Week 3 Waiver Wire Top Pickups & Adds: Jerrick McKinnon To Lead Injured 49ers

I could throw every cliche in the book out there for what Week 2 meant for injuries in the wavier wire. The Red Wedding Game of Thrones episode might sum it up in the best way possible. From the knowledge we have now, Saquon Barkley is done for the season while plenty more left the field this week. Christian McCaffrey didn’t return late in the fourth, while Raheem Mostert is expected to miss a few weeks. Parris Campbell was carted off, but it is not confirmed if he will be out for the season. Davante Adams also left late. The next few days will carry noteworthy news. Tune into our Week 3 fantasy football rankings & projections, to help guide you throughout the week with any decisions that you have.

Quarterbacks

Gardner Minshew – Jacksonville Jaguars

Average % Rostered: 20%, FAAB: 4%

Generally, we like quarterbacks on bad teams because the volume is always high through the air. That being said most of the field was out on Gardner Minshew, yet he has 20 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. The Jaguars defense is brutal and this will be a reoccurring theme where Minshew just needs to rack up yards. Minshew also has a friendly schedule over the next few weeks with Miami, Cincinnati, Houston, and Detroit all before the Bye Week.

Running Backs

Jerrick McKinnon – San Francisco 49ers

Average % Rostered: 19%, FAAB: 10%

With Raheem Mostert dealing with a sprained knee, Jerrick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman will be the next man up. I expect split touches as usual with a Kyle Shanahan offense, but McKinnon is the better athlete and has the higher upside. The 49ers are hurting on both sides of the ball and McKinnon also presents a threat being a receiver. He has looked great when spelling Mostert so far in two weeks and he gets the Giants, Eagles, and Dolphins over the next three weeks.

Joshua Kelley – Los Angeles Chargers

Average % Rostered: 25%, FAAB: 5%

In a game where we thought it would be tricky for Joshua Kelley to get some work, he had 25 touches. Both him and Austin Ekeler had a great game against the Chiefs defense. It is clear that Kelley is going to have a strong role in this offense. It is an easier matchup this week against Carolina. With so many backs going down, Kelley is the guy I am looking at in comparison to a Dion Lewis who is just in a terrible situation now starting for the Giants.

James Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Average % Rostered: 50%, FAAB: 10%

James Robinson’s percentage rostered went up after last week as expected, but he is still out there in half of the leagues. Robinson had another strong week where he had 16 attempts for 102 yards and a score. He also had three catches for 18 yards. As mentioned above, the Jaguars have a favorable schedule coming up with Miami, Cincinnati, Houston, and Detroit. These are four run defenses I will be looking to exploit.

Darrell Henderson – Los Angeles Rams

Average % Rostered: 45%, FAAB: 5%

In Week 1 it was Malcolm Brown who had the big day. In Week 2, it was Darrell Henderson. Both need to be picked up and both are viable moving forward. This is certainly a hot-hand committee but Cam Akers potentially missing time means it would just be Henderson and Brown. Given the state of the position, both are worthy of a start as the volume will be there for both. However, it could be frustrating to be on the wrong side of the one having the big week.

Wide Receivers

Corey Davis – Tennessee Titans

Average % Rostered: 27%, FAAB: 7%

We are not quite sure how long A.J. Brown is out, but Corey Davis isn’t someone to hold off on even if Brown does come back. Davis has had back-to-back strong weeks and with Ryan Tannehill under center, this is an offense that is moving the ball. Davis has 13 targets and ten catches over the first two games. He is worth a look next week against the Vikings before facing Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts

Average % Rostered: 15%, FAAB: 5%

Parris Campbell was carted off in the win over Minnesota, and it sounds like he avoided a torn ACL. Campbell is still expected to miss some time and Michael Pittman Jr. is next in line. Pittman saw six targets, catching four of them for 37 yards. Pittman would end up tied in targets after the game was over. With Jack Doyle out already, there are certainly targets up for grabs for the rookie.

Allen Lazard – Green Bay Packers

Average % Rostered: 33%, FAAB: 6%

It was the Packers ground game to do most of the damage after the passing attack went wild in Week 1. Allen Lazard is someone I am picking up solely due to being a number two in this offense. However, if Davante Adams ends up missing time, that would open up a ton of targets. Green Bay is about to step into some shootout potential games as they face the Saints and Falcons over the next two weeks.

Laviska Shenault Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars

Average % Rostered: 13%, FAAB: 5%

Laviska Shenault Jr. is doing a little bit of everything and he had another game where his real-life production was better than his fantasy production. He had over 70 yards through the air and on the ground. Shenault had eight touches total as he continues to work in the run game at times. I won’t write up the matchups a third time, but as mentioned above there are plenty of enticing matchups for this offense moving forward.

Tight Ends

Jonnu Smith – Tennessee Titans

Average % Rostered: 38%, FAAB: 15%

The Jonnu Smith breakout season is leaving the station and this is your last chance to get on board. Smith is coming off a massive Week 2 where he went for a 4-84-2 line. He is now up to eight catches, over 100 yards, and three scores through the first three games of the season. Smith has matchups against Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. The Steelers is the only tough matchup for tight ends out of the three.

Logan Thomas – Washington Football Team

Average % Rostered: 10%, FAAB: 5%

Logan Thomas is getting a ton of volume right now as he has 17 targets over the first two games of the season. He has eight catches and should have had a bigger day today. With this type of volume, Thomas is worth a pick up given there are a few tight ends with injuries already and you might need a starter. Cleveland is a strong matchup as they have struggled against tight ends dating back to last season.