Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 3

Man, what a weird fantasy season it’s shaping up to be already.

Last week star running backs did nothing. This week... well, star running backs also did a whole bunch of nothing, but so did receivers! And now injuries are running rampant in the league! Like half the tight ends in football are injured. Slight exaggeration but still, not exactly what you want to be happening TWO weeks into the NFL season.

On a personal note, I’m really starting to worry about Jordan Howard. He was my second round pick and I’m really hoping that he’s not out for long with this shoulder injury and doesn’t get replaced by Tarik Cohen (though Cohen wasn’t that good this week either!) I’m worried everyone.

Quickly shifting gears to toot my own horn, I told you guys to go add Javorius Allen. He’s the only reason I didn’t lose this week by a bigger margin! Back pats all around.

Here are the guys you should be instantly trying to add to your fantasy team (percent owned in Yahoo leagues).

QB Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos (20 percent owned)

You ready for this fiery fireball of a take? Trevor Siemian is good. Yea, I went there. Siemian has looked worlds different in his second year as the starter in Denver and has been lighting it up. He’s already thrown for six touchdowns this season and has run another one in himself. Clearly, it’s time to start calling the guy TD Siemian.

RB Chris Thompson, Washington (31 percent owned)

Goodness gracious did Thompson put on a show in Week 2. Despite only getting six total touches, Thompson was able to make the most of his opportunity against the LA Rams, ripping off 77 yards on the ground on only three carries and two touchdowns. He also had three catches for 27 yards. With Rob Kelley dealing with a rib injury, Washington’s backfield is a little up for grabs but even when Kelley eventually returns, Thompson will have PPR value has he’s the team’s best pass catching back.

RB Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (13 percent owned)

I have had such a love/hate relationship with the Patriots backfield already this year that it’s confusing to know exactly where I stand. One point I said not to touch a single Patriot. Another point I said Mike Gillislee—or Mike Goallineislee as I like to call him—is the guy you need to get. Then I said not to get him. I’ve been all over the place. Now Burkhead does seem to have a banged up rib so who knows if that’ll keep him out. But, with the Patriots scary thin at receiver, Burkhead showed that he could lineup all over the formation against the Saints and make plays. He’s certainly someone to keep eyes on.

RB Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders (4 percent owned)

I understand the Raiders have Marshawn Lynch firmly established as their lead back but, they seem to have him on a snapcount as they have yet to give him over 20 carries in a game. This leaves plenty of opportunities for Jalen Richard, opportunities which he took full advantage of this weekend against the Jets. Richard had a 52-yard touchdown run and 51 receiving yards on two catches. He’s got value.

Also, thank everything for Beast Mode. Seriously. This season would suck so hard for Raiders fans if it weren’t for Marshawn Lynch. Imagine watching your team start being good only to have them move away. Bless Lynch for coming out of retirement to make the Black Hole rock again.

WR Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers (13 percent owned)

Greg Olsen is out. Forever. No, not forever, but it’ll certainly feel like that for most fantasy owners. Here’s to hoping Funchess can come in and see his role develop with more targets being sent his way. He’s another big body receiver that the Panthers love to employ and with defense’s eyes sure to be focused on Kelvin Benjamin and Christian McCaffrey now, Funchess might slip through the cracks and be able to produce some fantasy value of his own.

WR Jermaine Kearse, New York Jets (6 percent owned)

Round of applause for Jermaine Kearse. It would be so easy for any player who gets shipped from one of the best teams in the league to one of the worst, to start packing it in and stop giving a flying eff. Especially when the team itself is doing just that. But not Kearse. The wideout had an extremely productive day Sunday against the Raiders, tallying four catches on five targets for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Kearse is out there and with the recent rash of injuries to touchdown targets, I’d say Kearse is a hot commodity in every league, even on the Jets.

WR Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns (1 percent owned)

I like giving you all one guy who just no one has on their roster (last week being Javorius Allen *beep* *beep*) and this week it’s Rashard Higgins. Higgins’ fantasy value is entirely built upon opportunity. Kenny Britt had only two targets this week, for whatever reason, and Corey Coleman might have broken his hand. Meanwhile, Higgins was targeted 11 times for seven catches and 95 yards. Must. Have.

TE Benjamin Watson, Baltimore Ravens (1 percent owned)

With all the injuries to tight ends, I figured the top guys would be picked off the waiver wires pretty quickly, so here’s a deep guy who will most likely be available to you whenever you’re doing your waiver wire adds. Watson is always good for a few “holy cow how is this man still playing in the NFL and at this level?” games each year and it seems like he’s already back to midseason form, catching all eight of his targets and going for 91 yards through the air. As Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense get the gears going again, I’d expect to see Watson continue to have a major role moving forward.