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This column is your go-to source for dynasty leagues, waiver wire analysis and trade targets for these types of longer-term fantasy football dynasty formats. While some of these players may contribute to your dynasty teams rather quickly, we will also be listing some players that are longer term plays as well.
Also, I will not be discussing players that are owned in a majority of fantasy football leagues. With the exception of Dwayne Allen, all of the below players are owned in less than 40% of Fleaflicker leagues, and most are owned in significantly less than that. These players are widely available on most waiver wires - so if they are still available in your dynasty leagues, then you should consider adding them for Week 3 and beyond. If they are already owned in your dynasty league, then you should keep an eye on them or consider trading for them based on long-term upside.
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy football waiver wire pickups list is updated constantly, and is a running list of waiver wire pickups for all positions. You can also read more in-depth waiver wire analysis at each position, as we dig deeper and identify even more waiver wire options weekly. Here are some of the other Week 3 waiver wire articles:
- Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups Overview for Fantasy Football
- Week 3 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
- Week 3 Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
- Week 3 Tight Ends: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
- Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 3: Fantasy Tiers & Rankings
Dynasty Quarterbacks - Pickups & Trade Targets
Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater
Both the Jaguars and the Vikings struggled mightily this past week. Sure we can blame the whole team as a unit for each of their losses, but it’s hard to look past Matt Cassel’s four interceptions and Chad Henne being sacked a whopping ten times.
Get ready fantasy football fans, because both the Bortles and Bridgewater eras should be starting soon. Both quarterbacks are exciting, young, talented football players, and are potential NFL and fantasy football stars in the making. Even though they are only owned in 15% of Fleaflicker leagues, chances are that both Bortles and Bridgewater are already rostered in your dynasty leagues. If not, then add them off the waiver wire immediately. And if so, now may be the time to consider trading for them.
Dynasty Running Backs - Pickups & Trade Targets
Isaiah Crowell, Khiry Robinson, Bobby Rainey, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Jerick McKinnon
As expected, Ben Tate is hurt yet again. While Terrence West is the obvious beneficiary, don’t be surprised if the talented Isaiah Crowell starts to eat into West’s carries while Tate is sidelined.
With Mark Ingram's recent injury news, the Saints will look to Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas to shoulder the load. Thomas is more of a pass catching RB, while Robinson should get most of the early down and goal line work.
The Doug Martin of 2 years ago has been missing for quite sometime now. On top of underperforming, Martin hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Early reports are saying Martin could be back for Week 3, but even then Rainey is worth rostering in every league. Rainey has done nothing but impress when given the opportunity. Look for Martin to be on a short leash when he returns.
The Ravens backfield is a complete mess. Justin Forsett performed admirably in Week 1 and was by far the most impressive running back. That being said, Forsett is a journeymen (soon to be 29 years of age) who isn’t built to carry the load. Pierce was given over 20 carries in their Week 2 matchup, but looked average at best. Next comes Lorenzo Taliaferro. Taliaferro is currently listed as the 3rd string RB behind Pierce and Forsett, but unlike Forsett, Taliaferro is a big bruising back that can be an every down back. All he needs is an injury or slip-up from Pierce, and the job could be his.
With all of the news and uncertainty surrounding the Vikings and Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon becomes a more intriguing name to pickup off the waiver wire and stash. If Peterson ends up being suspended, and misses any more time, then McKinnon can find himself in the running back mix. Based on physical talents, he is the 2nd best running back on this team after Peterson.
Dynasty Wide Receivers - Pickups & Trade Targets
Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, Mohamed Sanu, John Brown
While Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans took the fame and glory for this year’s wide receiver draft class, Allen Robinson went overlooked by many. Drawing comparisons to Julio Jones and A.J. Green, Robinson has one of the highest ceilings of all the rookies in the NFL. Cecil Shorts and Allen Hurns are both currently injured, and Marqise Lee isn’t an ironman himself - if things continue at this rate, Robinson might soon run away with the No. 1 wide receiver job of the Jaguars. He already posted up a solid 4-75 stat line in a week that his QB got sacked 10 times, and Blake Bortles will only add to Robinson’s value long term.
It looks like Davante Adams has passed Jarrett Boykin on the WR depth chart for Green Bay, getting more snaps than Boykin and racking up five catches on seven targets. Any wide receiver playing with Rodgers can become a fantasy hero.
A.J. Green had to leave this past week’s game with a foot injury. No word yet on how long he could be out, but regardless Sanu should be rostered as soon as possible.
John Brown is more of a speculative add, looking towards 2015. Larry Fitzgerald might not be in Arizona past this year, and Brown could take over the No.2 wide receiver spot on a pass-first offense for years to come.
Dynasty Tight Ends - Pickups & Trade Targets
Jermaine Gresham, Dwayne Allen, Larry Donnell
Gresham isn’t going to win anyone a fantasy championship, and it may be a bit surprising to see him on this list. But with the Tyler Eifert injury news, Gresham should see an uptake in his snaps and production for fantasy football owners.
Dwayne Allen seems fully recovered from all those nagging injuries he dealt with last year. On top of being an above average pass catcher, he’s going to be catching passes from Andrew Luck for the foreseeable future, so I like his chances long term.
Larry Donnell is a name that 99% of fantasy football owners probably did not know just a few weeks ago. While I wouldn’t go overboard to get him off the waiver, he could be a decent plug-and-play option especially in PPR leagues. The number one thing that scares me away from Donnell is the offense in which he plays for. The Giants offense looks as terrible as ever. I don’t know if Eli Manning will ever be a productive and consistent QB in the NFL again.
