Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Pickups to Target, Stash & Drop (Week 3)

Before we get started with the Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire article, we want to tip our hats to Austin Ekeler, whose wonderful and unlikely NFL career may have ended with an Achilles tear late in the Commanders’ Thursday night loss to the Packers.

A former undrafted free agent (UDFA) from Western State (now known as Western Colorado), Ekeler became a dangerous run-catch threat who amassed 3,195 yards from scrimmage and 38 touchdowns over a spectacular two-year run with the Chargers in 2021 and 2022.

Ekeler has been a wonderful ambassador for fantasy football, appearing on numerous fantasy shows and helping to mainstream our silly little game.

It’s possible Ekeler will try to resume his career, but Achilles injuries have historically not been kind to running backs. We wish Mr. Ekeler the best of luck with whatever comes next.

My colleague Ellis Bryn Johnson also offers a short tribute to Ekeler in the running backs section, where he mentions Washington backs Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. as possible next-man-up waiver adds.

Have you met Ellis, by the way? He’s a new addition to our waiver team this year, handling running backs and quarterbacks. He’s been doing excellent work for FantasyPros for a while now, and we’re lucky to have him working on this article every week.

Now for the unpleasantness. The waiver offerings are bad this week. The shelves are barren. It’s tumbleweeds out there.

The running back position is the primary culprit. None of the widely available backs are immediately startable. (Well, not if you like fantasy points, anyway.) The wide receiver position is pretty gross, too.

On the bright side, the quarterback options are much more appealing than they were last week — and people are going to need good QB options with Joe Burrow (toe) out indefinitely, Brock Purdy (toe) still out, J.J. McCarthy (ankle) out a few weeks, and Jayden Daniels (knee) questionable.

Let’s get started.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 3

Week 3 Waiver Grade: D

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.

(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)

Running Backs

Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson

Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 30% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CAR, WSH, BYE
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $5
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: Tyler Allgeier is one of the premier backups in fantasy football. Because of that alone, he should be rostered in all leagues with more than eight teams. In Week 1, Allgeier split touches with Bijan Robinson in the backfield, though he was not used in the receiving game. Allgeier may not be playable if Robinson is healthy, but he would instantly be a fringe RB1 if Robinson missed any time. Allgeier’s contingent upside might make him more valuable than some of the WR3s or WR4s parked at the end of your bench.

Kenneth Gainwell: 8% Rostered

Next Opponents: @NE, MIN, BYE
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $3
Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: The Steelers are using a true running back committee this season. Kenneth Gainwell led the team in snaps in Week 1, but Jaylen Warren played 58.1% of the offensive snaps in Week 2, with Gainwell playing 41.9% of the snaps. The noteworthy development in this backfield is that Kaleb Johnson apparently is not ready for the NFL. The third-round rookie had another disappointing performance, finishing with one carry for one yard and a botched kickoff return that resulted in a Seattle touchdown. As a result, this is a two-man backfield with Warren and Gainwell. It will be difficult to determine which back will lead the charge each week. However, both will see enough touches to be Flex-worthy in deeper leagues. Gainwell also possesses contingent upside if Warren were to miss any time.

Jeremy McNichols (RB – WSH): 0% Rostered & Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – WSH): 4% Rostered

Next Opponents: LVR, @ATL, @LAC
True Value: $2, $1
Desperate Need: $4, $1
Budget-Minded: $0, $0

Analysis: I would like to take a second to appreciate Austin Ekeler. The 2017 UDFA worked his way into fantasy superstardom with the Chargers. Known as one of the nicest (and most jacked) players in the NFL, Ekeler is one of the few players who seems to appreciate fantasy football. Joining industry stalwart Matt Harmon on podcasts, Ekeler’s fantasy analysis and NFL insight were a welcome combination. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery after he tore his Achilles tendon last week. In his absence, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are primed for increased roles. McNichols will likely take on the receiving work, with Rodriguez operating as Jacory Croskey-Merritt‘s backup. Croskey-Merritt hasn’t exactly looked incredible over the past two weeks. I could see McNichols taking on more work as the season goes on, potentially becoming a Flex option for fantasy. With a favorable schedule coming up, McNichols and Rodriguez might be worth grabbing to see what the usage split will be.

