Whether you're thinking about just this week or upcoming weeks, how should you prioritize the pickups, either through the running of waivers or allocation of your near-full free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB)? Let's break down how to allocate your budget for this week's crop of potential waiver additions.
Week 3 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (available in 81% of Yahoo leagues)
Carr has been fantastic producing in the new 49ers-like offense of Klint Kubiak, pulling a Purdy with his confident downfield passing playing off a dominant running game. He should be at least rostered in deeper leagues as a backup or streaming option. He could be involved in a high-scoring affair at home vs. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in Week 3.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
WEEK 3 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (available in 66% of Yahoo leagues)
Smith has taken to the new Brian Grubb offense well and they up-tempo-ed the passing game in Week 2 at New England with big games for DK Metccalf and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks should keep throwing a little more while Kenneth Walker remains on the shelf and Smith has fine weapons, including his own legs, with which to produce.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
Week 3 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (available in 97% of Yahoo leagues)
Steele is the next power back up with Isiah Pacheco (ankle) on the shelf after fracturing his fibula. The rookie sensation can get the high-leverage red zone and power work to replace Pacheco with Clyde Edwards-Helaire unavailable. Steele turned 7 carries for 24 yards vs. the Bengals in an even and negative game script. The schedule of upcoming run defenses isn't favorable, but he should get some goal-line chances to finish for this offense.
Recommendation: Bid 10-12% of FAAB
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (available in 66% of Yahoo leagues)
Rachaad White got hurt mid-game (groin injury), was ineffective rushing (per usual), and also was contained to only one catch. Irving has gotten 19 opportunities the past two weeks to start his career. Although the rookie hasn't done much with it, he might see an expanded role should White struggle more.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (available in 91% of Yahoo leagues)
Allen, another rookie, scored two touchdowns to supplement Breece Hall in the Jets' backfield-heavy attack to support Aaron Rodgers and the passing game. That seems to be their best offensive formula when the defense is humming along. Allen can see more key work in a potential positive game script Thursday vs. the Patriots, but otherwise, he is a must-have backup for Hall managers.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (available in 71% of Yahoo leagues)
Aaron Jones lost a fumble vs. the 49ers coming off a good week, and Chandler immediately produced 10 carries for 82 yards in a tough spot. Chandler can force this shaky rushing attack into a committee and is worth a shot should Jones keep showing his age or gets further dog-housed.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
More Waiver Wire advice: Breaking down the top pickups for Week 3
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (available in 84% of Yahoo leagues)
Gibson figured to be unleashed at some point because of his receiving and rushing versatility in a run-heavy attack to support Rhamondre Stevenson and limited wideouts. He can't be totally ignored after turning 12 touches into 103 yards vs. the Seahawks. He's not a good turnaround play, however. vs. the Jets.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (available in 86% of Yahoo leagues)
Davis has been involved behind James Cook, and he is the clear premium backup, so all Cook managers should grab him while they can.
Recommendation: Bid 4-5% of FAAB
Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs (available in 96% of Yahoo leagues)
Perine should continue in his third-down and receiving role independent of Pacheco missing time but could have greater cheap value in deep PPR leagues given CEH won't be an option in this capacity for a while.
Recommendation: Bid 3-4% of FAAB
Week 3 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (available in 93% of Yahoo leagues)
The second-year first-round pick was nearly a cut candidate in training camp, but he reemerged as a key target for Justin Herbert with 5 catches for 51 yards and 2 TDs on 6 targets vs. the Panthers. He should earn more work in a limited receiving corps in a low-volume passing offense to help Herbert and rookie Ladd McConkey. For now he seems like a key red zone threat for the team.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (available in 58% of Yahoo leagues)
Robinson has caught only 6-of-11 targets the past two games with Puka Nacua going on the shelf, but he has some higher standard league appeal with his big-play ability playing off Cooper Kupp, who is now battling an ankle injury with a uncertain status for Week 3. Robinson would be more of a volume-based play vs. the 49ers instead of a matchup one should Kupp sit, but he will get more opportunities over Tutu Atwell until Nacua returns.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (available in 72% of Yahoo leagues)
Sure, everyone can keep waiting until Josh Downs gets healthy and think rookie Adonai Mitchell will take over this role, but for two games, Pierce has been big-armed Anthony Richardson's favorite deep-shot and scoring threat, even more so than Michael Pittman Jr. Pierce is healthy and looking good with his Richardson chemistry. He should be rostered in 12-team leagues.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (available in 59% of Yahoo leagues)
Jeudy saw eight targets in his Browns' debut in Week 1, catching 3 passes for 25 yards and a TD. Then he stamped that with 5 catches for 73 yards on 6 targets vs. the Jaguars, much to the chagrin of disappointed Amari Cooper managers, as Jeudy was the bigger beneficiary of no David Njoku. This passing game isn't inspiring, but he's the one producing.
Recommendation: Bid 5-5% of FAAB
Josh Reynolds, Denver Broncos (available in 99% of Yahoo leagues)
Ugh. Reynolds is the new Jeudy for the Broncos (insert "Punch" line here). It's gross he's their leading wide receiver corps in this compressed passing game, but if you're very desperate in a deep league, you can take a shot on this low-ceiling play ahead of a decent spot vs. the Buccaneers.
Recommendation: Bid 0-1% of FAAB
Week 3 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (available in 76% of Yahoo leagues)
Henry went nuts as the leading receiver vs. the Seahawks, catching 8-of-12 targets for 109 yards. Given the frustrating state of the position, he should be rostered everywhere, and he can be only helped by a QB change at some point to Drake Maye.
Recommendation: Bid 8-10% of FAAB
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (available in 96% of Yahoo leagues)
Gesicki, the former Patriot, caught 7 of a team-high 9 targets vs. the Chiefs for 91 yards. He's operating as part of the committee, replacing ex-slot man Tyler Boyd and injured Tee Higgins, which also includes Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton at wideout. But he has good early chemistry with Joe Burrow and can be a good red zone threat, too. He should at least be a matchup-based TE2 option in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (available in 92% of Yahoo leagues)
Ertz didn't retire yet like his wife and soccer star Julie. He is still hanging around playing his brand of football and has seen four targets in each of the Commanders' compressed spread passing game with Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury. This is a deeper reach, but hey, this position isn't as good as it seems with the top options struggling and both Njoku and Evan Engram hurt on top of T.J. Hockenson.
Recommendation: Bid 3-4% of FAAB
Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (available in 76% of Yahoo leagues)
The Cowboys just pivoted from injured Jake Ferguson (knee) to targeting Schoonmaker in his place at the position. He responded by catching all 6 targets for 43 yards. Should Ferguson miss the matchup against the Ravens, Schoonmaker can be streamed given that opponent just struggled with Brock Bowers.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
Week 3 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire D/ST pickups, streamers
(Note: Do not spend any of your FAAB budget on D/ST! Get them for $0 after waivers run!)
Las Vegas Raiders (available in 93% of Yahoo leagues)
The Raiders have been decent in tough road matchups against the Chargers and the Ravens, but Maxx Crosby and friends will be ramped up as a strong streaming play in their home opener vs. Bryce Young and the Panthers. After that, the Browns and Broncos keep them playable for a while.
Green Bay Packers (available in 84% of Yahoo leagues)
The Packers came out flying around at home against the Colts to complement their running game, and the other second-year QB to target for defensive points is the Titans' Will Levis.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (available in 95% of Yahoo leagues)
The Buccaneers' defense is playing well for Todd Bowles, making fantasy-friendly plays. They'll get to go after Bo NIx and the Broncos next.
