Make no mistake about it, the injuries suffered across the NFL in Week 2 have made a significant impact on the fantasy landscape. With so much to cover, let’s get right down to business and discuss some players to add heading into Week 3 that are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues. I’ll also give an estimate on what percentage of your FAAB budget that you should spend on each player for those who play in those type of leagues. Let’s get into some Week 3 waiver wire pickups for your fantasy football lineups on ESPN, Yahoo and CBS.
Fantasy Football: Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers (95% available)
The news coming out of Carolina was not good regarding the ankle injury suffered by Christian McCaffrey on Sunday against the Buccaneers. It’s a high-ankle sprain, which is likely to sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks. Enter Davis, who was targeted eight times as a result of McCaffrey going down. He made the most of his opportunities, catching all eight of them for 74 yards. Curtis Samuel could also see some snaps at running back, and Reggie Bonnafon will likely be brought up from the practice squad, but Davis should see most of the work out of the Panthers’ backfield moving forward.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (30% – 35% of FAAB budget)
Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers (77% available)
It’s only Week 3, and it already feels like the 49ers are running out of healthy players. They are going to enter the week thin at running back with Raheem Mostert set to miss some time because of an MCL sprain. Tevin Coleman suffered a knee injury of his own that is expected to sideline him for multiple games, as well. Few waiver wire options are as appealing for Week 3 as McKinnon, who will take on a Giants defense that has been lit up on the ground through their first two games.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (20% – 25% of FAAB budget)
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (78% available)
It’s a bit surprising that Gage is still available in this many leagues after he caught nine of 12 targets for 114 yards in Week 1. He was once again busy in Week 2, hauling in six of nine targets for 46 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. The Falcons have a terrible defense that will likely force their offense to throw a lot to keep up in games, so look for Gage to continue to be productive from here on out.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (10% – 15% of FAAB budget)
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (85% available)
It seemed like Jordan Howard and Matt Breida were set to lead the Dolphins backfield heading into the season, but Gaskin has emerged as arguably their best running back. He’s been involved in both facets off the offense, generating 16 carries and 11 targets through their first two games. He’s still looking for his first score, but he did record at least 66 total yards in both contests. He could shine in their Week 3 matchup against a porous Jaguars defense, and he has appeal over the long haul as well.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (10% – 15% of FAAB budget)
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (68% available)
After Malcolm Brown led the way in Week 1, it looked like it was going to be the Cam Akers show in Week 2 with him getting the first three carries of the game. However, he then went down with a rib injury and did not return. Brown battled a finger injury in the contest as well, which left Henderson to carry the ball 12 times for 81 yards and a score. If everyone is healthy, this is a messy situation with any of the three players being able to lead the team in carries in a given week. However, if Akers and/or Brown were forced to miss any time, Henderson would be in an ideal situation. It looks like Brown will be available to play in Week 3 after having his fractured pinky repaired, but Akers is listed as day-to-day. With that being said, a matchup against the stout Bills run defense is less than ideal.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (10% – 15% of FAAB budget)
Dion Lewis, New York Giants (94% available)
The big injury news for the Giants is the loss of Saquon Barkley for the season with a torn ACL. I’ll start out by saying that I’m not very high on Lewis as a waiver wire add. There isn’t one running back on the roster who will replace Barkley. Expect Wayne Gallman to be on the field a lot on first and second down with Lewis being their top third-down and pass-catching option. This situation could also change if the Giants add depth at the position, specifically if they sign Devonta Freeman, who is reportedly set to visit with the team. Lewis has more appeal in PPR than he does in standard leagues, but don’t blow your budget on him in either format.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (10% – 15% of FAAB budget)
Golden Tate, New York Giants (64% available)
With Barkley no longer in the picture, the Giants should turn into a pass-heavy offense moving forward. In addition to his injury, though, is the toe injury that could keep Sterling Shepard on the sidelines for at least Week 3. If he is indeed out, that should leave Tate as their No. 2 wide receiver behind Darius Slayton. After sitting out Week 1 with an injury of his own, Tate returned to catch all five of his targets for 47 yards against the Bears.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (5% of FAAB budget)
Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars (68% available)
Minshew Mania is in full effect. He’s recorded six touchdowns across the first two games and threw for 339 yards while almost pulling off the upset against the Titans in Week 2. He now goes on an excellent stretch in which the Jaguars face the Dolphins, Bengals, Texans and Lions before their bye week, each of which is not a very good defensive team. If quarterback is what ails your fantasy squad, don’t hesitate to grab Minshew off waivers.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 8 (5% of FAAB budget)
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (61% available)
Austin Ekeler looked primed to be the Chargers’ featured running back with Melvin Gordon departing for the Broncos. He has played well, but Kelley has emerged as much more than just his backup. He’s carried the ball 35 times across the first two games, totaling 124 yards and a touchdown. Should anything happen to Ekeler, Kelley would be in line for a monster workload. Even with Ekeler healthy, Kelley is a viable add given all of the injuries across the league.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 9 (5% of FAAB budget)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (64% available)
Despite a seemingly obvious need to add talent at wide receiver, the Packers stood pat in the offseason behind Davante Adams. Valdes-Scantling is one of their top secondary options and has already been heavily involved the first two weeks, catching seven of 13 targets for 160 yards and a touchdown. Adams appears to have escaped a serious injury after departing in Week 2 with a hamstring issue, but even with him healthy, Valdes-Scantling should receive a significant enough target share to be worth adding in many leagues.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 10 (5% of FAAB budget)
Laviska Shenault, Jacksonville Jaguars (83% available)
It looks like the Jaguars are going to be creative with Shenault. He had 72 total yards in Week 2 that came on three receptions and five carries. On top of his seven carries through two games, he has eight targets and is emerging as their potential No. 2 wide receiver behind D.J. Chark. With a favorable stretch upcoming, Shenault is someone to at least consider in 12-team or deeper leagues.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Priority: 11 (5% of FAAB budget)
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