Rizzla takes a look at the players who deserve your consideration in his Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings.
Week 2 was a fun one. Full of both drama and intrigue, we had some exciting games, exciting moments, another blown call go against the Saints, and another rash of injuries. If Week 2 has taught us anything it is that depth is key. There is a rarely a season where teams will not see an injury to one of their fantasy starters. The early season waiver wire is often the most valuable as it has players that may have slipped through the cracks due to oversight, Week 1 owner impatience or roster size limitations leave some fantasy gold for the taking. Lets dig in.
Running Backs
San Francisco 49ers third string running back Raheem Mostert made the most of his increased opportunity with Tevin Coleman on the shelf. He took his team high 16 touches for 151 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Available in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues, Mostert is strong short term fantasy value with Coleman dealing with a high ankle sprain. Signed off of the 49ers practice squad due to the injury to Coleman, the 99 percent available Jeff Wilson scored two touchdowns in Week 2. He had only 3.4 yards per carry on the afternoon but proved last year he can maintain fantasy value given the requisite volume. Somehow available in 92 percent of Yahoo leagues, Frank Gore found the end zone in Week 2. He had 21 touches with his 19 carries going for 68 yards and a score. He took his two receptions for 15 yards. Devin Singletary had only six touches. Still available in 57 percent of Yahoo leagues, Carlos Hyde proved once again that he is far from done. He saw 20 touches to Duke Johnson’s six. He finished with 98 rushing yards in the afternoon tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Damien Williams or LeSean Mccoy miss practice Tuesday Darwin Thompson is worth a speculative add. He could have major value if one or both miss game action and is available in 82 percent of Yahoo leagues. With C.J. Anderson surprisingly released Kerryon Johnson looks set to see more of the workhorse like role many had expected from hm. However, Lions rookie running back Ty Johnson, who out snapped Anderson in Week 2, is also primed for a larger role. Johnson is an exciting change of pace back with plus receiving skills. He could carve out a sizable role with Anderson out of town and could push for standalone deep league flex3 value. Add him to your claim list.
Wide Receivers
Available in 97 percent of Yahoo leagues, Demarcus Robinson put on a show in Oakland. He racked up six receptions, 172 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with the top non quarterback fantasy output of the week. Robinson’s teammate Mecole Hardman is still available in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues and also found the end zone in Week 2. He almost had a second score of 72 yards. Hardman finished the day with four receptions, 61 yards and a touchdown. Still available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues despite leading the 49ers receivers in Week 1 snaps, Deebo Samuel hauled in five of his seven targets for 87 yards and a score. Dante Pettis saw zero targets. Teammate Marquise Goodwin, who looks solidified as one of the 49ers top two receivers corralled all three of his targets for 77 yards and a trip to the end zone. He is available in 80 percent of Yahoo leagues. 99 percent available Devin Smith finally showed some of the promise many had seen in him back when he was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He hauled in three of three targets for 74 yards and a score. It is not implausible that Smith has solidified himself as the Cowboys deep threat of choice. D.J. Chark had a strong fantasy day for the second straight week. He hauled in seven of his team high nine targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. He is available in 88 percent of leagues. D.K. Metcalf is somehow available in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues. This is one of those things that make one believe that 52 percent of Yahoo leagues are six to ten teams. Regardless if he is available in your league it is time to pick him up. He hauled in just three of his seven targets but took them for 61 yards and a score. With DeSean Jackson set to miss two weeks and Alshon Jeffery on the mend Nelson Agholor and rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside should be added to the names you are considering. Agholor will be the first man up and is available in 84 percent of leagues. With that said Whiteside is the more talented of the two and is still available in 99 percent of leagues.
QBs and TEs
The Giants have benched Eli Manning, which means surprise sixth overall pick Daniel Jones will be taking over under center. Flustered by pressure, Jones looks the part of a first round pick when he has time to throw. He will add to his fantasy value with his legs as he has a penchant to take off downfield. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost Ben Roethlisberger for the year and will be turning to potential QB of the future Mason Rudolph. Rudolph looks good at Oklahoma State with fellow Steeler James Washington operating as his number one wideout. Rudolph is an Andy Dalton type with a bigger arm but less short field accuracy. He should be able to sprinkle in a QB1 outing or two in the right matchup. Drew Brees was beat up by Aaron Donald and will miss the next six to eight weeks. Teddy Bridgewater is an immediate QB2 with matchup based QB1 level upside. He is more relevant in superflex leagues and as a bye week filler because Brees is expected to return this year.
At tight end there are only two names we will feature this Week. Will Dissly started out hot in 2018 and has forced himself back onto the fantasy radar with a five reception, 50 yard, two touchdown performance. Expectations should be tempered, he should not be starting outside of TE premium leagues or formats with four plus flex spots. Noah Fant is one of the most talented receiving tight ends in the entire NFL. Joe Flacco has targeted the tight end position seven times per game in his first two weeks in Denver. Noah Fant has played 72 percent of the snaps. Opt for Fant over Dissly (59 percent of snaps) if you are deciding between the two.
