Injuries can be detrimental to the success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for a plug-in starter. Unfortunately, there were key fantasy players ruled out as well as more names added to the injury report following the Sunday slate. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
Don’t overreact to just only two weeks and hold onto those late-round flyers you believe in and think could boom moving forward. If you’re in need of an immediate upgrade, here are some Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help push your team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (49.8%)
With Urban Meyer out of the way, Trevor Lawrence looks… like a professional quarterback. We all saw how dominant Lawrence was in college. He just needed to translate it to the NFL. Lawrence hasn’t been perfect through his first two games so far, but he looks much more comfortable and has some very solid weapons in his offense. The Jaguars owned the Colts in Week 2, shutting them out and Lawrence had a near-perfect game. Don’t expect monster fantasy numbers unless he randomly explodes, but he should be a reliable starting fantasy QB, making him a possible Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire pickup.
Jared Goff, Lions (6.8%)
The Detroit Lions offense has been pleasantly surprising through two games, and that begins with Jared Goff. He has thrown six touchdowns and one interception so far. With the run game keeping the opposing defense guessing, mixed with plenty of talent at the wide receiver position, Goff should be able to muster plenty of very solid fantasy football performances moving forward. Detroit’s defense hasn’t been great either, so Goff and the offense will likely have to throw the ball more often than not.
Other options: Jameis Winston (36.3%), Baker Mayfield (14.2%), Kenny Pickett (3.9%)
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (51.7%)
Raheem Mostert isn’t the prettiest fantasy football waiver wire pickup this week, but you have to aim for players in good offenses. The Miami Dolphins offense exploded last week and showed fantasy managers that they can post numbers when the situation is right. Mostert was quiet in Week 1, as Chase Edmonds took the lead role, but that wasn’t the case in Week 2. Mostert led the team in carries, but he has further value in the passing game because Tua Tagovailoa thrives with short passes.
Jamaal Williams, Lions (43.8%)
Jamaal Williams made the Week 2 fantasy football waiver wire article because he poached two goal-line carries from D’Andre Swift and posted a solid fantasy performance. Williams is virtually the same here again this week, but his ownership should increase again. His production is dependent on him finding the end zone, but the Lions running game has been humming. As long as they stick to their current game plan and keep the playcalling balanced, Williams will be around to poach carries and touchdowns from Swift.
Other options: J.D McKissic (42.0%), Khalil Herbert (28.4%), Tyrion Davis-Price (4.5%)
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Russell Gage, Buccaneers (55.1%)
Many fantasy managers assumed Russell Gage would thrive with Tampa Bay’s wide receiver room in shambles, but he was quiet again this week. It’s clear Tom Brady looks for Gage in only short-throw areas, which will put a damper on his fantasy value moving forward. However, considering Chris Godwin reaggravated his lingering injury, Julio Jones is notorious for being injured and Mike Evans is suspended, the wide receiver options are quite thin in Tampa Bay. Gage could simply be good in fantasy just because he’s available and on the field.
Joshua Palmer, Chargers (40.8%)
Joshua Palmer has been very quiet so far this season, despite being on one of the highest-powered offenses in the league. With Keenan Allen hurt in the TNF matchup vs. Kansas City, Palmer was called up and ended up catching 4-of-8 targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. He did virtually nothing the entire game until a late touchdown catch, but considering he’s seen 14 targets across two games, the volume is good enough. The Chargers wide receiver room consistently deals with injuries too, so Palmer could be a good stash at just under 40 percent ownership.
Other options: George Pickens (44.4%), Isaiah McKenzie (18.2%) , Nico Collins (15.9%)
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Gerald Everett, Chargers (30.7%)
Gerald Everett saw his ownership rise over 20 percent after his Week 1 performance, but it will rise even more this time around. With Keenan Allen out, Everett thrived as arguably the No. 2 option in the passing game, catching 6-of-10 targets for 71 yards. It’s unknown how much this rib injury will affect Justin Herbert, but if he’s able to play, Everett seems to be a security blanket for him.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (16.6%)
Evan Engram has never lived up to his draft potential. However, he’s in a semi-good situation in Jacksonville now. He hasn’t necessarily flashed enough to warrant an immediate fantasy football waiver wire addition, but he is one to put on your radar moving forward. With Lawrence improving, the offense itself will improve and his weapons will see volume. As of right now, he is definitely touchdown-reliant to produce any meaningful fantasy points, but if you can afford the bench spot, he isn’t a bad option at all.
Other options: Taysom Hill (25.3%), Logan Thomas (19.5%), Hayden Hurst, Bengals (23.3%)
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