Week 3 Waiver Wire (Fantasy Football)
Week 2 was brutal. Many of us predicted that the 2020 season would see its share of injuries with a shortened training camp and no real tackling until Week 1. None of us could have prepared for what Week 2 dished out. Some big names didn’t finish their games and a handful suffered season-ending injuries like RB Saquon Barkley, WR Courtland Sutton, and TE C.J. Uzomah who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Thursday’s game.
Let’s take a look at some available players on the waiver wire for the WR, RB, and TE positions. Listen to this week’s Waiver Wire episode for a complete breakdown of these players, who Andy, Mike, and Jason think you should target for Week 3, and who are the top droppable candidates to make room for these replacements.
WR
Probably Rostered (but worth checking)
Brandin Cooks, Texans (Rostered: ESPN 78% / Yahoo 59%)
@PIT, MIN, JAX
Week 2 vs BAL — 8 targets for 5/95/0
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (Rostered: ESPN 74% / Yahoo 70%)
TB, @NYJ, @NE
Week 2 @PIT — 7 targets for 4/62/0
Main Waiver Wire Pickups
Robby Anderson, Panthers (Rostered: ESPN 77.9% / Yahoo 62%)
@LAC, ARI, @ATL
Week 2 @TB — 10 targets for 9/109/0
Russell Gage, Falcons (Rostered: ESPN 20% / Yahoo 22%)
CHI, @GB, CAR
Week 2 @DAL — 9 targets for 6/46/1
Corey Davis, Titans (Rostered: ESPN 35.6% / Yahoo 42%%)
@MIN, PIT, BUF
Week 2 vs JAX — 5 targets for 3/36/1
Mike Williams, Chargers (Rostered: ESPN 50% / Yahoo 53%)
CAR, @TB, @NO
Week 2 vs KC — 4 targets for 2/14/0
Allen Lazard, Packers (Rostered: ESPN 35% / Yahoo 47%)
@NO, ATL, BYE
Week 2 vs DET — 5 targets for 3/45/0
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (Rostered: ESPN 17% / Yahoo 36%)
@NO, ATL, BYE
Week 2 vs DET — 7 targets for 3/64/0
DeSean Jackson, Eagles (Rostered: ESPN 57% / Yahoo 48%)
CIN, @SF, @PIT
Week 2 vs LAR — 9 targets for 6/64/0
Jalen Reagor, Eagles (Rostered: ESPN 26% / Yahoo 35%%)
CIN, @SF, @PIT, BAL
Week 2 vs LAR — 4 targets for 4/41/0
Michael Pittman, Colts (Rostered: ESPN 14% / Yahoo 15%%)
NYJ, @CHI, @CLE
Week 2 vs MIN — 6 targets for 4/37/0
K.J. Hamler, Broncos (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 1%)
TB, @NYJ, @NE
Week 2 vs @PIT — 7 targets for 3/48/0 — 1/9/0 rushing
Golden Tate, Giants (Rostered: ESPN 58% / Yahoo 36%)
SF, @LAR, @DAL
Week 2 @GB– 5 targets for 5/47/0
N’Keal Harry, Patriots (Rostered: ESPN 40% / Yahoo 27%)
LV, @KC, DEN
Week 2 @SEA — 12 targets for 8/72/0
Keelan Cole, Jaguars (Rostered: ESPN 2% / Yahoo 3%)
MIA, @CIN, @HOU
Week 2 vs @TEN — 7 targets for 6/58/1
Tre’Quan Smith, Saints (Rostered: ESPN 18% / Yahoo 14%)
GB, @DET, LAC
Week 2 @LV — 7 targets for 5/86/0
Bryan Edwards, Raiders (Rostered: ESPN 6% / Yahoo 14%)
@NE, BUF, @KC
Week 2 vs NO — 2 targets for 2/42/0
Chase Claypool, Steelers (Rostered: ESPN 7% / Yahoo 6%)
HOU, @TEN, PHI
Week 2 vs DEN — 3 targets for 3/88/1
Is it finally time for Titan’s WR Corey Davis to enter into fantasy relevance? His last two weeks are trending in that direction with WR A.J. Brown sidelined with a knee injury. Over two weeks, Davis has combined for 13 targets, 137 yards, and a touchdown. He looks physical and dominant on the field and Tannehill looks comfortable targeting him. TE Jonnu Smith is also in the mix for targets. Until Brown returns, Davis may continue seeing an expanded role.
