Week 3 Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players

Alvin Kamara had 14 touches in week two (10 in the first half alone) against the Ravens, significantly outworking Travis Etienne. The source notes Kamara doesn't look great by his standards but is still serviceable. Given the Saints' high-volume, fast-paced offense running so many plays per game, Kamara could accumulate catches and touches. The source views him as a viable season-long value play and a potential one-week fill-in if other backs are injured.

Penix is barely practiced, suggesting limited availability or readiness for the upcoming game.

Mayfield has been a sack and turnover factory, leading the NFL or co-leading in fumbles this year and each of the last two years, with interceptions and other turnovers. This makes the Vikings defense a strong play against Tampa Bay in Week 3.

Brock Bowers is expected to return next week for the Raiders, which could limit Trey Tucker's role and target share.

Young is the source's number two quarterback in fantasy football for Week 3 streaming purposes, playing at Cleveland. The source notes he's playing great and 'has the joy back in his eyes,' making him an easy stream regardless of matchup.

Bucky Irving has fewer raw snaps than Travis Etienne through two weeks, per the source's snap count analysis.

Caleb Williams avoided any major injury to his hamstring; test confirmed. The team is not ruling him out for next week's game on Monday Night Football against the Eagles, though Ben Johnson indicated he's planning for Williams to miss some time, likely a week or two.

Williams is not playing in Week 3 and owners should stream a backup QB instead. The source recommends Young, Shuck, or Geno Smith as alternatives for Williams owners.

Ward is starting for the Titans against the Giants in Week 3. The source notes the matchup is interesting because Brian Dable is the Giants coach (formerly the Titans coach), and expresses some worry for Dart (likely referring to another player). The source also notes Ward can throw pick-sixes, making the Giants defense viable.

Kolar was reported to be in a sling after Week 2 with a shoulder or collarbone injury and has been placed on IR with a forearm injury, removing him from tight end consideration.

Chuba Hubbard has fewer raw snaps than Travis Etienne through two weeks, per the source's snap count analysis.

DJ Moore got hurt early in the game against Detroit, creating opportunity for Keon Coleman; Moore's return status is uncertain.

Dalton Schultz is the number-one tight end waiver add after week two; he had 12 targets for 140 yards in the last game, a spike driven by Nico Collins being out; he's rostered in only 21% on ESPN, making him available in most leagues.

Schultz is the source's number one tight end to add on waivers entering Week 3, with significant rostering disparities across platforms (ESPN at only 21% rostered on Yahoo). The source ranks him above Pat Fryer muth and other tight end options as the safest pick.

Schultz had 12 targets for 140 yards in Week 2 against the Bengals, a direct result of Nico Collins being out; the source notes Xavier Hutchinson had a tough game and other Texans receivers couldn't step up, leaving CJ Stroud to rely heavily on Schultz. If Collins remains out in Week 3, the source would feel good about starting Schultz again, and notes he had over 100 targets last year.

Waller is highlighted as an upside tight end option who has been a red zone specialist since coming out of retirement; he had two touchdowns in Week 2 and another touchdown called back on a procedural penalty the week before. Since retiring and returning, Waller has eight touchdowns in approximately 12 games, functioning as a closer/relief pitcher in the red zone rather than a high-volume receiver.

Njoku was carted off during Week 2 with a knee or leg injury and has been placed on IR with a fibula injury, removing him from tight end consideration for the foreseeable future.

Denzel Boston is the clear number-one waiver-wire receiver add after week two; he had five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown this week after scoring in his first game, is playing 93% of snaps, runs the most routes on the Browns, and has top-10 usage at the position with top-10 to top-15 route participation and targets per route; he's the most talented player available and if you redid the draft, he'd be a top-20 pick, though the Browns' offensive inconsistency and Deshaun Watson's limitations create some week-to-week volatility risk.

Watson had an actual good game by his standards in Week 2, which the source mentions when discussing the Panthers defense as a play against the Browns in Week 3. The Panthers had five turnovers in Week 2, suggesting defensive opportunity.

Deshaun Watson just had an actual good game by his standards but faces a difficult home matchup against the Browns; the source expresses concern that despite the win, Watson will face a weird vibe at home and the Panthers cannot bench him now, creating an awkward situation heading into the game.

Historically, when Dallas Goddard is out, Devontae Smith sees increased production and goes 'crazy'; with Goddard sidelined, Smith should benefit from additional target share.

Emmanuel Wilson looked good in garbage time against the Cardinals and will be the Seahawks' early-down back if Jadarian Price can't play; Helani will handle third-down and long-distance situations.

Emmitt Johnson is the Chiefs backup running back who looks great but is not playing a ton behind Ken Walker. The source recommends adding him as handcuff insurance if you own Ken Walker, noting that if Walker gets hurt, Johnson would get significant work.

Smith is recommended as a third QB option for Week 3 and beyond, particularly for deeper leagues or those with Caleb Williams/Jaden Daniels. The source notes the Jets face the Lions (down their entire starting secondary), then the Bears (bad defense), then the Browns, giving Smith favorable matchups. He had 250 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 in the rain and played well in Week 1 against Tennessee despite running in touchdowns.

