Week 3 Waiver-Wire Pickups: Sleepers Available in Majority of Fantasy Leagues
We're only in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, and fantasy managers are already facing some very difficult decisions. We've seen traditional fantasy standouts like Travis Kelce and Amari Cooper underperform, while stars like Christian McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Deebo Samuel are already dealing with injuries.
Ideally, managers can lean on the depth they've drafted to navigate the next few weeks. With byes beginning in Week 5, however, many may need to turn to the waiver wire.
The good news is that some serviceable fantasy options may be available on the waiver wire, even this late in the week.
Below, you'll find a few of our favorite wire targets to consider before the weekend, along with the matchups that could make them worth a start in the near future.
All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
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Sam Darnold wasn't expected to be a fantasy producer heading into the regular season, but J.J. McCarthy's season-ending injury has given the 2018 first-round pick the best opportunity of his NFL career.
Darnold shouldn't be considered a high-end fantasy option, but as long as wideout Justin Jefferson remains healthy, Darnold is unlikely to flat-out flop in most matchups. He has thrown an interception in each game this season, but he's also topped 200 passing yards and thrown two touchdowns in each of his starts.
And while Darnold isn't a true dual-threat quarterback, he's athletic enough to add a few rushing points on occasion—he scrambled for 32 yards in Week 2.
This week, the Vikings will host the Houston Texans, who have allowed an average of 18.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through two weeks.
Quarterback Jordan Love (knee) may return for Week 3, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Managers on the fence about starting Love or needing to replace Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) can turn to Darnold if needed.
Darnold is rostered in only 25 percent of Yahoo leagues and 4 percent of ESPN leagues.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Rachaad White is currently the top Tampa Bay Buccaneers back to start because of his PPR floor. White is regularly used in the passing game, though he only recorded one reception in Week 2 after logging six in Week 1.
Rookie Bucky Irving, meanwhile, is cutting into White's workload. He logged nine carries and two receptions in Week 1 and tallied seven carries in Week 2. His yardage totals haven't been overly impressive (98 yards through two weeks), but there's a very real chance that his role continues to grow.
Irving (5.3 yards per carry) has been much more efficient on the ground than White (2.0 yards per carry).
The Buccaneers also have two upcoming matchups that appear favorable for the Oregon product. Tampa will host the Denver Broncos this week before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.
The Broncos and Eagles have surrendered an average of 22.2 and 19.2 fantasy points, respectively, to opposing running backs this season.
Irving is rostered in only 34 percent of Yahoo leagues and 18 percent of ESPN leagues.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
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With several top receivers on the injury list, managers may already be digging deep into the waiver wire at the position. That's unlikely to change in the near future, so now is the perfect time to snap up Los Angeles Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston.
The second-year receiver had a breakthrough game in Week 2, catching five passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. The 2023 first-round pick had an underwhelming rookie campaign but appears to be on the verge of changing the narrative.
Johnston also seems to be earning the trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"He continues to make these tough catches across the middle," Harbaugh said, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "Not many people do that."
The Chargers don't exactly run a pass-heavy offense, but Johnston is establishing himself as the team's No. 1 receiver.
The upcoming schedule—at the Pittsburgh Steelers, versus the Kansas City Chiefs and a Week 5 bye—isn't favorable, but Johnston probably won't be available later in the season. He's currently rostered in 44 percent of Yahoo leagues and 4 percent of ESPN leagues.
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Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders
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Managers looking for tight end depth should scoop up Washington Commanders pass-catcher Zach Ertz. While the 33-year-old hasn't produced eye-popping numbers (7 catches, 90 yards), he's more than serviceable as a starting TE option.
Ertz has caught at least three passes in each of his two games this season. This week, the Commanders will visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night in a game that could see Ertz be heavily targeted.
The Bengals have allowed an average of only 4.6 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. However, they could run up the score against Washington's lackluster secondary, leaving rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in pass-first mode.
It should be noted that Ertz has already established himself as one of Daniels' go-to receivers. He ranks second on the team with eight targets and second in receptions behind only Terry McLaurin (12 targets, 8 catches).
Ertz is rostered in only 11 percent of Yahoo leagues and 2 percent of ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.
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