Waiver Wire Pickups Week 3
We are through two weeks of the NFL season, and there is plenty to discuss across the Fantasy Football landscape. We saw a few key players get injured, and that has always opened the door for some top fantasy pickups. Whether your team is 2-0 or 0-2, you should be aggressive on the waiver wire this week to find a potential league winner. Here are a few of the top waiver wire options entering Week 3.
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Quarterback
Derek Carr | New Orleans Saints
After Week 1, many people did not want to fall for the Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints trap. We have seen this story too many times, and beating a lowly Carolina Panthers team was not all that impressive. However, it is hard to maintain that mindset after what Carr did to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. The veteran quaertabck led his team to touchdown drives on their first six possessions. He completed 11/16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Carr is off to a great start this year and has a strong matchup in Week 3 at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. He should be started in all Superflex leagues and picked up in 1QB leagues. Carr is worth 10% FAAB in 1QB leagues and up to 30% if available in Superflex leagues.
Running Back
Carson Steele and Samaje Perine | Kansas City Chiefs
The significant injury of the week came to Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco; he suffered a fibula fracture and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Now, one of the best offenses in football will have someone new leading their rushing attack. There will likely be a running back by committee approach between Carson Steele and Samaje Perine. Steele will likely be the early down-runner, while Perine is the pass-catching back. It seems unlikely either player will be a league-winner, but both should be added in all leagues. Expect to spend up to 25% FAAB on both players, as running backs in an elite offense are hot commodities.
Braelon Allen | New York Jets
Not every player you pick up on the waiver wire is someone you can use right away. Sometimes, you must pick up good players and wait until they get their opportunity. That is the case with Jets rookie running back Braelon Allen. He made a significant impact in Week 2 on a limited snap count, rushing seven times for 33 yards and catching two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown. While he will not overtake a healthy Breece Hall, he looks like a player the Jets want to get on the field. Only target Allen in deep leagues (12+ teams), but if you have Hall, he is a must-own handcuff. He should go for around 10% FAAB as an exciting bench stash.
Wide Receiver
Alec Pierce | Indianapolis Colts
Heading into the season, everyone thought the Colts’ WR1 would be Michael Pittman Jr., But over the past two weeks, all of the production has gone to Alec Pierce. He leads all Colts pass-catchers in fantasy points with 38.1, and his 181 receiving yards are double that of any other wide receiver on the team—also, his 90.1% snap percentage leads all WRs on his team through two games. Anthony Richardson has evident chemistry with Pierce and should continue playing a pivotal role in his production. Pierce should be added in all leagues and used as a solid flex play as early as Week 3. I would look to spend 15-20% FAAB on Pierce, especially if I had a WR-needy team.
Quentin Johnston | Los Angeles Chargers
It has been a long time coming for Quentin Johnston in his NFL career. He had a rough rookie season last year and was hoping to show the talent of being a first-round pick this year. He had the best game of his career in Week 2. Johnston caught five passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team in targets with six and showed many of the skills that made him a top pick. For now, Johnston should only be picked up in 12+ team leagues. But he can take over as the Chargers’ WR1 and have an impactful second season. Do not break the bank for Johnston, but 10-15% FAAB should be enough to get him.
Jalen Tolbert | Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys did not play well on either side of the ball in their Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints. However, one player who played surprisingly well was wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. He caught six passes for 82 yards and led the team in targets with nine. The Cowboys need all the help they can get opposite CeeDee Lamb, and it looks like Tolbert is ready to jump into fantasy relevance. He should be targeted in all 12+ team leagues but kept on the bench for Week 3 as we look to see more consistency from him. Tolbert is only worth 5-10% FAAB as the Cowboys still try to figure out the pecking order of their passing offense behind Lamb.
Tight End
Hunter Henry | New England Patriots
The New England Patriots were expected to have one of the worst offenses in the NFL entering the 2024 season. Surprisingly, they have been solid through two games. One player who has stood out is tight end Hunter Henry. He has played a significant role in the Patriots’ offense and one that should help fantasy managers. Henry caught eight of 12 targets for 109 yards on Sunday and seemed like the favorite target for Jacoby Brissett. Also, he played 83.5% snap share through the first two games. Most tight ends have struggled to produce fantasy points through two weeks, so it is worth taking a flier on Henry if you are desperate for the position. If you desperately need a TE, I would spend up to 20% FAAB on Henry this week.
Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals
One player who has emerged onto the fantasy landscape is Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki. He has been a journeyman for most of his career but might have found a home in Cincy. Gesicki led the Bengals in targets on Sunday with nine and caught seven passes for 91 yards. The Bengals have three tight ends they like to sue, but Gesicki is the only one who is a significant part of the passing game. Gesicki is another option in 12+ team leagues for owners desperate for a tight end. He may not be in for a tremendous season, but it is worth using while a part of the offense. The impending return of Tee Higgins could hinder Gesicki, making him only worth 10% FAAB and a short-term bandaid at tight end.
