We now have two weeks of stats — that’s enough to know everything, right? Hardly, but fantasy football remains a week-to-week pursuit within a season-long struggle, so reacting to what we’ve seen recently will inevitably influence our decisions. That’s why Raheem Mostert, Darrel Williams, and Garrett Wilson are among our top Week 3 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. They did little in the season’s opening week, but maybe that was fluky. Or maybe this week was fluky. We don’t know for sure, so better safe than sorry, right? Hey, they can’t all be Jahan Dotson, all right?
Our full free agent list features those players and plenty of others who have made waves so far this season. Some are based more on opportunities (Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, Mark Ingram, Tyrion Davis-Price, Tyler Allgeier); others are more about actual production (Nelson Agholor, Greg Dortch, Logan Thomas, Noah Brown, Mike Gesicki). We’re also here to help if you’re looking to stream defenses, as our Week 3 D/ST sleeper recommendations can be found at the end of the list.
MORE WEEK 3: Full waiver list | FAAB report | Trade advice
Last week, there was an obvious player worth a top waiver claim with Jeff Wilson Jr. (hopefully) taking over for up to eight weeks while Elijah Mitchell nurses a knee injury. This week, that probably isn’t the case, though Mostert and one of Williams or Benjamin could be that guy. Wilson and Mostert, among others, will be claimed, but if you’re sitting with top-three priority, you might be better off waiting until next week unless you’re desperate for an RB.
As we always say, that’s the blessing and curse of having a high waiver claim at the beginning of the year. You’ll inevitably let some good players pass by, but it’s better to be judicious than go all-in on a flash-in-the-pan rookie only to wind up dropping him a few weeks later when you’re further down the line. It’s still very early, and more big injuries and breakouts are bound to happen. That said, if you’re a true believer in Wilson or Dotson and want to an exciting rookie receiver, then go for it. There will be plenty of waiver movement early in the year, so you could at least get back into the top five within a few weeks.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 3
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins. The Dolphins surprised everyone by having Mostert operate as the lead back in Week 2. He didn’t put up huge numbers (11 carries for 51 yards, three catches for 28 yards), but some of that had to do with the Dolphins being in passing mode much of the second half. Most important is that Mostert had eight more touches than he did in Week 1 and eight more touches than Chase Edmonds. if this is truly a changing of the guard with Mostert “taking over” for Edmonds, then the former 49er speedster will have RB2/flex value in Miami’s offense. Given Mostert’s injury history, he’s definitely not someone you can count on for the long-term, but a home-run hitter like Mostert has flex upside even in a tough matchup against Buffalo in Week 3.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets. Wilson had a garbage-time-inflated eight targets in Week 1, but there was nothing fluky about his Week 2 performance. The rookie out of Ohio State hauled in eight-of-14 targets for 102 yards and two TDs. He was Joe Flacco’s favorite target all day long, and while consistency from a Jets’ wide receiver is tough to count on, Wilson clearly has the highest ceiling of the group. He’s definitely worth grabbing ahead of a matchup with the Bengals’ mediocre secondary.
MORE WEEK 3: Full waiver list | FAAB report | Trade advice
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders. Dotson was having a fairly ho-hum game against Detroit, once again looking like the third or fourth fiddle in the Washington passing offense, but a late TD (plus a two-point conversion), really boosted his day. Any rookie WR who catches TDs in back-to-back weeks is going to be a hot commodity on the waiver wire, so even though Dotson had just five targets and 59 yards, this is your last chance to get him. He’ll definitely be in play as a WR3/flex next week against Philadelphia.
Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin, RB, Cardinals. Williams, not Benjamin, primarily took over when James Conner (ankle) exited in the second half. It’s possible Williams was just playing because Arizona was in catch-up mode and he’s considered a better receiving back, but either way, he wound up tying for the team lead in carries (8) and leading the team in rushing yards (59) while adding two short catches and scoring a touchdown. Benjamin finished with eight carries for 31 yards and three catches for 30 yards. If Conner can play next week against the Rams, Williams and Benjamin will have little value, but if early reports on Conner are negative, then both Williams and Benjamin are worth grabbing.
Greg Dortch, WR, Cardinals. Dortch shocked everyone by leading the Cardinals in targets in Week 1 (9), and he followed that up with just four targets in Week 2. Typical, right? Well, he still led Arizona wide receivers in yards (55) and scored a TD. Dortch might lose all value once Rondale Moore (hamstring) returns, and he certainly figures to be cast aside when DeAndre Hopkins is back from suspension in Week 7, but in the meantime, it appears he has real value as a potential WR3/flex. That could start next week against the Rams, where Hollywood Brown figures to see a lot of Jalen Ramsey, potentially leaving Dortch in softer coverage.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including more streaming options at every position, check out our full Week 3 list.
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