Fantasy Football: Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 3

Week 2 of the 2013 season is nearly done, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals on the slate for Monday night, and fantasy football owners surely have wide-ranging feelings about their rosters right now. If you’re headed for a 2-0 record a championship seems within reach, and if you’re 0-2 a total roster reconstruction seems like a reasonable move. Obviously those that are 1-1 are somewhere between those two extremes, probably leaning one way or the other based on their looming Week 2 result.

No matter what a fantasy owner’s record is at this point, it is still very early in the season and things can turn better or worse quickly as injuries become a factor and bye weeks start in a few weeks. Making a few waiver wire additions now can pay dividends down the road, and staying married to a favorite draft pick that has not shown any sign of becoming productive does not do any good even at this early stage.

As I did last week and will do throughout the season, I have attempted to hone in on players who have a chance to be a factor for fantasy owners long-term with my waiver wire recommendations ahead of Week 3. Also, players (or team defenses, as it were) that are available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues right now take precedent, with only extremely rare exceptions. I also try to find at least one possible waiver wire addition at each position, from quarterback on down to team defenses.

Here are my fantasy football "Waiver Wire Pickups" for Week 3.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

Tannehill threw for 319 yards against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and he now has 591 passing yards through two games. Week 3 brings a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed over 350 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in both of their games this season. After that a couple more favorable-looking matchups will come in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints and Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. Be aware that the Dolphins have a bye in Week 6, but Tannehill should definitely be more widely-owned than he is (15% in Yahoo! leagues).

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Rivers threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, and he now has seven touchdown passes without just one interception through two games. That kind of production is not sustainable for the long haul, but from Week 3-Week 7 some favorable looking matchups are coming against the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. Rivers’ days as a top-tier fantasy quarterback are over, but anyone looking for a QB2 should give him a look.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Eddie Lacy was sidelined by a concussion early in Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, opening the door for Starks to see significant action. He did not disappoint, rushing for 132 yards (on 20 carries) and a touchdown along with four catches for 36 yards. Lacy’s status for next week and beyond is unclear right now, and Starks is sure to be a popular waiver wire addition this week.

Bernard Pierce, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Pierce had 19 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and he could be in line for more work going forward if Ray Rice is limited by the hip injury he suffered in the game. Pierce has been dealing with a thigh injury early this season, but it does not appear to be a big concern and he is a virtual must-add for Rice owners and anyone looking for running back depth .

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans

After having just two catches for 11 yards in Week 1, Wright rebounded with seven receptions (on 11 targets) for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 2. Having the inaccurate Jake Locker as his quarterback creates the possibility of some dud weeks, but Wright is worthy of a roster spot in PPR leagues with the likelihood of plenty of playing time and targets.

Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Fleener had four receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, as fellow tight end Dwayne Allen (hip) missed the game. Allen’s status for Week 3 is unknown right now, but the fact he was downgraded to doubtful the day before Week 2’s game may not be a good sign. Fleener is worth a speculative add as a TE2 with upside in 12 and 14-team leagues.

Alex Henery, K, Philadelphia Eagles

Henery went 3-for-4 on field goals and made all three of his extra points against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, and he is now 7-for-7 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals this season. Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense should continue to provide opportunities for everyone to produce, and with bye weeks starting in Week 4 Henery may become an appealing option for fantasy owners. He is currently owned in just seven percent of Yahoo! leagues, but I expect that to rise fairly quickly.

Garrett Hartley, K, New Orleans Saints

Hartley went 3-for-4 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he is now 6-for-7 on field goals this season (3-for-4 from 40-plus yards out). The Saints’ offense has struggled to put the ball in the end zone through two games, but Hartley should remain an asset for fantasy owners even if his field goal attempts decline some.

Cleveland Browns Defense

The Browns held the Baltimore Ravens to 14 points in Week 2, and they have held each of their first two opponents to less than 300 yards of offense. They have only forced two turnovers this season, but things could change in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, who have turned the ball over seven times through two games. Things may get a bit tougher after that, but new defensive coordinator Ray Horton has this unit moving in the right direction and the Browns don’t have their bye until Week 10.

Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 3

Week 2 of the 2013 season is nearly done, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals on the slate for Monday night, and fantasy football owners surely have wide-ranging feelings about their rosters right now. If you’re headed for a 2-0 record a championship seems within reach, and if you’re 0-2 a total roster reconstruction seems like a reasonable move. Obviously those that are 1-1 are somewhere between those two extremes, probably leaning one way or the other based on their looming Week 2 result.

No matter what a fantasy owner’s record is at this point, it is still very early in the season and things can turn better or worse quickly as injuries become a factor and bye weeks start in a few weeks. Making a few waiver wire additions now can pay dividends down the road, and staying married to a favorite draft pick that has not shown any sign of becoming productive does not do any good even at this early stage.

As I did last week and will do throughout the season, I have attempted to hone in on players who have a chance to be a factor for fantasy owners long-term with my waiver wire recommendations ahead of Week 3. Also, players (or team defenses, as it were) that are available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues right now take precedent, with only extremely rare exceptions. I also try to find at least one possible waiver wire addition at each position, from quarterback on down to team defenses.

Here are my fantasy football "Waiver Wire Pickups" for Week 3.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

Tannehill threw for 319 yards against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and he now has 591 passing yards through two games. Week 3 brings a favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed over 350 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in both of their games this season. After that a couple more favorable-looking matchups will come in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints and Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. Be aware that the Dolphins have a bye in Week 6, but Tannehill should definitely be more widely-owned than he is (15% in Yahoo! leagues).

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Rivers threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, and he now has seven touchdown passes without just one interception through two games. That kind of production is not sustainable for the long haul, but from Week 3-Week 7 some favorable looking matchups are coming against the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. Rivers’ days as a top-tier fantasy quarterback are over, but anyone looking for a QB2 should give him a look.

James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Eddie Lacy was sidelined by a concussion early in Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins, opening the door for Starks to see significant action. He did not disappoint, rushing for 132 yards (on 20 carries) and a touchdown along with four catches for 36 yards. Lacy’s status for next week and beyond is unclear right now, and Starks is sure to be a popular waiver wire addition this week.

Bernard Pierce, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Pierce had 19 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and he could be in line for more work going forward if Ray Rice is limited by the hip injury he suffered in the game. Pierce has been dealing with a thigh injury early this season, but it does not appear to be a big concern and he is a virtual must-add for Rice owners and anyone looking for running back depth .

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans

After having just two catches for 11 yards in Week 1, Wright rebounded with seven receptions (on 11 targets) for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 2. Having the inaccurate Jake Locker as his quarterback creates the possibility of some dud weeks, but Wright is worthy of a roster spot in PPR leagues with the likelihood of plenty of playing time and targets.

Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Fleener had four receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, as fellow tight end Dwayne Allen (hip) missed the game. Allen’s status for Week 3 is unknown right now, but the fact he was downgraded to doubtful the day before Week 2’s game may not be a good sign. Fleener is worth a speculative add as a TE2 with upside in 12 and 14-team leagues.

Alex Henery, K, Philadelphia Eagles

Henery went 3-for-4 on field goals and made all three of his extra points against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, and he is now 7-for-7 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals this season. Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense should continue to provide opportunities for everyone to produce, and with bye weeks starting in Week 4 Henery may become an appealing option for fantasy owners. He is currently owned in just seven percent of Yahoo! leagues, but I expect that to rise fairly quickly.

Garrett Hartley, K, New Orleans Saints

Hartley went 3-for-4 on field goals and 1-for-1 on extra points in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he is now 6-for-7 on field goals this season (3-for-4 from 40-plus yards out). The Saints’ offense has struggled to put the ball in the end zone through two games, but Hartley should remain an asset for fantasy owners even if his field goal attempts decline some.

Cleveland Browns Defense

The Browns held the Baltimore Ravens to 14 points in Week 2, and they have held each of their first two opponents to less than 300 yards of offense. They have only forced two turnovers this season, but things could change in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, who have turned the ball over seven times through two games. Things may get a bit tougher after that, but new defensive coordinator Ray Horton has this unit moving in the right direction and the Browns don’t have their bye until Week 10.