Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings, Box Score Stat Projections, Top Waiver-Wire Adds

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season sent fantasy football managers into scramble mode.

The injury bug, long the most feared villain of this realm, reared its ugly head over and over again. The carnage may not even be complete yet, and those impacted already include the likes of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Washington Commanders signal-caller Jayden Daniels and Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce.

This won't make things easy to navigate in Week 3, so managers must be at their lineup-setting, waiver wire-working best. To help with that, we're here with early rankings and waiver targets at the three marquee positions.

Quarterback

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Top 10

1. Josh Allen, BUF (vs. LAC)
2. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at DAL)
3. Jalen Hurts, PHI (at CHI)
4. Brock Purdy, SF (vs. ARI)
5. Joe Burrow, CIN (at PIT)
6. Dak Prescott, DAL (vs. BAL)
7. Patrick Mahomes II, KC (at MIA)
8. Justin Herbert, LAC (at BUF)
9. Drake Maye, NE (at JAX)
10. Jared Goff, DET (vs. NYJ)

Waiver-wire target: Tyler Shough, NO (vs. LV)

Through two outings, Shough has amassed 62 completions on 90 attempts for 662 yards and four touchdowns. He's also scrambled 13 times for another 31 yards and a score. It's hard to find this level of volume anywhere, let alone on the waiver wire.

Projected stats: 26-of-36 passing for 261 yards, two touchdowns; four carries for 12 yards

Running Back

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Top 10

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. NYJ)
2. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at GB)
3. Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. ARI)
4. Ashton Jeanty, LV (at NO)
5. Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. HOU)
6. Kenneth Walker III, KC (at MIA)
7. De'Von Achane, MIA (vs. KC)
8. Saquon Barkley, PHI (at CHI)
9. James Cook III, BUF (vs. LAC)
10. Derrick Henry, BAL (at DAL)

Waiver-wire target: Emanuel Wilson, SEA (at WAS)

Wilson was barely an afterthought in Seattle's season opener, but things changed in a big way during Week 2. When starter Jadarian Price was lost to a chest injury, Wilson became the focal point of this ground game and went on to lead the backfield with 21 carries for 92 yards. The chance that Price misses any time makes Wilson a must-add, even if he's unlikely to supply more than short-term relief.

Projected stats: 16 carries for 72 yards and one touchdown

Wide Receiver

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Top 10

1. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (at PIT)
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (at WAS)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs. NYJ)
4. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (vs. BAL)
5. Justin Jefferson, MIN (at TB)
6. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (at DET)
7. George Pickens, DAL (vs. BAL)
8. Mike Evans, SF (vs. ARI)
9. Chris Olave, NO (vs. LV)
10. Tee Higgins, CIN (at PIT)

Waiver-wire target: Denzel Boston, CLE (vs. CAR)

While Cleveland's aerial attack might be anything but reliable, Boston is quickly proving to be exactly that. The rookie second-rounder's first two NFL contests have all featured at least 59 yards and a touchdown catch. If the Browns are getting even passable play from Deshaun Watson, Boston could be, at worst, a viable flex option.

Projected stats: Four receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown