Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
Follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter) @UTEddieBrown if you have questions throughout the week.
Here’s my NFL Week 3 waiver wire cheat sheet for all league sizes and formats, with players you need to add, drop and stream in your fantasy football league:
ADD
RB Jerome Ford, Browns (ESPN: 9%; Yahoo: 17%): Nick Chubb is done for the season after suffering a terrible leg injury on Monday Night Football. Ford produced 131 total yards, three receptions and a touchdown — he barely missed a second TD by an inch — after Chubb left the game. It’s possible GM Andrew Berry strikes a deal to bring free agent Kareem Hunt (ESPN: 6%; Yahoo: 13%) back or even kicks the tires on a trade for Cam Akers, but Ford is talented enough to keep this job and perform at a high level going forward. I wrote this about the former Cincinnati Bearcats tailback in my draft evaluation in 2022: “The Alabama transfer possesses NFL size and athletic ability with soft hands and the speed to create explosive plays as a catcher.”
WR Tank Dell, Texans (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 4%): Noah Brown landing on IR provided an opportunity for Dell to become an every-down player. The preseason darling produced seven receptions (on 10 targets) for 72 yards and a score. Nico Collins, Dell and Robert Woods (ESPN: 6%; Yahoo: 9%) are all viable fantasy assets, as they finished Week 2 as the overall WR5, WR17 and WR36 in PPR formats.
RB Zack Moss, Colts (ESPN: 32%; Yahoo: 54%): Moss made his season debut after breaking his arm back in July. He played all but one offensive snap against the Texans, which is almost unheard of in today’s NFL. He finished as the overall RB9 in fantasy for Week 2. Jonathan Taylor is eligible to return in two weeks, but there is no guarantee he will stay with the team.
QB Matthew Stafford, Rams (ESPN: 30%; Yahoo: 35%): Stafford is only one year removed from being the overall QB5 in fantasy before getting beaten, battered and bruised behind a makeshift offensive line riddled with injuries in 2022. The O-line has been better this season and Stafford has looked sharp — I witnessed his resurgence live at SoFi in a valiant effort against the 49ers. The strong-armed QB has developed a strong rapport with two young dynamic receivers (Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell) and Sean McVay is calling plays designed to get the ball out of his hand quickly (and hopefully keep him upright). If Cooper Kupp can return (and stay healthy), Stafford could flashback to his days in Detroit, where he was always fantasy relevant based on sheer volume.
TE Hunter Henry, Patriots (ESPN: 35%; Yahoo: 55%): The last time Bill O’Brien was the offensive coordinator for New England, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for 169 receptions (on 237 targets), 2,237 yards and 24 TDs. Henry is the overall TE1 in standard formats (TE2 in PPR) after producing at least five receptions, 52 yards and a TD in both games this season.
BONUS: RB Roschon Johnson, Bears (ESPN: 31%; Yahoo: 38%): D’Onta Foreman was a healthy scratch against the Buccaneers. That leaves Johnson splitting time with Khalil Herbert. The rookie remains the primary third-down back, and has eight receptions this season, tied for fifth-most among running backs. The atrocious Bears defense should help keep Johnson plenty busy going forward. He’s currently the overall RB25 in standard formats (RB21 in PPR).
WR Tutu Atwell, Rams (ESPN: 32%; Yahoo: 25%): The speedy Atwell has been overshadowed by rookie sensation Puka Nacua, but he’s the overall WR22 in standard formats (WR15 in PPR) through two games. He’ll remain the team’s deep threat even after Cooper Kupp returns.
BONUS: QB Sam Howell, Commanders (ESPN: 9%; Yahoo: 20%): Howell is currently the overall QB12 in fantasy after throwing for 299 yards and two TDs against a solid secondary at Denver. He is a threat with his legs — two rushing TDs in three career starts — and has weapons to throw to.
