Week 3 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates
We're now nearly two full weeks into the 2016 NFL season, which also means we're two weeks into another fantasy football schedule. This latest week of action kicked off with a Thursday night tilt between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
Thursday's game didn't yield a ton of fantasy shockers—unless you count the firing of Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman—but we did get to learn a bit more about the AFC East fantasy landscape. Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, for example, is playing at a high level.
Sunday gave us even more insight into the fantasy world at large.
It's still early in the season, so knowledge is one of the fantasy footballer's biggest weapons. We're going to take a look at players who either shined in Week 2 or appear poised to break out in coming weeks and who might just be available on your league's waiver wire.
We will be basing our selections on factors such as player performance, roster makeup, upcoming opponents and injury where applicable.
Players were considered waiver-wire options if they were owned in less than 40 percent of NFL.com fantasy leagues as of Sunday.
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | NYJ | @ Chiefs | 16.8 |
| Matt Ryan | ATL | @ Saints | 28.9 |
| Charcandrick West | KC | NYJ | 3.9 |
| Fozzy Whittaker | CAR | Vikings | 0.3 |
| Anquan Boldin | DET | @ Packers | 10.9 |
| Sammie Coates | PIT | @ Eagles | 1.3 |
| Jacob Tamme | ATL | @ Saints | 0.9 |
| Dennis Pitta | BAL | @ Jaguars | 4.5 |
Players to Watch
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets
It's a bit surprising that Fitzpatrick is owned in less than 30 percent of NFL.com leagues right now. The guy gets to play pitch-and-catch with the likes of Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall while having Matt Forte in the backfield as a safety net.
Fitzpatrick's weapons and his vastly underrated throwing arm were on full display on Thursday night against the Bills. Fitzpatrick shredded the Buffalo defense to the tune of 374 yards and a touchdown.
An underrated athlete, he also racked up 21 rushing yards on five carries.
Fitzpatrick likely faces a tougher challenge in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he isn't going up against an elite defense. The Chiefs defense allowed Brock Osweiler to pass for 268 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
If you're looking for injury insurance or a spot starter—in place of injured New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, perhaps—Fitzpatrick is a great guy to target. He should hold even more value in leagues that award bonus points for 250-yard and 300-yard passing performances.
“It was just giving guys a chance to make plays,” Fitzpatrick said of Thursday's performance, per Jarrett Bell of USA Today.
As long as he gives guys those chances, Fitzpatrick is likely to rack up some yardage.
Anquan Boldin, WR, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions said goodbye to star receiver Calvin Johnson this offseason, looking to Marvin Jones to help replace the retired pass-catcher. In Jones and Golden Tate, the Lions have a strong wideout duo that looks like it can keep the offense rolling in Johnson's absence.
Detroit, though, also has ageless wonder Anquan Boldin at the receiver position, and there's a good chance he's available in your league.
This is significant because, even at 35 years old, Boldin is still a productive offensive weapon. He hauled in four passes against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for 48 yards and a touchdown. He has seven receptions through two games this season.
Boldin probably isn't a guy who is going to have huge games, but he is good for at least three or four receptions per game. This gives him value in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues and makes him an easy option for a bye-week fill-in.
Bye weeks, by the way, begin in Week 4.
Fozzy Whittaker, RB, Carolina Panthers
We've added Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker to our list because the Panthers' backfield situation could make him a breakout candidate in Week 3. Starting back Jonathan Stewart left Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers and did not return.
With Stewart out, Whittaker rumbled for 100 rushing yards and added three receptions for 31 more.
Whittaker probably won't have a ton of fantasy upside when and if Stewart returns to 100 percent health. If Stewart is sidelined for another week or longer, however, Whittaker is likely the back who will continue to benefit.
It's worth keeping an eye on him, especially if you can afford to stash him on your bench. Stewart missed three games in each of the past two seasons and hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2011. There is a precedent for him missing time.
Whittaker can be a productive starting option if Stewart remains banged up, and he's the handcuff to target in the meantime.
Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens
From a player-potential standpoint, there might not be a tight end with more upside than Dennis Pitta of the Baltimore Ravens. The 6'4", 238-pound pass-catcher has the speed and athleticism to be a legitimate downfield threat in Baltimore's passing attack.
Injuries, though, have plagued Pitta throughout his career. He hasn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2012. He had only played once in the past two seasons coming into 2016 because of hip injuries.
On Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, Pitta showed that he's put his most recent injury issues behind him. He hauled in nine passes from quarterback Joe Flacco for 102 yards in the game. Three of his receptions came on third down.
“Having a tight end that can be a third-down playmaker is really important. It’s really valuable,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said, per Ryan Mink of the team's official website. “You can’t coach that stuff. It’s just having a knack and a gift, and Joe having a feel for him too. Hopefully that’s only going to get better.”
It seems like Pitta has established himself as Baltimore's top receiving option at the tight end position. Expect him to be a big piece of the offensive puzzle moving forward.
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