Week 3 Waiver Wire
Week 2 was safe to say, a complete nightmare for injuries. If you drafted Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, or Michael Thomas, you’re hurting right now. Week 2 gave us an unprecedented number of injuries. Saquon is done for the year, CMC is out 4-6 weeks, Raheem Mostert is now injured to go with Tevin Coleman, Parris Campbell, Devante Adams, Cam Akers, Drew Lock, and Breshard Perriman are some of the names that went down on Sunday. This waiver wire article can make or break your season. This is the week you need to hit on the wire. The question is, who are the players that can help your season, and who are the duds that are smoke and mirrors.
Last week’s waiver darlings of Nyheim Hines and Sammy Watkins did not show up. Will Fuller was missing as well. I spoke last week of not falling for the Watkins hype, and this week is no different with new players coming up on the trending lists. First off, avoid the Giants backfield. Saquon struggled behind the attrocious offensive line, so why would we think Dion Lewis or Wayne Gallman are not going to succeed? Even with role, these turkeys are not going to win you a title, they are back of the bench $1 FAAB types, don't fall for it. . If Devonta Freeman (who I expect to be added) signs with the Giants I still would avoid the temptation, he isn't the first round talent he once was, don't fall for the name recognition.
QUARTERBACK
Justin Herbert / LAC / 3% rostered
Last week I discussed Herbert and how he was a flier add in deeper leagues. Well he got his shot (didn’t know until basically kickoff) and he took it and did a great job. He went on to throw for 311 yards and almost took down the Chiefs. In superflex leagues he should be given a look. Anthony Lynn did mention Tyrod is the starter if fully healthy, but I am not buying that on face value. Still just a tiny % of FAAB value, even in superflex.
Tua Tagovailoa / Dolphins / 8% rostered
While Ryan Fitzpatrick did throw for over 300 yards, Miami did lose again. If Miami is staring at 0-3 after next week it may be Tua time. It's a perfect transition time with ten days between games and a soft defensive matchup Week 4 with Seattle at home. If you’re in need of a backup QB in a superflex, now is the time to grab a share of Tua, he will likely be a superflex starter once the reign begins. 5% of FAAB.
Gardner Minshew / Jaguars / 54% rostered
All he does is score. Back to back 3 touchdown weeks and going to play Miami who just got leveled by Josh Allen. He is a solid borderline QB1/high QB2 this week. Likely owned in most spots, but might have been dropped by a team that streams. Be that guy and do it this week.
RUNNING BACK
Darrell Henderson Jr. / LAR / 29% rostered
Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown experienced injuries Sunday. Akers with a rib injury, and Brown who hurt his finger. Henderson may very well have been dropped week 1 in your league with the emergence of Brown. He ran 12 times for 81 yards and a touchdown to go with 2
receptions for 40 yards. While he plays the tough Buffalo defense Sunday, Henderson projects as a nice add long term. He figures to be the 1A to Brown’s 1B right now, but being that he took over Sunday, he may see the bulk of the carries if he maintains his success from week 2. Early indications on Tuesday are that Brown may play, but sounds like Akers' injury may cost some additional time. 15% of budget, slightly more if you own Akers or Brown.
Jerick McKinnon / 49ers / 24% rostered
The question is who didn’t get hurt on the 49ers? They managed to beat the Jets playing their 90th team offense and defense. Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman both are injured and expected to miss some games. Mostert is week to week it seems, and Coleman may be much longer. McKinnon had 3 carries for 77 yards against the Jets. Durability is a concern, but if he can stay healthy he has a great matchup Sunday against the Giants, and is easily a flex consideration. Some PPR goodness here, 15% of budget
Myles Gaskin / Dolphins / 16% rostered
I spotlighted Gaskin last week in this column, and here he is again. He rushed 7 times for 46 yards, bringing in 6 receptions for 36 yards. In a full point setting, he has had back to back double digit weeks. An expanded receiving role Sunday worked great for Gaskin, and if Miami builds on that he’s an every week flex option, or even RB2 if you lost several backs. Probably the best add for the season of this stable, but most owners will flock to the shiny new toys moving into roles after an injury. Week 1 Dolphins snap counts were 63/23/15 for Gaskin/Matt Breida/Jordan Howard. Week 2 was 65/21/11. Look for the role to continue to expand. There's a legit RB2 here, but you are the only one that knows that! 20-25% of FAAB
Mike Davis / Panthers / 11% rostered
I am not the biggest Mike Davis fan, but in a fantasy world where it seems as if every RB has gone down, Davis isn’t that bad of an add. While playing from behind, which may be a every week thing, Davis brought in 8 catches for 74 yards. Filling into the CMC role, Davis should be given every opportunity to put up fantasy production. Matt Rhule gave high praise to Davis, so there is no reason he won’t be given the chance to succeed. He is the back to add in this backfield until CMC is back. But don't go crazy, the offense will funnel through the WR core now. 10-15 % of FAAB. If you are a screwed CMC owner, go ahead and add to it.
