Waiver Wire: Week 3

Here at Fighting Chance Fantasy, we will have a collective effort to bring some options to improve your team. Seth Quinn (@SethFQuinn) will cover quarterbacks, Michael Chasco (@ChascoFCF) will cover running backs, Matt Miles (@DirtyAirFC) will cover wide receivers, and Leo Grandio (@smooth1074) will cover the tight ends and defense streamers.

Quarterback (Seth Quinn)

Jordan Love | Packers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 61%

While Jordan Love doesn't fit the below 50% ownership requirement, I felt it was important to list him here, as I listed him last week and he had another great week. Love already seems like the real deal, both from an NFL and fantasy perspective, so if he's still available in your league, he's worth picking up as soon as possible. He currently ranks as the QB2 after two weeks, and that's with a banged up receiving core. He faces the Saints tough defense this coming week, but I believe in Love and his potential as an every week starter the rest of the season. Pick him up before more people catch on.

Sam Howell | Commanders

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 20%

His Week 3 opponent, the Bills, have a good defense, but I'm at least taking a flyer on Sam Howell as a backup with potential for more. The Commanders have done well offensively so far, and the Commanders quarterback has played solidly both from a fantasy and real life perspective. Howell has put up 16.18 and 21.26 fantasy points the last two weeks, showing he's a capable starting quarterback in the NFL. While I'm not necessarily rushing to pick him up, he's definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Matthew Stafford | Rams

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 35%

I might be jumping the gun a bit with Matthew Stafford, but given how surprisingly well his receivers have played, I'm highly considering picking up Stafford to see how he does in the coming weeks, and also prepare for when Cooper Kupp returns. We've seen Stafford thrive in fantasy with Kupp, so it will be interesting to see how well the offense runs with Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Tutu Atwell all playing at once. I'd be hesitant to start Stafford immediately given his lack of rushing upside, but he's a great stash to have as a backup QB if you aren't fully satisfied with your starter.

Running Backs (Michael Chasco)

Note: With the Yahoo! roster threshold set at 50%: check to see if Zack Moss is still available in your leagues. He is currently listed at 54% in Yahoo! He received every single running back snap for Indianapolis and should be universally owned.   

Jerome Ford | Browns

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 17%

Browns star running back Nick Chubb is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a significant knee injury on Monday. Chubb has been a perennial first-rounder in fantasy drafts, as his power and consistency have long made him Cleveland's best fantasy player. The Browns simply can't replace the four-time Pro Bowler, but they will have to turn to rookie Jerome Ford to carry the load. Ford will be the top priority pickup this week in a player pool that's getting thin in a hurry. 

Ford surprised last week with 32 snaps and 15 touches and was the only back to touch the ball other than Chubb. He was highlighted here last week as a handcuff play if anything happens to Chubb. Now Ford will be elevated into the RB2 territory around names like Dameon Pierce, Rachaad White, and Miles Sanders. There is a chance the Browns pivot to other options like recently available Cam Akers or veteran Kareem Hunt. If the Browns give the job to Ford, then he's well worth the majority of your remaining FAAB dollars. It's not whether you should pick up Ford, it's how aggressive will you be to acquire him.    

Justice Hill | Ravens

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 44%

Last week in this section, we wondered how will the Ravens replace J.K. Dobbins from a season-ending injury. Losing Dobbins was going to be a significant blow to the run game, and the Ravens were going to miss his playmaking ability paired with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Dobbins was set to be a weekly RB2 with upside in an offense that wanted to run the ball early and often. With Dobbins out of the picture, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill were popular pickups off the waiver wire last week, so it's a surprise to see Hill still under 50% in Yahoo! leagues. Were fantasy managers waiting to see how both backs would be used in Baltimore before using their valuable FAAB dollars?

One thing is certain, Baltimore did not press the panic button. The team held off making any reactionary acquisitions heading into Cincinnati last Sunday. The team split the work between Edwards and Hill as expected. Hill received one more carry but it was Edwards who found the endzone in the first quarter. Both players will be in the RB3 discussion, but both won't have consistent value with the RBBC approach by Baltimore. Good luck trying to pick the right back to play each week.

Matt Breida | Giants

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 2%

Hopefully, you're not too desperate to start Matt Breida against the stout San Francisco defense on Thursday Night Football. With all the injuries to lead-backs in week 2, it wouldn't be a surprise if you need help ASAP. Breida could be the first back to get opportunities in New York, with star Saquon Barkley expected to miss time. Breida could be valuable down the road, as Barkley is expected to miss three weeks due to a sprained ankle suffered last Sunday. Barkley avoided a major injury but is presumed to be out until the Oct. 8th matchup against the Dolphins in Week 5. If Breida shows up against the stingy 49ers defense, he can be an option in Week 4 against a Seattle team that struggles to stop the run. 