Running Back Stash Candidates

Last week, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he wanted to get Kyle Monangai more carries. Turns out he meant it. Despite playing in a negative game script throughout a lopsided loss to Detroit, Monangai had seven carries for 28 yards and one reception for eight yards — although he played behind D’Andre Swift, who had 12 attempts for 68 yards and a score. Still, any increase in role for a seventh-round rookie is worth noting. We know Swift is not an immovable object on the depth chart. Monangai may not be an unstoppable force, but he checks all the boxes for a rookie running back who could break out later in the season.

Tyjae Spears sustained a high-ankle sprain in the preseason and landed on injured reserve (IR), so we won’t see him until at least Week 5. Although Tony Pollard has been relatively effective as the Titans’ workhorse early on, we heard Titans head coach Brian Callahan talk in the offseason about wanting to use both backs. If you have an IR spot, Spears is definitely worth a grab-and-stash in case he has a prominent role when he returns. Plus, he is the clear backup to Pollard in case the starter ends up missing time.

Texans rookie Jo’Quavious Dequane “Woody” Marks played 13 snaps against the Buccaneers on Monday and had 3-14-0 rushing and 1-37-o receiving on one target. Marks appears to be overtaking Dare Ogunbowale as Houston’s primary pass-catching back. If you have the bench space, Marks is worth rostering.

Wide Receivers

Written by Derek Brown

Elic Ayomanor (WR – TEN): 8% Rostered

Next Opponents: IND, @HOU, @ARI
True Value: $9
Desperate Need: $15
Budget-Minded: $5

Analysis: While the counting stats weren’t there in Week 1, Elic Ayomanor still soaked up intriguing volume, and I was quietly interested in his upside moving forward. In Week 1, he had a 25% target share, a 48.5% air-yard share and a 36.8% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Among 105 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 45th in separation and 23rd in route win rate. In Week 2, Ayomanor didn’t see nearly the same target volume (18.1% target share), but he turned his volume into production with four grabs, 56 receiving yards and a score. Ayomanor is a talented rookie who could just be starting to hit his stride, and only Calvin Ridley can compete with him weekly for the team lead in targets. Ayomanor could evolve into a strong WR3/Flex if Cam Ward can be as good as we think he can be in his rookie season.

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG): 22% Rostered

Next Opponents: KC, LAC, @NO
True Value: $7
Desperate Need: $11
Budget-Minded: $4

Analysis: Wan’Dale Robinson exploded in Week 2 with eight receptions and 142 receiving yards. Yes, in case you’re wondering, that was a career high in receiving yardage for Robinson and only the second 100-yard receiving game of his career, so don’t think that many more of those will be coming in 2025. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a strong weekly Flex moving forward in PPR formats. Over the last two games, he has a 23% target share while averaging seven grabs and 98.5 receiving yards. As the clear No. 2 option in the Giants’ passing attack, Robinson will be a nice player to have on your bench when the bye weeks arrive.

Troy Franklin (WR – DEN): 3% Rostered

Next Opponents: @LAC, CIN, @PHI
True Value: $4
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Good lawd, this feels like a trap, but if Sean Payton is finally going to feature Troy Franklin in a full-time role, he could really take off in 2025. The talented sophomore receiver led the team in snaps (49), routes (29), targets (nine), receptions (eight) and receiving yards (89) in Week 2. He also scored a touchdown. This season, he has earned a 21.4% target share and produced 2.33 yards per route run, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Both of these marks are solid to outstanding. Marvin Mims has been unable to secure a full-time role in the offense, and I don’t see that changing. With Evan Engram also regulated to a part-time role in the offense, there’s a clear runway for Franklin to ascend if he continues to see this level of playing time.

Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE): 39% Rostered

Next Opponents: GB, @DET, MIN
True Value: $4
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Cedric Tillman has been a decent Flex play over the last two games and should continue to live in that fantasy realm moving forward. The Browns’ passing volume should allow him to sustain that level of fantasy production even after the touchdown hot streak is extinguished. Tillman has scored in both games this season, which has greatly helped his fantasy days while drawing only a 16.6% target share and averaging 3.5 receptions and 37 receiving yards. Joe Flacco has attempted 45 passes in back-to-back games, and I don’t see that type of raw passing volume slowing down anytime soon for Cleveland, so Tillman should continue to see somewhere in the neighborhood of the 7.5 targets per game he has seen so far.

Kayshon Boutte (WR – NE): 28% Rostered

Next Opponents: PIT, CAR, @BUF
True Value: $4
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Kayshon Boutte had a wonderful Week 1, with a 17.4% target share, a 37.9% air-yard share, 2.58 yards per route run, 103 receiving yards and a 23.3% first-read share (which led the team). He backed those stats up with a solid 0.103 separation score and 15.4% route win rate, per Fantasy Points Data. Unfortunately, he didn’t follow up that strong opening week with another against the Dolphins. He had only one target and 16 receiving yards, but he made it count, as he came down with a touchdown. Drake Maye spread the ball around in Week 2, and New England leaned more heavily on its ground game. Better days are ahead for Boutte, and he should settle into solid Flex territory.

Romeo Doubs (WR – GB): 16% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CLE, @DAL, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: If I’m going to make a bet on anyone in the Green Bay passing attack to stand out this season aside from Tucker Kraft, it’s Romeo Doubs. Through two games, he has a 17% target share, 2.34 yards per route run and a 20.6% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. With rookie Matthew Golden still a part-time receiver, Doubs is the best competition that Kraft has for targets. If Green Bay decides to increase the passing volume as we move through the season, Doubs should see his stock trend upward. And it’s possible Doubs sees a slight uptick in targets while Packers Jayden Reed recovers from a broken collarbone.

Wide Receiver Stash Candidates

The runway remains clear for Jalen Coker to assume the No. 2 WR duties in the Carolina passing attack when he is finally healthy. Bryce Young bounced back somewhat in Week 2, which provides a rosier outlook moving forward for the target quality that Coker will absorb once back in the lineup. When healthy, Coker has proven he has the talent to demand targets, which is still something we can’t say for Xavier Legette. Stash Coker in your IR spot.

Quarterbacks

Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson

Daniel Jones (QB – IND) (17% Rostered)

Next Opponents: @TEN, @LAR, LV
True Value: $5
Desperate Need: $8
Budget-Minded: $3

Analysis: Seeing Daniel Jones become a fantasy QB1 is like looking at a Picasso. You may not know what’s going on, but you don’t want to take your eyes off it. Seriously, this is not your dad’s Daniel Jones. Before Week 2, the last time Jones had passed for 300 yards was Week 2 of 2023. Now with the Colts, Jones has been balling out, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for 588 yards in his first two games. Although his upcoming schedule is not the most appealing, after seeing what he did against an elite Broncos defense in Week 2, he should be played every week. Plug your nose, close your eyes, give him a different name. Do whatever you need to do to stomach seeing him in your lineup. Grab your Pepto-Bismol and get yourself a weekly top-12 quarterback for the 2025 season.

Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL): 41% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CAR, WSH, BYE
True Value: $3
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: There has been a resurgence of gunslinging quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Now that Darnell Mooney is back from a shoulder injury, and Drake London survived his Week 1 injury scare, the Falcons have one of the most talented offenses in the league. In Week 2, we saw Penix play game manager in a run-heavy attack against the Vikings, completing 13-of-21 passes for 135 yards with zero touchdowns and no interceptions in a 22-6 Falcons win. Thankfully, the Vikings are hands down the young quarterback’s toughest early-season matchup. With games against the Panthers and Commanders on tap, Penix will see some mediocre secondaries. Although the Panthers’ secondary has yet to allow a 225-yard passer this season, it has only faced Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray. The Carolina defense is not intimidating, and I expect Penix to make a run at 300 yards against the Panthers in Week 3. Penix is a fringe top-12 quarterback over the next two weeks.

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): 27% Rostered

Next Opponents: @PHI, IND, SF
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $3
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Puka Nacua and Davante Adams form one of the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL. One of the only remaining pocket passers from an earlier generation of quarterbacks, Stafford put on a clinic against the Titans in Week 2. With Nacua and Adams combining for 242 yards from scrimmage and two scores last week, it’s all systems go for this Rams offense. The Rams had a good day in Tennessee despite Adams and Stafford failing to connect on multiple red-zone targets. Considering that Adams is one of the most prolific touchdown scorers of the last decade, this offense is only going to get better as the season goes on. Stafford’s next four games are against quality teams (Eagles, Colts, 49ers, Ravens), and Stafford will need to continue to lean on his top playmakers to keep the Rams in those games. Stafford is a safe volume play each week and should be viewed as a high-end QB2 for fantasy.

Jake Browning (QB – CIN): 0% Rostered

Next Opponents: @MIN, @DEN, DET
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Every year, there are star players who miss extended time with injury. Unfortunately, Joe Burrow is often one of those stars. Wishing the King of the Jungle a speedy recovery, we now have Jake Browning leading one of the league’s best offenses. We have seen plenty of Browning, who filled in admirably in 2023 when Burrow missed time with a wrist injury. Over that stretch, Browning finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in six of his last seven starts. The Bengals rewarded Browning with a two-year contract that offseason. This week, we saw Browning lead an impressive comeback with multiple clutch fourth-down conversions on the Bengals’ game-winning drive against the Jaguars. We also saw Browning support both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to successful fantasy days. Although he also threw three interceptions against the Jaguars, Browning is a gunslinger and isn’t afraid to give his star players a chance at making a play. Despite the tough schedule over the next few weeks, Browning is a solid QB2 option in Superflex leagues and a fine spot start for any quarterback-needy teams.

Geno Smith (QB – LV): 30% Rostered

Next Opponents: @WSH, CHI, @IND
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Raiders are not a run-first team. Despite having running back Ashton Jeanty and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Smith makes coaches want to air it out. We saw it in Seattle, and we saw it again for the Raiders in Week 1, when Smith threw for 362 yards against the Patriots in New England. Although this team will still try to run, the Raiders are not stubborn enough to stick to it when it isn’t working. Smith struggled against the Chargers in Week 2, throwing three interceptions and no TD passes. But Smith’s Week 3 matchup against the Commanders has promise, with Washington having a stout run defense and leaky secondary. Smith is worth considering if you’re in quarterback purgatory.

Quarterback Stash Candidates

We saw vintage Russell Wilson in a banger of a Week 2 matchup against the Cowboys. Through two weeks, we have seen Wilson look like he is over the hill, and we have also seen him find the Fountain of Youth. It’s hard to imagine Wilson continuing the big-play success we saw in Week 2. Unless he does, Dart is inevitable. Rookies always carry high upside, and what we saw from Dart in the preseason should have fantasy managers optimistic. If you have the bench space, Dart is a good stash.

Tight Ends

Written by Derek Brown

Juwan Johnson (TE – NO): 44% Rostered

Next Opponents: @SEA, @BUF, NYG
True Value: $8
Desperate Need: $12
Budget-Minded: $5

Analysis: Juwan Johnson is in the running for one of the best waiver wire pickups of the year for teams that have been hurting at tight end. In Week 1, he had a 79.6% route share with a 23.9% target share (second on the team), 1.95 yards per route run, 76 receiving yards, a team-leading two red-zone targets, a 28.1% first-read share (tied for the team lead) and 0.103 first downs per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. Johnson was the TE1 in fantasy last week. This week, he should end up a top-12 option again when it’s all said and done. He had a 26.4% target share against the 49ers, finishing with five receptions, 49 receiving yards and a score. Only Chris Olave had more targets than Johnson in Week 2. Even if you’re in good shape at tight end, Johnson should be picked up. At this point, he has proven he isn’t a one-week wonder. It feels like he’ll have staying power.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE): 43% Rostered

