Welcome back readers. We've made it past Week 2, but not all of us made it. NFL Sunday might as well have been a morgue, with Danny Woodhead (torn ACL), Jonathan Stewart (hamstring), Doug Martin (hamstring), Arian Foster (groin), Rashad Jennings (left hand), Ameer Abdullah (sprained foot), Jimmy Garapollo (shoulder) and Josh McCown (shoulder) all going down. I'm telling you, it was ugly.
The good news is that means waivers in week 2 will be active and crazy. Tons of running backs to consider and some wide receivers who may have been discarded to keep an eye on. Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 3. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 3 options.
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FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
We mentioned Carson Wentz ($8) here last week, and we remain impressed. He is the No. 1 QB to consider for Week 3.
Ryan Tannehill (QB, MIA) – FAAB Bid: $3
57% owned in Fleaflicker
There were few bright spots for the Dolphins in the first half on Sunday. They were being outscored 24-3 in the second quarter and Arian Foster just left the game with a groin injury. The loss of Foster left the Dolphins with no form of a running game, and in turn allowed Tannehill to start showing fantasy value in 2016. With the Dolphins down big they spread it out via the air. Tannehill completed 32 of 45 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns, peppering Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker with targets. To further illustrate the lack of a running game, Tannehill's 35 rushing yards led the team.
Going forward we can't expect Tanny to air it 45 times a game, as the Dolphins won't always be down big. But we do know Arian Foster cannot be trusted to stay healthy or return to his All-Pro form, while Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake aren't difference makers. This means Tannehill will be throwing it often and with Parker reportedly still getting to full health and Landry seeing 130+ targets, they are happy receivers. His next opponent is the Browns at home, an excellent fantasy situation. He's an add for teams looking to stream at QB.
Sam Bradford (QB, MIN) - FAAB Bid: $1
23% owned in Fleaflicker
There were good and bad parts about Bradford's performance on Sunday Night. The good was everything involving Stefon Diggs, as the stud receiver went off for nine catches and 182 yards with a touchdown. Bradford also showed a strong understanding for the playbook for have only been with the team for two weeks. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, more than serviceable. The bad was his left hand. Seriously, that thing looks awful. He's one big hit to his hand from being out for a significant amount of time.
Bradford plays at Carolina this week, a horrible fantasy situation. The Vikings will try to control the pace of the game and let their defense keep them in it, but if they cannot establish a running game without Adrian Peterson they may found themselves down quickly. That will lead to garbage time, but I wouldn't be betting on that for fantasy purposes. He's only worth playing in 2-QB leagues.
Also Consider: Dak Prescott - $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
We mentioned Charles Sims ($15) last week. If he is still available, he would be No. 2 behind McKinnon,
Jerick McKinnon (MIN, RB) - FAAB Bid: $25 and Matt Asiata (MIN, RB) - FAAB Bid: $5
32% owned in Fleaflicker and 3% owned in Fleaflicker
Remember during draft season when we advocated to grab handcuffs? Week 2 wasn't a reminder, it was punishment. The biggest name to hit the shelf was Adrian Peterson, who suffered a torn meniscus on Sunday night. Normally that requires a 4-6 week absence, but AD is not made of the same material as you and I. Realistically, I anticipate the Vikings resting Peterson into their Bye week in Week 6 and having him fresh Week 7. That means three weeks of fantasy production to find.
There's touches for both Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata. Let's start with McKinnon. McKinnon, a 5'9" scat back from Georgia Southern (GATA), is by far the more explosive back averaging 4.9 yards per carry in his career. He also has the better hands of the two and has 50 reception in 2+ years with Minnesota. He would the obvious choice, if not for reports of a "65-35" split with Asiata. The Vikings trust Asiata between the tackles and a pass-blocking back, which also means goal-line touches. This eats into both of their values and causes a conundrum for fantasy owners.
Our advice -- target the more talented back, which is McKinnon in this case. The Vikings have a tough road date with Carolina, where they will likely have trouble establishing the run. This should lead to more passing downs and McKinnon on the receiving end of dink and dunks. McKinnon is an RB2 going forward while Asiata is a RB3/RB4.
Fozzy Whittaker (CAR, RB) - FAAB Bid: $8
2% owned in Fleaflicker
Jonathan Stewart was looking like he was heading towards a strong Week 2 until leaving the game in the second quarter. One man's loss is another's gain, as Whittaker took over and dominated. He had 16 carries for 100 yards versus a run defense that stuffed Todd Gurley. Stewart is expected to miss 1-2 weeks, making Whittaker an appealing add for Week 3.
The Panthers have a home date with the Vikings, a top-10 run defense that stifled the Packers on Sunday. Factor in Cameron-Artis Payne was a healthy scratch on Sunday and is expected to play this week, and suddenly Whittaker doesn't look as appealing. If you are truly desperate at RB (think AP/Woodhead/Stewart bad), then I approve of this add.
