Welcome to Week 3 of the season RotoBallers. Every week we analyze, strategize, and materialize the best lineup for Sunday. Most of that work is already finished. You had better already moved Le'Veon back into your starting lineup. You should have already picked up Starks to protect your Lacy investment, or to dangle him in front of the Lacy owner on the trade block.

But the work is not done my friends. The moves that you make Friday and Saturday can change the result of your game that week and maybe even the outcome of your season. By this time, injury reports are out, practice notes are in, and even though the waiver wire has been picked over earlier in the week, there are still some potential week-saving gems sitting out there. Which brings us to the point of this article... to find those fill-in, desperation waiver wire gems that can win you a week or be valuable over the course of a season.

Just last week, my recommendations of Tyrod Taylor (finished QB6) and Karlos Williams (finished RB18) would have helped many teams get over the hump in their Week 2 matchup. Again, the high priority waiver wire finds have been written about all week. Here, we are digging a little deeper (guys owned in ~33% of leagues or less) and finding guys that you can use in a pinch, or long shots that may play out down the road.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Last Minute Waiver Wire Adds: Quarterbacks (QB)

Brandon Weeden (DAL) - 11% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

I can't believe I'm writing this - but for this week, and probably this week only, I like Brandon Weeden. Weeden has always had a big enough arm to get the ball outside the numbers, and playing behind the top offensive line in the game is going to give him the time to do so. He has a juicy matchup against the Atlanta Falcons defense, who admittedly has looked much better under Dan Quinn, but still struggle against the pass. Weeden isn't a top-12 option by any means this week, but if you are in a 2 QB league or need some Drew Brees insurance, Weeden can be a one week answer.

Last Minute Waiver Wire Adds: Running Backs (RB)

Dexter McCluster (TEN) - 10% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

I wrote up McCluster earlier in the week, calling him a hail mary play for Week 3. I still feel the same about McCluster - he is a boom or bust candidate that likely depends on hitting a big play. But I love McCluster's talent, and it's just a matter of whether or not he is on the field enough to make a difference. After a 10 carry 98 yard performance last week, it looks like McCluster is going to force his way onto the field. And with Terrance West fumbling in each of the first two games, it should be McCluster who is splitting the workload with Bishop Sankey going forward.

Chris Polk (HOU) - 19% owned in FleaFlicker leagues

I think Polk will act as the lead back on Sunday for Houston who looks to again be without Arian Foster. This is a team that has to get something going on the ground, because Ryan Mallett is certainly not carrying them through the air. So far it's been a pretty even split of work between Polk, Alfred Blue, and Jonathan Grimes - but I think Polk will get it going against Tampa Bay. I could see 10-12 touches here for 60 yards, and a chance at a touchdown.

Last Minute Waiver Wire Adds: Wide Receivers (WR)

Cole Beasley (DAL) - 13% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

I wrote Beasley up here last week, and I'm doing so again. Even after the four catch for 14 yard day against the Eagles in Week 2, I'm a believer. Listen - Dez Bryant is out, Jason Witten is hurt, and Brandon Weeden is going to need to hit some short quick hitting routes to get in a rhythm. My whole pitch on Beasley last week was that for his career, he scores more than one fantasy point per target - and that with the current state of the Cowboys offense, the targets should come his way. He played half the snaps last week and got five targets. I expect eight targets this week, which traditionally means an average of 8 points for Beasley.

Devin Funchess (CAR) - 28% owned in all Fleaflicker leagues

A fantasy darling in the offseason after the Kelvin Benjamin injury, it's time for Funchess to show a sign of being able to be a usable receiver, or we may need to forget his name for the rest of the season. He's done virtually nothing up to this point, but head coach Ron Rivera said that he would receive more opportunities with the injury to Jericho Cotchery. Cam is going to need someone to throw to aside from Greg Olsen and Tedd Ginn, so Funchess may get his chance to finally make a fantasy impact.

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]