Welcome to the Week 3 waiver wire, where I will be highlighting players that are available in less than 50-percent of leagues. These are the players you want to get on your team. There are mentions of radar guys as well. You shouldn’t pull the trigger now, but keep an eye on them. Percentages are based on ESPN leagues.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, LV (16.6-percent)
Derek Carr finished as the QB13 in 2020 and thus far is the QB5 overall. His two opponents? The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. There is no reason to stream quarterbacks if Carr is still out there. The Raiders face the Dolphins next, and they just lost to the Bills 35-0. He is getting multiple receivers involved, and nobody is stopping Darren Waller.
Teddy Bridgewater, DEN (14.6-percent)
Teddy Bridgewater had many wondering what he would do without Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy’s absence didn’t bother him. Bridgewater was efficient as always and hit whoever was open, and he finished as the QB10. A solid day against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another. He also has the Jets next week in another tasty matchup
Taylor Heinicke, WFT (1.9-percent)
Taylor Heinicke was brilliant in his start against the Giants. He finished as the QB9 by throwing for 336 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He does have some roadblocks in front of him to overcome. Heinicke was an undrafted quarterback out of Old Dominion, has been in the league since 2017, and has just three starts in his career. Also, Ryan Fitzpatrick is returning as the starter. Heinicke has the Bills next week.
Others:
Mac Jones (NE), Jared Goff (DET), Sam Darnold (CAR), Daniel Jones (NYG)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Tony Pollard, DAL (38.6-percent)
Honestly, Tony Pollard has looked better than Ezekiel Elliot. He finished more than 100-yards rushing in Week 2 and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 31 yards on his way to an RB3 finish. Pollard looks better than Elliot, and if it wasn’t for Elliot’s $15 million contract, Pollard might be the RB1 on the team. He is an automatic handcuff to all Elliot owners and someone to consider picking up regardless of the situation. Get him now as he soon will be gone. The Cowboys face the Eagles next week.
J.D. McKissic, WFT (42-percent)
After week one, it seemed the J.D. McKissic of 2020 was phased out of the offense. However, McKissic caught five passes on six targets for 83 yards. He stole a touchdown away from Antonio Gibson managers from two yards out. Also, Heinicke doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and will utilize McKissic more than Fitzpatrick.
Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL (8-percent)
Cordarrelle Patterson isn’t going to rush for many yards. Still, he does offer someone who will catch passes which is solid for PPR managers. He qualifies as both a wide receiver and running back in most leagues, but only as a running back in ESPN. The Falcons will use Patterson in many situations, including Wildcat. He is even being used in the red zone where Mike Davis got nine carries to Patterson’s seven and although Davis did catch two more passes, Patterson still finished with five. Things are looking up for Patterson; he has the Giants, the Football Team, and the Jets on the schedule.
Others:
Kerryon Johnson (SF), Kenneth Gainwell (PHI), Tony Jones Jr. (NO), Giovani Bernard (TB), Demetric Felton (CIN), Alexander Mattison (MIN)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Rondale Moore, ARI (19.2-percent)
The rookie Rondale Moore has been impressive in his two first starts. In Week 2, he caught his first touchdown as he raced down the sidelines for a 73-yard TD play. It was one of seven receptions for a total of 114 yards and a WR6 finish. The Arizona offense puts the ball up consistently, and Kyler Murray has been outstanding this season—Moore has been a big reason as to why. Keep in mind Moore is purely a flex play at this point, but with the ceiling to be a starter each week.
Tim Patrick, DEN (12.8-percent)
Tim Patrick didn’t do dominating things in the absence of Jerry Jeudy. However, he did score a touchdown and had 37 yards against the Jaguars. Patrick has shown himself to be reliable, where his competition – K.J. Hamler – has mistakes, including a drop on a short pass. Patrick finished as the WR41 and has the Jets next week.
Zach Pascal, IND (14-percent)
Zach Pascal caught two touchdowns in Week 1 and then followed up with a touchdown in Week 2. He took advantage of another Parris Campbell injury who missed another game. As long as TY Hilton is not on the field, Pascal will have a place in this offense. Unfortunately, Carson Wentz’s status is up in the air, which could drastically affect the passing game. The Colts face Tennessee next week.
Others:
Bryan Edwards (LV), Hunter Renfrow (LV), KJ Osborn (MIN), Braxton Berrios (NYJ), James Washington (PIT), Nelson Agholor (NE), Quez Watkins (PHI), Cedrick Wilson (DAL), Emmanuel Sanders (BUF)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Dawson Knox, BUF (3.2-percent)
What Knox does have for him is playing in a potent offense. The bad aspect is that he can be up to the number five option on the team. Knox had two receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown. His statistical numbers put him as the TE10.
Evan Engram, NYG (32.4-percent)
One of the highest-ranked tight ends until proven he isn’t worth the status. However, Engram has never been a dud and is capable of being a TE10-12. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett likes to use his tight ends, and volume could go his way. Engram has not played this season, but Week 3 looks like he will be activated. He participated in drills on Monday.
Others:
Dalton Schultz (DAL), Maxx Williams (ARI), Dan Arnold (CAR), Adam Trautman (NO), Tyler Conklin (MIN), Cole Kmet (CHI)
Make sure to check out Mike on Twitter @RFLRedZone
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