Next Opponents: GB, @DET, MIN
True Value: $6
Desperate Need: $10
Budget-Minded: $3

Analysis: In Week 1, Harold Fannin Jr. had a 20% target share, 2.17 yards per route run, 63 receiving yards and a 24% first-read share as the TE6 in fantasy. He had only a 60.2% route share. In Week 2, he saw his playing time increase with a 70% snap share and 73.3% route share. Sadly, his target share dipped to 11.1%, as he had only five receptions and 48 receiving yards. The increase in playing time is really what we wanted to see, though. If Fannin is getting adequate snaps, I believe the target share will increase because the talent is there. He could easily flirt with TE1 value moving forward, and don’t discount the possibility of the Browns eventually trading David Njoku, which gives Fannin a monster ceiling that few tight ends on the waiver wire have.

Chig Okonkwo (TE – TEN): 31% Rostered

Next Opponents: IND, @HOU, @ARI
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: If you’re in an injury bind at tight end, Chig Okonkwo is a decent “break glass in case of emergency” streaming option. In Week 1, he had a 76.5% route share and 14.3% target share while only seeing a 10.5% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. In Week 2 against the Rams, Okonkwo had an 18.1% target share with four receptions and 35 receiving yards. It doesn’t sound like much, but Okonkwo is capable of putting up a receiving stat line that, if he gets into the end zone, will make him a TE1 for the week.

Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE – CAR): 2% Rostered

Next Opponents: ATL, @NE, MIA
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Ja’Tavion Sanders had a strong Week 2 that puts him on the streaming radar. Against the Cardinals, he played 65.8% of the snaps and ran a route on 69% of Bryce Young‘s passing attempts while seeing a 16.3% target share. Sanders finished with seven receptions and 54 receiving yards. With the Panthers’ putrid defense and solid matchups for the tight end position in the next three weeks, Sanders could fall into TE1 production in multiple games.

Defenses

Written by Pat Fitzmaurice

Seattle Seahawks: 23% Rostered

Next Opponents: NO, @ARI, TB
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $3
Budget-Minded: 1

Analysis: This is the best streaming option for Week 3 among the widely available defenses. Head coach Mike Macdonald presides over a talented defense that has allowed only 17 points to each of its first two opponents, the 49ers and Steelers. Seattle gets a juicy matchup this week, hosting New Orleans. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler has by no means been a disaster in his first two starts of 2025, but Rattler is a former fifth-round draft pick who threw more interceptions than touchdown passes as a rookie in 2024 and took 22 sacks in his six starts. The Seahawks are also a playable option against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals in Week 4.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6% Rostered

Next Opponents: NYJ, PHI, @SEA
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Tampa Bay defense is typically a solid unit under head coach Todd Bowles, playing tough against the run and harassing quarterbacks with frequent blitzes. Heavy blitzing can backfire against high-quality passers, but the Buccaneers don’t have to worry about that this week. They get a home game against the Jets, and it’s unclear whether Jets quarterback Justin Fields will be able to play in Week 3 after sustaining a concussion. Fields was sharp against the Steelers in Week 1 but struggled against the Bills in Week 2, completing 3-of-11 passes for 27 yards and absorbing a pair of sacks. If Fields can’t go, he’ll be replaced by 36-year-old Tyrod Taylor, who hasn’t started a game in two years. In five 2023 starts for the Giants, Taylor took 16 sacks and threw two interceptions.

Atlanta Falcons: 1% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CAR, WSH, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Atlanta defense is a work in progress — better against the run than it is against the pass, though the hope is that rookie first-round EDGE rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. finally give the Falcons’ pass rush some teeth. The real appeal here is a Week 3 matchup against Carolina. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has already thrown three interceptions and has been sacked four times.

