Week 2 of the NFL season delivered more surprises that will send fantasy managers running to the Week 3 waiver wire. Have no fear, though; we’ve got you covered on players to target heading into another run of the almighty waiver wire.
As always, the players below are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 3 Pickups (2023)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Gus Edwards & Justice Hill (RBs, Baltimore Ravens) | 32% & 30% Rostered
The answer to which Baltimore running back will replace the production left behind by the J.K. Dobbins injury is… sort of both, and neither Gus Edwards nor Justice Hill at the same time. Hill had 11 carries for 42 yards and three receptions for an additional 12 yards. Edwards had one fewer carry than Hill but was far more efficient, running for 62 yards and finding paydirt. This is pretty much the formula going forward for the Ravens, and it’s unlikely anyone grasps an actual workhorse role. Each is a weekly Points Per Reception (PPR) RB3, leaving you hoping for a touchdown. I’m inclined to let other folks try their hand with this backfield, but you could do worse.
Zack Moss (RB, Indianapolis Colts) | 29.5% Rostered
The Indianapolis Colts took on the porous Houston Texans defense in Week 2, and in his first game of the season, RB Zack Moss took over the Colts’ backfield. Moss had 18 carries for 88 yards and a score, and he played on 98% of the offensive snaps. He also added four catches for 19 yards. Equally as crucial to Moss taking advantage of this matchup, Deon Jackson didn’t see a single touch. This is Moss’ backfield until (or if) Jonathan Taylor comes back. He’s the top add at the RB position on the waiver wire in Week 3.
Josh Reynolds (WR, Detroit Lions) | 4.4% Rostered
WR Jameson Williams has another four games until his suspension is over, and he returns to the Detroit Lions. In the meantime, Josh Reynolds is out here making a case to stay on the field as a valuable contributor to this offense. Reynolds has amassed 13 targets for nine catches and 146 yards. His QB, Jared Goff, is averaging 34 attempts per game, which is likely a sticky stat. The Lions get the Falcons and Panthers at home in two of their next three games, both favorable matchups. Reynolds is a fine week-to-week FLEX play you can pick up for some of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) or priority on the waiver wire run in Week 3.
Tank Dell (WR, Houston Texans) | 3.8% Rostered
The Houston Texans placed Noah Brown on Injured Reserve (IR), which made room for rookie Tank Dell to have an impact in Week 2. Dell finished tied with Robert Woods for the second-most targets on the team with nine. Both were behind Nico Collins, who had 10 targets and is rostered in just over 60% of leagues; double-check for Collins. Dell had seven catches for 72 yards and found the endzone. While he’s likely to remain third in the pecking order, he has a chance to continue getting volume, as his Rookie QB C.J. Stroud is slinging it. Stroud has amassed 91 attempts in his first two starts.
Sam LaPorta (TE, Detroit Lions) | 49.2% Rostered
Uh, copy and paste all of the arguments for Reynolds here for Sam LaPorta. The Lions rookie TE has seen 11 targets in his first two NFL games and caught 10. If you don’t have an elite TE, chase volume. LaPorta is getting the volume and set up for winnable matchups, so he’s worth a roster spot and a start if you need it. He’s a priority add on the waiver wire for Week 3.
Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots) | 33.9% Rostered
Hunter Henry was featured in last week’s waiver wire finds, and he lands right back on this week’s list, as he saw seven targets and brought in six of them for 52 yards and another touchdown. The Patriots get the hapless New York Jets next week, who just gave up a touchdown to both Dallas Cowboys TEs, Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker, in Week 2. Henry finds himself a scoring threat once again in Week 3.
Zach Ertz (TE, Arizona Cardinals) | 47.2% Rostered
He’s back! Zach Ertz is doing his thing immediately. Ertz has received 18 targets so far in his 2023 campaign, and even with those targets coming from Joshua Dobbs, he has 12 catches already. While they aren’t the most efficient targets, Ertz is a viable TE option, especially in PPR leagues. The Cardinals get the staunch Dallas Cowboys for Week 3. While this isn’t a great matchup on paper, the Cowboys just gave up five catches for 50 yards to New York Jets TE Tyler Conklin. If Conklin can get you 10 PPR points, so can Ertz.
Other Waiver Wire Week 3 Considerations:
Matt Breida (RB, New York Giants) | 1.1 % Rostered
Just about at the end of the Giants’ historic comeback on Sunday, RB Saquon Barkley exited the game, putting very little weight on his right ankle. Initial reports say this could be a high ankle sprain, which would mean a multiple-week absence for Barkley. The team will await MRI results to confirm the extent of his injury. In the meantime, RB Matt Breida will likely get the first crack at the bulk of the carries in Barkley’s absence. He’s worth a dart throw.
Thanks for reading my favorite fantasy football waiver wire Week 3 pickups. Looking for more fantasy football advice? Follow me on Twitter @ThatMattKelley.