Joshua Kelley/ Chargers/ 26% rostered
As an Austin Ekeler mark, this one hurts a bit. The role Kelley has taken on is defined and obvious, he's going to be on the field alot. 24% of snaps week 1, 52% in week 2. Both rushers have received 35 carries to this point, with Kelley getting the TD. Ekeler will still eat, but Kelley is here to stay and will be a top 36 RB weekly moving forward. In the event of an Ekeler injury we could see top 15 production. 20% of FAAB
WIDE RECEIVER
Russell Gage / Falcons / 22% rostered
Atlanta’s offense is red hot. Can they keep a lead? That’s a different story. Ridley right now is far outplaying Julio, and Gage is making his case as well. He was targeted 9 times, and brought in 6 receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. Coming off a 114 yard receiving game, Gage continued his fantasy success and is showing no signs of stopping. 25% of FAAB, he's likely usable every week moving forward.
Tre’Quan Smith / Saints / 14% rostered
I talked about Smith last week and the window is closed. He showed up on Monday night as Drew Brees' favorite target and is going to cost you a chunk of FAAB change. Looks to be the #1 option in Michael Thomas' absence. 30%+ as needed.
Keelan Cole / Jaguars / 4% rostered
Cole was targeted 7 times and caught 6 of those passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. He put up his second double digit week in a row, and seems to be settling into the WR2/3 role behind DJ Chark. Also to add, he has out targeted DJ Chark in back to back weeks. Everyone will be focused on the RB adds and Smith and Gage, you can probably sneak Cole for less than 5% of FAAB
N’Keal Harry / Patriots / 27% rostered
Harry seems to be connecting very nicely with Cam Newton. Outside of Julian Edleman, Harry seems to be the go to target for the Patriots. He was targeted 12 times and caught 8 of those passes for 72 yards. Harry is a nice flex option the rest of the way. 10% of FAAB
Corey Davis/ Titans/ 27% rostered
This is the throw up in your mouth special of the week for some of us. Davis has consistently burned fantasy owners since being drafted 5th overall in 2017. With AJ Brown out, Davis put up his second consecutive double digit point day after finding the end zone early on Sunday. ON the field for 81% of snaps both weeks, Davis has received 13 targets and turned it into 10/137. Ryan Tannehill looks great like now, I want a piece of that offense. 15% of FAAB
TIGHT END
Mo Alie-Cox / Colts/ 1% owned
With Jack Doyle not playing, Alie-Cox took advantage and grabbed 5 of 6 targets for 111 yards. Playing the Jets next week after Jordan Reed just torched the Jets is a streaming dream. Keep an eye on Doyle’s status, but we may have a sleeper here. 5% of FAAB
Dalton Schultz / Cowboys / 2% rostered
What we thought Blake Jarwin would do, Schultz did on Sunday. He was targeted 10 times with 9 catches and 88 yards, with a touchdown. Is this a 1 week wonder? Maybe, but we cannot ignore it. Dollar bid.
Jordan Reed / 49ers / 7% rostered
He may only be usable for one more week, but he had a fantastic showing against the Jets last week. 7 catches on 8 targets for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. If Kittle plays, Reed is not usable, and also keep an eye on Jimmy Garoppolo as well. Reed looks to continue his success against the Giants in week 3. Most Kittle owners already picked him up last week and used him to get a win. If he's still there don't overpay, 5-10% of FAAB
Mike Gesicki / Dolphins / 53% rostered
There is a good chance he isn’t available, but its worth a check being 47% of the fantasy world is in a fog. This week Gesicki smashed for 8 catches on 11 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. Gesicki is playing the same Jaguars that Jonnu Smith went off on. He may be a top 5 TE this week.
TEAM DEFENSE
Colts
Playing the Jets. They are throwing to nobody. Chris Hogan may be the WR1. This is a nice streaming option. Every week, top add will be the Jets opponent.
Buccaneers
Playing the Broncos starting Jeff Driskel. No Courtland Sutton, start Tampa Bay and don’t look back.
Chargers
Playing the Panthers without CMC is a nice streaming option.