Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
Follow me on Twitter @UTEddieBrown if you have questions throughout the week.
Here are my best bets off the waiver wire for Week 3:
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RB Darrell Henderson, Rams (ESPN: 45%; Yahoo: 33%): Cam Akers was diagnosed with separated cartilage in his ribs and Henderson took advantage by producing 121 total yards on 14 touches and a touchdown. Both Akers and Henderson are more dynamic options than Malcolm Brown (who is also dealing with a finger injury). The matchup against the Bills this weekend is much more difficult, but there’s significant upside to mine here.
RB Mike Davis, Panthers (ESPN: 1%; Yahoo: 7%): Top overall fantasy pick Christian McCaffrey will likely miss four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain. There’s a limit to Davis’ value since McCaffrey will return, but for the next few weeks at least, he needs to be owned in every league across all formats after having eight receptions (on eight targets) for 74 yards as the all-around stud’s replacement against the Buccaneers.
TE Jonnu Smith, Titans (ESPN: 40%; Yahoo: 68%): I stated before the season started the only thing keeping Smith from being a top-10 tight end in fantasy was opportunity. Well, he’s on pace to more than double his career-high in targets (only 44) with an average of six per game so far. He has already matched his career-high in touchdowns (three). If this continues, we’re talking about a top-five option in fantasy with somewhere around 60 receptions, 900 yards and at least eight touchdowns this season.
RB Wayne Gallman, Giants (ESPN:
QB Ryan Tannehill, Titans (ESPN: 35%; Yahoo: 46%): Many believed Tannehill couldn’t carryover his elite efficiency from last season — he had 32 total touchdowns against only six interceptions in 13 starts including three in the postseason. He is and Tennessee is throwing the ball significantly more (he’s averaging almost seven more attempts per game). He’s a QB1 going forward and should finish in the top-10 overall.
BONUS: RB Jerick McKinnon, 49ers (ESPN: 19%; Yahoo: 25%): It’s possible Jeff Wilson (ESPN:
BONUS: WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots (ESPN: 40%; Yahoo: 27%): A robust 18 targets (and 13 receptions) in two games make the second-year playmaker a viable flex option with upside in PPR.
BONUS: TE Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (ESPN: 48%; Yahoo: 68%): Gesicki is commanding over 20% of Miami’s targets, mostly from the slot. I have him as a top-10 option at tight end going forward and this week he faces a Jacksonville defense who just got lit up by Jonnu Smith.
BONUS: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 36%): MVS has been Aaron Rodgers’ big-play receiver so far (he’s averaging 22.9 yards per reception) while receiving at least six targets in both games and now Davante Adams (ankle, hamstring) is banged up.
BONUS: TE Logan Thomas, Football Team (ESPN: 11%; Yahoo: 32%): Thomas is tied for the team-lead in targets (17) with Terry McLaurin. He’s received at least eight in both games. Plus, Cleveland appears to be the new Arizona while getting toasted by tight ends every week — it has allowed 18 receptions, 148 yards and three touchdowns in two games.
BONUS: WR Corey Davis, Titans (ESPN: 36%; Yahoo: 42%): Davis is a perfect post-hype candidate and A.J. Brown’s bruised knee could keep him out multiple weeks. Talent has never been the issue.
BONUS: RB Devonta Freeman, Free Agent (ESPN: 8%; Yahoo: 14%): Freeman is a solid stash candidate in deeper leagues. There’s a chance the Giants sign him to help fill the void created by Barkley’s injury. If not, the way players are dropping like flies, there’s a good chance he won’t be unemployed for much longer and he should have fresh legs for once.
BONUS: WR Golden Tate, Giants (ESPN: 58%; Yahoo: 36%): The slot machine could should see plenty of targets with the loss of Barkley and Sterling Shepard (toe).
BONUS: D/ST Indianapolis (ESPN: 75%; Yahoo: 42%): Despite the loss of promising safety Malik Hooker (Achilles) for the season, this is still a solid streaming unit, especially this week against the Jets.
BONUS: D/ST L.A. Rams (ESPN: 20%; Yahoo: 64%): Sure, they have a red-hot Josh Allen this week at Buffalo, but then they have the Giants, Washington, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami their next five games. All offenses are either bad or injury-riddled.
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DROP
RB Saquon Barkley, Giants: Sadly, Barkley headlined what I will forever refer to as “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” A torn ACL ended his season prematurely. I personally lost him in two leagues.
WR Courtland Sutton, Broncos: Sutton also suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
TE Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers: I firmly believe Gronkowski is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent lottery ticket at this point in his career. He only has four targets in two games so far. I’m sure he’ll have a big game at some point, but there are so many other tight ends with significantly more upside out there on the waiver wire.
RB Tevin Coleman, 49ers: Coleman will likely miss multiple weeks with a sprained knee, which means Mostert could be cleared to play before he’s ready to return.
WR Parris Campbell, Colts: Campbell’s season started with such promise before he suffered a PCL injury against the Vikings which will sideline him indefinitely.
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