The Denver Broncos are suffering on offense right now. QB Drew Lock will miss multiple weeks with a shoulder injury and Sutton is done for the year. QB Jeff Driskel took over under center and performed admirably, but it still leaves some big questions marks surrounding their pass-catchers like rookie WRs K.J. Hamler and Jerry Jeudy. I think both, especially Jeudy, could land in the boom/bust category with TE Noah Fant seeing the targets and producing for the Broncos.
Patriots’ WR N’Keal Harry saw 12 targets during Sunday’s matchup against the Seahawks, and while he didn’t end the day with a touchdown, QB Cam Newton is impressed with the second-year receiver. I like adding him to rosters, especially in PPR formats, if Newton continues to pepper him with targets. It’s only a matter of time before they start connecting more often.
With the Saints WR1, Michael Thomas, off the field with a high ankle sprain, the Raiders shut down WR2 Emmanuel Sanders in Monday’s game. He struggled to create separation for QB Drew Brees, but Tre’Quan Smith stepped up to the plate. He saw seven targets and caught five of them for 86 yards. Smith could be a good WR3/Flex add while Thomas remained sidelined.
Falcons’ Russell Gage has been impressive over two weeks, but Julio Jones is still around and Calvin Ridley is exploding this year. Gage could be another boom/bust player along with Packers’ WRs Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdez-Scantling. If Davante Adams is sidelined, either one of these WRs could have a big game, but figuring out which one will be a challenge. Luckily for those who have Adams on their roster, his hamstring injury isn’t as serious as first suspected and he may not be out for long.
RB
Mike Davis, Panthers (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 6%)
@LAC, ARI, @ATL
Week 2 @TB — 1/1/0 — 8 targets for 8/74/0
Dion Lewis, Giants (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 6%)
Week 2 @CHI — 10/20/1 — 5 targets for 4/36/0
Wayne Gallman, Giants (Rostered: ESPN 0.4% / Yahoo 1%)
SF, @LAR, @DAL
Joshua Kelley, Chargers (Rostered: ESPN 28% / Yahoo 39%)
CAR, @TB, @NO
Week 2 vs KC — 23/64/0 — 3 targets for 2/49/0
Darrell Henderson, Rams (Rostered: ESPN 44% / Yahoo 32%)
@BUF, NYG, @WSH
Week 2 @PHI — 12/81/1 — 3 targets for 2/40/0
Jerick McKinnon, 49ers (Rostered: ESPN 19% / Yahoo 24%)
Week 2 @NYJ — 3/77/1 — 1 target, zero catches
Jeff Wilson, 49ers (Rostered: ESPN 0% / Yahoo 0%)
@NYG, PHI, MIA
Week 2 @NYJ — 2/3/0
Myles Gaskin, Dolphins (Rostered: ESPN 13% / Yahoo 15%
@JAX, SEA, @SF
Week 2 vs BUF — 7/46/0 — 7 targets for 6/36/0
Kerryon Johnson, Lions (Rostered: ESPN 66% / Yahoo 38%)
@ARI, NO, BYE
Week 2 @GB — 8/32/1 — 1 target, zero catches
Frank Gore, Jets (Rostered: ESPN 13% / Yahoo 14%)
@IND, DEN, ARI
Week 2 vs SF — 21/63/0 — 2 targets, zero catches
Devonta Freeman, FA (Rostered: ESPN 8% / Yahoo 13%)
Insurance:
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (Rostered: ESPN 37% / Yahoo 31%)
Alexander Mattison, Vikings (Rostered: ESPN 54% / Yahoo 45%)
Chase Edmonds, Cardinals (Rostered: ESPN 32% / Yahoo 42%)
If you didn’t prepare for this crazy year by rostering at least one backup RB, you may be kicking yourself right about now. All is not lost, however. There are some options at RB that may carry you through until studs like Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert return to the field.
In a surprise twist, Mike Davis stepped up for the Panthers in Sunday’s matchup against Tampa Bay. Davis is on his third team since 2018 bouncing from the Seahawks to Carolina to Chicago then back to Carolina. He was practically non-existent in the run game, rushing only once, but he was 100% in the passing game with eight receptions on eight targets for 74 yards. With QB Teddy Bridgewater looking for reliable receivers, Davis is a great addition in PPR formats while McCaffrey is out.
