As we get ready for Week 3 of the 2023 NFL Season, we enter our first critical period of the fantasy football season. Many fantasy managers will face their first serious roster decisions of the season. For managers who lost players to injury in Week 1, this may be their only chance to stay afloat. So let’s take a look at my Fantasy Football 2023: Week 3 Waiver Wire Targets. To check out our full expert rankings, head over to our rankings page.
* I will be using Yahoo Fantasy Rostership & for this article. I will also attempt to give several options at each position, for varying levels of league size. The dollar value next to the player’s name is the desired amount of FAAB to bid on them with a $100 budget.
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts ($3)
Week 2 Opponent: Ravens, Rostership: 1%
Anthony Richardson was on fire to start the Colts’ Week 2 game against the Texans. As he scored his second touchdown of the first half he fell to the ground and hit his head. He is currently in concussion protocol. On average it takes ten days to get through the protocol, making Richardson doubtful to play in Week 3. If you need an emergency starter in superflex, Minshew Mania is again upon us.
Minshew has always proved useful for fantasy in his limited spot starts. This may only be a one-week option, but he’s worth it if you are in a pinch at quarterback.
Shallow League Options (More than 70% Rostership): Jared Goff, DET (76% rostered), Daniel Jones, NYG (76% rostered), Brock Purdy, SF (71% rostered)
Medium League Options (50 to 70% Rostership): Derek Carr, LV (51% rostered)
Deeper League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Kenny Pickett, PIT (31% rostered), Mac Jones, NE (25% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 25% Rostership): Sam Howell, WSH (20% rostered), Baker Mayfield, TB (15% rostered), CJ Stroud, HOU (9% rostered), Ryan Tannehill, TEN (7% rostered)
Running Backs
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns ($ ALL)
Week 3 Opponent: Titans, Rostership: 2%
Monday Night saw Nick Chubb go down to injury. This injury appeared to be season-ending, if not career-threatening. The Browns are likely to be without Chubb for the rest of the season at the very least. Jerome Ford looked solid in his absence rushing for more than 100 yards while sprinkling in a few catches. He looked fast and explosive and is a must-add.
The only fear in this situation is that Cleveland signs one of the remaining free-agent running backs. Barring that development Ford is the easy add this week. If you lost Chubb or Dobbins, spend whatever you have left to get Jerome Ford.
Shallow League Options (More than 70% Rostership): Brian Robinson, WSH (88% rostered), Jamaal Williams, NO (88% rostered), Raheem Mostert, MIA (83% rostered), D’Andre Swift, PHI (87% rostered)
Medium League Options (50 to 70% Rostership): Kyren Williams, NE (62% rostered), Zack Moss, IND (53% rostered)
Deeper League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Devon Achane, MIA (45% rostered), Jaylen Warren, PIT (40% rostered), JAC (39% rostered), Roschon Johnson, CHI (38% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 25% Rostership): Tyjae Spears, TEN (17% rostered), Sean Tucker, TB (4% rostered), Eric Gray, NYG (1% rostered)
Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints ($5)
Week 3 Opponent: Packers, Rostership: 50%
Since the midway point of his rookie season, Shaheed has continued to prove he is a reliable receiver for fantasy managers. He rarely has flashy blowup games, but is as consistent as they come. Despite his consistent production he seems to be constantly overlooked. If he is available scoop him up as a free WR3 of flex option.
Derek Carr is still finding his way around the new offence and once Kamara returns they should improve. Look for the Saints to be more productive as the season goes on. He could prove to be a considerable value.
Shallow League Options (More than 70% Rostership): Marquise Brown, ARI (84% rostered), Zay Flowers, BAL (83% rostered), Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (76% rostered), Elijah Moore, CLE (73% rostered)
Medium League Options (50 to 70% Rostership): Treylon Burks, TEN (61% rostered), Nico Collins, HOU (61% rostered)
Deeper League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Rashee Rice, KC (36% rostered), Skyy Moore, KC (49% rostered), Kadarius Toney, KC (49% rostered), Tyler Boyd, CIN (39% rostered), Marvin Mims, DEN (23% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 25% Rostership): Josh Reynolds, DET (12% rostered), Jalin Hyatt, NYG (12% rostered), Jayden Reed, GB (10% rostered), Tank Dell, HOU (5% rostered)
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry, Patriots ($5)
Week 3 Opponent: Jets, Rostership: 55%
Perhaps the most boring name on the waiver wire. Hunter Henry is the definition of a boring low-end TE1. The benefit of being a boring TE1 is that it’s a TE1. He may not put up monster games or be a flashy name, but he produces.
Game in and game out, Henry gets end-zone targets and puts up consistent numbers. Henry currently sits as a top-five tight end on the season, and yet finds himself on waiver wires everywhere. If you are struggling at tight end with the likes of Kyle Pitts or George Kittle, add Henry to get you through the rough weeks.
Shallow League Options (More than 70% Rostership): Dalton Kincaid, BUF (77% rostered), Sam LaPorta, DET (72% rostered)
Medium League Options (50 to 70% Rostership): Cole Kmet, CHI (67% rostered), Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (56% rostered)
Deeper League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Gerald Everett, LAC (38% rostered), Jake Ferguson, DAL (38% rostered), Hayden Hurst, CAR (35% rostered), Luke Musgrave, GB (25% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 25% Rostership): Zach Ertz, ARI (10% rostered), Tyler Conklin, NYJ (4% rostered), Logan Thomas, WSH (3% rostered)
If you like Fantasy Football 2023: Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets, head over to our rankings page for a full breakdown.
