The waiver period of Week 3 may be over but that does not mean you still can’t make moves to improve your roster before Thursday night’s game. While many big names were likely claimed on Wednesday let’s take a look at some players who might still be floating around the waiver wire that you should grab.
Quarterback
Brian Hoyer, CHI- For as mediocre of a QB that Hoyer has been at times during his NFL career in 2015 he actually was pretty solid for Houston as he completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions over 11 games. In relief of Jay Cutler on Monday night he completed 9-of-12 passes for 78 yards. In Week 3 the Bears face off against the Cowboys who have allowed Eli Manning to toss three touchdowns in Week 1 and Kirk Cousins to throw for 363 yards in Week 2. The lack of success in the running game for Chicago this season should lead to Hoyer having to throw the ball in order to beat the Cowboys so if you find yourself in of a quarterback in Week 3 there’s a chance that Hoyer might be the best available left on the wire.
Jacoby Brissett, NE- I get it, this is definitely a reach but as some of you have let me know in the comment sections you are in deeper formats and in some instances two quarterback leagues so let’s highlight the Patriots starting QB for Week 3 shall we? Brissett was taken in the third round by the Patriots this year with the hope and expectations that he would never actually need to see the field. Unfortunately Brady’s suspension was upheld and Jimmy Garoppolo was injured half way through Week 2 which led to Brissett’s debut. Against the Dolphins Brissett completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards which included him leading the Patriots down field on a scoring drive finished off by a Legarette Blount TD. Brissett was impressive during the preseason, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 387 yards and a touchdown and some feel that he actually outplayed Garoppolo. Brissett will face a very tough test against a Texans defense that leads the NFL in sacks but New England’s quick passing attack and the potential return of Rob Gronkowski could allow for Brissett to have a solid debut. If you are in dire straight give Brissett a shot because if any coach can get the most out of his players it’s Bill Belichick.
Brock Osweiler, HOU- On the other side of the Thursday night matchup we have Brock Osweiler who has been decent over the first two weeks for Houston. He faces off against a Patriots defense that has a notorious bend but don’t break play style which should bode well for his yardage totals and in all likelihood he will find the end zone at least once as New England has allowed two passing touchdowns in each of the first two games. Malcom Butler is going to likely play man on DeAndre Hopkins which means Will Fuller draws Logan Ryan who has certainly been inconsistent during his tenure in New England and is susceptible to giving up the big play and I fully expect Houston to take some shots down field in this game.
Running Back
Dwayne Washington, DET- The Lions placed Ameer Abdullah on IR Wednesday leaving Theo Riddick as the team’s starting running back and Dwayne Washington as the man backing him up. Riddick has never been a feature back in an offense and his skill set is far more suited to be a pass catcher out of the backfield than handing the early down carries so enter rookie Dwyane Washington who carried the ball four times for 31 yards in Week 2 and punched in a one yard touchdown run in Week 1. While Riddick will certainly start the game for Detroit my guess would be that Washington sees close to 10+ carries and could find the end zone if Detroit gets down by the goal line.
Cameron Artis-Payne, CAR- Artis-Payne was inactive last week but with Jonathan Stewart suffering a hamstring injury Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters that Artis-Payne will be active in Week 3 and will play. Fozzy Whittaker will get the start but there is a good chance that by day’s end both backs see their fair share of playing time. If Whittaker is not in your leagues free agent pool then Artis-Payne is a solid speculative add.
Dexter McCluster, SD- I don’t like this anymore than you do but with Danny Woodhead suffering a season ending injury in Week 2 the Chargers will feature McCluster as their third down and passing catching running back. McCluster has had some decent seasons catching the ball, having totaled 1,957 yards over 229 career catches and seeing how prominent Danny Woodhead was in the Chargers game plan there is certainly some potential upside here if he can get on the same page with Philip Rivers.
Wide Receiver
Nelson Agholor, Phi – Agholor has been targeted 12 times over the first two weeks, catching eight passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He is the team’s No.2 receiver and with Ertz out of the lineup he is also the No.2 receiving option. Agholor was the Eagles first round pick in 2015 and is considered a sleeper by most coming into the year. He is owned in just 10 percent of standard leagues and Philly figures to be in a shootout against the Steelers in Week 3 which could bring about a solid game from Agholor.
Breshad Perriman, Bal – I was big on Perriman coming into the season because his ability is off the wall and so far this season he has been a big downfield target by Joe Flacco and while the two have only connected on three of seven targets so far this year I feel like a big game could be coming. Perriman is a speculative add but the Ravens have two favorable matchups coming up against the Jaguars in Week 3 and Oakland in Week 4 who have struggled against the pass this season and could mean for a big game from Perriman.
Cole Beasley, Dal – Beasley has been targeted 18 times over the first two weeks, resulting in 13 catches for 140 yards. Rookie Dak Prescott is having little trouble dumping off to Beasley while teams protect against Dez Bryant and the deep ball. Beasley is unlikely to be an end zone threat but if you are in PPR leagues there is definite value here based off the first two weeks of the season.
Tight End
Trey Burton, Phi – Many expected Brent Celek to be the guy to replace Zach Ertz in Week 2 and while Celek got the start it was Burton who did the damage as he caught five of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. With Ertz questionable for Week 3 it would seem likely that Burton again takes over as the teams pass catching tight end while Celek continues to be more of a blocker in the Eagles offense.
Jack Doyle, Ind – Doyle has been targeted nine times over the first two weeks of the season and while he did not find the end zone in Week 2 he saw more targets and out produced starting tight end Dwayne Allen. While Allen still figures to be the starting tight end in Week 3 and should be the better player this season it is hard to ignore what Doyle has done to this point. The tight end position in fantasy is always very shallow and if Doyle is seeing the targets he is worth adding.