Indianapolis Colts: 7% Rostered

Next Opponents: @TEN, @LAR, LV
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The jury is still out on the Colts’ defense, a middling unit in 2024 that has played reasonably well in a pair of wins to start the 2025 campaign. What makes Indianapolis a solid Week 3 streaming option is a matchup against rookie quarterback Cam Ward and the Titans in Nashville. Ward is talented, but he’s still trying to find his NFL sea legs. Through two games, Ward has completed 31-of-61 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown. Ward hasn’t thrown an interception yet, but he’s already been sacked 11 times and has fumbled twice.

Los Angeles Chargers: 49% Rostered

Next Opponents: DEN, @NYG, WSH
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Chargers’ defense ranked ninth in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) last season and is off to a fast start this year. The Bolts did respectable work against a dangerous Chiefs offense in Week 1, then held the Raiders to nine points in Week 2, intercepting Geno Smith three times and sacking him three times. The Chargers are a decent two-week play, with games coming up against a slightly out-of-sync Denver offense in Week 3 and a Jekyll-and-Hyde Giants offense in Week 4.

Kickers

Matt Prater (K – BUF): 12% Rostered

Next Opponents: MIA, NO, NE
True Value: $2
Desperate Need: $3
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The high-flying Bills have scored 71 points in their first two games, with Matt Prater going 6-for-6 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points while filling in for the injured Tyler Bass, who’s on IR and can’t return until Week 5 at the earliest. That leaves Prater poised to take advantage of home matchups with the hapless Dolphins and Saints the next two weeks. Buffalo should continue to pile up points in those matchups, making Prater a highly appealing option for fantasy managers taking the streaming approach at kicker.

Brandon McManus (K – GB): 11% Rostered

Next Opponents: @CLE, @DAL, BYE
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $2
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Packers have stuffed their first two opponents into a locker, beating the Lions and Commanders convincingly. Green Bay’s defense has been fearsome, quickly putting the ball back into the hands of Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The Packers should provide ample scoring opportunities for Brandon McManus, who’s 4-for-5 on field-goal attempts and 6-for-6 on extra points so far. The Packers have a favorable matchup against the Browns this week, then get the Cowboys in their dome for Week 4. One word of caution: The long-range forecast calls for a chance of Sunday-afternoon thunderstorms in Cleveland. Double-check the Cleveland forecast before putting in your waiver claims.

Matt Gay (K – WSH): 24% Rostered

Next Opponents: LV, @ATL, @LAC
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Washington offense laid an egg in Green Bay last week, but the Commanders still have one of the better offenses in the league, largely thanks to do-everything quarterback Jayden Daniels. Matt Gay missed a pair of field goals in the Commanders’ nightmarish loss to the Packers, but he’s a steady veteran with a career success rate of 84.7% on field-goal attempts. The Commanders have a Week 3 home game against the Raiders, who yielded the third-most fantasy points to kickers last season.

Jason Myers (K – SEA): 3% Rostered

Next Opponents: NO, @ARI, TB
True Value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Seahawks will be heavy favorites in their Week 3 home game against the Saints, which is a potentially fruitful setup for Jason Myers. Seattle’s veteran kicker has gone 3-for-4 on field goals and 5-of-5 on extra points over the first two weeks.

Fool’s Gold

After completing fewer than half of his pass attempts and throwing zero touchdown passes in the Giants’ 21-6 loss to the Commanders in Week 1, Russell Wilson erupted for 450 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 40-37 overtime loss to the Commanders in Week 2. It was nice to see Wilson turn back the clock in that barnburner in Dallas. Just don’t count on seeing many encores. The 36-year-old Wilson is probably just keeping the seat warm for first-round rookie Jaxson Dart.

Drop Recommendations

Droppable

As noted earlier, Austin Ekeler is done for the season with a torn Achilles. Please pour one out for Ekeler before dropping him.

Kaleb Johnson appeared in the Don’t Drop Yet section of last week’s waiver article, but we have to reconsider after the rookie’s special-teams gaffe cost the Steelers a chance to beat the Seahawks in Week 2. With Pittsburgh trailing 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, Johnson failed to field a Seattle kickoff that came down in the designated landing zone, and he didn’t seem to realize that he had to field the kick. He let it bounce into the end zone, where the Seahawks pounced on it for a touchdown that put them up by two scores. Johnson has played only four offensive snaps over his first two games, and it might take him a while to earn significant playing time after his costly Week 2 mistake. It’s safe to drop him.

Through the Bears’ first two games, veteran tight end Cole Kmet has out-snapped rookie tight end Colston Loveland 121-74. The 10th overall pick in this year’s draft, Loveland has 2-12-0 receiving on three targets. He’s been a non-factor in the Chicago offense early on. Disregard the draft pedigree; this sort of usage isn’t going to amount to worthwhile fantasy value.

Jaguars starting tight end Brenton Strange opened with dream matchups against the Panthers and Bengals, who gave up the most and second-most fantasy points, respectively, to tight ends last season. Strange had a decent day against Carolina, with 4-59-0 on four targets. But he was a non-factor against Cincinnati, with 3-17-0 on five targets and an 11.9% target share. We were hoping for better results in soft matchups. A popular preseason sleeper pick at tight end, Strange can be dropped for now.

Droppable With a Chance of Regret

Braelon Allen ranks No. 2 in the Jets’ three-man backfield, but he’s a distant second behind Breece Hall. The 235-pound Allen has some goal-line touchdown potential, and he punched in an eight-yard touchdown in Week 1. But Allen has carried the ball only eight times for 20 yards over the Jets’ first two games, and he has little pass-catching upside. He’s droppable if you need to clear room to address an urgent need.

Rashod Bateman hasn’t been drawing many targets early in the season, and he’s not getting the deep targets that helped him average 16.8 yards per catch and score nine touchdowns last season. Zay Flowers is the clear No. 1 receiver for Baltimore, and beyond Flowers, it’s an ensemble cast that includes Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace. Through two weeks, Bateman has caught four of his eight targets for 25 yards and zero touchdowns. The slow start may be a mirage, but it would take a major surge for us to feel comfortable plugging Bateman into our lineups.

Jerome Ford actually led Browns running backs in snaps (35) on Sunday, but a lot of them came in garbage time in an unsightly 41-17 loss to the Ravens. With Quinshon Judkins finally joining the team in Week 2 and immediately stepping into a starting role, Ford’s days of fantasy utility appear to be over. Judkins will be the lead back in Cleveland, and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson is likely to be the No. 2 RB. Ford can be a useful fantasy asset in the right circumstances, but not as a third wheel in a mediocre offense.

Jayden Reed broke his collarbone on the Packers’ Week 2 win over the Commanders and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Put him on IR if you can. If your league doesn’t have IR spots, you might need to drop him.

Don’t Drop Yet

For a second straight season, Mark Andrews is off to a frigid start. Through two games, he has 2-7-0 receiving on four targets. Andrews almost had a short touchdown catch on Sunday, but he let Browns safety Grant Delpit punch the ball out of his arms. After his similarly rough start last season, Andrews eventually found his footing and scored a career-high 11 touchdowns. But what’s concerning this year is that Andrews is failing to make an impact even though he’s playing a ton of snaps. Isaiah Likely will eventually return from a foot injury, potentially cutting into Andrews’ playing time.

RJ Harvey had a 29% snap share in Week 1 and a 32% snap share in Week 2. The Broncos’ second-round rookie from UCF broke off a breathtaking 50-yard run in the season opener against the Titans but was mostly bottled up by the Colts in Week 2, finishing with 5-8-0 rushing plus a 16-yard catch. We’re hoping Broncos head coach Sean Payton ramps up Harvey’s usage soon. If you’re thinking of dropping the rookie running back, go search for the video of that 50-yard run.

Speaking of highly touted rookie running backs getting off to sluggish starts, Patriots second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson played 32% of New England’s offensive snaps on Sunday and has played second fiddle to veteran Rhamondre Stevenson through two weeks. It’s not as if Henderson has been completely quiet. He has 8-37-0 rushing and 8-54-0 receiving. But considering that Henderson was being drafted as the RB19 in the late fourth round, according to FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP), his investors are undoubtedly disappointed. Hang tight, friends. We’re confident Henderson has bigger days ahead.

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