Week 3 Waiver Wire – 5 Priority Waiver Targets

It’s time to put in more waiver claims, folks! With all the injuries in the first two weeks of the fantasy season, fantasy rosters are looking rather rough. The quarterback position has been hit the hardest since the fantasy season began. The Seahawks are still without starting quarterback Sam Darnold, as he is still down with a glute injury. The positive for Darnold is that he’s expected to practice leading into Week 3. Vikings QB Kyler Murray was knocked out of Week 1’s game against the Green Bay Packers, but he is now out of the NFL’s concussion protocol and is slated to play in Week 3.

More recently, the New York Giants may be without star quarterback Jaxson Dart after he went down with a leg injury in Week 2’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Dart’s tests on his knee has revealed a much bigger injury which may cost him the rest of the 2026 season. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams went down with a hamstring injury against the Minniesota Vikings and had to be carted off the field. Reports on Williams injury have stated that he dodged a more sever hamstring issue but he is being listed as “week to week”.

Needless to say, there is a lot going on in the first two weeks of the fantasy season. Heading into Week 3, there are five players on the waiver wire that fantasy managers should prioritze to add to their rosters going forward. And for fun, I’ll throw in a bonus player to consider.

*Roster percentages via ESPN

Priority Waiver Wire Targets

Jonah Coleman, RB – DEN

The Broncos are dealing with multiple injuries at the running back position heading into Week 3. Both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are dealing with hamstring injuries. Dobbins went down during the DEN/JAX game and RJ Harvey missed the game altogether. Now Coleman has a chance to step into a starting role if neither Dobbins or Harvey can go in Week 3. Coleman put up 39 rushing yards on 10 carries (3.9 y/a) and a touchdown while adding another 19 receiving yards on three catches. If Coleman gets the start, he could see an expanded role for the Broncos. Coleman is rostered in just 22% of ESPN leagues.

Bryce Young, QB – CAR

With all the quarterbacks dropping like flies, it’s easy to overlook just how good Bryce Young has been over the last two games. Young is averaged just over 27 fantasy points per game heading into Week 3. Young posted two big games against CHI and ATL, scoring 24+ fantasy points in both contests. His passing looks to have improved as well, averaging 8.9 yards per attempt with 6:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Rostered at 34.5% on ESPN Fantasy, you’ll want to see if he’s still available in your leagues with injuries to Jaxson Dart, Caleb Williams, and Jayden Daniels.

Adonai Mitchell, WR – NYJ

The Jets have been looking for a running mate to pair with Garrett Wilson and it seems like they have found it with Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell saw 12 targets against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, catching six passes for 63 yards. Mitchell was also on the field for much of the Jets offensive snaps. Couple that with the loss of Omarion Cooper Jr. to injured reserve and tight end Mason Taylor dealing with an injury that could cost him Week 3, Mitchell should see even more work against the Detroit Lions and beyond. He’s rostered at 17% in ESPN leagues.

Kaleb Johnson, RB – GB

The Packers need to make up their minds as to what they want to do in this backfield. Reports have surfaced of NFL executives believing that the Packers seemed “broken” over the first two weeks of the season. Marshawn Lloyd hasn’t lived up to the opportunity, averaging just three yards per carry over the first two games. Chris Brooks is more of a pass-catching back, and hasn’t been much better on the ground. Brooks averaged 3.6 yards per attempt over the first two games, and averaged 2.8 yards per attempt against the Vikings in Week 2. Kaleb Johnson was brought in via trade earlier this offseason but performed better in Week 2, averarging four yards per carry on eight carries. Rostered at nearly 3%, if you can stash Kaleb Johnson and be patient, we might see more of him in the coming weeks.

Rashod Bateman, WR – BAL

Finally! Rashod Bateman showed signs of life without Zay Flowers on the field. Bateman showed what he can do once the Ravens throw him the ball, finishing Week 2 with a 7/88/1 line for 21.8 fantasy points. Flowers is expected to return in Week 3 after missing Week 2 with a hamstring injury. With rookie Ja’Kobi Lane on injured reserve, there should be more than enough targets to keep Bateman involved in the offense. Bateman is rostered at 24%.

Bonus Target – Terrance Ferguson, TE – LAR

The Rams needed another player to step up outside of Davante Adams with Puka Nacua out with a hip injury against the New York Giants. Second year tight end Terrance Ferguson stepped up to the challenge, finishing the game with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown for 17.4 fantasy points. Head coach Sean McVay stated that he is “hopeful” that Puka Nacua will play in Week 3. If Nacua can’t go, Ferguson will be called on again to help out the passing game. Ferguson is rostered at nearly 19% .