Shane Vereen (NYG, RB) – FAAB Bid: $1
29% owned in Fleaflicker
The Saints-Giants game was a friendly reminder that you can never predict the NFL. While everyone expected a shootout on par with the 49-42 thriller in New Orleans last year, they battled to a 16-13 slugfest with the Giants pulling it out late. While the Giants are glad to get the win, they cannot be pleased with losing Rashad Jennings. Jennings reportedly had his left arm heavily bandaged and is uncertain for Week 3, leaving an empty void in the Giants backfield. Unlike last year's 4-headed monstrosity, the only quality back left is Shane Vereen.
Vereen was boring on the ground, rushing 14 times for 42 yards (3.0 ypc) but caught all three targets for 24 yards. Jennings wasn't tearing it up either (2.1 ypc), although I have trouble giving the Saints defense credit. The Giants play Washington next, a run defense that was carved up by DeAngelo Williams Week 1 and allowed 4.0 yards per carry from Ezekiel Elliot Week 2. If Vereen gets the start, he is RB2 material this week.
40% owned in Fleaflicker
Also Consider: Cameron Artis-Payne (CAR, RB) - $3 ; Kenneth Farrow (SD, RB) - $1 ; Dwayne Washington (DET, RB) - $1 ; Jay Ajayi (MIA, RB) - $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
DeVante Parker (MIA, WR) - FAAB Bid: $9
76% owned in Fleaflicker
Dolphins fans are probably tired of seeing Parker featured in waiver wire pieces. The immensely talented but often injured receiver teased Dolphins fans to end 2015 but looked rusty Week one, but have no fear Dolphinites. Parker is here and ready to make his presence felt.
Parker saw 13 targets and turned them into eight catches for 106 yards in a catchup game, but it was important to see him involved after a quiet start. He is now averaging 78.7 yards per game since Week 12 of last season and has established himself as the No. 2 receiver in Miami, leaving Kenny Stills to WR3 duties. With Rishard Matthews gone as well, it Parker's job to lose and he's too talented to let that happen. Consider Parker a WR3 for Week 3 versus Cleveland and a WR3/WR4 going forward.
Quincy Enunwa (NYJ, WR) - FAAB Bid: $7
12% owned in Fleaflicker
In case you don't remember Thursday Night Football, here's a quick refresher; Jets win shootout 37-31, Ryan Fitzpatrick carves Bills D, Bills offense coordinator get fired. Make sense?
If there is one thing to remember, it is the emergence of Quincy Enunwa. In a stacked Jets receivers corp, Enunwa stood out with his play by catching all six targets for 92 yards, including a beautiful 34-yard grab to keep a first-quarter drive moving and set the tone for the Jets offense. Enunwa is made from the same tree as Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, standing 6'2" and 220. He's made a noticeable improvement with his pass-catching skills in his third season and is only 24 years old. If B-Marsh and Decker were gone, Enunwa would instantly be a fantasy option. But considering Marshall's MCL strain and Decker nursing a sore shoulder, it is worth stashing Enunwa should an injury occur. He's a WR4 but would become a WR2 should either receiver miss time.
Victor Cruz (NYG, WR) - FAAB Bid: $6
52% owned in Fleaflicker
I never thought I'd be typing this after Cruz missed two years, but the salsa dance is back. Cruz continued to be a focal point of the Giants offense, catching four-of-eight targets for 91 yards, including a key 41 yard grab in traffic at the four-yard line to ice the game for the Giants.
It was an interesting series of events. The previously play Eli Manning targeted Odell Beckham Jr. down the left side line and ODB dropped a wide open touchdown grab. The next play, Manning targets Cruz to the right and Cruz beats coverage to secure the grab. It's easily a vote of confidence to Cruz's performance and he can continue to expect to see targets in the Giants offense. Don't go crazy come FAAB time. There is still Beckham and Sterling Shepard around, making Cruz more of a FLEX play going forward.
Also Consider: Jamison Crowder (WAS, WR) - $4 ; Torrey Smith (SF, WR) - $1 ; Sammie Coates (PIT, WR) - $1 ; Anquan Boldin (DET, WR) - $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
If Jesse James ($8), Jacob Tamme ($6), and Dennis Pitta ($4) are still available, they are my first choices and were featured here last week. Here are some other low-owned tight ends to consider:
Clive Watford (OAK, TE) - FAAB Bid: $2
30% owned in Fleaflicker
The Falcons-Raiders had shootout written all over it, and it delivered with a 35-28 thriller for the Falcons. As for Clive Watford, he saw seven targets (2nd on team) and turned them into six catches for 50 yards, including a 31-yard catch and run touchdown from Derek Carr. If you take out the big play, he caught five for 19 yards, but it's a good day nonetheless.
Watford gets the Titans this week. They allowed Eric Ebron to catch four passes for 53 yards, a solid day but TE2 material. You're only rostering Watford in deep leagues.
Kyle Rudolph (MIN, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1
45% owned in Fleaflicker
The Reindeer is probably the happiest Viking besides Diggs to see Bradford, as he finally has a QB that targets the tight end. Bradford utilized Zach Ertz extensively in Philadelphia and used Rudolph like so on Sunday, targeting him eight times for three catches and 31 yards with a touchdown. Rudolph is best served as a safety valve which is exactly what Bradford prefers. The Vikings date with the Panthers suits that type of offense as it will be difficult to move the ball all day, but you can't roster Rudolph given the alternatives likely available.
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