Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Geno lit up the Commanders defense in garbage time, throwing
for 289-3-0 in a road loss. Up next is a tantalizing matchup against
a Bears team that has struggled to stop opposing offenses.
Wentz had a solid outing in his first start in relief of an injured
J.J. McCarthy, going 173-2-0 in a rout of the Bengals. Up next
should be a tougher defense in the Steelers, but they've struggled
against opposing QBs giving up the 4th most fantasy points to
the position.
Stafford had a solid outing in a tough loss against the defending
champion Eagles, throwing for 196-2-1. Up next he gets a Colts
defense that has been solid but they have an explosive offense
that should require the Rams to keep up.
Other QBs to consider: Michael Penix ATL (vs WAS)
Last week's waiver adds:
Jake Browning,
CIN @ MIN: Browning started his first game in relief of an injured
Joe Burrow and struggled against a ferocious Vikings defense,
throwing for 140-1-2 in a blowout loss. Up next is another tough
matchup against the Broncos.
Russell Wilson, NYG vs KC: Wilson had a night to forget in a
loss to the Chiefs, going 160-0-2 through the air. He'll
face another tough AFC West opponent this week against the Chargers.
Mac Jones, SF vs ARI: Jones got the start in place of an injured
Brock Purdy, and had a steady performance in a win over the division-rival
Cardinals. He threw for 284-1-1 despite aggravating the knee injury
he’s been dealing with since training camp. Purdy may be
back next week versus the Jaguars.
Benson has been sharing the workload behind starter James Conner,
and went 10-42-0 on the ground and 4-3-9-0 through the air in
a tight loss to the 49ers. Conner suffered a season-ending ankle
injury, so Benson should see a major increase in his workload.
Up next is a decent matchup against the Seahawks who've given
up the most receiving yards to the running back position. Benson
should have his coming-out party this week.
Henderson saw more work (14 touches) after starter Rhamondre
Stevenson coughed up two fumbles and RB2 Antonio Gibson fumbled
once himself. Henderson only managed a 11-28-0 rushing line, but
added 3-3-19-0 through the air. He should see more work against
the Panthers, who have struggled to contain explosive RBs.
Hunt has forced a near-even timeshare with Isiah Pacheco, going
for 10-34-1 on the ground and 1-1-10-0 receiving in a win over
the Giants. Pacheco appears to be getting early-down work, but
Hunt seems to get more passing-down and red zone work. Up next
he should be busy again in a big game against the Ravens.
Rhamondre Stevenson, NE vs PIT: Stevenson started the game but
ended up losing two fumbles that severely curtailed his workload,
rushing for 4-18-0 and going 3-3-38-0 through the air. The lost
fumbles will probably open the door for exciting rookie TreVeyon
Henderson.
Bhayshul Tuten,
JAX vs HOU: Tuten scored another touchdown, going for 6-21-1 on
the ground and failing to catch his only target. He's the clear
RB2 to Travis Etienne, and with the Jags winning two of their
first three games that shouldn't change for the foreseeable future.
But, he is explosive and remains one of the best bench stashes
at the position.
Cam Skattebo, NYG vs KC: Skattebo was the lone bright spot for
a Giants team that got beat up at home by the Chiefs, rushing
for 10-60-1 and going 8-6-61-0 through the air. With Tyrone Tracy
Jr. leaving early with a shoulder injury, Skattebo saw more work
and that should continue as the season progresses. Up next is
a tough Chargers defense.
Dylan Sampson
and Quinshon
Judkins, CLE vs GB: Sampson (1 touch) was a complete after
thought in this game after Judkins got a full workload. Jerome
Ford was the RB2. Judkins saw a full workload (19 touches) and
managed a 18-94-1 line on the ground and caught 1 of 2 targets
for a yard. This offense will struggle to score touchdowns but
Judkins appears to have the bellcow role that should be largely
matchup proof - here's hoping you scooped him up.
Jeremy McNichols,
WAS vs LV: In the first game without Austin Ekeler (Achilles),
McNichols was part of a three-headed committee with Jacory Croskey-Merritt
and Chris Rodriguez Jr. McNichols had an explosive 60-yard touchdown
run and ended up with 4-78-1 on the ground. Up next is a game
against the Falcons on the road.
Rachaad White,
TB vs NYJ: White is the clear RB2 to Bucky Irving, and he saw
a rather low workload as he was out-touched 29-6. There will be
better games ahead, but in tight games like the win over the Jets,
the Bucs will want to ride the more dynamic Irving. That should
be the case in a tough matchup against the Eagles this week.
Tucker went nuclear as the Raiders were in catch-up mode most
of the game in a loss to the Commanders, going for 9-8-145-3 to
lead all wide receivers this week. This was an anomaly, but he
did see 8 targets in Week 2, confirming his spot as the WR2 to
behind Jakobi Meyers. Up next is a tantalizing matchup against
the Bears.
Ayomanor has now scored in back-to-back games, putting up a 5-4-38-1
receiving line in a blowout loss to the Colts. Up next is another
divisional matchup against the Texans.
Shepard turned back the clock by going 5-4-80-0 through the air
in an exciting win over the Jets. Mike Evans injured his hamstring
during the win and may be out for several games. Chris Godwin
may come back this week, but if not, Shepard should see a decent
workload in a tough matchup against the Eagles.
