Week 3 waiver wire pickups and players to stream

After a Week 2 with lots of scoring and key injuries, the Week 3 waiver wire has some tantalizing names to analyze. Below Is a list of players to add at each position. 

Week 3 waiver wire pickups and players to stream

Pickup of the week – Kyren Williams (RB, LAR)

If you had checked this article last week hopefully you were able to grab Kyren Williams and play him to a tune of 14 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown running along with 6 receptions for 48 yards and another TD. Cam Akers was a late scratch before the Rams game, showing that they might be done with that experiment, and they want to give Kyren the full workload. 

Week 3 waiver wire: Quarterbacks

Top pick – Jared Goff (DET)

Jared Goff is worth an add this week after a very nice performance against Seattle. He is very matchup-dependent but has shown that he can explode on the right week. He gets Atlanta this week who just gave up 3 TDs to Jordan Love, don’t be afraid to roll with Goff. 

Next – Russell Wilson (DEN)

While it will feel gross adding Russell Wilson to your team, he is 3^rd in fantasy points at QB so far. As long as he keeps hitting on these deep throws then Wilson will do enough to be a spot starter. His next two games are against Miami and Chicago which should lead to lots of passing opportunities. 

Stash – Kyler Murray (ARI)

I’ll keep this here one more week in case you missed it last week, a good stash if you have an empty IR spot. 

Check to see if available – Jordan Love was on this list last week and now after two weeks is the fantasy QB2 in fantasy points. Matthew Stafford has looked solid so far this season and could blow up once Cooper Kupp is back, so he might be worth a bench stash if you don’t trust your starting QB.

Week 3 waiver wire: Running backs

Top pick – Jerome Ford (CLE)

This is a late add to the waiver article but arguably might end up being as valuable as Kyren Williams. The sad injury to Nick Chubb on Monday Night Football has opened the starting running back spot for the Browns. Enter Jerome Ford, who looked very good in relief of Chubb with 106 yards and a TD. Behind that great offensive line expect Ford to enter your starting lineup if you’re able to add him off the waiver wire.

Next – Zack Moss (IND)

Zack Moss would likely be a more exciting pick at RB if it wasn’t for a horrible matchup next week against the Ravens. Bake into that the possible return of Jonathan Taylor in a couple of weeks and it’s hard to get too excited about Moss. Even so, he is worth rostering and potentially starting due to volume.

Stash – Tony Jones Jr. (NO)

With Jamaal Williams (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (hamstring) out and Alvin Kamara still suspended, Tony Jones will show what he can do when given some touches. Could be a nice spot start this week with everyone out or a nice stash candidate to see how the running back touches shake out when Kamara returns.

Check to see if available/others of note

Justice Hill/Gus Edwards both need to be rostered in all leagues. Now is the time to check in on the Jonathan Taylor owner to see if you can get him for cheap, as the Colts offense looks a lot better than anticipated. Once again Roschon Johnson looks to eat more and more into Herbert’s workload, grab him now while he’s still cheap. 

Week 3 waiver wire: Wide receivers

Top pick – Josh Reynolds (DET)

After a very solid week 1 Reynolds took it to the next level in week 2 with 5 catches for 66 yards and 2 TDs. Reynolds and Goff clearly have a solid connection, one good enough to add to your bench.

Next – Marvin Mims Jr. (DEN)

While he did not have many targets, he did the most that he could with the ones he got. While Marvin Mims likely won’t have 2 TDs every Sunday he did show how deadly his speed can be when Russ can connect on his deep passes. With a matchup against Miami next week Mims looks to be a nice boom-or-bust flex play

Stash – Tank Dell (HOU)

The rookie got his first start and earned 10 targets with it which turned into 72 yards and a TD. With the Texans’ defense looking like Swiss cheese and the offensive line not any better, the Texans may be near the league lead in passing plays this year. Those targets have to go somewhere, and Tank Dell looks like he can have some exciting weeks for your fantasy team. Also if Nico Collins is still available make sure to add him as well.

Check to see if available/others of note

Kendrick Bourne still looks to be Mac Jones’s favorite target with other wide receivers sidelined, worth stashing to see if that continues. Kadarius Toney bounced back in Week 2 and still looks to be the WR the Chiefs want to create plays for the most, but Skyy Moore found the end zone so you can take another look at both WRs. 

Week 3 waiver wire: Tight ends

Top pick – Hunter Henry (NE)

Another week, another TD for Hunter Henry. He is becoming the red zone target for Mac Jones, grab a weekly starting TE for free while you can.

Next – Jake Ferguson (DAL)

Was able to find the end zone while collecting 4 targets. Dak has shown a love for using tight ends over the years and it appears these two are starting to get their connection going.

Stash – Taysom Hill (NO)

With Jamaal Williams injured and Kamara still out a week, Hill becomes an interesting stash candidate as we see how the hand-off touches shake out for the Saints. If you can play Hill at the TE spot, then he’s worth a stash. 

Check to see if available/others of note

Luke Musgrave had a quiet week but still looks to have a lot of promise. While not exciting Zach Ertz should see lots of targets now that he’s back healthy. Sam LaPorta looks like the real deal, if you’re worried about your TE spot try to add him. 

Week 3 waiver wire: Defense/special teams

Top pick – Jaguars D/ST

They play the Texans who were missing 4 starters on the offensive line last week. Hopefully, you were able to stash on your bench from last week.

Next – Chiefs D/ST

They play the Bears who have been extremely turnover-happy to start the season. Chris Jones is back and looks to already be in game shape, pick up this solid D with a great matchup.

Stash – Broncos D/ST

They play Miami this week so will be on everyone’s waiver wire but they get the Bears in Week 4, which is as good a spot as any for D/ST so far this year.

Check to see if available – Ravens D/ST

They played the Bengals last week so may have been dropped, could see a Colts team with no Anthony Richardson this week (concussion). 

Week 3 waiver wire: Kickers

Top pick – Jake Elliott (PHI): Always my favorite kicker

Stash – Don’t ever stash a kicker, ever. 

ATTENTION! 5th Down is moving to Substack

After April 1, 2024, 5th Down Fantasy will be operating via Substack. Please subscribe now for free to receive future articles, which will be accessible on Substack and emailed to you directly. If you can spare a few dollars, you can also enjoy the benefits that our existing paid Substack subscribers receive, including our award-winning fantasy football player rankings, weekend playbook email, additional advice and analysis articles, and more. LEARN MORE