Sep 20-
- Time to look at the fantasy football waiver wire for week 3
- How can you replace Trey Lance, James Conner or Chris Godwin?
- Read below for must add players this week in fantasy football
It’s week 3 and you may already be feeling like you won’t be able to find anymore value off the waiver wire. Or maybe you’re sitting at 0-2 and worried that your roster isn’t capable of competing this season. Fear not, because injuries will happen and out of nowhere breakouts are inevitable. Let’s dive into the week 3 waiver wire and find must add players to your fantasy football team.
Remember, we aren’t just looking at the prettiest stat lines from last week. We want to see volume and opportunity, that’s the foundation of long term value.
Garrett Wilson (WR) – New York Jets
The rookie wide receiver is the clear priority option on the week. I don’t typically like to spend a lot of FAAB on the position but in this case I’d spend up to 30%. I’m not sure the Jets will continue to average 50 pass attempts per game, but even last season they were one of the most pass happy in the league. This team can still spread it around to other players without significantly hindering Wilson.
Wilson is averaging 11 targets per game through two weeks which ranks 9th at the position. He’s also 1st in the NFL in end zone targets with 4 and 1st in red zone targets with 8. This kid is the most polished wide receiver from the rookie class, he’s a fantastic route runner with long arms to make nearly any play on the field. I’d be willing to use up to 30% of my budget if he’s still available in your league.
Juwan Johnson (TE) – New Orleans Saints
For those of us that didn’t pay much attention to the tight end position in the early portion of fantasy football drafts, Juwan Johnson is here. As someone that’s been starting Cole Kmet and Hunter Henry I’m in need of a waiver wire addition.
Johnson’s usage in New Orleans is incredibly encouraging, he’s received 12 targets in two weeks while also running a route on 75% of Jameis Winston’s dropbacks. More than half of those routes are coming from the slot as well. These targets aren’t in short yardage either as he’s 5th at the position in air yards through two weeks.
Johnson is still arguably the fifth pass catching option behind the three wide receivers and Alvin Kamara but these are very nice numbers to see from a tight end. He’s going to be available in nearly every league, if you’re in a pinch at tight end he’s worth an add this week.
Marcus Mariota (QB) – Atlanta Falcons
Another position that I’m personally in trouble at is quarterback, and that’s the result of Trey Lance’s season ending ankle injury. I find that a lot of my casual leagues will not have much on the waiver wire and trading for a QB is almost impossible. That’s where Marcus Mariota comes in.
The Falcons QB has enjoyed two solid weeks, he’s the QB12 so far. I expect him to continue to return value this week in a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are one of the worst coverage units in the league, already having the 3rd worst coverage grade per PFF. That should give the slumping Kyle Pitts a chance to breakout.
What makes Mariota a must add player though is his rushing upside. His 9 rushing attempts per game only trails Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields. Should this continue and he posts 40+ rushing yards per game he’d be a must start QB in any plus matchup.
Darrel Williams (RB) – Arizona Cardinals
As we ran through the first week and a half of NFL action it seemed like the Arizona Cardinals had their RB2 in Eno Benjamin. But when the going got tough and James Conner left in the third quarter with an injury that wasn’t the case. Despite not entering the game until after Conner’s injury Darrel Williams managed to out-snap Benjamin 40-37 for the game.
https://twitter.com/jagibbs_23/status/1572197632289607680?s=20&t=qu_5aIw_Pk-w0k0EColjZg
Williams ended up being the Cardinals most efficient rusher in the game, averaging 7.8 yards per carry on 8 attempts and scoring a touchdown. It’s not like he isn’t a capable pass catcher either as he tied Benjamin for targets and had more routes run 22-18.
Conner’s injury is apparently “not long-term” or “serious” but I’d expect his status for week 3 to be up in the air until close to game time. Williams seems like the guy that will see the bulk of work should Conner miss any time.
Other Waiver Wire Targets
Jerick McKinnon – Had the most snaps of all Chiefs running backs and secured all of the red zone and goal line work.
Jordan Mason – Another 49ers running back falls to injury in Tyrion Davis-Price, Mason is the next man up and Davis-Price had 14 carries in week 2.
Breshad Perriman – We know Mike Evans will miss week 2, I’m confident the same will go for Chris Godwin as well. Perriman will be either the second or third man this week depending on Julio Jones status.
Treylon Burks – He’s rostered in 44% of leagues, it needs to be much higher. He’s got a near 35% target rate, it’s only a matter of time until he’s running more routes.
