Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 3

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 2 takeaways, early look at waiver wire

Quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buccaneers

Fitzpatrick has back-to-back games with over 400 yards and four touchdowns, and now gets to face a Steelers defense that just gave up six passing scores to Patrick Mahomes in Week 2. The veteran will also be playing for his job, as another solid outing will make it difficult for the Bucs to send him back to the bench when Jameis Winston returns from suspension next week.

Blake Bortles, Jaguars

With Leonard Fournette sidelined, Bortles took command of the offense, posting a four-touchdown day as the Jaguars avenged their AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots. The performance was one of Bortles' best as a pro and is worth chasing against the Titans, who have given up multiple passing touchdowns to both Ryan Tannehill and Deshaun Watson the last two weeks.

Other options: Andy Dalton at CAR (27 percent owned), Tyrod Taylor vs. NYJ (31 percent owned), Tannehill vs. OAK (7 percent owned)

Running Back

Giovani Bernard, Bengals

Joe Mixon's breakout campaign has been put on hold while he undergoes a cleanup procedure on his knee, which is expected to keep him out for two-to-four weeks. That vaults Bernard back into the fantasy conversation as a borderline RB1. During a five-week stretch late in 2017 when he saw at least 15 touches per game, Bernard was the RB15 in standard formats and RB12 in PPR. He should be the top waiver wire target in every league this week.

Latavius Murray, Vikings

Dalvin Cook assured beat writers he was fine after what he described as "cramps" caused him to leave during overtime of Sunday's game. We've seen players downplay injuries in the past, only to miss time, so his practice participation needs to be monitored. Even if Cook is in the lineup, it's possible the Vikings limit his workload as 17-point favorites at home versus the Bills. Murray is one of the better backups in the league and would be thrust into RB2 status - like he was last year - if Cook misses any time.

Austin Ekeler, Chargers

Ekeler has 224 total yards and a receiving touchdown through two games while operating in a secure role as the Chargers' change-of-pace back. He doesn't pose a threat to Melvin Gordon's production but can comfortably be used as a flex option, while offering significant upside if Gordon gets hurt.

Corey Clement, Eagles

Back issues forced Jay Ajayi to exit early last week before he ultimately returned and dominated touches later in the game. It appears the running back dodged a serious injury, but back problems can linger. With Ajayi missing time and Darren Sproles not in the lineup, Clement turned his increased role into 11 touches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Stash him now before someone else does.

Javorius Allen, Ravens

Unlike some of the other backups on this list, Allen hasn't turned his touches into big yardage. He has seen regular work as a pass-catcher and goal-line back, with five receptions and a touchdown in each game. You'll never feel good starting Allen, but he has sneaky flex appeal and would be the last man standing in Baltimore's backfield if Alex Collins goes down.

Marlon Mack/Jordan Wilkins, Colts

Mack made his season debut after a hamstring injury kept him out for over a month dating back to the preseason. Unfortunately, it was a quiet return, as he racked up just 34 yards on 10 carries. He was outplayed by his rookie teammate Wilkins, who finished with 61 yards, while pass-catching specialist Nyheim Hines vultured a touchdown. There's a chance Mack knocks the rust off and assumes control of this backfield, but a frustrating committee seems likely, reducing the value of everyone involved.

Other options: Chris Ivory/Marcus Murphy at MIN (5 percent/1 percent owned), Ito Smith vs. NO (2 percent owned), Samaje Perine vs. GB (1 percent owned), D'Onta Foreman returns Week 7 (5 percent)

*Matt Breida is owned in 62 percent of leagues and therefore doesn't meet the criteria for this article. If he's still available, he should be a high-priority target this week.

*Aaron Jones is owned in 61 percent of leagues, and is returning from suspension in Week 3. If he's still available, stash him.

Wide Receivers

Chris Godwin/DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers

Apparently, Week 1 wasn't a fluke, and the Buccaneers' passing attack can indeed support several fantasy options. After two games, Jackson has the second-most fantasy points among receivers, with Mike Evans sitting in sixth and Godwin coming in at 23rd. Godwin is still my pick for sustained success over the course of the season, with Jackson's big plays likely to be more volatile over a larger sample size.

Keelan Cole/Dede Westbrook, Jaguars

Cole continues to lead the Jaguars' receiving corps and is emerging as a potential breakout star with 170 yards and a touchdown so far. Westbrook has done his best to keep up, with 134 yards and score. Prior to the season, we ranked Jacksonville's receiver schedule to be the easiest fantasy slate in 2018, making this duo even more enticing as a waiver wire targets.

John Brown, Ravens

Brown has been rejuvenated with the Ravens. He's scored in each of his first two outings with Baltimore and is on pace for his second 1,000-yard campaign. As long as he stays healthy, he'll be a solid WR3 in fantasy lineups the rest of the season.

Geronimo Allison, Packers

Allison makes his second straight appearance on this list despite eclipsing five catches and 64 yards in both games. Aaron Rodgers wasn't totally himself playing through the knee injury, but he kept all his weapons fantasy viable. In addition to his weekly flex potential, Allison is the rare WR handcuff, offering a massive return if Davante Adams or Randall Cobb suffer an injury.

Ted Ginn Jr., Saints

The 33-year-old speedster isn't slowing down. He's hauled in nine catches for 123 yards and a touchdown over two games. The playing time threats posed by rookie Tre'Quan Smith and Cam Meredith never materialized, leaving Ginn as a starter in real life and fantasy.

Calvin Ridley, Falcons

The rookie is beginning to assert himself in the offense, evidenced by his four-catch, 64-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday. Mohamed Sanu is still in the mix, but Ridley has stepped up as the clear No. 3 receiver and could carve out a bigger role in the coming weeks. The time to add him is now.

Other options: D.J. Moore vs. CIN (29 percent owned), DeVante Parker vs. OAK (36 percent owned), Martavis Bryant at MIA (8 percent owned), Antonio Callaway vs. NYJ (7 percent owned), Christian Kirk vs. CHI (4 percent owned), Tyler Boyd at CAR (2 percent owned)

*Quincy Enunwa is owned in 61 percent of leagues and therefore doesn't meet the criteria for this article. If he's still available, he should be a high-priority target this week.

Tight Ends

Eric Ebron, Colts

My bold prediction that Ebron would reach double digits in touchdowns during his first season with Colts is looking pretty good after he scored twice in the first two weeks. Ebron's floor remains low, making him a risky fantasy play, but his upside is high as Andrew Luck continues to lean on his tight ends.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jaguars

This isn't a great week for tight ends on the waiver wire, which is why Seferian-Jenkins makes the cut as a streaming option. Even though Tennessee has been tough against tight ends, ASJ's red-zone skills make him worth consideration. After having a touchdown called back on a penalty in Week 1, Seferian-Jenkins came down with a four-yard score in the win over the Patriots. With all the injuries at the position, a touchdown is all it takes to reach low-end TE1 status in a given week.

Other options: Austin Hooper vs. NO (17 percent owned), Jesse James/Vance McDonald at TB (10 percent/15 percent owned), Jake Butt at BAL (3 percent owned)