Week 3 Waiver Wire Top Pickups and Drops Likely Available After Reviewing Box Scores

Week 2 brought more surprises to the fantasy landscape, along with a few injury-related disappointments. Several managers will likely need to search for reinforcements on the waiver wire this week.

The good news is that quite a few quality players should still be available in most leagues. The pickings are still slim at running back, but multiple receivers, tight ends and quarterbacks can be found.

After analyzing the first two weeks of NFL action, let's examine this week's top waiver targets and some players who can be dropped to make room.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Add: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Several quarterbacks suffered injuries in Week 1, notably Justin Fields (concussion), Jayden Daniels (knee), J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Joe Burrow (toe). Burrow is expected to miss at least three months, meaning his fantasy season is essentially over.

Daniel Jones will be a very popular target on the wire this week, given his breakout with the Indianapolis Colts over the first two weeks. However, Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. has an enticing matchup worth exploiting in Week 3.

Penix didn't see a ton of work in Week 2, as the Falcons' ground game took over against the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 1, though, he threw for 298 yards and had rushing and passing touchdowns. He'll have a good chance to replicate his Week 1 success this week against a bad Carolina Panthers offense.

Carolina has surrendered 671 yards and 53 points through two weeks. Penix is available in nearly 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and 80 percent of ESPN leagues.

Add: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A week after looking like one of the worst units in the NFL, the New York Giants' offense came to life against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns—though he did have a critical overtime interception—and New York tallied 506 yards overall.

Unsurprisingly, Wilson relied heavily on No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers. What's noteworthy is that Wan'Dale Robinson got in on the fun too.

Robinson caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. He should carry more reasonable expectations against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, but he should still have low-end flex value.

The Chiefs have surrendered 398 passing yards and three touchdowns through the first two weeks. Their defense is much better than Dallas', but it hasn't consistently shut down opposing receivers.

Robinson is worth a stash, at worst, and is rostered in just 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 32 percent of ESPN leagues.

Add: Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Despite catching eight passes for 76 yards in Week 1, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson wasn't heavily targeted on the Week 2 waiver wire. Entering Week 3, he's still available in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues and 99 percent of ESPN leagues.

Managers can expect Johnson to be available in far fewer leagues a few days from now. The sixth-year pass-catcher had another terrific game for the Saints on Sunday, catching five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Now, Johnson's matchup in Week 3 isn't ideal. The Saints will travel to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon, and Seattle is a notoriously difficult place to play. The hostile environment could cause serious issues for quarterback Spencer Rattler.

However, Johnson has become one of Rattler's most trusted targets, and the New Orleans standout should be a solid play once again.

Top Drops for Week 3

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Browns QB Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco, QB, Cleveland Browns

After throwing for 290 yards and a touchdown—albeit with two interceptions—in Week 1, Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco appeared to have legitimate sleeper value. However, Cleveland's blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday exposed Flacco's low floor in Cleveland's offense.

The 40-year-old simply isn't mobile enough to operate efficiently behind the Browns' ineffective offensive line.

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Managers hoping that rookie Kaleb Johnson would become an instant factor in the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense have been disappointed. The rookie has logged just two touches through two games, and his special-teams blunder on Sunday—which handed the Seahawks an easy touchdown—could push him out of Pittsburgh's game plan entirely.

Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos

Managers hoping that rookie receiver Pat Bryant would become an instant factor in the Denver Broncos offense have also been disappointed. The third-round pick out of Illinois has played just 13 percent of the offensive snaps through two weeks.

*Fantasy roster information from FantasyPros.