Jadarian Price suffered a shoulder injury with unclear severity; Mike McDonald said it was not serious, but Price could miss time, creating opportunity for Emmanuel Wilson.

Javante Williams has fewer raw snaps than Travis Etienne despite Etienne's limited role in the Saints offense. The source uses this as evidence that the Saints' high-volume, fast-paced offense generates enough plays for multiple backs to accumulate snaps.

Daniels is not playing in Week 3 and owners should stream a backup QB instead. The source advises against playing Marcus Mariota versus Seattle as a Daniels replacement.

Jaden Reed suffered a scary-looking injury on the Packers' second play of the game, creating uncertainty around his availability.

Jonah Coleman came in late in the Broncos game, looked good, and scored a touchdown with 10 rushes for 39 yards on 42% of snaps. RJ Harvey missed the game with a hamstring/groin injury and JK Dobbins left with a hamstring injury. The source wants to grab a piece of Coleman's upside now before he potentially starts for multiple weeks, making him the top running back waiver add entering week three.

Kalief Raymond is getting a lot of targets for the Bears, leading receivers in targets so far; he's being used on quick routes and hot routes when the offense is under pressure, making him a player to monitor on waivers.

Kendra Miller had nine carries and scored a touchdown in week one for the Saints, adding to the uncertainty in the Saints backfield rotation alongside Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara.

Keon Coleman had a big game for the Bills after DJ Moore left the game against Detroit; however, his role may diminish if DJ Moore returns, making him a cautious add with limited long-term upside.

Murray is expected to play versus the Buccaneers in Week 3 after being injured, and the source notes he may be available in many leagues since people might not have picked him up or forgot about him due to his injury. He's a viable third option after Young and Shuck if those are unavailable.

Makai Lemon is a good stash and is playing a lot for the Eagles; with Goddard out, he could inherit over-the-middle, short intermediate, run-after-catch, and screen opportunities, though he's still rostered in more leagues than Wicks despite being a first-round receiver.

Mariota is starting for Washington in Week 3 but the source advises against playing him versus Seattle, despite his rushing upside as a backup QB. The source prefers Bajit against Philadelphia over Mariota against Seattle.

Marshawn Lloyd fumbled late in the Packers' week two game, leading to Caleb Johnson starting the overtime period. The source notes Lloyd has not looked that good and may lose carries to Johnson going forward.

Mike Washington Jr. is the Raiders backup running back. The source recommends adding him as handcuff insurance if you have Ash and Gentty, whose ankle got tweaked at the end of the week two game. The source advocates for adding backups to injured starters when the backup is likely to get significant work.

Nico Collins was out this week for the Texans, which resulted in increased target volume for Dalton Schultz; Collins' absence created opportunity for other receivers.

Collins is expected to miss Week 3, which the source describes as 'devastating and incredibly frustrating.' His absence directly benefited Dalton Schultz's production in Week 2 and will likely continue to elevate other Texans receivers if he remains out.

Rashad Bateman had 88 yards and a touchdown this week and is a top waiver add if Zay Flowers is out; with Tez Walker and Jacoby Lane also out, Bateman is essentially the only left professional receiver for the Ravens and should be prioritized if you have Flowers on your roster.

Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in week two with unclear etiology—possibly a neck, disc, or shoulder issue. He came back in the game but needed an MRI after, and as of Monday afternoon recording, no updates on his status were available. The Eagles play Monday night football against the Bears, creating uncertainty for Sunday lineups.

Tank Bigsby is the Eagles running back and a strong one-week or two-week add if Saquon Barkley is out. Saquon suffered a stinger with possible disc, shoulder, or neck issues and needed an MRI after the game. The source recommends adding Bigsby as insurance if you have Saquon, or to block an opponent who has Saquon, since the Eagles play Monday night football against the Bears and you may not know Saquon's status by Sunday.

Tank Bigsby is expected to be a one to two week fill-in option, contingent on Saquon Barkley's injury status; his role is temporary pending Barkley's recovery.

Travis Etienne is a buy-low candidate after a disappointing week two. He had two touches in the first half and was outworked by Alvin Kamara (10 touches) despite being paid roughly the same guaranteed money as Ken Walker in free agency. The source notes Etienne looks better than Kamara and believes the Saints' high-volume offense will eventually feature him more. However, the source cautions that Etienne is only a buy-low if the owner has panicked and regrets drafting him early. If Etienne continues to underperform in week three, the source would consider trading for him as panic selling would intensify.

Trey Tucker had five catches for 119 yards this week but is a boom-or-bust option; he had a similar spike last year around week three with 145 yards and three touchdowns before fading, and with Brock Bowers potentially returning next week, Tucker's role may diminish; he's comparable to Josh Downs but faster.

Xavier Hutchinson had a tough game for the Texans this week, limiting his waiver appeal.

Zay Flowers' injury status is uncertain; if he's out, Rashad Bateman becomes a must-add waiver priority for Ravens receivers.