Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 3

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

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Lions

Prior to the season, we identified Goff as a sleeper due to his past performances in the Rams' talent-filled offenses.

Though it might seem strange, the Lions have built a formidable attack with a top-five offensive line and roster star skill position players like D'Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit also greatly improved its depth over the last couple of years with the likes of T.J. Hockenson, Jamaal Williams, D.J. Chark, and Josh Reynolds.

The result has been a strong start for Goff, who's averaging the ninth-most fantasy points per contest (with two games left to be played this week). That's largely due to his four-touchdown performance against the Commanders in Week 2.

With the Lions' defense still struggling, Goff's numbers will continue to be boosted by volume as the team tries to keep up with their opponents.

Next up is a likely shootout with the Vikings, which currently has the highest projected point total (52.5) in Week 3. Treat Goff as a high-end QB2 streamer this week with a chance to post another quality outing against the Seahawks in Week 4.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

After all the trade talk, Garoppolo has ended up in the place where he wanted to be as the 49ers' starting quarterback. Unfortunately, it had to come at the expense of Trey Lance, who's out for the season with a broken ankle.

You can question Garoppolo's character (i.e., smiling while Lance was being carted off the field), but his fantasy value is pretty set in stone thanks to the weapons and system around him.

Garoppolo was the QB17 in fantasy points per game a year ago and will continue to offer bye week or injury replacement value in your lineup.

Carson Wentz and Jameis Winston are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but would be the top pickups at quarterback if they are available.

Risky streaming options: Marcus Mariota at SEA (11% rostered), Ryan Tannehill vs. LV (19% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Matt Ryan vs. KC (43% rostered), Mac Jones vs. BAL (26% rostered)

2QB/Superflex considerations only: Cooper Rush at NYG (2% rostered), Joe Flacco vs. CIN (2% rostered), Daniel Jones vs. DAL (24% rostered), Baker Mayfield vs. NO (17% rostered), Davis Mills at CHI (6% rostered), Geno Smith vs. ATL (6% rostered), Mitch Trubisky at CLE (7% rostered), Jacoby Brissett vs. PIT (4% rostered)

Long-term stashes: Zach Wilson (5% rostered), Kenny Pickett (4% rostered)

Running backs

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins

While Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Tua Tagovailoa will get all the headlines for the Dolphins' stunning comeback over the Ravens on Sunday, fantasy managers should take notice of a change in Miami's backfield.

Mostert played more snaps (55%-51%) and received more touches (14-6) than Chase Edmonds (14-6) in Week 2 after the latter operated as the lead back in Miami's opener.

The result was 79 yards from scrimmage for Mostert, including three catches. He also ran nearly as many routes as Edmonds, who was believed to be the passing-down back entering the season.

The lead back in a dangerous offense would normally warrant a bigger bid on the waiver wire. But Mostert's durability concerns require a more cautious approach.

Don't break the bank on a player with such a long history of getting banged up when his volume increases.

For now, Mostert is an RB3 with RB2 upside for as long as he can stay healthy.

Darrel Williams/Eno Benjamin, Cardinals

With James Conner nursing an ankle issue, Benjamin and Williams need to be rostered.

The good news for Conner is that early reports indicate the injury isn't serious and won't require a long-term absence, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, that doesn't rule out the possibility of him missing Week 3.

When Conner left Sunday's game, the Cardinals' backfield turned into a timeshare with Benjamin and Williams splitting snaps. Though Benjamin served as the No. 2 back in the opener, Williams was the more productive of the two in their recent outing.

Williams and Benjamin will be ranked as RB3/flex options if Conner can't suit up. Williams has the slight edge based on their latest performances. Still, it'll be difficult to confidently project one over the other until we have more information.

Khalil Herbert, Kenneth Gainwell, and Brian Robinson are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

High-upside backups like Rachaad White (38% rostered) and Isiah Pacheco (29% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Mark Ingram at CAR (30% rostered), Kenyan Drake at NE (17% rostered), J.D. McKissic vs. PHI (24% rostered), Rex Burkhead at CHI (37% rostered), Tyler Allgeier at SEA (14% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Jerick McKinnon at IND (6% rostered), Sony Michel vs. JAX (6% rostered), Jordan Mason at DEN (5% rostered), Tony Jones Jr. at CAR (0% rostered), Zack Moss at MIA (16% rostered), Boston Scott at WAS (4% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Dontrell Hilliard vs. LV (21% rostered), Brandon Bolden at TEN (1% rostered)

Other backups to consider: Jaylen Warren at CLE (16% rostered), Samaje Perine at NYJ (6% rostered), D'Onta Foreman vs. NO (7% rostered), Zamir White at TEN (8% rostered), Matt Breida vs. DAL (1% rostered), Josh Kelley vs. JAX (1% rostered)

Long-shot stashes: Marlon Mack at DEN (4% rostered), Chris Evans at NYJ (1% rostered), Hassan Haskins vs. LV (1% rostered), Justice Hill at NE (0% rostered), Ty Johnson vs CIN (0% rostered),

Injured-reserve stashes: Gus Edwards (12% rostered)

Wide receivers

Garrett Wilson, Jets

Despite playing just 49% of the Jets' snaps in his debut, Wilson earned eight targets and finished with four catches and 52 yards.