Tolbert saw six targets in 17-point loss to the Bears, going
for 6-3-24-0 receiving. However, CeeDee Lamb injured his ankle
and his status for Week 4 remains up in the air. Tolbert should
be the primary beneficiary if Lamb misses as the WR2 behind George
Pickens. Up next is the stingy Packers defense.
Tillman led all Browns wideouts with a 3-3-26-0 receiving line
in a surprising and gritty win over the Packers. Better days should
be ahead, and should start this week against the Lions, who have
allowed the 7th-most points to opposing WRs.
Thornton scored again in a much-needed win over the Giants, leading
the team in all receiving categories with a 9-5-71-1 line. He
could be called upon again if Xavier Worthy (shoulder) sits against
the Ravens.
Kirk made his season debut for the Texans, receiving a solid
8 targets but only catching 3 for 25 yards. The Texans are still
looking for their first win but perhaps Kirk can help unlock a
struggling offense that has averaged less than 13 points a game.
Up next is a Titans defense that could help them get on the winning
track.
Bateman led all Baltimore wide receivers with a 7-5-65-1 line
in a tough loss against the Lions on Monday Night Football. Zay
Flowers is still the WR1 and Mark Andrews (6-91-2) can have nice
nights too, but Bateman can be a complementary piece, especially
when the Ravens need to put up points. This could happen again
this week against the Chiefs.
Henry appears to be a top passing option for Drake Maye, and
lit up the Steelers to the tune of 11-8-90-2 in a tight loss.
Up next will be a Panthers defense that has struggled to contain
TEs.
Strange led all Jacksonville pass catchers with a 7-6-61-0 receiving
line in a win over the division-rival Texans. Up next is a tough
test against the 49ers, but he's seen 4 to 7 targets in
each game this season.
Wan'Dale
Robinson, NYG vs KC: Robinson had a rough night like most
of the Giants pass catchers, catching only 1 of 4 targets for
26 yards in a loss to the Chiefs. Things may not improve this
week versus a tough Chargers defense.
Troy Franklin,
DEN @ LAC: Franklin struggled (as did everyone not named Courtland
Sutton) in a loss to the Chargers, going for 4-2-8-0. He should
see more work against the Swiss cheese Bengals defense in Week
4.
Dyami Brown, JAX vs HOU: Brown (3-2-7-0) left early with a shoulder
injury during a gritty Jaguars win over the Texans. The ceiling
isn't the highest with how much Trevor Lawrence spreads
the ball around, but he should have decent games when he returns.
Keenan Allen
and Quentin
Johnston, LAC vs DEN: Johnston and Allen led the team in targets
in a close win over the Broncos, putting up receiving lines of
11-7-65-1 and 10-6-89-0, respectively. They've both been preferred
options over Ladd McConkey the last two games - we'll see if this
continues in a great matchup against the Giants.
TE Harold
Fannin Jr., CLE vs GB: Fannin had a decent day as he tied
for 2nd on the team in targets, but in a low-scoring game against
a tough Packers defense he managed just 3 catches for 25 yards.
It's clear the Browns want to keep him involved, and if Njoku
were to get hurt, he could be a potential league winner. Up next
is a tougher defense in the Lions.
TE Juwan Johnson,
NO @ SEA: Johnson had another solid day in a blowout loss to the
Seahawks, going for 8-6-51-0. That's 28 targets in three games.
It appears Johnson will be the 2025 version of last year's Jonnu
Smith, as an unheralded TE that should finish as a TE1. If you
picked him up this week you should be rewarded for most of the
season. Up next is a tough test against the Bills.
TE Zach Ertz, WAS vs LV: Ertz managed a pedestrian 3-3-38-0 line
in his first game with Marcus Mariota behind center, who was filling
in for an injured Jayden Daniels. Up next is a game against the
Falcons who’ve given up the fewest points to the position
so far this season.
Defense/ Special Teams
Texans vs TEN
The Texans are still looking for their first win, but it hasn’t
been because of the defense. They have yet to allow more than
20 points in their three losses, and are generating sacks. They
should have a decent fantasy day against the Titans, who have
struggled to score points with rookie QB Cam Ward learning on
the job.
Lions vs CLE
We’ll see how the Lions defense fares against the Ravens
on Monday Night Football, but in Week 2 they dominated the Bears,
getting 4 sacks and 2 turnovers. This week they’ll get a
Browns team that has struggled to move the ball and score points.
Chargers @ NYG
The Chargers have been playing solid defense to propel their
team to a 3-0 start. Up next is a great matchup against a Giants
team that has struggled to move the ball on a consistent basis
outside of their Week 2 shootout with the Cowboys.
Other DST to consider: Patriots vs CAR, Jets @ MIA
Last week’s waiver adds:
Seahawks vs NO: The Seahawks-D delivered at
home, getting a turnover and 2 sacks plus a punt return TD in
a blowout win over the Saints. Up next are the Cardinals on Thursday
Night Football.
Colts @ TEN: The Colts got a turnover and 4
sacks, plus a defensive touchdown, in a big win over the Titans.
Up next is a tougher test against the Rams.
Falcons @ CAR: The Falcons struggled to contain
the Panthers in a 30-0 whitewashing, getting only 1 sack and a
turnover. Up next is another tough test against the Commanders.
