Fantasy Football: top waiver wire grabs for Week 3

Injuries rattled the NFL in Week 2, and as a result, there are many great waiver wire options for this week. Let’s take a look at some of the best options.

Jerick McKinnon/Matt Asiata- With Adrian Peterson likely out in Week 3, McKinnon is the top option in the Minnesota backfield. Technically, Peterson hasn’t been ruled out for Week 3, but it is very unlikely that he will play.

Overall, assume Peterson won’t be playing. McKinnon has only gained a total of eight yards on three carries this season, but he will likely be named the starter in Peterson’s absence. McKinnon should be your top claim this week. Keep an eye out for fellow Minnesota running back, Matt Asiata, especially if you are lower in the waiver order and likely won’t get McKinnon. Asiata will get the goal line touches, but is a touchdown or bust play.

Kenneth Farrow- Farrow is likely to see increased touches in the Chargers offense with Danny Woodhead out for the year with an ACL injury. Farrow received four carries in the Chargers’ Week 2 win over the Jaguars, and that number will increase as he becomes the number two running back in San Diego. However, with Woodhead injured, Melvin Gordon will receive the lion share of the carries, and Gordon has already proven that he will receive the goal line work. Farrow is a must own to use as a handcuff if you are a Gordon owner, but otherwise add him as a bench stash and hope he finds a significant role for himself.

Mike Wallace- Wallace is only owned in 63% of leagues (on ESPN). Following his second straight week posting 16 points, Wallace proved that he is for real. He will continue to have a major role in the Ravens offense going forward. He is undoubtedly worth of a flex play, if not a WR3, or even a WR2 based on matchup. If you are in the 37% of leagues where he is unowned, pick him up, now.

Terrell Pryor- Despite Corey Coleman putting up the spectacular numbers, it is Pryor who may be the Browns wide receiver to own. Pryor has received more targets than any other Browns receiver thus far with 17. He has only caught six of those 17, but for a big play threat like Pryor, fantasy owners can deal with that as when he does make the catch, it’s often for a big gain. Of note, Isaiah Crowell is owned in 72% of ESPN leagues, but if you happen to be in a league where he is unowned, he needs to be your top waiver claim over anyone else on this list.

Hopefully you will be able to stock up your team on the waiver wire this week. Keep in mind, if you don’t get the players you want off waivers, try to make a trade with Woodhead and Peterson owners. They might be very desperate at running back, and as a result, you could sell high on one of your running backs, especially if you have someone like Crowell. Look for Week 3 starts and sits coming later in the week.