Much to the delight of fantasy managers, the rookie improved on those numbers in Week 2. Wilson played 61% of the snaps and delivered a stat line of 8-102-2 on a team-leading 14 targets Sunday.

More importantly, he looks the part of a difference-maker at the NFL level, and you can see his confidence growing with every reception.

The Jets' coaching staff can't put their talented first-round receiver back in the box now, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect consistent top-30 production from him just yet.

He's a flex option who'll develop into a star as the season progresses, and this might be your last chance to get him on your roster.

Jakobi Meyers, Patriots

We're not recommending massive bids on any of the receivers this week due to the abundance of flex-worthy wideouts available in most leagues.

Meyers stands out above the rest in PPR and half-PPR formats thanks to his locked-in target share in the Patriots' offense.

The 25-year-old has garnered 19 targets over the first two games and turned in stat lines of 4-55-0 and 9-95-0.

His aversion for the end zone continues, but Meyers will be a quality fantasy starter as long as his volume remains high as New England's No. 1 wideout.

Russell Gage/Breshad Perriman, Buccaneers

Mike Evans is set to miss Week 3 after being given a one-game suspension for his role in the on-field scuffle between the Buccaneers and Saints.

It's bad timing for an offense that already could be without Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee).

That would leave Gage and Perriman as the next pass-catchers for Tom Brady.

A hamstring issue has limited Gage this season, and he hasn't topped 30 yards in either of Tampa's first two outings. Meanwhile, Perriman stepped up when Evans got ejected and finished with 45 yards and a score - playing 75% of the snaps in Week 2.

The Buccaneers' attack isn't firing on all cylinders right now due to the injuries in the receiving corps and on the offensive line. However, Gage and Perriman will have a chance to be boom-or-bust WR3/flex streamers versus the Packers.

Jahan Dotson and Treylon Burks are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Josh Palmer vs. JAX (27% rostered), Nico Collins at CHI (25% rostered), Sterling Shepard vs. DAL (11% rostered), Corey Davis vs. CIN (14% rostered), Robbie Anderson vs. NO (37% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at IND (39% rostered), Nelson Agholor vs. BAL (1% rostered), Greg Dortch vs. LAR (7% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Rondale Moore at LAR (20% rostered), Mecole Hardman at IND (31% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Zay Jones at LAC (13% rostered), Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. PIT (21% rostered), Ashton Dulin vs. KC (1% rostered), KJ Osborn vs. DET (8% rostered), Sammy Watkins at TB (17% rostered), Noah Brown at NYG (2% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus at SEA (0% rostered), DeAndre Carter vs. JAX (8% rostered), Kyle Philips vs. LV (5% rostered), Cole Beasley vs. GB (0% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Michael Gallup at NYG (27% rostered), KJ Hamler vs. SF (3% rostered), Van Jefferson at ARI (5% rostered)

Long-term rookie stashes: Romeo Doubs at TB (28% rostered), Christian Watson at TB (13% rostered), Skyy Moore at IND (23% rostered), Alec Pierce vs. KC (5% rostered)

Long-shot stashes: Justin Watson at IND (0% rostered), Mack Hollins at TEN (0% rostered), Tyrie Cleveland vs. SF (0% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at NE (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Jameson Williams (23% rostered), Tyquan Thornton (1% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. (8% rostered)

Tight ends

Logan Thomas, Commanders

Tight end is already getting thin on fantasy waiver wires, so it's time to make a move now if you're in need at the position.

Thomas has been solid in his return from a torn ACL. He logged snap rates of 62% and 73% in the opening weeks while posting 3-45-0 and 3-37-1 in those contests.

The Commanders' impressive receiver trio will likely cap his volume, but Thomas is still capable of producing top-12 tight end numbers in fantasy like he did in 2020.

Gerald Everett and Irv Smith Jr. are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky streamer options: Evan Engram at LAC (21% rostered), Robert Tonyan at TB (39% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Hayden Hurst at NYJ (16% rostered), Tyler Conklin vs. CIN (3% rostered), Juwan Johnson at CAR (0% rostered)

Long-term rookie stashes: Isaiah Likely at NE (6% rostered)

Defenses

Week 3 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Eagles (32% rostered), Cowboys (41% rostered), Giants (7% rostered)