Walford had a career game last week with 50 yards and a touchdown. If the Raiders defense cannot get it together, Walford may be in for a large workload going forward.
Kyle Rudolph (ESPN 32.2%, Yahoo 30%)
Sam Bradford’s presence in Minnesota makes Rudolph interesting. He has always been a red zone target in this offense, but with Bradford’s affinity for the TE, Rudolph should be a more consistent producer.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins vs. CLE (ESPN 5.8%, Yahoo 8%)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LA (ESPN 6%, Yahoo 5%)
New York Giants vs. WAS (ESPN 4.1%, Yahoo 9%)
It’s the time of year when we can start to notice trends, which makes it easier to pick on bad offenses when streaming a defense. These three teams have prime home matchups.