Waiver Targets 3.24

These are the top players to consider adding from waivers this week. Unless otherwise noted, all players below are available in greater than 50% of Yahoo leagues (as of Sunday evening).

QB Streaming Special

Geno Smith, SEA, Week 3 vs MIA

• Why: Geno has one of the more talented WR trios in the NFL to throw to and his next three games all look decent for spot starts, as needed: home vs. MIA, at DET, home vs. NYG.
• Priority: Low priority. Geno is a solid streaming option in single-QB leagues.
• FAAB: 5% or less.

RB Pickups – Chiefs section

Samaje Perine, KC, Week 3 at ATL

• Why: Chiefs starting RB Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula and is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks recovering. Perine is the most experienced RB remaining on the KC roster and has an opportunity to be the next man up in a prolific Chiefs offense.
• Priority: Medium*. Andy Reid’s Chiefs offenses are very fantasy friendly for RBs. Perine has shown passing-game chops throughout his career and has over 100 total receptions over the past three seasons playing for the Bengals and Broncos.
• FAAB: 20-40%.

Carson Steele, KC, Week 3 at ATL

• Why: Steele is the other incumbent backfield player currently on the Chiefs roster. He has been listed as a fullback, but he’s flashed running ability, including a highlight preseason TD run. He handled seven carries (to Perine’s zero) this past week, including near the goal line, but he did also lose a fumble.
• Priority: Medium*. If you feel that Steele > Perine, I don’t think that’s a wild take, I personally prefer Perine’s track record in the league and his passing game ability, but it can’t be discounted that Steele made KC’s initial roster and has been given opportunities already this season, he is probably the favorite to lead the team in carries in the short-term.
• FAAB: 10-30%.

*It has been reported that former Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt will be taking a visit in KC on Tuesday. It seems somewhat likely that he would sign to their practice squad with plans to ramp him up in the coming weeks. If he does NOT sign with KC, I’d consider Perine and Steele slightly higher-priority adds, but I don’t want to encourage emptying FAAB budgets for them with Hunt potentially signing at any time. 

Hunt has shown that he can be effective in the passing game, similarly to Perine, but has the potential to be a more complete player in the KC offense than either Perine or Steele. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is also eligible to return from IR beginning Week 5. We should continue to monitor reports out of KC this week for any actionable updates.

RB Pickups – Non-Chiefs

Rico Dowdle, DAL, Week 3 vs BAL

• Why: Uncle Rico led Cowboys RBs Week 2 in snaps, carries, and targets; he handled the first RB opportunities of the game.
• Priority: Medium. Dowdle is a worthy bench stash in almost any format as a potential lead back on a good offense, but Dallas does seem likely to continue to use multiple RBs each game.
• FAAB: 5 – 15%.

Bucky Irving, TB, Week 3 vs DEN

• Why: Irving has been the Bucs’ primary backup RB out of the gates and might have the opportunity for more; starting RB Rachaad White has 25 carries for 49 yards through two games. White also left the Week 2 game briefly with a groin injury, before returning.
• Priority: Medium. Bucky is one of the better handcuff RBs in the league as a seemingly ascending player on a productive offense. My kind of bench stash.
• FAAB: 5 – 15%.

Ty Chandler, MIN, Week 3 vs HOU

• Why: Chandler has 10+ touches in each of the Vikings first two games operating as their secondary RB behind veteran Aaron Jones.
• Priority: Medium. Chandler has an existing role and is a handcuff behind an older RB, a fine player to stash on benches.
• FAAB: 10% or less.

Braelon Allen, NYJ, Week 3 vs NE

• Why: Allen, a 20-year old rookie, has been operating as the Jets’ No. 2 back. He had 56 scrimmage yards and a pair of TDs in Week 2, one rushing and one receiving.
• Priority: Medium. Allen follows the theme of the week as a talented handcuff RB to stash, but he is less likely than the RBs above to “win” lead-back duties outright since he is behind dual-threat superstar Breece Hall on the depth chart.
• FAAB: 5% or less. 

Wide Receivers

Demarcus Robinson, LAR, Week 3 vs SF

• Why: Robinson was a recommended waiver add last week based on Puka Nacua’s knee injury and Cooper Kupp left the Rams’ Week 2 game in a walking boot of his own. Robinson has caught six of 11 Matthew Stafford targets this year for 92 scoreless yards. He’s still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.
• Priority: Medium. As of this writing, there is no formal timetable for Kupp’s return, only that he is expected to miss “significant time”. Robinson has shown the ability to be an efficient receiver and has a chance to be the lead target for WR kingmaker Matthew Stafford until Puka and/or Kupp return.
• FAAB: 5 – 15%.

Jordan Whittington, LAR, Week 3 vs SF

• Why: Whittington, a rookie WR out of Texas, had an impressive, productive, preseason for the Rams and played an increased role on offense in Week 2 after Kupp left with his ankle injury.
• Priority: Low-to-Medium. Whittington is a good speculative add to stash on benches while we await clarity on Kupp’s injury status, as well as further context as to how the Rams’ passing targets are going to be distributed without both of their star WRs.
• FAAB: 10% or less.

Quentin Johnston, LAC, Week 3 at PIT

• Why: Johnston posted a 5-51-2 stat line on six targets last week, the most productive game of his young career, after being selected 21st overall in last year’s NFL draft.
• Priority: Low. QJ is worth a flier to see if he can build on a strong Week 2, but it should be noted that his WR teammate, Josh Palmer, came into the game banged up. Palmer spent time in the medical tent again mid-game and didn’t seem to play his usual role in Week 2, which might have opened the door for QJ’s breakout game against the lowly Panthers.
• FAAB: 5% or less.

Some additional lower-priority WR adds to consider stashing on benches:

• Josh Palmer (LAC) – Has dipped just under 50% owned, see QJ comments above.
• Josh Downs (IND) – Should return from injury soon to a struggling Indy passing game. Downs had a 68-771-2 receiving line as a rookie last year.
• Romeo Doubs (GB) – Just under 50% owned, can help with bye-week coverage after Jordan Love’s return to the GB offense.
• Jahan Dotson (PHI) – Potentially filling in for A.J. Brown on MNF, Eagles traded a Day 2 draft pick for Dotson before the season.

TIGHT END

Hunter Henry, NE, Week 3 at NYJ

• Why: Henry led the Patriots in targets, catches, and receiving yards in Week 2, going 8-109-0 on 12 targets.
• Priority: Low. While we need to pay attention to any TE who can lead his team in targets and top 100 yards in a game, the Pats are passing for under 200 yards per game as a team, and Henry produced a 2-18-0 line in a Week 1 game in which they threw a similar number of passes.
• FAAB: 5% or less.

Mike Gesicki, CIN, Week 3 vs WAS (Monday night)

• Why: Gesicki led the Bengals in targets, catches, and receiving yards in Week 2, recording a 7-91-0 line on nine targets. 
• Priority: Low. Possible spot-starter target for managers uncertain of Evan Engram’s status for MNF. If MNF is not a factor, I prefer Henry to Gesicki as a pickup, but I won’t be spending much FAAB on either.
• FAAB: 5% or less. 

DEFENSE (Top pickups for Week 3)

1. Raiders (vs CAR, then vs CLE Week 4, at DEN Week 5)
2. Bengals (vs WAS, then at CAR Week 4)
3. Titans (vs GB)