Week 3 Waiver Wire

By Tim Lazenby

What a Week 2, eh? Unexpected losses, dominations and unheralded heroes, Week 2 didn’t disappoint unless your team lost. Win lose or draw, we’re all looking to climb to the top of our league standings and the waiver wire helps us get there. As always, I’m ignoring players with high draft capital and ownership. I also stay away from players who are typically valued more heavily in dynasty, so you’ll see some notable omissions. Before we begin, here are some new injuries that happened in Week 2.

New Injuries to Take Note Of:

Justin Herbert - Questionable with ribs

This injury is near and dear to my heart as a Chargers fan. I, for one, hope they rest him as a Bolts boy but as a fantasy manager, you never want to see him sit. It’s hard to tell at this point what to do, but backup Chase Daniel is certainly on your waiver wire. Whatever you do, go get someone else just in case, especially in superflex.

Devin Duvernay - Questionable with concussion

Duvernay is off to a hotter start than anyone other than his mom believed he would be off to. If this was before week one, he wouldn’t even be on this list, but he’s obviously a big part of the offense. I’m not sure if I’d focus on DeMarcus Robinson or any other Ravens receiver to replace. Search elsewhere on the wire.

Alvin Kamara - Questionable with ribs

Kamara was very close to playing in week 2, so the injury shouldn’t be looked at as too serious, but if you’re worried, you can always make a move for Mark Ingram. Ingram is already taken in many leagues as the handcuff, so you’ll probably have to look elsewhere. You could roll the dice on Tony Jones for a week, but I wouldn’t.

Gabe Davis - Questionable with ankle

Like Kamara, Davis was close to playing in Week 2 and ultimately sat. Since he almost played, it seems unlikely that the injury is serious but considering how much you spend to get him, you’ll likely need a replacement. If your bench is low, I’d consider a Bills receiver for a week as Allen is capable of making anyone a star.

Hunter Renfrow - Questionable with concussion

Hunter Renfrow was used way more last week than Week 1, so it’s nice for Renfrow stockholders. That being said, the two fumbles and now a concussion aren’t. This one doesn’t look that bad, but you always want to be prepared. I’m having a hard time trusting anyone in Vegas minus Adams, so I’d look elsewhere for a replacement.

James Conner - Questionable with ankle

If you drafted or traded for Conner, I’m hoping you already have a backup plan with his injury history. Many already have Eno Benjamin as a handcuff, but he’s one of the lower owned ones. Benjamin’s certainly worth a shot if you can get him, but I wouldn’t take a shot on any other Cardinals back. Look elsewhere if Eno isn’t there.

Julio Jones - Questionable with knee

Tampa Bay is in jeopardy of losing their spot as top dogs due to their wavering receiver core. Godwin and Jones are banged up and Evans is out next week due to suspension. Tom Brady is going to continue to throw, so I’m taking shots on a couple of the Bucs receivers moving forward, but we’ll talk about that later.

Trey Lance - Out with ankle

This news is the most devastating of the entire list. Trey Lance is most certainly the cornerstone quarterback on many teams, especially and now he’s out for the year. Savvy managers already have Jimmy G as a backup plan, but he’s not all that exciting for me. Hopefully your wire has options, but you may be forced to make a trade.

Jerry Jeudy - Questionable with ribs

The injury doesn’t seem that troubling but Jeudy hasn’t been part of the issue. He’s considered day-to-day, so managers can breathe a breath of relief. Russell Wilson hasn’t looked good, so I trust no other Broncos receiver, minus Courtland Sutton, so I’m looking to the wire if Jeudy is on the mend for Week 3.

Dalton Schultz - Questionable with knee - PCL

Poor Dallas. You lost Dak Prescott and now Dalton Schultz is on the mend.The good news is that he’s not expected to miss significant time, but I’d for sure plan for an absence in week 3. The tight end position is the most talent scarce in fantasy, so your options are limited. I’d wait to hear more, but a trade may be necessary.

James Robinson - Jacksonville Jaguars

Much to the dismay of all Travis Etienne Jr managers, it seems as though James Robinson is not only here to stay, but he’s outright owning the backfield. At almost a 50/50 split, Robinson has been far more useful. Ranking as the 6th best PPR running back so far, if he’s out there, it’s time to get him before he’s gone.

Tyler Allgeier - Atlanta Falcons

I know I listed him last week, but it seems as though not enough people got the message. While the dynasty community is fairly high on him, even they aren’t completely sold yet. Even with Patterson playing, they split the rushes 50/50. It’s only a matter of time until Allgeier takes the backfield and you don’t want to miss out.

Jordan Mason - San Francisco 49ers

I eluded to him last week, but let’s preach a little harder. I don’t condone owning a Kyle Shanahan back, but many do. As everyone ran to get Jeff Wilson Jr, Tyrion Davis-Price stole too many touches. With TDP now on the mend, if I’m going for a 49ers back in fantasy, Jordan Mason is still free and will get touches in the future.

Other Running Back Options

D’onta Foreman - Carolina Panthers
Raheem Mostert - Miami Dolphins
Zander Horvath - Los Angeles Chargers

Greg Dortch - Arizona Cardinals

I was blessed with dumb luck, picking up Greg Dortch in many leagues on a whim before the season began. He’s rewarded me with a 11-118-1 line in two games. It won’t last all season, but he’s leading the team in catches, yards and touchdowns. Ride the wave for the underrated receiver, who is actually fantasy viable.

Nelson Agholor - New England Patriots

I want to almost bite my tongue as I say it, but Nelson Agholor is a player I’d spend some FAAB on. While Jakobi Meyers is still the WR to roster in New England, Agholor only has 12 yards less, has scored already and is more efficient. The Patriots aren’t the most exciting in fantasy, but Agholor is a decent option moving forward.

Scotty Miller - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As I mentioned earlier, the Buccaneers are hurting at wide receiver. With the injuries and suspension, Tom Brady will be forced to look elsewhere at unheralded talent. He only had a 43% snap share, but still garnered 8 targets. With the YPC being pretty good, the usage is bound to go up. Brady will continue to throw, you know.

Curtis Samuel - Washington Commanders

I mentioned last week to grab him and I need to put more emphasis on it. After a wasted year last season, it’s looking like 2019. A “poor man’s Deebo”, This Samuel is being used all over. The Commanders are much better than anticipated, and I want the offense on my fantasy squad. Samuel is still super cheap. It’s a no brainer.

Sterling Shepard - New York Giants

It pains me to trust Sterling Shepard, but he’s the best option for the Giants other than Saquon. The injury risk is always looming, but when he’s on the field. He wasn’t thrilling last week, but the snap share and targets are rising and it’s only going to continue. Despite poor QB play his entire career, Shepard has done pretty well.

Other Wide Receiver Options

Josh Palmer - Los Angeles Chargers
Noah Brown - Dallas Cowboys
Breshad Perriman - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quez Watkins - Philadelphia Eagles
Ashton Dulin - Indianapolis Colts
Olamide Zaccheaus - Atlanta Falcons

Evan Engram - Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are much better than they get credit for, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the fantasy pieces are appealing. Smashing the Colts, Engram was the most targeted of the Jaguars players. I know he didn’t score and the yards weren’t eye popping, but he’s very much usable in PPR leagues, especially with the position so thin.

Tyler Conklin - New York Jets

Many of us were wrong when we thought Conklin would play second fiddle to Uzomah. Other than the quarterback, Conklin was the only Jets player who was on the field for 100% of the offensive plays. With 16 targets and a touchdown so far, it may surprise you to hear that Tyler Conklin is a top ten option at his position.

Other Tight End Options

Logan Thomas - Washington Commanders
Taysom Hill - New Orleans Saints

Jared Goff - Detroit Lions

That’s right. I said it. Jared Goff is my top target at quarterback this week. Not only has he been usable, but he’s been downright fantastic. He’s been a top ten option at quarterback so far. And with the weapons he has, it’s looking like he could have a career year. He’s out to squash the claims that Detroit needs to replace him.

Zach Wilson - New York Jets

Buyer beware: Zach Wilson is still out. But that doesn’t mean I am not targeting him this week. The Jets are hot on offense. Despite being led by Joe Flacco, they’ve still scored five times through the air in two games. Sure, Zach Wilson was terrible last year, but they have the best WR group in years, so I want Wilson in 2022.

Other Quarterback Options

Marcus Mariota - Atlanta Falcons
Baker Mayfield - Carolina Panthers

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