Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings & Pickups to Target (Week 3)

Our analysts combine to provide rankings for weekly waiver wire targets. We’ll help you prioritize your bids for the week ahead. And check out even more waiver wire advice here.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Matthew Stafford (LAR): 35% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, @IND, PHI
• True value: $6
• Desperate Need: $11
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: Rumors of Matthew Stafford‘s demise may have been premature. His arm is back to Howitzer strength, and despite missing Cooper Kupp, Stafford has developed a strong bond with his younger receivers. Puka Nacua is proving to be a very reliable chain mover, and Tutu Atwell has been good on deep and intermediate routes. Look for Stafford to continue his pass-happy ways up to and beyond Kupp’s return.

Roschon Johnson (CHI): 38% rostered

• Next Opponents: @KC, DEN, @WAS
• True value: $17
• Desperate Need: $29
• Budget-minded: $11

Analysis: The inevitable occurred ahead of schedule when D’Onta Foreman was inactive in Week 2, paving the way for stud rookie Roschon Johnson to shoulder a larger workload. Johnson is very well-rounded, and his role as a mop-up checkdown receiver will come in handy with how atrocious the Chicago defense has been.

Tutu Atwell (LAR): 25% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CIN, @IND, PHI
• True value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: After two games, Atwell has been a key cog in the Rams’ passing attack. He’s drawn an 18.2% target share as the clear running mate with Puka Nacua. Atwell has surpassed 70 receiving yards in each game with a strong 2.08 yards per route run. When (if) Cooper Kupp comes back, Atwell could get bumped from the starting lineup, but it’s also possible he sends Van Jefferson to the pine. Until Kupp comes back, Atwell is a weekly WR3/4 with WR2 upside. He’s been impressive with strong route running and a knack for finding the soft spots in zone coverage.

Luke Musgrave (GB): 25% rostered

• Next Opponents: NO, DET, @LVR
• True value: $6
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Musgrave maintained TE1-type usage in Week 2 with 88% of the snaps played and a 96% route participation. His efficiency metrics are also strong through two weeks with a 14% target share and 1.56 YPRR. The problem for Musgrave and the other pass catchers in this offense is passing volume. Jordan Love now has back-to-back games with only 25 passing attempts. Unless he can start regularly spiking touchdowns to pad his limited volume stats, Musgrave won’t be able to reach the TE1 status that his usage implies he can possibly achieve. He’s worth a pickup depending on the state of the tight end position of your roster, but I adamantly state that you DO NOT START HIM THIS WEEK! New Orleans is hell on earth for tight ends. They do not allow production to tight ends.

Kansas City Chiefs: 39% rostered

• Next Opponents: CHI, @NYJ, @MIN
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

The Chiefs get a scrumptious Week 3 matchup against the Bears at home. Chicago has been a mess offensively, with QB Justin Fields throwing three interceptions (including an ill-advised screen pass that the Buccaneers returned for a TD in Week 2) and taking 10 sacks. Fields was the NFL’s most frequently sacked QB last season and has once again been a sack magnet. When the Chiefs’ offense is clicking, they can force opponents to throw to catch up, and more throwing means more chances for sacks and interceptions. The Chiefs also get a juice Week 4 matchup against Zach Wilson and the Jets, so don’t be shy about spending an extra buck.

Brandon Aubrey (DAL): 6% rostered

• Next Opponents: @ARI, NE, @SF
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $3
• Budget-minded: $1

The Cowboys have crushed their first two opponents by a combined score of 70-10, and Aubrey has gone 7-of-7 on field goals and 5-of-6 on extra points. The rookie kicker is bound to have plenty of scoring this week when the Cowboys visit Arizona for what figures to be a squash match against the Cardinals.