NFL Waiver Wire: Week 3 Pickups

Week 2 is in the books and while there were a few injuries, the waiver wire doesn't feel like it's as hot as it was Week 1. Gio Bernard will be the hot add for the week with the procedure to Joe Mixon and it's unclear how bad the hamstring cramps or injury were to Dalvin Cook. However, we are only a couple weeks away from the start of bye weeks, so now is the time to adjust your bench.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.



This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Andy Dalton, CIN - Dalton has looked fantastic to start the season and it doesn't hurt to have Adriel Jeremiah Green as one of your receivers. There are solid secondary options in John Ross and Tyler Boyd, and a big game for Tyler Eifert is likely in the near future. With Joe Mixon out, the Bengals could decide to put more of the workload on Dalton's shoulders rather than run Giovani Bernard into the ground. FAAB: $3-$6

Blake Bortles, JAC - Bortles put together a monster game Sunday against the Patriots, finishing with 377 yards and four touchdowns while scrambling for 35 more yards. His rushing ability goes a little under the radar, but he's now up to 77 yards this season and has at least two rushing touchdowns in each of the last three years. Jacksonville might rely more heavily on the passing game if Leonard Fournette remains out, and there isn't a bad matchup on the schedule the next few weeks. FAAB: $3-$6

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Giovani Bernard, CIN - Joe Mixon hurt his knee during Thursday night's game and had a procedure Saturday to remove a "loose body." His timetable to return is unknown, but he's expected to miss 2-4 weeks, meaning at least one game. Until he returns, Bernard will be the lead back for the 2-0 Bengals. This is a great spot for Gio as Cincinnati has a good offensive line, and he'll be used on passing situations as well as early downs. Mixon's uncertain return makes this a tricky bid as it seems like he'll immediately jump back into the lead role once he's back. Until then, though, look for Bernard to get 15-plus touches every game. Tra Carson and/or Mark Walton should get some touches as well for those in really deep leagues. FAAB: $20-$30

Latavius Murray, MIN - Murray is 44 percent owned on Yahoo, so there's basically a coin flip of a chance that he's actually available. He's one of the few backups capable of handling a full workload should anything happen to Dalvin Cook. Cook left Sunday's game in Green Bay but downplayed it after claiming it was only fatigue. It doesn't appear that Cook, barring a update to the contrary, should miss time, so Murray isn't set to see an increased role. Still, he's a good player to have on your bench as an upside lottery ticket. FAAB: $10-$20

Secondary Targets

Corey Clement, PHI - Clement saw an increased workload Sunday with Darren Sproles inactive and Jay Ajayi briefly leaving the game with back issues. Clement managed 11 touches (five catches) for 85 total yards and a rushing touchdown, putting together a solid fantasy day. The lack of Sproles and Clement's six targets suggests he's the third-down/receiving back to complement Ajayi (one target), and he's only an Ajayi injury away from a big workload. Clement showed his upside last season, finishing with 4.3 yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns (four rushing, two receiving) on only 84 touches. FAAB: $3-$6

Aaron Jones, GB - This is cheating a little bit because Jones is owned in 62 percent of Yahoo leagues, so he's probably not available. However, if he is he could step right into a big role for the Packers, considering Jamaal Williams averages just 3.4 yards per carry, which is right in line with last season's 3.6 mark. Jones made the most of his opportunity last season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and scored four rushing touchdowns. Between Williams and Jones, the latter seems to be the better option; keep in mind Ty Montgomery isn't going anywhere either, so it'll likely be a three-headed committee for now. FAAB: $3-$6

Chris Ivory, Marcus Murphy, BUF - LeSean McCoy left Sunday's loss with a rib injury and could miss time. It was enough that he said he was unable to talk to reporters after the game, so the Bills may be looking for replacements. Ivory got the goal-line carry that resulted in a touchdown, though Murphy impressed during preseason and in camp. Unfortunately, the Bills have a tough matchup with the Vikings this week and have found themselves throwing a lot, playing from behind in each of their first two games. FAAB: Chris Ivory $1-$3; Marcus Murphy $2-$4

Ito Smith, ATL - Tevin Coleman owners secretly had to like the Devonta Freeman injury, which left their guy as the main running back for the potent Falcons offense. However, Smith also got in on the action Sunday with 10 touches for 54 yards. In a close game, Smith's nine carries were only second to Coleman's 16, showing that he will continue to be relevant while Freeman is out (at least another 2-3 weeks). FAAB: $2-$4

WIDE RECEIVERS

Secondary Targets

John Brown, BAL - Brown has consecutive games of double-digit fantasy points, finding the end zone in each. He's the Ravens receiver with the highest upside as the fastest deep threat they have. It was encouraging that in a competitive game against Bengals he got 10 targets, showing a rapport with Joe Flacco. Brown's three targets inside the 10 are a another positive sign for future fantasy success. FAAB: $3-$6

Dede Westbrook, Donte Moncrief, JAC - Keelan Cole has made the most of his opportunities (12 targets), but it should be noted that Westbook (11) and Moncrief (14) are right there. Someone will have to catch the ball with Marqise Lee out, and Moncrief for appears to be the better target. Bortles likely will find someone he trusts and while it's probably Moncrief, look for Westbrook to play the spoiler. FAAB: Moncrief $3-$6; Westbrook $2-$4

Antonio Callaway, CLE - The absence of Josh Gordon on Sunday meant Callaway started and saw his snaps increase from 15 to 50 in only one week. He caught what had the chance to be the game-winning touchdowns from Tyrod Taylor before Lane Gonzalez missed the extra point. News came out Monday that Jarvis Landry is battling a knee injury and suddenly the Browns' wide receivers are looking really thin. As a result, Callaway will be a bigger part of the offense with upside, considering his 4.41 40 speed. FAAB: $2-$4

TIGHT END
Hail Mary

Jesse James, PIT - The 5-138-1 line jumps out to fantasy owners, but Sunday's game went about as perfect as it could have gone for James. Ben Roethlisberger threw 60 passes with the Steelers playing from behind, and James caught all five targets thrown his way. Vance McDonald was also targeted five times, making it a timeshare with James. McDonald was banged up Week 1 and James would be bumped up if McDonald misses any time. This pick is more for leagues that start two tight ends rather than standard formats. FAAB: $1 or FCFS