“In the Scope” is a unique weekly article that won’t solely focus on giving readers the mainstream fantasy football waiver wire pickups. Instead, we aim to recommend the top free agents to acquire after waivers run. These players may be the top pickups next week, saving you Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) and waiver priority. So whether you’re trying to grab the leftover mainstream Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire pickups or the longer-ranged free agents, below are some options to consider.
Rostership percentages are based on ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Check Your Waivers; Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
• Darrell Williams (RB, Arizona Cardinals) | 6.5 percent
• Tyler Conklin (TE, New York Jets) | 5.5 percent
• Sterling Shepard (WR, New York Giants) | 17.6 percent
• Noah Brown (WR, Dallas Cowboys) | 7.8 percent
• Jared Goff (QB, Detroit Lions) | 19.4 percent
Jerick McKinnon (RB, Kansas City Chiefs) | 16.4 percent
The new-look Kansas City Chiefs have certainly spread the ball around more in the absence of Tyreek Hill. A primary beneficiary of this has been nine-year veteran RB Jerick McKinnon. Though McKinnon has only seen seven touches per game, he’s been efficient, totaling 34 yards on eight carries and catching five of his six targets for 31 yards and a touchdown. In a year of early underperforming RBs, that’s good enough for the PPR RB31.
What’s intriguing about McKinnon is that he’s been on the field more than any other Chiefs’ RB, sporting a 43 percent snap share and an 11 percent target share. He’s also top-seven amongst RBs with 1.25 fantasy points per touch and top six yards created per touch (4.23). After traveling to Indianapolis this week, the Chiefs will face Tampa Bay, Las Vegas and Buffalo. These matchups all feature high-powered offenses and lend to Mckinnon seeing the field more in pass-happy game scripts. – Seth Woolcock
Josh Reynolds (WR, Detroit Lions) | 0.3 percent
Keeping in line with 2021, the Detroit Lions have proven to be a pass-heavy attack again in 2021. Marquee receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark are getting their bread, but quarterback Jared Goff has been spreading the ball out these first two weeks. His 71 pass attempts have been to nine different players. As a result, one of the players that have been an early beneficiary is wide receiver, Josh Reynolds.
The five-year veteran pass-catcher was a teammate of Goff’s in Los Angeles and moved to Detroit with him ahead of last season after being cut by the Titans. Reynolds was always lost behind more talented receivers with the Rams, but this season may finally have a chance to break out.
He is averaging a 76 percent snap so far in 2022. Reynolds has turned that opportunity into four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. In addition, the next three weeks have the Lions facing the Vikings, Seahawks and Patriots – all favorable matchups for the Detroit receivers. Don’t get out the FAAB money gun for this one. The rest of your league mates are unlikely to have him on their radar. – Nate Polvogt
Thanks for reading. Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.