Written by Jake Ciely at NY Daily News.com
After Week 1 of the Fantasy Football season being mostly kind – outside of Keenan Allen owners – Week 2 hit us hard, especially at running back. With several backfields needing new options for Week 3 and more, the waiver-wire action is going to be fierce. We’re here to help you sort through the mess to pick out the most important pickups.
As a reminder, these waiver-wire players aim for the 50 percent or less ownership on average across the major sites. They’re also good for DFS too, as they will often have a lower cost and present values.
Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups QBs
Joe Flacco, BAL – Most don’t realize that Flacco has provided streaming and bye week value throughout his career. Flacco had been a Top 18 quarterback in every year since his rookie season before last year. He has two QB1 seasons to his name and was on pace for 4,460 yards and 22 touchdowns last year before his injury. With he and Mike Wallace showing good chemistry already, Steve Smith on his way back to 100 percent and Dennis Pitta showing us why we love his potential, Flacco should not go overlooked.
Sam Bradford, MIN – Another fact people usually forget is that Bradford was on pace for 3,856 yards and 32 touchdowns for a weak Rams team in 2013. Bradford has a nice collection of talent around him with or without Adrian Peterson. Stefon Diggs is a great young receiver, and Bradford looked great in his first start, despite having little over a week to adjust to the new offense.
Deep Leagues/Watch List: Carson Wentz, Colin Kaepernick
Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups RBs
Charles Sims, TB – Sims isn’t hanging around in many leagues, but seeing an average ownership percentage near 55 percent is still insane. Sims should have been owned everywhere, ideally by the Doug Martin owner, as he has RB1 potential if Martin is indeed out. It’s not even close between Sims and the rest. If he’s out there, Sims is worth blowing your No. 1 waiver spot and a big part of your FAAB. I’m talking 40-50 percent… or even more.
Christine Michael, SEA – This is more about Thomas Rawls being hurt again, as Michael didn’t help his cause by fumbling to end the Seahawks day. Nevertheless, the Seahawks will likely ensure Rawls is 100 percent ready to return this time around before tossing him back in the mix, and that gives Michael RB2 value on volume alone.
Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, MIN – McKinnon is more explosive and has the higher ceiling, but he’s unlikely to see a workhorse role. In fact, Asiata has the better history of numbers in Adrian Peterson’s absence. It sounds as though the Vikings will give McKinnon the majority share but still work in Asiata, especially at the goal line. This has the making of a Jeremy Hill-Giovani Bernard situation, so don’t go overboard on McKinnon and don’t forget about Asiata.
To continue reading this article, click here.
