Week 3 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups and Drops Likely Available After Reviewing Box Scores
Just two weeks into the NFL season, injuries have already become a major factor in fantasy football, sending managers to the waiver wire early and often.
However, waiver activity goes beyond injuries. It's still early, but some players whom managers decided to take a flier on in their drafts are becoming drop candidates as they fail to make an impact on their team.
Whether you're looking to replace an injured starter or hoping to mix up your bench and find some better insurance options, we'll break down the players who are seeing the most adds ahead of Week 3, as well as those who may get dropped in your league this week.
Top Pickups
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Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams (Rostered: 42 percent)
It's no surprise fantasy managers are rushing to add Demarcus Robinson; the Rams announced after Week 2 that Cooper Kupp would miss an "extended period of time" with an ankle sprain he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, wideout Puka Nacua was already on injured reserve. Robinson, who led the team with 50 yards in Week 2 on a 14.8 percent target share, could become the Rams' No. 1 wideout by necessity.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Rostered: 8 percent)
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, the Chargers are also having issues at receiver. Joshua Palmer went into Week 2 with a questionable designation; though he did end up playing, he logged just two receptions for 19 yards. And rookie Ladd McConkey hasn't yet had a breakout game. Meanwhile, Johnston led the Chargers wideouts in all categories, earning 22.1 points. That's partly because he found the end zone twice, but even in games that he doesn't, he may be the team's No. 1 wideout.
Samaje Perine, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (Rostered: 6 percent)
Isiah Pacheco's fractured fibula is one of the major injuries that has rocked fantasy teams early in the season. Though he hasn't logged a rushing attempt yet this season, Perine's workload is about to increase dramatically, especially as head coach Andy Reid hinted that Carson Steele would have to "step it up" to earn the featured back role. The backfield is the veteran's for the taking.
Recently Dropped Players Likely Available
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Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears (Rostered: 45 percent)
The Bears offense has not been as explosive as expected with rookie Caleb Williams at the helm. As this squad finds its way, one player who has not been asked to contribute much is Kmet. He had four receptions in Week 2 on five targets but logged only 27 yards. Frustrated managers have begun cutting Kmet loose, but if you think you can see a larger role for him as the Chicago offense jells, you have about a 50/50 shot of him being available in your league.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers (Rostered: 25 percent)
The Panthers have looked dismal through the first two weeks of the season, and many fantasy managers are cutting bait with Carolina weapons. If you're interested in letting it ride, though, Thielen has a high likelihood of being available on waivers in your league. After amassing 49 yards on three receptions in Week 1, he was quiet in Week 2 for 20 yards on two receptions. However, if you assume the Panthers are going to be frequently playing from behind, he should have plenty of opportunities.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Buffalo Bills (Rostered: 34 percent)
Some players who become casualties of drops aren't performing when given the opportunity, but some players aren't even being given the opportunity, and that's when you know it's time to let them go. Samuel had just two targets in each of the Bills' first two games; he's just not seeing the target share among Buffalo wideouts to warrant a spot on your bench.
Rostered and scoring figures via Fantasy Pros
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