Postseason Shootout | RealTime Fantasy Sports

Waivering: Week 3

Tue Sep 17 8:49am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Perine setup for bigger role

There are more injuries to deal with this week and even a benching, which is kind of surprising just two weeks into the season. But that just means there are a few more viable options on the waiver wire. That is a positive for some fantasy owners, needing some new talent on their roster. There are some guys out there this week that might provide at least some short-term help. Good luck in navigating those waiver wires this week.

QUARTERBACK

Derek Carr, Saints (49.5% owned). Carr has topped 23 fantasy points each of his first two games. He has three-touchdown games each of those games. The Saints look legit right now, especially the offense. Carr is playing at a high level and making big plays. He remains available in about half the leagues, so if you need quarterback help, go grab him.

Sam Darnold, Vikings (32.3% owned). Darnold sure is making the most of his opportunity to start once again, leading the Vikings to wins to start the season. He has multiple scores each of his first two games and scored 23.6 fantasy points last week against a very good 49ers defense. He is going to be worth some spot starts in this offense.

RUNNING BACK

Samaje Perine, Chiefs (32.7% owned). Perine doesn’t have a carry in two games but that could be changing with Isiah Pacheco out several weeks with a leg injury. Perine is likely the next man up in the Chiefs explosive offense, giving him some good fantasy value. He likely splits the work with some other backs but should be the first to carry the load for the Chiefs.

Braelon Allen, Jets (53% owned). Breece Hall is still getting a ton of touches, but the Jets found a way to get Allen involved in the offense this week. He was even on the field with Hall at the same time. Allen had nine touches compared to two in the opener. He found the end zone twice and had 56 total yards. Allen could be getting more chances going forward after this performance.

Antonio Gibson, Patriots (56.5% owned). Gibson had his best game as a Patriot last week. He ran 11 times for 96 yards and caught a pass for seven yards. He topped 100 total yards and should continue to get his weekly chances as the No. 2 back in a run-first offense.

Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys (2.0% owned). This is a speculative pickup. The Cowboys running game is doing little right now and Vaughn had five total touches last week. He got more chances and that could be the case going forward, especially if Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle keep struggling.

WIDE RECEIVER

Tutu Atwell, Rams (1.3% owned). Cooper Kupp is now dealing with an ankle injury, leaving the Rams even more thin at receiver. Atwell is the best bet to serve the Kupp role in the offense. He had three receptions for 48 yards last week on four targets. He could be getting more chances going, making him another speculative add for fantasy owners.

Jalen Nailor, Vikings (2.1% owned). Justin Jefferson claims his quad injury isn’t too serious but if he has to miss any time, look for Nailor to play a much bigger role offensively. And even with Jefferson around, Nailor has produced for the Vikings. He has touchdowns each of his first two games. Last week, Nailer had three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Alec Pierce, Colts (41.9% owned). Pierce has found the end zone each of his first two games. He has 16-plus fantasy points each of those games. He is becoming a favorite target of Anthony Richardson, which is good news for Pierce. We don’t think his first two games are a fluke. He can keep producing in this offense.

Andrei Iosivas, Bengals (16.9% owned). A lot of people thought Iosivas was going to breakout in Week 1. It looks like they were just a week off. Iosivas had a big Week 2, catching two passes for seven yards and two touchdowns. He might be a bit of a boom or bust play, but has a nice weekly ceiling in this offense.

Quentin Johnston, Chargers (30.5% owned). Johnston might finally be putting it together. He had a huge game last week, catching five passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He has been targeted 11 times in two games, getting plenty of weekly looks. Johnston could really emerge as the go-to target in this passing game, giving him some weekly potential for the big game.

Demarcus Robinson, Rams (49.4% owned). The injuries at receiver for the Rams have left some openings for a lot of targets. Robinson could be one of those benefactors. He hasn’t done a whole lot this year to date but played well in an expanded role last year when given a chance. And he was on the field the most last week for the Rams, playing 92 percent of the snaps. He could end up being the best Rams receiver left standing.

TIGHT END

Hunter Henry, Patriots (36.6% owned). Henry is the top target in this Patriots offense and showed that last week. He had a great game, catching eight passes for 109 yards. He has been targeted 15 times in two games. He is a legit low-end No. 1 for fantasy teams and available in a lot of leagues.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals (12.5% owned). Gesicki was fairly quiet in the opener but got it going last week, catching seven passes for 91 yards. The Bengals are hit and miss with the tight end position, but Gesicki proved he can be a factor as the starter in this offense. He has some spot start value for fantasy teams.

Jonnu Smith, Dolphins (20.4% owned). Smith had just a catch in Week 1 but had six receptions for 53 yards on seven targets last week. He was a much bigger part of the Dolphins offensive game plan. And with a new, inexperienced quarterback at the helm for at least a few games, look for Smith to get plenty of chances as a safety valve in the offense. He has some good short-term value.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Waivering: Week 3

The Paur Report