The Chargers’ backfield is starting to get a bit clearer after Week 2. Austin Ekeler was finally involved in the passing game, albeit not heavily used yet, and rookie Joshua Kelley established his ground-and-pound identity. Last week, Kelley only saw significant snaps in the second half of the game and scored a touchdown on 12 attempts and 60 yards. This week, he rushed 23 times for 64 yards. I am shocked he still only rostered in 28% of ESPN leagues and 39% of Yahoo leagues, but here we are. He was my number one add last week and continues to be my must-roster RB for Week 3.
The 49ers may have been the hardest hit after Week 2 adding more big names to an already banged up list of players. Out of the devastation, it was heartwarming to see Jerick McKinnon make a big impact for San Francisco. He hasn’t seen an NFL field since 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings when he rushed for under 600 yards and only three touchdowns the whole season. In just two weeks, McKinnon has scored a rushing and receiving touchdown this year. He is another must-add player who will have value even when Mostert returns to the field.
Don’t write off former Falcons’ RB Devonta Freeman just yet. After Barkley suffered his ACL tear and was ruled out the rest of the season, Freeman visited with the New York Giants. He has made it clear that he wants to get paid and he wants the opportunity to play. The Giants may be the best landing spot for him in 2020. I am not sure how productive he’s going to be, but he should see plenty of volume. Backup Wayne Gallman, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday, is also in the mix if you are desperate for a temporary replacement.
TE
Probably Rostered (but worth checking)
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (Rostered: ESPN 76% / Yahoo 84%)
CIN, @SF, @PIT, BAL
Week 2 vs LAR — 8 targets for 4/30/0
Main Waiver Wire Pickups
Jonnu Smith, Titans (Rostered: ESPN 40% / Yahoo 68%)
@MIN, PIT, BUF
Week 2 vs JAX — 5 targets for 4/84/2
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (Rostered: ESPN 47% / Yahoo 67%)
@JAX, SEA, @SF
Week 2 vs BUF — 11 targets for 8/130/1
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 2%)
@SEA, CLE, NYG
Week 2 vs ATL — 10 targets for 9/88/1 — 1 fumble
Logan Thomas, Washington (Rostered: ESPN 11% / Yahoo 32%)
@CLE, BAL, LAR
Week 2 @ARI — 9 targets for 4/26/0
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 1%)
NYJ, @CHI, @CLE
Week 2 vs MIN — 6 targets 5/111/0
Jordan Reed, 49ers (Rostered: ESPN 7% / Yahoo 7%)
@NYG, PHI, MIA
Week 2 @NYJ — 8 targets for 7/50/2
Drew Sample, Bengals (Rostered: ESPN 0%/ Yahoo 0%)
@PHI, JAX, @BAL
Week 2 @ CLE — 10 targets for 8/52/0- 54.7% of snaps
Jonnu Smith, Mike Gisicke, Dalton Schultz, and (surprise) Rule 86 Jordan Reed all found the end zone at least in Week 2. Smith and Gisicke may already be rostered in your leagues, but Schultz and Reed have been explosive stepping in for injured Blake Jarwin and George Kittle. Unlike Kittle, Jarwin is out for the year and so far it looks like Schultz may be getting a majority of the Cowboys’ TE targets despite a fumble against the Falcons. If you plan on targeting Reed, remember that Kittle is scheduled to return in Week 3. He may be an insurance stash at TE if you have a big enough bench.
The best bet for volume among these tight ends is the Bengals’ TE Drew Sample. C.J. Uzomah is out for the year after scoring a touchdown in Thursday night’s game. Sample easily stepped in to help rookie QB Joe Burrow and saw 10 targets, 8 receptions, and 52 yards. Give him an entire game as the primary TE with a QB who throws 50 or more times a game, and we could see some big numbers from Sample if he can be a reliable target.
Remember to listen to this week’s Waiver Wire episode. This may be the most important week for waiver decisions that fantasy has seen in a long time. The Footballers go in-depth on these players and also cover streaming QBs and DST to target for Week 3.
Comments
Go Rockies!
Yo Brett, could you do the littlest amount of arithmetic on your own? I’ll help. Write all the %’s on a piece of paper. Put them in order from highest to lowest (after averaging all 3 analysts %’s per player). You now have your rankings. C’MON MANNNNNN!
Could you guys make the RB waivers any murkier on the Podcast? Where are some rankings of who to pick up? I know you lean heavily on the waiver budget platforms and I do play in a league with that. I also play in a league with the revolving waiver wire, and I have the #1 pick. I was not affected by any of the injuries, thank god, but I really want one of the big available RB’s. Josh Kelley is the only one not available. Who do I take???