Fantasy football: Daniel Jones, Tony Pollard among best Week 3 add/drops

MIAMI, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Injuries played a significant role in fantasy football matchups in Week 2 and should lead to opportunities in Week 3 for several players you can get off the waiver wire.

Justin Fields, Tony Pollard, Daniel Jones, Rashard Higgins and Sony Michel are among the top players to target on your waiver wire entering Week 3.

Continue to monitor your opponents' roster, as well, to keep them from adding players they could use against you in a weekly matchup.

Waiver wire additions should be players either who can contribute to your roster immediately or players you can put on your bench in hopes they will provide value down the road.

I have added some of my favorite players to target on this week's waiver wire and separated them by priority and position. The players I have listed ahead of Wednesday's waiver period have low ownership percentages in standard-size leagues.

Here are my top players to add to top players to drop for Week 3:

ALL-ADD TEAM

QB | Daniel Jones, Derek Carr; RB | Sony Michel, JaMycal Hasty, Tony Pollard, Michael Carter; WR | Henry Ruggs, DeMarcus Robinson, Rashard Higgins; TE | Maxx Williams; D/ST | Cardinals; K | Graham Gano

HONORABLE MENTIONS

QB | Jared Goff, Justin Fields; RB | Zack Moss, Cordarrelle Patterson, Darrel Williams, J.D. McKissic; WR | Michael Pittman, Darius Slayton, Byron Pringle, Sammy Watkins; TE | Dawson Knox; D/ST | Saints; K | Greg Joseph

TOP DROPS

QB | Carson Wentz, Andy Dalton; RB | Giovani Bernard, Tevin Coleman; WR | Russell Gage; TE | Zach Ertz; D/ST | Patriots; K | Cairo Santos

QUARTERBACK

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones should be in your lineup for Week 3 if you are desperate at the position and need a streamer. Jones posted the fourth-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in Week 2 through Sunday's games.

The Giants likely will play from behind in many of their games, which will result in more pass attempts for Jones. He also will provide value as a runner. Jones ran for 95 yards and a score in Week 2 against the Washington Football Team.

This week, the Giants get a great matchup against a struggling Atlanta Falcons defense. Take a look at Jones if your typical starter isn't elite and faces a tougher matchup.

RUNNING BACK

Several running backs should be on your radar this week due to injuries in Week 2. The San Francisco 49ers had three running backs exit their game Sunday due to injuries. JaMycal Hasty earned nine touches in the 49ers' Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Starter Elijah Mitchell sustained a shoulder injury in the win. Hasty sustained an ankle injury and rookie Trey Sermon got a concussion. Mitchell returned to Sunday's game, but Hasty should maintain value if he doesn't miss any time due to his injury. Add Hasty to your roster if you have extra space. He is a great insurance policy if Mitchell misses time.

Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys is another player who should be rostered in every league. Ezekiel Elliott remains the starter in Dallas, but Pollard is much more efficient so far in 2021. Pollard leads the team with 123 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Elliott's total of 104 yards on 27 attempts is second on the team. Pollard also provides value as a pass catcher.

If Elliott were to sustain a major injury, Pollard would move in as a high-end RB2 play for the rest of the season. He is also worth a flex start in good matchups, even if Elliott is healthy.

WIDE RECEIVER

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. missed his team's first two games this season due to injury. Fellow Browns pass catcher Jarvis Landry sustained a knee injury Sunday and is week-to-week to return. The absence of Beckham and Landry should create opportunities for Browns backup Rashard Higgins.

Look for Higgins to provide WR3 value in leagues with at least 14 teams due to the injuries. Add him to your roster if your team is weak at wide receiver.

The Browns face the Chicago Bears in Week 3 in a game that could be a shootout. Higgins is a near-lock for at least eight targets.

TIGHT END

Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams hauled in seven catches for 94 yards in a Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He should be rostered in all leagues that require starting a tight end and include at least 14 teams.

I expect Williams to stay involved in the Cardinals' prolific passing attack, led by early MVP contender Kyler Murray. He should provide TE1 value in his Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams tied wide receiver Rondale Moore with a team-high seven catches in Sunday's win. Look for another five targets or more in Week 3.