Fantasy: Waiver Wire – Week 3

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Every Monday throughout the season, theScore’s Justin Bone Runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players represented in less than 50% of the leagues are considered.

quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Lions

next up	listed	Fabulous
at MIN	22%	$1

Ahead of the season, we identified Goff as a sleeper based on his past performances on the Rams’ talented offenses.

Strange as it may seem, the Lions have built an impressive attack with a top-five offensive line and squad star skills like D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit has also greatly improved its depth in recent years with the likes of TJ Hockenson, Jamaal Williams, DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds.

The result was a strong start for Goff, who averages the ninth highest fantasy points per competition (with two games remaining this week). That’s largely due to his four touchdown performance against the Commanders in Week 2.

With the Lions defense still struggling, Goff’s count will continue to add volume as the team tries to keep up with their opponents.

Next up is likely a shootout with the Vikings, who currently have the highest predicted Week 3 score (52.5). Treat Goff as a high-end QB2 streamer this week with a chance to release another high-quality game against the Seahawks in Week 4.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

next up	listed	Fabulous
both	4%	$1

After all the trade talks, Garoppolo has landed where he wanted to be as a starting quarterback for the 49ers. Unfortunately it had to come at the expense of Trey Lance, who is out for the season with a broken ankle.

You can question Garoppolo’s character (i.e. smile while Lance is carried off the field), but his fantasy value is pretty much set in stone thanks to the weapons and system around him.

Garoppolo was QB17 in fantasy points per game a year ago and will continue to offer bye-week or injury replacement value in your lineup.

Carson Wentz and James Winston are near or above the 50% mark but would be the top picks at the quarterback if available.

Risky streaming options: Marcus Mariota at SEA (11% in roster), Ryan Tannehill vs. LV (19% in roster)

Dart throw streaming options: Matt Ryan vs. KC (43% of squad), Mac Jones vs. BAL (26% of squad)

2QB/Superflex considerations only: Cooper Rush at NYG (2% on roster), Joe Flacco vs. CIN (2% on roster), Daniel Jones vs. DAL (24% on roster), Baker Mayfield vs. NO (17% on roster), Davis Mills at CHI (6% in roster), Geno Smith vs. ATL (6% in roster), Mitch Trubisky at CLE (7% in roster), Jacoby Brissett vs. PIT (4% in roster)

Long-term storage: Zach Wilson (5% in roster), Kenny Pickett (4% in roster)

run back

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

next up	listed	Fabulous
against BUF	43%	$14

While Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Tua Tagovailoa will all grab the headlines for the Dolphins’ stunning comeback against the Ravens on Sunday, fantasy executives should watch out for a change in the Miami backfield.

Mostert played more snaps (55%-51%) and received more touches (14-6) in Week 2 than Chase Edmonds (14-6) after the latter took the lead in Miami’s opener.

The result was 79 yards from scrimmage for Mostert, including three catches. He also ran nearly as many distances as Edmonds, who was believed to be the loser entering the season.

Restitution to a dangerous offense would normally justify a higher bid for the waiver. But Mostert’s concerns about shelf life call for a more cautious approach.

Don’t break the bank for a player with such a long history of being beaten when his volume picks up.

Right now, Mostert is an RB3 with RB2 on top as long as he can stay healthy.

Darrel Williams/Eno Benjamin, Cardinals

next up	listed	Fabulous
against LAR	4%/11%	$5/$5

With James Conner having an ankle problem, Benjamin and Williams need to be included in the list.

The good news for Conner is that initial reports indicate the injury is not serious and will not require a long-term absence NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. However, that doesn’t preclude him from missing Week 3.

When Conner left Sunday’s game, the Cardinals’ backfield turned into a timeshare, with Benjamin and Williams sharing snaps. Despite Benjamin being No. 2 in the opener, Williams has been the more prolific of the two on their recent outing.

Williams and Benjamin are settled as RB3/Flex options if Conner cannot pass. Williams has a slight advantage based on their recent performances. Still, it will be difficult to project one over the other with certainty until we have more information.

Khalil Herbert, Kenneth Gainwell, and brian robinson are near or over the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

High upside backups like Rachaad Weiss (38% roster) and Isiah Pacheco (29% in squad) Should be in the squad in most leagues.

Risky Flex Options: Mark Ingram at CAR (30% list), Kenyan Drake at NE (17% list), JD McKissic vs. PHI (24% list), Rex Burkhead at CHI (37% list), Tyler Allgeier at SEA (14% list)

Dart Throw Flex Options: Zack Moss at MIA (16% list), Jerick McKinnon at IND (6% list), Sony Michel vs. JAX (6% list), Tony Jones Jr. at CAR (0% list), Boston Scott at WAS (4% list) Roster), Jordan Mason at DEN (5% roster)

Dart throw flex options (when healthy): Dontrell Hilliard vs. LV (21% roster), Brandon Bolden at TEN (1% roster)

Other fuses to consider: Jaylen Warren at CLE (16% in roster), Samaje Perine at NYJ (6% in roster), D’Onta Foreman vs. NO (7% in roster), Zamir White at TEN (8% in roster), Matt Breida vs .DAL (1% on list), Josh Kelley vs. JAX (1% on list)

Long Shot Hides: Chris Evans at NYJ (1% list), Hassan Haskins vs. LV (1% list), Justice Hill at NE (0% list), Ty Johnson vs. CIN (0% list),

Injured Reserve Hides: Gus Edwards (12% roster)

wide receiver

Garrett Wilson, Jets

next up	listed	Fabulous
against CIN	23%	$7

Despite playing just 49% of the Jets’ snaps on his debut, Wilson had eight goals and finished with four catches and 52 yards.

Much to the delight of fantasy managers, the rookie improved on those numbers in Week 2. Wilson played 61% of snaps and delivered a stat line of 8-102-2 on Sunday for a team leading 14 goals.

More importantly, he plays the role of a difference maker at the NFL level, and you can see his confidence growing with every reception.

The Jets coaching staff can’t put their talented first-round receiver back in the box just yet, but fantasy executives shouldn’t expect consistent top-30 production from him just yet.

He’s a flexible option who will become a star as the season progresses and this could be your last chance to add him to your roster.

Jakobi Meyers, Patriots

next up	listed	Fabulous
against BAL	35%	$4

We don’t recommend massive bids on any of the receivers this week as there is an abundance of flexible wideouts in most leagues.

Meyers stands out in PPR and semi-PPR formats thanks to his committed target percentage of the Patriots’ offense.

The 25-year-old has scored 19 goals in his first two games, posting stats of 4-55-0 and 9-95-0.

His dislike of the end zone lingers, but Meyers will be a top-notch fantasy starter as long as his volume as New England’s No. 1 in wideout stays high.

Russell Gage/Breshad Perriman, privateers

next up	listed	Fabulous
against GB	41%/0%	$4/$2

Mike Evans is expected to miss Week 3 after being handed a one-game suspension for his role in the on-field brawl between the Buccaneers and Saints.

It’s bad timing for an offense that could already do without Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee).

That would make Gage and Perriman the next pass catchers for Tom Brady.

A hamstring problem has limited Gage this season, and he hasn’t surpassed 30 yards in either of Tampa’s first two games. Meanwhile, Perriman stepped forward when Evans was thrown out and finished with 45 yards and a score – playing 75% of Week 2 snaps.

The Buccaneers attack is not firing on all cylinders at the moment due to the injuries in the receiving corps and in the offensive line. However, Gage and Perriman have a chance to be boom-or-bust WR3/Flex streamers against the Packers.

Jahan Dotson, Isaiah McKenzie, and Treylon Burks are near or over the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

Risky Flex Options: Josh Palmer vs. JAX (27% list), Nico Collins at CHI (25% list), Sterling Shepard vs. DAL (11% list), Corey Davis vs. CIN (14% list), Robbie Anderson vs. NO (37th % on list), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at IND (39% on list), Nelson Agholor vs. BAL (1% on list), Kyle Philips vs. LV (5% on list), Greg Dortch vs. LAR (7% on the list)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Rondale Moore at LAR (20% roster), Mecole Hardman at IND (31% roster)

Dart Throw Flex Options: Zay Jones at LAC (13% list), Donovan Peoples-Jones vs PIT (21% list), Ashton Dulin vs KC (1% list), KJ Osborn vs DET (8% list), Sammy Watkins at TB ( 17% in roster), Noah Brown at NYG (2% in roster), Olamide Zaccheaus at SEA (0% in roster), DeAndre Carter vs. JAX (8% in roster)

Dart throw flex options (when healthy): Michael Gallup at NYG (27% list), KJ Hamler vs. SF (3% list), Van Jefferson at ARI (5% list)

Long term rookie hideouts: Romeo Doubs at TB (28% list), Christian Watson at TB (13% list), Skyy Moore at IND (23% list), Alec Pierce vs. KC (5% list)

Long Shot Hides: Justin Watson at IND (0% List), Mack Hollins at TEN (0% List), Tyrie Cleveland vs. SF (0% List), Demarcus Robinson at NE (0% List)

Injured Reserve Hides: Jameson Williams (23% roster), Tyquan Thornton (1% roster), Odell Beckham Jr. (8% roster)

tight ends

Logan Thomas, Commanders

next up	listed	Fabulous
vs PHI	14%	$4

Tight end is already getting thin with fantasy waiver wires, so if you’re in dire straits in the position, it’s time to act now.

Thomas was solid on his return from a cruciate ligament tear. He recorded snap rates of 62% and 73% in the first few weeks while posting 3-45-0 and 3-37-1 in those competitions.

The Commanders’ impressive receiver trio will likely limit his volume, but Thomas is still capable of producing top 12 tight-end numbers in Fantasy as he did in 2020.

Gerald Everett is near or above the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

Risky Streamer Options: Evan Engram at LAC (21% roster), Robert Tonyan at TB (39% roster)

Dart Throw Streamer Options: Irv Smith Jr. vs. DET (41% roster), Hayden Hurst at NYJ (16% roster), Tyler Conklin vs. CIN (3% roster), JuWan Johnson at CAR (0% roster)

Long term rookie hideouts: Isaiah likely at NE (6% roster)

defense

Week 3 streamers

team	next up	listed
cowboys	at NYG	41%
Eagle	at WHAT	32%
bosses	at IND	36%
texan	at CH	1%
bears	against HOU	4%
Seahawks	against ATL	2%

Favorable upcoming schedules: Eagles (32% of players), Cowboys (41% of players), Giants (7% of players)