Honestly, Week 2 was a complete bloodbath. If your roster isn't currently held together by athletic tape and prayer, you're basically one of the lucky ones. We lost Joe Burrow to a nasty turf toe injury that’s looking like a three-month surgery situation. Austin Ekeler is likely done for the year with an Achilles. Jayden Reed? Out six to eight weeks. It's a mess.
But here's the thing about the fantasy football week 3 waiver wire—everyone is going to panic. They’re going to blow their entire FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) on a backup running back who had one decent goal-line plunge. You? You're going to be smarter than that.
The goal this week isn't just to replace the guys who got hurt. It’s about finding the players whose roles just fundamentally changed because the guys in front of them are gone or because their coaches finally realized they’re actually good.
The Quarterback Chaos: Replacing Joe Burrow and the Rest
If you were a Burrow manager, I’m sorry. Truly. Watching him go down against Jacksonville was brutal. But you can't just leave that spot blank. The obvious "safety" move is Jake Browning. He’s sitting at 0% rostered in most spots because, well, he’s a backup. But remember 2023? He stepped in and kept Ja’Marr Chase relevant. He’s got the weapons. He’s basically a plug-and-play if you’re desperate, though I wouldn't bet the house on him being a top-5 savior.
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Then there’s the "Indiana Jones" era in Indianapolis. Yes, I’m talking about Daniel Jones. It sounds gross. I know. But the guy has been a fantasy monster through two weeks with the Colts. He’s already got three rushing touchdowns. In fantasy, rushing is the ultimate cheat code. If he’s available—and he’s rostered in only about 22% of NFL.com leagues—he is likely your highest-priority add for the fantasy football week 3 waiver wire.
Don't sleep on Mac Jones either. Filling in for Brock Purdy (who is dealing with his own toe issues), Mac looked... weirdly competent? He dropped 279 yards and three scores on the Saints. If Purdy is out again for Week 3 against Arizona, Mac is a legitimate streamer.
Running Backs: Chasing Touches, Not Just Points
The fantasy football week 3 waiver wire is usually a wasteland for RBs, but there are a few sparks. Bhayshul Tuten in Jacksonville is the name you’ll see at the top of every list. Since the Jags shipped Tank Bigsby to Philly, Tuten has become the clear 1B to Travis Etienne Jr. He had 74 yards and a score last week. He’s not taking Etienne’s job, but 10-12 touches a game is flex-worthy.
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Over in Atlanta, Tyler Allgeier is doing Tyler Allgeier things. While everyone is obsessed with Bijan Robinson (rightfully so), Allgeier still put up 76 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries last week. If you’re in a deeper league or just need a "safe" floor, he’s a solid stash.
Running Back Targets to Consider
- Cam Skattebo (Giants): The rookie is starting to look like he might eat into the lead role.
- Chris Rodriguez (Commanders): With Ekeler out, it’s a split between him and Jeremy McNichols. Rodriguez is the physical thumper you want.
- Blake Corum (Rams): He’s the ultimate handcuff. If Kyren Williams goes down, Corum is a league-winner. He's already getting red-zone looks.
Wide Receivers: The Target Monsters
We need to talk about Wan'Dale Robinson. He’s averaging nearly 20 fantasy points a game. Why is he still available in 70% of leagues? He’s basically Russell Wilson’s security blanket in New York. If you play in a PPR (Point Per Reception) league, he’s a mandatory add.
Then there’s the Oregon connection in Denver. Troy Franklin and Bo Nix finally found that college chemistry. Franklin saw nine targets and turned them into 89 yards and a score. Sean Payton’s rotations are usually a nightmare to predict, but when a rookie wideout gets a 47% target share, you pay attention.
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Romeo Doubs is also a massive priority now that Jayden Reed is sidelined. He and Jordan Love have a rapport that Dontayvion Wicks hasn't quite matched yet. Doubs is the "boring" add that actually wins you weeks.
The Tight End "Glimmer of Hope"
Tight end has been a disaster for years, but Juwan Johnson is actually seeing volume. He leads all TEs in routes and targets through two weeks. With Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau banged up, Johnson is basically a wide receiver with a TE designation.
In Cleveland, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. is a fascinating stash. He caught seven balls in his debut and followed it up with five more last week. The Browns are throwing the ball a ton—93 attempts in two games—and Fannin is right in the middle of it.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Roster
- Check your IR spots first. If you have guys like Joe Burrow or Jayden Reed, move them to the IR slot immediately so you don't have to drop anyone just to make a move.
- Calculate your FAAB. If you’re desperate at QB, Daniel Jones is worth a 25-30% bid. For a speculative add like Troy Franklin, keep it around 5-8%.
- Evaluate your bench depth. Drop the "roster cloggers"—the veteran WRs who are the 4th option on their team—to make room for high-upside rookies like Tuten or Fannin Jr.
- Prioritize the "1B" backs. Players like Tyler Allgeier or Blake Corum might not start for you this week, but they are one injury away from being Top-12 options.
The early season is about identifying shifts in volume. Don't just look at the box score; look at the snaps and the targets. That's how you beat your league-mates to the real gems on the waiver wire.