Another NFL Sunday is in the books, and after two weeks we have a little bit more clarity on which players carry real fantasy value versus which ones are just a flash in the pan. Here are some considerations to add via the waiver wire ahead of Week 3.
QUARTERBACKS
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Most of us wrote off Fitzmagic’s Week 1 400-plus yard four-touchdown performance against the Saints … and then he did it again to the Eagles in Week 2. Time to buy in. Get more bang for your fantasy dollar at Yahoo DFS.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars — Fitzpatrick is probably the only QB worth going out of your way to add if he’s free, but if someone snags him ahead of you, and you have an emergency at QB, Bortles looked great agains the Patriots and has a cushy matchup at home against the Titans in Week 3.
RUNNING BACKS
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals — Joe Mixon is out for 2-4 Weeks with a knee injury, meaning Gio should see the bulk of the work in this backfield. Bernard has just 12 touches for 51 yards so far this season, but with the jump he’s about to see in his workload, expect him to be one of the most popular adds this week.
Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts — Even with the return of Marlon Mack, Wilkins looked like the primary RB in Week 2. With Wilkins leading the team in carries, yards and snaps for RBs, he’s the guy to own here for now.
Javorius Allen, Baltimore Ravens — I was high on Alex Collins heading into the season, but Buck Allen’s had a much bigger role than expected. The two split snaps on Sunday, and Allen is averaging 10 touches a week with a pair of scores already.
Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles — Clement benefited from the absence of Darren Sproles, and Jay Ajayi also missed pieces of Sunday’s game. That said, if there are any long-term injuries in the Eagles’ backfield, Clement would have significant value. He totaled 85 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches against the Bucs.
WIDE RECEIVERS
John Brown, Baltimore Ravens — We heard whispers of Browns’ involvement in the Ravens offense, but he still managed to go underrated in most leagues. Two weeks in, and Brown’s scored a touchdown in both games and secured just 7-of-14 targets for 136 yards.
Antonio Callaway, Cleveland Browns — While Josh Gordon’s move to the Patriots will be a big talking point in the fantasy community this week, let’s not forget the impact from the Cleveland side of the deal. Callaway was promoted to the starting lineup Sunday against the Saints and turned that role into 81 yards and a touchdown.
DeSean Jackson/Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — These guys go hand-in-hand with the Fitzpatrick add, but both have been terrific thus far. Jackson is somehow available in more leagues than you think, and is off to a blazing start through two games — 9-275-3 line.
Keelan Cole/Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars — There’s no true WR1 in Jacksonville, but both of these guys have been really solid through two weeks. Cole went for an impressive 7-113-1 line against the Patriots, while Westbrook managed 4-83-1.
TIGHT ENDS
Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers — James was solid in Week 1, but was expected to fade with Vance McDonald back in the mix. Instead he went off for 138 yards and a touchdown, catching all five of his targets. In this offense, he provides great value.
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Keep piling on the Bucs until they finally let us down. Howard was a first-round pick in 2017, and has the potential to be one of the game’s elite TEs. Howard brought a 75-yarder to the house on Sunday on his way to 96 yards.
DEFENSE
New York Jets/Cleveland Browns — If you need to make a move at defense, I like targeting the Thursday game, which happens to be between these two teams. With just 39 points projected, both teams are much stronger on the defensive side of the ball.
