1 of 5 | Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford totaled 641 passing yards through two games this season. File Photo by Steve Nesius/UPI |
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MIAMI, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Matthew Stafford, Matt Breida and Zack Moss lead my fantasy football waiver wire priority list for Week 3 of the 2023 season.
Like Week 1, Week 2 included injuries to several players, creating opportunities for their backups.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. were among the top players injured Sunday. Their statuses should be monitored ahead of this week's kickoffs.
Moss, Josh Reynolds and Robert Woods are among players who provided great value in Week 2 and should continue to produce in Week 3. My waiver wire targets also include defense/special teams units and kickers, which could boost your Week 2 point total.
My waiver wire priorities each carry an ownership percentage of 60% or less. Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 3:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson; RB | Matt Breida, Zack Moss; WR | Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods, Marvin Mims Jr.; TE | Hunter Henry, Kylen Granson; D/ST | Seattle Seahawks; K | Brandon Aubrey
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Kenny Pickett, Jordan Love; RB | Roschon Johnson, Tyjae Spears, De'Von Achane; WR | Nelson Agholor, Jayden Reed; TE | Zach Ertz; D/ST | Jacksonville Jaguars; K | Jake Moody
TOP DROPS
QB | Sam Howell; RB | Deon Jackson, Cam Akers; WR | Kendrick Bourne; TE | Luke Musgrave; D/ST |New York Giants; K | Graham Gano
QUARTERBACK
Stafford is my top quarterback to add off the waiver wire for Week 3. The Los Angeles Rams veteran threw just one touchdown pass through his first two games, but averaged 320.5 passing yards over that span, despite playing without top wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Stafford just logged a 307-yard game in Week 2 against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense. This week, the Rams will face the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks through two weeks. I also expect the Rams to trail early on in this game, increasing Stafford's attempts and yardage. He could end up as a Top 10 play if he finds the end zone at least twice.
He is a great streaming option going forward.
RUNNING BACK
Breida and Moss are my top running backs to add in Week 3. Breida saw action late in the New York Giants' Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals because of an injury to starter Saquon Barkley.
Should Barkley miss time, Breida would immediately be on the RB2 or flex radar. The Giants will face the 49ers in Week 3, which would be a tough matchup for Breida or Barkley, but the former is still worth a roster spot in the event Barkley misses any action.
Moss is another RB2/flex play at least for the next two weeks, as the Indianapolis Colts await the return of starter Jonathan Taylor.
The Colts started the season with running back Deon Jackson atop their depth chart, but he struggled to produce.
Moss didn't play in Week 1 because he was still recovering from a broken arm. He returned in Week 2 and went off for 107 yards from scrimmage and a score 22 touches. Jackson did not receive any touches in the Colts' win Sunday over the Houston Texans.
The Colts will battle the the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. The Ravens are one of the better run defenses in the NFL, but did surrender 11 receptions for 67 yards to the position through two weeks. Look for Moss to provide RB2 value in Week 3 because of his production as a runner and pass catcher.
WIDE RECEIVER
Puka Nacua was my top wide receiver to add in Week 2. Through Sunday's games, the Rams rookie leads the NFL with 25 catches. He went off for 147 yards on 15 grabs in Week 2 and is now owned in well over 60% of leagues.
Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods and Marvin Mims Jr. are among my Week 3 targets, but I don't expect them to be as consistent as Nacua. Still, they can be plugged in as WR3s this week if you need streaming help.
Mims is my favorite option of this trio. The Denver Broncos pass catcher is a boom-or-bust play, proven by his league-best 30.5 yards per reception through two weeks. Mims only logged two catches in each of his first two games. He went off for 113 yards and a score in Week 2.
I like his chances to get loose for a couple big plays again when the Broncos face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Dolphins have yet to allow a touchdown catch to a wide receiver, but tied for allowing the eighth-most receptions to the position through two weeks. Look for the Dolphins to get ahead in this matchup, with Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, another of my targets, airing it out to Mims and his other weapons.
Woods continues to be a safe target for Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The veteran wide receiver drew 19 targets and caught a dozen passes through two weeks. He went over 50 receiving yards in each matchup and should provide similar production in Week 3, when the Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Woods is a decent WR3 play in deeper leagues, particularly in points-per-reception format.
Reynolds totaled 66 yards and two scores on five catches in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. This week, the Detroit Lions will host the Atlanta Falcons. Lions running back David Montgomery was injured in Week 2, which could lead to a more pass-heavy game plan in Week 3. The Falcons will likely focus most of their defensive attention on wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, giving Reynolds more favorable matchups.
He is a low-end WR3.
TIGHT END
Hunter Henry and Kylen Granson are my top tight end targets for Week 3.
Henry, who scored twice in 17 games last season, already equaled that total through two weeks in 2023. The New England Patriots tight end caught 11 of his 13 targets for 108 yards over that span.
Through Sunday's games, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones leads the NFL with 66 completions and 96 attempts. Look for that high-volume trend to continue. Henry has a great chance to total at least 50 yards and a score for the third consecutive week when the Patriots battle the New York Jets.
Granson is a bit more of a long shot play who should only be used if you are desperate and in a league that requires starting tight ends. The Indianapolis Colts pass catcher registered just seven catches for 55 yards and a score through two games, but averaged five targets over that span.
He should keep up that usage rate, especially if the Colts play from behind or struggle on the ground. He can be added in leagues that include at least 12 teams.
The Philadelphia Eagles D'Andre Swift scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 of the NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 14, 2023. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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