Top Players to Add in Week 3
A great draft can make a great team, but leagues are won on the waiver wire. Injuries happen, top draft picks become busts, and no names become household names. Successfully navigating the waiver wire will lead to a winning season.
As a reminder, I’ll be covering Waivers every Tuesday morning right here on QBList.com. You can also catch me and Brian Hartman (aka @TooMuch_Brian) on the Waiver podcast every Tuesday morning and the Start/Sit podcast every Thursday morning, wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like my work, give me a follow on Twitter @marioadamojr. With that out of the way, let’s dive into it.
Here are my top five targets, as well as some honorable mentions, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important thing to consider: this article focuses on players who are rostered in 50% or fewer of leagues. There could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available in your league. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up on too early.
| Player | Position | Team | Roster % | Week 3 Opponent | |
| 1 | Jonah Coleman | RB | LAR | 32% | v LAR |
| 2 | Devaughn Vele | WR | NO | 39% | v LV |
| 3 | Emanuel Wilson | RB | SEA | 1% | @ WAS |
| 4 | Tre Tucker | WR | LV | 28% | @ NO |
| 5 | Tank Bigsby | RB | PHI | 27% | @ CHI |
1. Jonah Coleman – I’ve always been a J.K. Dobbins fan. A day-one ride-or-die Dob-head, but Father Time is undefeated, and Dobbins is no stranger to injuries. This week, not only did Dobbins hurt his hamstring, but backfield running mate RJ Harvey was inactive due to his hamstring injury. Neither Dobbins (36 all-purpose yards) nor Harvey (41) showed any flashes of life in Week 1. In his first game with meaningful snaps, rookie Jonah Coleman had 58 yards and became the first Broncos back to score a touchdown this season. Hamstrings can linger, and even without the injury, this backfield is ready for change. We saw Harvey squander a lead back opportunity last year, and Dobbins is not getting any younger. This week feels like the beginning of the Coleman Show in Denver.
Coleman is my top waiver target heading into Week 2.
2. Devaughn Vele – I’m banging the drum for my guy this week. Even though Devaughn Vele finished outside of the top 24 in Week 2, I continue to like what I see from Vele and this New Orleans offense. It’s to be expected that Chris Olave will lead this team in targets, and he did so again this week with 8, but after Vele’s 5, the next closest wide receiver saw just a single target. Olave didn’t see a single red zone target this week; Vele was the only wide receiver to see one. Vele currently leads all Saints wide receivers in red zone targets. This was also the second week in a row Vele has surpassed the 60-yard mark. While the touchdowns will come and go, the targets, the yardage, the usage in a high-powered offense (that’s right, the Saints have a high-powered offense) are here to stay. The biggest thing I ask myself when looking at a WR2 on a team is, “Can the quarterback support two wide receivers?” and I firmly believe that Tyler Shough can do just that. While some names on the waiver list may end up as one-hit wonders, Vele is here to top the charts.
Vele is my top wide receiver waiver target this week.
3. Emanuel Wilson – While rookie Jadarian Price handled half of the team’s carries in Week 1, he ended up leaving the game in the second half this week. Although his chest X-rays came back negative, we’ll have to monitor his weekly practice status. In the meantime, all eyes should be on Emanuel Wilson. Wilson handled the ball 21 times for 92 yards. We also saw George Holani‘s role cut in half this week, from 8 carries in Week 1 to just 4 in Week 2. This is also a PSA to check on Zach Charbonnet‘s availability in your league. Charbonnet kept toe-to-toe with eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III before he tore his ACL. I expect Charbonnet to have a role in this offense once he’s healthy. Until he returns, we play the hot, aka healthy, hand.
4. Tre Tucker – Give the ball to Tucker. We’re always trying to find the top target on bad teams. That need not apply to the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders. Brock Bowers is expected to be the guy when/if he ever returns, but it’s tough to know when that will be. It could be as early as this week, but when a mystery injury like his appears without notice, it’s tough to say anything. Even when Bowers returns, I expect Tre Tucker to be involved. Tucker’s 7 targets this week led the team (tied with Ashton Jeanty), and I look at that as a sign of good things to come.
5. Tank Bigsby – Saquon Barkley suffered a shoulder stinger on the first drive that held him out the entire first half. I wish I could say he returned with a vengeance and a neck roll, but sadly he only returned with the latter. Barkley ended up with a single catch and 20 total yards. The fact that he even returned from the game is a good sign of his health, but in his absence, Tank Bigsby was the clear ball carrier. It wasn’t an impressive showing, averaging 2.5 yards on his 13 carries, but he found the end zone. The volume and opportunity are very favorable for Bigsby, especially if the Eagles play it safe with Barkley. The Birds face the Bears on Monday Night. Monday Night Football can be especially tricky to navigate for fantasy, so be sure to stash Bigsby if you’re the Saquon manager or are looking for a potential upside for the week.
Others Receiving Votes
Woody Marks, HOU (52% Rostered) – After David Montgomery scored three times last week, I thought the rumors of a timeshare backfield were dead; turns out it was just early. Woody Marks saw 6 targets this week to Monty’s 2 and, more impressively, 8 carries to Monty’s 6. The targets I always expect to be in Woody’s favor; that’s not just in Monty’s bag. For carries to go Woody’s way? Unimaginable. Marks should be rostered in more leagues, especially those with 12 or more teams.
