With Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season set to wrap up tonight with a doubleheader on “Monday Night Football”, we’re already looking ahead to the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups going into Week 3.
After a lengthy list for Week 2, we’re trimmed things down a bit for Week 3. Last week’s list was loaded with running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, but this time around we have more quarterback options for you.
Options at quarterback are particularly important for those who invested a pick in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance, who suffered an apparent season-ending injury in Week 2.
Grabbing Jimmy Garoppolo would be a decent contingency for Lance owners for now, but chances are you can find a better long-term option available on the waiver wire (I’ll explain further shortly).
Now, without further ado, the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups at each position for Week 3, complete with priority levels so you know just how aggressive to be with your FAAB budget or waiver spot.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Where the hell did that come from?
Tua is not known for putting up big numbers but he did so on Sunday with an insane 462 passing yards and six touchdowns in a ridiculous comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Can we expect that kind of production from Tua every week? No, but having guys like Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill will certainly help him produce on a higher level than in years past, and on a more consistent basis, also.
I’m not ready to proclaim Tua an every-week starter just yet, but he has the potential to be a great addition for teams in need of a quarterback.
Priority level: Medium
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
If you were riding the Trey Lance train in 2022, Sunday was a rough day for you, as the second-year pro suffered a season-ending injury. But fear not, Jimmy Garoppolo is here.
Well, maybe you should fear a little bit if Jimmy G is your primary option at the position moving forward. That’s because Garoppolo has finished as QB14 and QB18 in the two years he played in 15 or more games (2019 and 2021).
You can do a lot worse than Garoppolo, but you also might be able to do better.
Priority level: Low
QB Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders
Don’t look now, but Carson Wentz is QB2 in fantasy football going into Monday night. Chances are he’ll drop a few spots after the final two games of the week are played, but he’ll be no worse than QB5 or QB6.
It isn’t always pretty with Wentz, but he’s proven he can put up big numbers in fantasy with a talented array of offensive weapons in Washington. Also, the Commanders’ defense stinks, so shootouts could become common.
Wentz is a viable every-week starting option in 12-team leagues right now until he proves otherwise after averaging 29.3 fantasy points over the first two games.
Priority level: High
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
After being thin on quarterbacks in our Week 2 waiver wire article, we have four of them this week, with Jared Goff falling into the “last but certainly not least” category.
The Lions are off to an insane start on offense, dropping a total of 71 points on their first two opponents. And as of Monday morning, Goff ranks as QB7 in fantasy after averaging 21.27 fantasy points per game. His 26-point performance on Sunday ranked as QB5.
Sometimes hot starts are a fluke, but this one might not be that. Goff has a great offensive line in front of him and a slew of weapons to work with, like budding superstars in wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back D’Andre Swift, and one of the better tight ends in the NFL, T.J. Hockenson.
Making things even better for Goff is the fact that the Lions’ defense stinks, so Detroit will have to throw a ton and put points on the board to win most games.
And, lest we forget, Goff has shown he’s capable of top-12 finishes at the position in fantasy, including a 2018 campaign that saw him finish as QB7. Goff is the best waiver wire add at quarterback this week.
Priority level: High
RB Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
After Chase Edmonds led the backfield in Week 1, it was Raheem Mostert who took the reins in Week 2. Mostert saw just three more snaps than Edmonds but tallied 14 touches to Edmonds’ six.
Mostert finished with 11 carries and 51 rushing yards to Edmonds’ five carries and 33 yards, and the former’s three targets and catches for 28 yards were also superior to Edmonds’ passing-game work (three targets, one catch, eight yards).
What made this situation even more surprising was the fact that the Dolphins were trailing for much of the contest, which normally sets up well for Edmonds, who specializes as a pass-catcher.
This will likely be a back-and-forth situation for much of the season, but with Edmonds not being an ideal every-down back, Mostert could grab control of early-down work and approach 15 touches per week if he stays healthy.