Barkley's injury is a major blow for the Giants offense who relied on the back against the Cardinals. Barkley just missed two snaps before getting hurt on the second-to-last offensive snap of the game. We didn't get a glimpse of how the Giants will use both Breida and Gary Brightwell in place of Barkley. Could we see more of a 60/40 split? Could rookie Eric Gray mix in as a committee member and punt returner?

Roschon Johnson | Bears

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 38%

Much like the Ravens' situation mentioned above, the Bears' running backs are trending toward a committee with Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. Without a true lead back, Herbert could be more of a Gus Edwards-type play and Johnson could play more of the pass catcher out of the group, much like Justice Hill. Johnson's role in the passing game has been promising, and it could lead to more opportunities in the future. If Johnson continues to increase his workload, then he will be moved up to flex territory sooner rather than later. He has eight receptions through two games and plays a significant role in two-minute situations. 

Veteran D'Onta Foreman was a healthy scratch before Week 2, which signals the Bears are getting more comfortable using the rookie back. The Chicago offense is not an ideal spot for fantasy, at the moment, as the offense only ran 52 offensive plays on Sunday. But if Chicago continues to struggle and finds itself in trailing situations, then Johnson will be the running back to roster in the future. 

Jaylen Warren | Steelers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 41%

Heading into Week 2, Jaylen Warren was already known as one of the best backups in the league. Not only did Warren look good in the passing game, he looked more explosive than Najee Harris. Could Warren push Harris for more lead-back work? His role continues to expand in the Steelers' offense and will be a safety outlet for an inconsistent Kenny Pickett. If he continues to receive more work in Pittsburgh he can gain more standalone value in fantasy leagues.   

Tony Jones and Kendre Miller | Saints

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: Jones 1%, Miller 13% 

One situation to monitor this week is how will New Orleans replace Jamaal Williams in its backfield. Williams suffered a hamstring injury on Monday, which led the team to lean on Tony Jones Jr. The Saints capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with the first career touchdown by Jones Jr. He would later score another touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put away the Carolina Panthers. Keep an eye on the news leading up to Week 3, as you can snag a cheap depth piece before Alvin Kamara returns from suspension. Rookie Kendre Miller was a popular bestball pick as Kamara's suspension was looming in the preseason. The third-round pick is trending toward making his NFL debut after dealing with a hamstring injury of his own. 

Tyjae Spears | Titans

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 17%

For the second straight week, Tyjae Spears played a significant role in the Titans' offense, complementing star Derrick Henry. Spears and Henry had a combined 129 yards rushing on 33 carries on Sunday. Spears rushed eight times for 49 yards and added two catches for six yards receiving. It looks as though Tennessee will continue to share work between Henry and Spears. The rookie has seen some work on early downs and has more carries of 10+ yards than Henry. According to PFF, Spears gained a first down or touchdown on 45% of his carries, the best rate among backs in double-digit carries. Spears doesn't have a standalone value yet but could get there if he increases his receiving work or more early-down carries. 

Ty Chandler | Vikings

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 5%

The Vikings have started 0-2 this season, and part of the blame could be its inability to run the ball effectively. Kevin O'Connell's offense relies on an effective run game to marry the pass with play action and get the defense on the move. It was a staple of the Rams offense, and O'Connell is running similar schemes in Minnesota. The Vikings struggled in its first game against a stout Tampa Bay defense. Minnesota totaled just 41 yards rushing and had just two runs go for more than eight yards. According to TruMedia, the Vikings averaged negative yards before contact on 15 ineffective runs. 

The Vikings were not much better against the Eagles. The team ranks dead last in rushing yards per game (34.5) and only has 69 yards for the season. It's possible the matchups were just brutal to start the season for Minnesota. Both teams have a reputation for stuffing the run led by Vita Vea and Fletcher Cox. The Vikings could be searching for answers other than Alexander Mattison in the run game. His leash on a bell-cow role could be tightening and consider Ty Chandler as a deep league flyer.  

Wide Receivers (Matt Miles)

Before you add the names below, check to see that the following players that might be available in your league: Jakobi Meyers 64% Rostered, Nico Collins 61% Rostered, and Treylon Burks 61% Rostered.

