September 19, 2017

Chris Mangano's wide receiver waiver wire pickups for Week 3 of fantasy football. NFL free agent WRs to add off waivers, and PPR sleepers for Week 3 of 2017.

Unlike Week 1, Week 2 didn't offer a lot in the way of must-grab waiver wire wide receivers. Still, there could be guys who should have been picked up last week available as well as a a few that look like they could be headed for a bigger role.

This article will aim to highlight Week 3 waiver wire adds for wide receivers, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire if available. Wide Receivers will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate. If you are not sure who you should add, find me on twitter @ChrisMangano, and I will be more than happy to help you out.

Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 3 waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB

Frontrunners for Week 3 - Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

This group consists of wide receivers that I would recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across fantasy leagues.

Marqise Lee (WR, JAX) 34% owned

Lee was a suggested add last week but he is still only owned in 34% of leagues. While most people will look at the gaudy stat line of Allen Hurns, Lee actually led this team with 12 targets. What also bodes well for his future prospects is that Lee now has 196 air yards on the season which ranks 11th best. Lee should be a must-add if he is on your waivers.

J.J. Nelson (WR, ARI) 18% owned

Nelson was one of our dark horse picks last week. He benefited greatly from the injury to John Brown and looked like the Cardinals best receiver. He turned seven targets into 120 yards and a touchdown. He has 192 air yards on the season and should continue to produce if Brown misses more time. On a Cardinals team sure to be airing it out without their top RB either, Nelson needs to be owned.

Rashard Higgins (WR, CLE) 0% owned

Higgins was just called up off the practice squad and took full advantage of his opportunity. He led the Browns with 11 targets and had seven catches for 95 yards. He also had a very impressive 131 air yards. With Corey Coleman out for the forseeable future with a broken hand, and Kenny Britt looking like he wants to be anywhere but on a football field, Higgins is a great stash at the end of your bench. If you're desperate he will face a weak Colts secondary in week 3.

In The Running - Week 3 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

This group consists of wide receivers widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds, but could be worth stashing or streaming if the above options are already taken.

Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ) 6% owned

We listed Kearse in this section last week and he almost made it into the must-add tier ahead of Higgins. Kearse had another strong week with four catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns. He has 150 air yards on the season, good enough for 27th. If you have space on your bench, Kearse is a good add.

Allen Hurns (WR, JAX) 26% owned

Hurns was another popular add last week but is still only 26% owned. While he was out-targeted by Lee, he posted a garbage time stat line of six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He ranks 25th in air yards with 156 as well. Most of his stats were put up in garbage time so don't break the bank for him. We'd still prefer Lee, but with Allen Robinson out for the season Hurns will get his share of work.

Devin Funchess (WR, CAR) 13% owned

With the news that Greg Olsen broke his foot on Sunday, the Panthers will be without one of Cam Newton's favorite passing weapons. This should open up opportunities for other players and Funchess seems likely to benefit. With Olsen out of the lineup he saw seven targets and caught four passes for 68 yards. While his low air yards total is concerning, he is worth stashing to see how his role changes with Olsen out. The Panthers get the Saints next week, so even if you're not desperate for a WR, Funchess could be a strong flex play.

Dark Horses - Week 3 Wide Receivers Waiver Wire

This group consists of wide receivers who are more of a desperation play. They could serve as a bye week fill-in, short-term injury replacement or weekly lottery ticket.

Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) 40% owned

Lockett seems to be returning to health and looks ready to be the number two receiver on this Seattle team. In week two Lockett led the Seahawks with nine targets and hauled in six catches for 64 yards. Despite only three targets in week one he now has as many targets as Paul Richardson on the season. This passing game has struggled so far, but you have to think they'll right the ship eventually. The number two wideout on this offense should have value.

Brandon Coleman (WR, NO) 1% owned

With Willie Snead serving a suspension, and Ted Ginn struggling to catch, Coleman broke out in week two with a four-catch, 82-yard one-touchdown day. While his role in the offense will likely not increase any time soon, he is worth stashing in the off chance that it does.

Kendall Wright (WR, CHI) 15% owned

Still low-owned, Wright is the number one receiver on this team, for whatever that is worth. Against the Buccaneers, he led the team with 10 targets and caught seven passes for 69 yards. He did have a couple of bad drops late in the game, which shows why he was freely available as a free agent this offseason, but opportunity is still there for targets. His low air yards, just 84, make him a stash in PPR formats only. The Bears will likely be in negative game script each week and someone has to catch footballs on this team.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Analysis