Fantasy: Top waiver wire pickups for Week 3

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in fewer than 50% of leagues are considered.

Jump to: RB | WR | TE | DEF

Quarterbacks

Bryce Young, Panthers

Tyler Shough was highlighted as a waiver add last week and remains a fantastic option for those who thought Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels would be their quarterback all season. However, Young deserves recognition as well, emerging as a startable QB after strong early-season performances.

Young is QB2 after two games, albeit against defenses that appear below average (Bears and Falcons). He's thrown for 648 yards and six touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Having two wideouts who command attention from opposing defenses has definitely helped, as Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are becoming one of the league's best duos. Darren Waller is also a threat, connecting with Young for two red-zone touchdowns on Sunday.

The Panthers signal-caller still needs to prove himself against a top-tier defense to be considered an every-week starter, but his Week 3 matchup against the Browns shouldn't scare you if you're desperate. Young also has the Lions on deck in Week 4, so you could get two starts out of him before Carolina's Week 5 bye.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Tyler Shough, Saints (48%): Shough followed up his QB6 performance from Week 1 with a QB7 finish on the road in Baltimore, another sign that the Saints' second-year man could be matchup-proof. Shough has now finished as a top-10 quarterback in four straight weeks dating back to last season, and he gets to feast on poor NFC South teams for the remainder of the year. He's the preferred waiver add over Young, especially with New Orleans facing the Raiders in Week 3.

• C.J. Stroud, Texans (38%): If Shough and Young are both rostered in your league, Stroud is a decent fallback option. He didn't throw a touchdown against the Bengals in Week 2, but he still passed for 353 yards and was QB13 in a game without Nico Collins. The Texans' next three meetings are against the Colts, Cowboys, and Titans, and Stroud should keep your team afloat while you wait for your injured QB to return.

Running backs

Jonah Coleman, Broncos

RJ Harvey missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury, and J.K. Dobbins left the game with his own hamstring issue. That left the door wide open for Coleman to take over as the Broncos' lead back, a role the rookie may have gradually assumed anyway as the season progressed.

Harvey and Dobbins could be back for Week 3, but they could also miss more time. Either way, Coleman should be rostered in way more than 27% of leagues. Dobbins has proven throughout his career that he struggles to stay on the field, and Harvey doesn't profile as an every-down back.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Tank Bigsby, Eagles (29%): Saquon Barkley left Sunday's outing with a shoulder stinger and returned later with a neck roll. He handled only four carries all game and will have further testing done on his shoulder to determine the injury's severity. Bigsby received 13 carries in Barkley's absence and should be rostered in more than 29% of leagues.

• Emanuel Wilson, Seahawks (1%): Jadarian Price suffered a shoulder injury Sunday but seems to have avoided anything serious. Still, Wilson filled in with 21 carries for 92 yards in the Seahawks' blowout win over the Cardinals, signaling he's the backup you want if Price misses time.

• Tyjae Spears, Titans (33%): Spears had 60 yards on only nine total touches in the Titans' narrow loss to the Eagles. He looked elusive in his limited opportunities and will see more playing time than Tony Pollard when Tennessee is trailing. Spears can be a weekly flex option in deep leagues, especially in games where the Titans are expected to play from behind.

• Mike Washington Jr., Raiders (43%): Ashton Jeanty had the same ankle he injured in training camp examined during Week 2's win over the Chargers. Jeanty returned to the game, but it's a reminder that he may not be 100%, making Washington one of the most important handcuffs in fantasy.

• Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (27%): Johnson continued to shine in his limited workload, recording 35 yards on four total touches. He's one Kenneth Walker III injury away from being a league-winning player.

Wide receivers

Denzel Boston, Browns

Boston appears to be the Browns rookie receiver you'd rather roster over KC Concepcion. They have the same number of targets (11), but Boston is running more routes, and his yards per route run is 2.48 compared to Concepcion's 1.58, according to SumerSports. Among wideouts with at least 50 routes, Boston ranks 11th in yards per route run. The second-round pick is the Browns' deep threat with a higher ceiling, while Concepcion runs routes closer to the line of scrimmage.

Boston will have games where a touchdown won't save his week, but he's a worthy waiver add as byes approach.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Tre Tucker, Raiders (29%): Tucker hauled in five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers, clearly showing he's built a connection with Kirk Cousins. Brock Bowers is set to return soon, but plenty of targets will still go Tucker's way, especially with Bowers drawing most of the defense's attention.

• Rashod Bateman, Ravens (17%): Bateman stepped up in Zay Flowers' absence, turning nine targets into seven receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Flowers could return for the Ravens' Week 3 meeting against the Cowboys in Brazil, but if he sits out again, Bateman becomes a must-start. Even if Flowers returns, Bateman should get plenty of snaps to earn a roster spot and a start as a flex option in bye weeks.

• Keon Coleman, Bills (2%): DJ Moore left Thursday night's game with a shoulder injury and didn't return. Coleman stepped up in his place, catching all six of his targets for 63 yards. If Moore misses time, Coleman could be considered a flex option in Week 3 against the Chargers. Dalton Kincaid would likely be Josh Allen's top passing option, but Coleman should still be in line for four to six targets with touchdown upside.

Tight ends

Oronde Gadsden, Chargers:

Last week, we recommended David Njoku because he led Los Angeles' tight ends in routes and receptions. With Njoku and Charlie Kolar headed to the IR, Gadsden is the last man standing. Although the second-year TE had a solid rookie season with 49 receptions for 664 yards in 15 games, the Chargers seem to prefer Njoku. But now that they have no choice, Gadsden has fantasy value.

If you lost Dallas Goedert, Gadsden is a suitable replacement. The Chargers need playmakers on offense, and Gadsden provides that, even if he isn't the most prolific blocker.

Other TEs to pick up:

• Kenyon Sadiq, Jets (18%): Sadiq came back down to earth last week, but the Jets rookie is still worth stashing in deeper leagues, particularly if Mason Taylor misses time with a thumb injury.

• Darren Waller, Panthers (2%): Waller caught two touchdowns in the Panthers' blowout victory over the Falcons. He still isn't earning enough targets to be considered a weekly starter, but he's a red-zone threat if you're desperate and need a player with touchdown upside.

• Zach Ertz, Eagles (0%): The Eagles brought Ertz back, with Goedert expected to miss multiple weeks because of a knee sprain. Ertz, who played for the Eagles from 2013-21, is 35 and coming off an ACL tear, so he's a risky add. However, if you're in a deep league and need a tight end, you could do a lot worse.

Defenses

Week 2 streamers

• Packers (24%) vs. Falcons
• Panthers (7%) @ Browns
• Giants (4%) vs. Titans
• Chiefs (34%) @ Dolphins