Romeo Doubs | Green Bay Packers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 51% 

I find it hard to believe, but Romeo Doubs is sitting at just 51% ownership in Yahoo leagues.  Yes, he had a bit of a rough Week 2, but he's out there, getting Jordan Love targets.  Doubs also gained 43 yards on Defensive Pass Interference penalties in Week 2. Bye weeks are on the horizon and Doubs is a serviceable WR3/Flex option that should be on your team.

Josh Reynolds | Detroit Lions

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 12% 

The second-highest rise in Yahoo ownership this coming week will be Josh Reynolds. Jared Goff has solidified his reliance on Josh Reynolds as the team's deep threat with a 5-63-2 line in Week 2. For those of you saying "yeah, but what about the return of Jameson Williams?" I say to you this: What if Jameson Williams isn't a factor and you missed on a cheap piece of the Lions offense? 

Marvin Mims, Jr | Denver Broncos

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 24% 

There's going to be a lot of noise surrounding some buzzy names but don't forget about Marvin Mims, Jr. this week. It looks like the Broncos are looking to make Mims into a hybrid rushing receiver, with two rushes for 10 yards.  Mims also fielded two kick returns for 45 yards.  Mims also had two catches for 113 yards and a touch down. He's worth an add with bye weeks looming.

Tight End (Leo Grandio)

Check to see if these running backs are available to add first: Sam LaPorta 72% Rostered, Hunter Henry 52% Rostered, Cole Kmet 67% Rostered, Chigziem Okonkwo 56% Rostered, and Dalton Schultz 53% Rostered.

Zach Ertz | Cardinals

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 10% 

Old reliable keeps trucking along. Zach Ertz continued to lead the Cardinals in targets for the second week in a row. This time he tied Marquise Brown for the team lead. He produced six catches for 56 yards on eight targets. In a position that is very inconsistent, Ertz will be a steady player for fantasy managers this season and hover around or over the 10 fantasy points mark this season. Ertz should be rostered in all league formats.

Jake Ferguson | Cowboys 

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 38% Rostered

Although the Cowboys’ tight end had eight targets in Week 1 his performance was less to be desired for. But in Week 2 Jake Ferguson turned four targets into three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb is the target monster in the offense, but Ferguson was tied for third on targets on the team and has a juicy matchup versus the Cardinals next week. Add Ferguson in 12-team PPR leagues. 

Logan Thomas | Commanders

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 3%

Logan Thomas would have been higher on the priority if it was not for him suffering a concussion and is now in protocol. After catching both of his targets for 22 yards and a touchdown, Thomas got his bell rung and could not return to the game. Monitor his status but hopefully, he returns soon. Thomas can be added in 12-team PPR leagues. Should Thomas be out you could consider John Bates in really deep tight end premium leagues as well.

Mike Gesicki | Patriots

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 3%

Hunter Henry hasn’t been the only tight end making plays for the Patriots this season. Mike Gesicki has also made his share of plays as well. After only being used in 33 snaps on offense in Week 1, Gesicki saw his snap count rise by 20 more snaps and was out there for 53 of the 74 snaps in Week 2. For the season Gesicki has been targeted 11 times, while Henry has been targeted 13 times. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is using both tight ends consistently on offense and both are heavily used in the passing game. Looks like this offense will be utilizing both tight ends often and so should fantasy managers. Try to add Gesicki in deeper 12-team PPR leagues. 

Hayden Hurst | Panthers 

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 35% Rostered

Even though Hayden Hurst played against a tough Saints defense, the veteran tight end still caught all three passes for 20 yards. Hurst will have a better matchup in Week 3 when the Panthers face the Seahawks. Hurst will continue to be one of Bryce Young’s security blanket moving forward and is worth picking up in 12-team leagues.

Tight Ends to add and stash in deeper league formats: Luke Musgrave,  23% Rostered, Juwan Johnson 37% Rostered, and Adam Trautman 4% Rostered.

Streaming Defense (Leo Grandio)

Kansas City Chiefs Defense (40% Rostered) gets to feast on the turnover-prone Chicago Bears. 

Seattle Seahawks Defense (9% Rostered) gets rookie Bryce Young coming to town that may turnover the ball a couple of times on the road.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense (17% Rostered) may have an opportunity to cause some turnovers this week against the Houston Texans.

Cleveland Browns Defense (63% Rostered) plays against the Tennessee Titans who have looked shaky on offense so far this season.

If you would like to discuss this further or have any fantasy questions, you can reach us on X at @FCFantasySports