BONUS: WR Josh Reynolds, Lions (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 13%): Reynolds followed up an 80-yard game against the Chiefs in the opener with two TDs against the Seahawks. He’s actually been more productive in fantasy than Amon-Ra St. Brown through two games. He’s the overall WR9 in standard formats (WR12 in PPR). His more heralded teammate is the overall WR18 in standard formats (WR14 in PPR). Reynolds’ role will likely take a hit once Jameson Williams returns in a month from suspension, but he’s a WR3/flex with upside in the short term.
BONUS: RB Matt Breida, Giants (ESPN: 1%; Yahoo: 2%): Saquon Barkley suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals. Early reports have Barkley escaping serious injury, but he’ll likely miss a few games at least. Breida started last year’s regular season finale against the Eagles, producing only 40 total yards, but had seven receptions. The G-Men have a tough matchup at San Francisco on Thursday night, but follow that up with the Seahawks and Dolphins.
TE Cade Otton, Buccaneers (ESPN: 1%; Yahoo: 2%): Otton should continue to benefit from an abundance of Baker Mayfield dumpoffs. About 30 percent of Mayfield’s es targeted tight ends his last two seasons as a full-time starter in Cleveland and Otton is clearly Tampa Bay’s third-best receiving option — he was the overall TE11 in fantasy for Week 2.
BONUS: RB Tony Jones Jr., Saints (ESPN: <1%; Yahoo: 1%): Jones is likely New Orleans’ starting running back by default at Green Bay with Alvin Kamara suspended and faulty hamstrings possibly sidelining Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller. He scored both TDs for the Saints against the Panthers on Monday night. I’m sure Taysom Hill (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 9%) will factor in somehow as well. Either should be easily attained if you’re desperate this week.
BONUS: RB Tyjae Spears, Titans (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 17%): The explosive rookie isn’t ready for your lineup yet, but he’s playing much more than I anticipated to start the season. Spears is the clear ing-down back for Tennessee while also seeing some significant work on early downs. The spectrum of possibilities are now between a handcuff to Derrick Henry and the type of role Kareem Hunt played with Cleveland behind Nick Chubb.
BONUS: RB Ty Chandler, Vikings (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 5%): Alexander Mattison has been inefficient since the beginning of last season and just doesn’t seem to fit Kevin O’Connell’s system. If you have a spot at the end of your bench, Chandler is a speculative add just in case he takes Mattison’s starting job this season.
BONUS: D/ST Jaguars (ESPN: 12%; Yahoo: 16%): Jacksonville is the eighth-best scoring defense in fantasy through two games and faces a rookie QB at home this week. The Texans are one of eight teams allowing an average of 10 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses so far this season.
BONUS: D/ST Seahawks (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 8%): Seattle’s defense produced two sacks, three turnovers and a TD against the Lions in Detroit and face a rookie QB at home this week.
BONUS: D/ST Chiefs (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 40%): The champs face Justin Fields and Zach Wilson the next two weeks.
DROP
RB Nick Chubb, Browns: Chubb suffered a grisly knee injury in Monday night’s loss at Pittsburgh and will miss the rest of this season. The last three Mondays that featured the NFL have produced Damar Hamlin’s freak heart attack, Aaron Rodgers’ ruptured Achilles and now Chubb’s injury.
WR Allen Lazard, Jets: Lazard has produced exactly two receptions on four targets in back-to-back games without Rodgers (mostly).
RB Cam Akers, Rams: Akers was a healthy scratch against the Niners and it appears GM Les Snead is in the process of trading the former second-round pick.
WR Michael Gallup, Cowboys: Dak Prescott completed 31-of-38 es against the Jets defense, but Gallop was only targeted twice and had one reception for three yards with Brandin Cooks sidelined.
RB Rashaad Penny, Eagles: Penny was a healthy scratch Week 1 and finished fourth in carries against the Vikings, finishing with nine yards on three attempts. Even Boston Scott carried the ball more (and more effectively), gaining 40 yards on five attempts.
