Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 3
Each week, theScore's fantasy editors will run down the top waiver-wire pickups with a focus on the coming week and the rest of the season.
Quarterback
Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Recommended FAAB allocation in 12-team leagues: 40 percent
Palmer is owned in nearly 80 percent of fantasy leagues and that number should increase to nearly 100 percent this week. Palmer was sharp again in Week 2, throwing four touchdowns, and appears to be a locked-in fantasy QB1. Owners dealing with Tony Romo's injury should consider bidding a high percentage of their FAAB dollars to ensure they acquire Palmer. Owners of Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, and Sam Bradford, each of whom is a shaky proposition moving forward, are advised to make a push for Palmer, too.
Tyrod Taylor, Bills
FAAB: 10 percent
We've seen enough from Taylor to conclude he's a passable starting fantasy quarterback with upside. Don't break the bank for him, but Taylor could represent a good bargain for quarterback-needy owners who prefer not to spend all their blind bid cash on Palmer.
Johnny Manziel, Browns
FAAB: 5 percent
Go ahead. You know you want to. Sure, the Browns say Manziel will return to a backup job when Josh McCown is healthy, but you can't shake that nagging feeling that the team will eventually see the light and roll the dice on Manziel's upside. If you have to have Manziel on your roster, go get him. Just be sure to avoid overspending.
Andy Dalton, Bengals
FAAB: 5 percent
We know how the story goes with Dalton. He gives us three good games and then one absolute stinker. He's a fantasy QB2 who can start in a pinch, but you have to close your eyes and pray you avoid the landmine game. Could that change this year? Perhaps. Dalton's weapons are the best he's ever played with, but he has a long way to go to prove he's anything more than a high-end QB2.
Running Back
Matt Jones, Redskins
FAAB: 35 percent
Jones started the season behind Alfred Morris, but the dynamic rookie has already claimed a 50-50 timeshare. Give him two more weeks and he could be starting. Snatch him up wherever he's still available.
David Johnson, Cardinals
FAAB: 25 percent
Johnson is dripping with upside and the Cardinals say they want get him more involved in their offense. If the rookie continues to earn his coaches trust, he could have the kind of impact Jeremy Hill did for the Bengals last season. If Johnson is still available in your league, go get him.
Dion Lewis, Patriots
FAAB: 25 percent
Lewis stayed out of Bill Belichick's doghouse despite fumbles in back-to-back weeks, suggesting the Patriots see him as an essential part of their offense. It's easy to see why. Through two weeks, Lewis has been electric. He's a weapon in the passing game and breaks tackles in tight spaces. LeGarrette Blount could eventually limit Lewis's value by stealing goal-line work, but we've seen enough from Lewis to conclude he must be owned in all fantasy leagues.
Devonta Freeman, Falcons
FAAB: 5 percent
Tevin Coleman could miss a few weeks with a rib injury, opening the door for Freeman to take on a much bigger workload. Freeman isn't a special talent, but he should be a viable FLEX or RB3 in Coleman's absence.
James Starks, Packers
FAAB: 5 percent
Eddie Lacy's ankle injury is reportedly minor, but Starks should play a bigger role over the next few weeks. If Lacy misses a game, Starks will be a plug-and-play RB2.
Wide Receiver
Donte Moncrief, Colts
FAAB: 30 percent
The Colts' passing attack hasn't exactly been fruitful for fantasy owners, but better days are ahead. That's great news for Moncrief, who is not-so-slowly snatching a starting job away from Andre Johnson (who looks positively washed up). If Moncrief went unclaimed on your waiver wire last week, it's time to pounce.
Michael Crabtree, Raiders
FAAB: 10 percent
Crabtree saw double-digit passing targets in Week 2 and turned them into a 100-yard game. He'll continue playing second fiddle to Amari Cooper, but should see enough volume to provide startable FLEX or WR3 value with a bit of touchdown upside.
Steve Johnson, Chargers
FAAB: 10 percent
The player formerly known as Stevie has scored in each of his first two games with the Chargers and seems to be one of Philip Rivers' preferred targets.
Travis Benjamin, Browns
FAAB: 10 percent
It's unusual for a fourth-year player with as many career fumbles as touchdowns to break out and become a must-start fantasy star, but we can't deny how productive Benjamin has been through two weeks. If Manziel continues to start and chuck deep bombs, it's not crazy to think Benjamin will continue reeling them in for long scores. This roller-coaster could be a short ride, but thrill-seekers are advised to climb on.
Rishard Matthews, Dolphins
FAAB: 1 percent
Most fantasy analysts expected Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker or even Greg Jennings (remember him?) to emerge as the Dolphins' second receiving option behind Jarvis Landry. Instead, it's been Matthews. Parker is still a good bet to take over that job long-term, but fantasy owners may be able to squeeze a little more value out of Matthews in the next few weeks.
Tight End
Eric Ebron, Lions
FAAB: 5 percent
Ebron has two touchdowns in two weeks in a struggling Lions offense. He won't continue that pace, but he could remain a low-end TE1 moving forward.
Crockett Gillmore, Ravens
FAAB: 3 percent
The big-bodied Gillmore has carved out an important role for himself in the talent-poor Ravens passing attack. He's probably not a long-term starter for the Ravens or fantasy owners, but he's a decent option until rookie Maxx Williams develops.
Heath Miller, Steelers
FAAB: 1 percent
Miller has been a surprisingly big part of the Steelers' passing offense through two weeks. His role may shrink with the return of Le'Veon Bell in Week 3 and Martavis Bryant in Week 5, but he's a decent add for owners who like to carry a backup TE.