Priority level: Medium
RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
With Damien Williams on injured reserve, the path is clear for rookie back Tyler Allgeier to at least serve as a backup the next three games. We say at least because he evenly split carries with starter Cordarrelle Patterson in Week 2.
Allgeier and Patterson both had 10 carries apiece, although the former didn’t see any work in the passing game and Patterson posted the better yards per carry (4.1 to 3.0).
Patterson is still the back to own in this backfield, but Allgeier is going to be involved and is the handcuff to own as long as Williams is sidelined.
Priority level if you have Patterson: High
Priority level if you don’t have Patterson: Low
RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara was inactive due to injury in Week 2, leaving the majority of the backfield work to Mark Ingram, who turned in 10 carries for 60 yards (six yards per carry) and two receptions for three yards.
Not great production, but if Kamara is out again in Week 3 Ingram figures to get a sizeable workload behind a very good offensive line once again.
If you have Kamara, Ingram is a must-add handcuff. If you don’t have Kamara, just know there’s the risk that Ingram is rendered irrelevant as soon as this week if the superstar back returns to action.
Priority level if you have Kamara: High
Priority level if you don’t have Kamara: Medium
RBs Eno Benjamin and Darrell Williams, Arizona Cardinals
We’re ambulance chasing once again with this one, as starter James Conner injured his ankle in Week 2 and didn’t return to the game. From that point on, it was Eno Benjamin and Darrell Williams splitting work.
Williams had three more snaps than Benjamin (40-37), but both saw eight carries. Benjamin had one more target and catch than Williams.
Williams had the better day on the ground and got the goal-line carry that resulted in his touchdown, but this situation is a bit too muddled to trust either one should Conner miss next week.
Priority level if you have Conner: High
Priority level if you don’t have Conner: Low
RB Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders
If Brian Robinson is still out there in your league, grab him as soon as possible. The rookie was poised to take over the starting running back role in Washington before he was shot twice as the victim in an attempted robbery.
And after what we’ve seen from Antonio Gibson through two games, we’re not sure much has changed with Robinson’s potential to grab the lead role.
While Robinson will remain on the NFI list through Week 4, all signs are pointing towards him being ready to return after the four-week minimum.
Take action now before you lose out on a potential starting running back down the road. You can stash him on IR if you have spots, also, so he wouldn’t be eating up a roster spot if you add him.
Priority level: High
WRs Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots
While I absolutely detest the vast majority of the Patriots’ offensive players in fantasy football, Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor could provide some help for fantasy managers in desperate need at the position.
Meyers dominated targets in Week 2, reeling in nine of his whopping 13 targets for 95 yards. He was only outdone in the yardage department by Agholor, who had a team-high 110 yards on six catches with one score. Meyers did outsnap Agholor 56-34, though.
I like Meyers as the better, more consistent option for the long term, as Agholor is more boom-or-bust. Still, he’s an intriguing option for fantasy managers in need.
Priority level for Meyers: Medium
Priority level for Agholor: Low
WR Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
We nailed telling you to grab Curtis Samuel last week, and while many more teams in fantasy leagues have him after Week 1, he is still pretty available.
After an impressive season-opener, Samuel was even better in Week 2, as he led all Washington pass-catchers with nine targets, and his seven receptions were also tied for the most. He finished with a team-high 78 yards and one touchdown, while also adding one carry for 21 yards.
Samuel, who can score fantasy points in a multitude of ways, is now a weekly flex option for fantasy managers and should be rostered in all formats.
Priority level: High
WR Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
Isaiah McKenzie is typically Buffalo’s No. 3, but he could be stepping into the No. 2 role on Monday night against the Titans, as it looks like Gabriel Davis is unlikely to play due to an injury.
McKenzie will have standalone value some weeks even when Davis is playing, but his stock gets a serious bump as long as Davis is out.
Priority level if you have Davis: High
Priority level if you don’t have Davis: Medium
WR Sammy Watkins, Green Bay Packers
I still don’t like the Packers’ receiver situation, and we can add Allen Lazard to the pile of wideouts on that team I don’t trust after he failed to do much in his 2022 debut.
Our old friend Sammy Watkins was able to step up, reeling in three catches for a team-high 93 yards. His four targets were the most on the team, and he finished second behind Lazard in snaps among wide receivers with 55.
While Watkins’ numbers were encouraging, it’s important to note he gained 55 of those yards on one play, and Aaron Rodgers still spread the ball around plenty to his other options.
This situation is setting up to be a messy one where it’ll be a different receiver each week, but Watkins did post the best performance of any Packers pass-catcher this season on Sunday, making him at least a consideration on the waiver wire this week.
Priority level: Low
WR Noah Brown, Dallas Cowboys
Admittedly, none of the Cowboys’ pass-catchers are in good spots as long as Dak Prescott is out, but Noah Brown has been Dallas’ best receiver through two weeks.
Brown has led the Cowboys in receiving yards in each of the first two games, and he was sensational in Week 2, reeling in five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Brown’s fantasy relevance could come to an end once Michael Gallup returns to the No. 2 receiver role, but his status remains up in the air for Week 3.
Gallup missing that game would make Brown a flex option, and he may even have some relevance upon Gallup’s return with how well he has played thus far.
Priority level: Medium
WR Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis Colts
We figured Parris Campbell would be a major beneficiary of both Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce being ruled out in Week 2, but it was Ashton Dulin who stepped up the most while Campbell failed to reel in his two targets.
Dulin paced all Colts pass-catchers with seven targets, five receptions and 79 yards, although he didn’t find the end zone.
If either Pierce or Pittman miss another game, Dulin could return flex value in Week 3; however, Indy’s offense is a total mess right now so it’ll be hard to trust any Colts pass-catcher. If Pittman and Pierce return, Dulin isn’t worth it.
Priority level: Low
WR KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
One of Denver’s top receivers, Jerry Jeudy, suffered a shoulder injury early in Week 2 and did not return to the game, leaving his status up in the air for Week 3.
While Hamler was ruled out of the contest, he stands to be the next in line if he can return from injury next week and Jeudy misses time.
However, after a quiet Week 1 and with the Broncos struggling mightily on offense to start the season, Hamler is nothing more than a dart-throw option for desperate Jeudy owners.
Priority level: Low
TE Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
Gerald Everett has been sensational in his first two games with the Chargers, his role in the 99-yard pick-six in Week 2 not withstanding. Everett followed up a three-catch, 54-yard, one touchdown performance in Week 1 with six catches for 71 scoreless yards in Week 2.
Granted, his showing came without Keenan Allen and Donald Parham in the lineup, but Everett has played well enough to garner a serious role in this offense in 2022. If you have tight end issues, Everett is a solid bet.
Priority level: Medium
TE Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas is still widely available in fantasy leagues out there, but that won’t last for long. Thomas posted an impressive Week 2 showing, reeling in three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.
The Commanders have a lot of mouths to feed, but Thomas is still capable of posting high-end TE2 to TE1 production the rest of the way. In his last fully healthy season in 2020, Thomas finished as TE4 in PPR.
Priority level: High
D/ST streaming option for Week 3: Atlanta Falcons
While you wouldn’t normally think of the Atlanta Falcons’ defense as a starting D/ST option in fantasy football, you should this week against a dreadful Seattle Seahawks offense.
Seattle has mustered up just 24 points in its first two games, 17 of which came in Week 1. Adding to that, the Seahawks have scored just seven points in their last six quarters after a hot start in the season-opener.
While Seattle has some talented weapons on offense, their potential will never be fully realized as long as Geno Smith is under center.
The Seahawks have also coughed the ball up four times, while the Falcons’ four takeaways are tied for the third-most in the NFL. They also have five sacks.
Admittedly, we won’t say the priority level is high here because the Falcons don’t have a great defense and they’ll be traveling across the country for a road game, but the matchup on paper is just too good to ignore.
Priority level: Medium