Tyjae Spears, TEN (43%) – Another situation where the supposed ‘backup’ outscores the bellcow. Tyjae Spears saw half the carries of Tony Pollard, but had nearly the same rushing yards (41 to 64) and practically 30 times the receiving yards (29 to 1). Watching this game (Go Birds!), it was brought up multiple times on the broadcast that this was the 10th time former Cowboy Pollard faced the Eagles and was still looking for his first touchdown. I’d believe the Titans knew this and did what they could to help him find pay dirt. Even with that, he continued to fall short. A big chunk of Spears’ day came from a 27-yard catch-and-run on 3rd and 22, but the fact is that’s his style of game. He is the pass catcher of this backfield. It’s not the flashiest play, but Spears is an option in deeper leagues.
Rashod Bateman, BAL (22%) – The Ravens face the Cowboys in Brazil this week, and everything I’ve heard so far about this game is that the field is not up to the standard it should be. What that tells me is the Ravens may want to be extra cautious with standout wideout Zay Flowers and hold him out one more week. If they do, Rashod Bateman should continue to feast. If Flowers misses this game, I fire up Bateman. If Flowers plays, well, tune in to Brian and I’s Sit/Start podcast dropping Friday morning for the full breakdown.
Dontayvion Wicks, PHI (22%) – Dallas Goedert will miss time with an MCL sprain. While the Eagles signed Zach Ertz to fill that gap at tight end, I’m looking at Dontayvion Wicks as the beneficiary of that injury. Wicks saw the second-most targets this week in Goedert’s absence, second as expected to DeVonta Smith. Wicks seemed to be able to find the soft spot in the zone and caught 5 of his 6 targets for 74 yards. With Saquon Barkley banged up, I expect the Eagles to lean on the passing game a little extra going forward, giving more chances for Wicks to shine.
Josh Downs, IND (75%) – Speaking of injuries, with Alec Pierce hurting his heel this week, Josh Downs stepped in a big way, catching 7 targets for 72 yards. While the touchdowns went to Jonathan Taylor, as they tend to with this team, Downs and his 9 targets have him among some elite company. CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, among others, all had 9 targets this past week. Downs will be the primary receiver while Pierce is out. While he is rostered in most leagues, this is the point of emphasis to make sure he’s rostered in your league.
Denzel Boston, CLE (35%) – While I thought last week’s WR19 finish was a fluke, Denzel Boston and his WR10 finish this week (before Monday Night Football) are showing that he is the pass catcher to roster in Cleveland. While I avoided drafting any Cleveland pass catchers due to the messy quarterback situation, Boston is appearing to be the cream rising above the crop. Boston is one of 7 wideouts to have a touchdown in both Weeks 1 & 2. He leads the team in both targets and yards. We talk about rostering the top option on a bad team; Boston is looking like the guy in the Sunny Cleve.
Romeo Doubs, NE (64%) – “Where are thou Romeo?” is a question 36% of leagues should be asking. With A. J. Brown sidelined at least three more weeks, Romeo Doubs should be rostered in north of 80% of leagues. While Drake Maye might not be the runner-up MVP we thought he was, it’s clear Doubs has enough talent to overcome that.
Kalif Raymond, CHI (10%) – On a team loaded with offensive weapons: Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, D’Andre Swift, Luther Burden III, who would’ve thought that Kalif Raymond would be the one to lead this team in targets. While Caleb Williams’ status is up in the air, it could be worth a sprinkle of FAAB in deep league to the player with a team-leading 14 targets on a high-powered Ben Johnson offense.
Dalton Schultz, HOU (40%) – While this could be a bump due to Nico Collins missing time, its impossible to ignore games of 8 targets (with Nico playing) and 14 targets. In the wasteland that is Tight End, Dalton Schultz is worth the flyer. Nico’s status for this week is currently up in the air; tune in to our Sit/Start Friday morning for the latest info. Schultz has a great slate of matchups ahead of him: @IND, DAL, and @TEN. Schultz is worth the pickup regardless of Nico’s status.
Tyler Shough, NO (48%) – If you thought last week Tyler Shough was a one-week wonder, then boy do I have news for you. Another week, another top-7 finish for the Shough Truck. Especially with all the injuries to quarterbacks this week, Shough should be rostered now more than ever. Shough is easily my top quarterback waiver target.
Sam Darnold, SEA (31%) – It’s trending towards Sam Darnold returning this week. While it’s not a flashy pick, he did enough to feed Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year, and I’m confident he can do it again. I view Darnold as a low-ceiling but startable quarterback if your main one got hurt this week.
Defense Wins Championships
The Cincinnati Bengals (5%) travel to Pittsburgh to face Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Now, divisional games can be unpredictable, but currently the Steelers are 31st in offense rating. The Bengals have the #1-ranked interior defense, headlined by offseason acquisition Dexter Lawrence. Not only is the matchup good, but the Bengals have been handling business so far this season, finishing as the #1 Fantasy Defense in Week 1 and currently sitting at the #5 Defense in Week 2. Now is the time to buy these cats.
While the Kansas City Chiefs (36%) looked just fine against Daniel Jones and co., they looked terrific against Bo Nix and the Broncos in Week 1. Week 3, they travel to Miami, the offense I’ve been targeting as of late.
Lastly, if you read this article last week, you picked up the San Francisco 49ers (58%). It seems you did, as they’re up from 16% last week. If you didn’t, there’s still hope for about 41% of you. If you did, they host the Arizona Cardinals this week, another team worth targeting.
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare