Last weekend, trainers across the NFL were very, very busy.
During an injury-filled Week 3, Bucs WR Mike Evans limped off the field with a hammy, while Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb missed most of the 'Boys' 31-14 loss to Chicago with a high ankle sprain.
The running back position also took a hit, with Arizona's James Conner knocked out for the season, and the Giants' Tyrone Tracy shelved for up to a month.
All of which means some of us fantasy managers have no choice but to hit the waiver wire. Here are 11 potential replacements to fill the holes in your lineups.
🏈 Play $5, Get $50 in Lineups for your NFL Picks. Use PrizePicks Promo Code PLAYBOOK
Waiver Wire Pickups After Week 3
(All fantasy point totals and rankings via FantasyPros.)
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold @ Arizona Cardinals
It looks like Darnold is settling into the Seattle offense, as he’s now posted consecutive games with 200+ passing yards and 2 TDs.
Filled with potentially explosive WRs Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Tory Horton — not to mention power rusher Kenneth Walker III — the Seahawks offense has potential. These pass catchers could help Darnold become a legit fantasy asset; according to PlayerProfiler, he leads the league in supporting cast efficiency (7.5).
Darnold could be someone to target as either a streamer in 10-team leagues, or a long-term option in larger leagues.
Other QB Waiver Wires To Consider
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart vs. Los Angeles Chargers: In Week 3, Giants QB Russell Wilson ate up a brutal Dallas defense to the tune of 31.3 fantasy points. Sadly for Giants fans and Wilson fantasy truthers, he followed that up with a 7.1 fantasy point performance in Sunday night's 22-9 loss to the Chiefs. With the G-Men 0-3 and the seat starting to burn on head coach Brian Daboll, it's little wonder that the rookie will crouch behind center on Sunday. He was impressive during the preseason, and his strong arm and ability as a dual threat could make him a viable fantasy option, especially in two-QB leagues.
- Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa vs. New York Jets: After a rough start to the campaign, Tagovailoa has been better-than-competent in Weeks 2 and 3, with 2 TDs in each and 315 passing yards in Week 2 against New England. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, it hasn’t resulted in wins, but fantasy players don't particularly care about Miami's prospects. They just want the scores.
Cardinals RB Trey Benson vs. Seattle Seahawks
Benson was mentioned as a buy-low pick last week, as he was performing better than RB1 James Conner, but now his price has skyrocketed. You'd better hope that he’s on the waiver wire and you’re in a position to grab him, because he has the potential to help carry your team if he's the featured back.
In deeper leagues where Benson might not be available, RB Emari Demercado could be an option, as he’ll likely be the Cards' change-of-pace option. However, with Benson out-touching him 13-2, we can guess the pecking order in Arizona.
Other RB Waivers to Consider
- Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez @ Falcons: Since RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt is rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues, he's probably not available, but Rodriguez, who's rostered in only 5%, very likely is. After being a healthy scratch in the first two games, C-Rod set the tone for the Commanders’ early drives and took every snap in their first two possessions. Croskey-Merritt became the lead option going forward, but Rodriguez was the main backup, leading the team with 11 carries and tying Croskey-Merritt with 28 snaps. Rodriguez could be a good pickup if he sees similar volume on a team that ranks tenth in run play percentage (45.11%).
- Panthers RB Rico Dowdle @ New England Patriots: The Panthers had their most significant victory of the QB Bryce Young era with a 30-0 demolition of the Falcons. With the backfield taking over this game, there was a notable split between RBs Chuba Hubbard and Dowdle. Hubbard is the clear No. 1 and led with 17 carries, but Dowdle had 10 carries with 30 yards and a touchdown. Hubbard has had games where he gets 20+ carries, including four last season; however, following two of those matchups, he rushed for under 4 yards per carry. Dowdle is someone with starting experience and could see a role in this offense.
- Giants RB Cam Skattebo vs. Los Angeles Chargers: The freshman was the lone bright spot in a disastrous 22-9 loss to the Chiefs, in which he led the team in carries (10), rushing yards (60), receptions (6), receiving yards (61), and scored the Giants' only touchdown. He was steadily taking over the featured back role, but now, with RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. expected to miss time with a dislocated shoulder, he should be the featured running back for an offense that needs a spark.
Raiders WR Tre Tucker vs. Chicago Bears
When you see Tucker go off with four 145 receiving yards and 3 TDs — and this is a guy who's only recorded more than 60 receiving yards twice in 36 career games — you need to step back and assess their situation. He can potentially help your team, but you should avoid a heavy FAAB investment. Because, precedent.
Tucker’s 9 targets led the team, but three other pass catchers had at least 4 targets, including WR Jakobi Meyers and TE Brock Bowers, who combined to account for 41.4% of the target shares this season.
According to PlayerProfiler, Tucker only has 22.2% first-read target share vs. man (48th). This could be an indicator that the Commanders did very well at covering Bowers and Meyers, so Tucker was the next option. This looks more like a one-off than Tucker suddenly emerging as QB Geno Smith's favorite receiver. If you have WRs CeeDee Lamb or Mike Evans, and you need a replacement, Tucker is an option, but a max of 5% of FAAB sounds about right.
Other WR Waivers to Consider
- Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton vs. Baltimore Ravens: This might be a slight exaggeration, but the Chiefs Kingdom might have collapsed if QB Patrick Mahomes' crew started 0-3. However, they put one in the win column last week against the Giants, and it looks like a new star is emerging. Thornton has now led the team's wide receivers in receiving yards in back-to-back games, along with finding the end zone. You might see a slight decrease in targets when WRs Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice return, respectively, from injury and suspension, but the positive outlook is that the Chiefs' rushing attack has been weak this year, ranking 16th in rush EPA (0.084) and 23rd in run play percentage (39.01%). This suggests they will keep throwing the ball.
- Seahawks WR Tory Horton @ Arizona Cardinals: Horton flashed some crazy athleticism at the NFL Combine, posting a 4.41 40-yard dash — and that was coming off a season-ending knee injury. Last week's game against the Saints was the best of his young career, highlighted by a receiving TD and a 95-yard punt return for another. He is someone to consider as a flex option, and if your league awards points for special teams touchdowns, he has even better value.
Jaguars TE Brenton Strange @ San Francisco 49ers
Strange put up his best performance of the season in last week’s win over the Bengals, leading the team with 6 receptions and 61 yards. This now gives him a second game with at least 50 receiving yards, which demonstrates a growing rapport with QB Trevor Lawrence.
It's concerning that he’s yet to find the end zone, but he has an 86.1% red zone snap share, so one can have hope.
Make NFL Week 4 Picks on PrizePicks
Whether you’re 3-0 or you’re ready to rage-quit fantasy football, PrizePicks is a great way to stay up to date on all you need to know about the NFL.
Even if your fantasy team deserves to be in the dumpster, you can play a new lineup every week with NFL predictions on PrizePicks. Just pick 2-6 players, like Sam Darnold or Trey Benson, choose whether they’ll go More or Less on their projections, and have the chance to win real cash.
Stay locked in with the PrizePicks Playbook all season long.
