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Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Football Pickups Include Carson Steele, Quentin Johnston, Hunter Henry, Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor, Bucky Irving

Samaje Perine - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy football waiver wire rankings for Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. Top free agent options to add off waivers, and our rankings will help you prioritize.

Howdy RotoBallers! It's time to focus on who to pick up for Week 3 that could boost your fantasy football teams. There were a lot of critical injuries on Sunday, including Kansas City Chiefs star running back Isiah Pacheco, who will go on injured reserve after initial tests revealed he suffered a fractured fibula in Sunday's win over the Bengals. Star wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Cooper Kupp are all set to miss time with injuries. At RotoBaller HQ, we break down the waiver wire and help you find a replacement for Pacheco, Deebo, or Kupp with our Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire rankings for 2024.

If you started the season (0-2), it's not time to panic yet. There are plenty of players off the waiver that could help turn your season around. Although, some burning questions need to be answered after Sunday's games. Is Samaje Perine, Kareem Hunt, or Carson Steele, Kansas City's primary back with Isiah Pacheco sidelined? Has Quentin Johnston finally emerged after a breakout Week 2 performance? With Puka Nacua on injured reserve and Cooper Kupp expected to miss an extended period of time, is Demarcus Robinson or Tyler Johnson the Rams' top wide receiver with Kupp and Nacua sidelined?

Our waiver wire rankings will help answer these questions -- they've been a staple in the fantasy industry for years, providing a quick-hit list of player names that goes deep into the free agent options each week. For those unfamiliar, one of the industry's sharpest fantasy football minds, Nick Mariano, brings you his weekly waiver wire rankings and priority adds for the top 60 potential options.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 3 Waiver Wire Articles

Before diving into the Week 3 rankings, let's look at some other free waiver wire resources available at RotoBaller.

Each week, our NFL team puts out a complete array of fantasy football waiver wire articles to compliment our slick new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool - bookmark that! Here are more detailed Week 3 waiver wire articles:

 

Who To Pickup for Fantasy Football Week 3?

Finally, below, you'll see our weekly rankings for the relevant waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league (depending on the league size). Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are grouped together at the bottom of the list:

Rank Player Name Position % Ros.
Baller Move
1 Rashid Shaheed WR 62 Add in All Leagues
2 Carson Steele RB 4 Add in 10+ Team Leagues
3 Khalil Shakir WR 59 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
4 Demarcus Robinson WR 42 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
5 Brandin Cooks WR 42 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
6 Samaje Perine RB 4 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
7 Jauan Jennings WR 2 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
8 Ty Chandler RB 29 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
9 Quentin Johnston WR 7 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
10 Gabe Davis WR 34 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
11 Bucky Irving RB 34 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
12 Jerry Jeudy WR 41 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
13 Hunter Henry TE 24 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
14 Chuba Hubbard RB 48 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
15 Rico Dowdle RB 41 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
16 Jalen Nailor WR 1 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
17 Tyler Johnson WR 11 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
18 Cam Akers RB 1 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
19 Braelon Allen RB 10 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
20 Mike Williams WR 31 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
21 Allen Lazard WR 47 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
22 Alexander Mattison RB 38 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
23 Jakobi Meyers WR 41 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
24 Greg Dortch WR 16 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
25 Wan'Dale Robinson WR 20 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
26 Alec Pierce WR 28 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
27 Colby Parkinson TE 50 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
28 Mike Gesicki TE 4 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
29 Jalen McMillan WR 7 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
30 Andrei Iosivas WR 7 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
31 Rashod Bateman WR 11 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
32 Adonai Mitchell WR 26 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
33 Ray Davis RB 14 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
34 Jalen Tolbert WR 2 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
35 Isaac Guerendo RB 6 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
36 Darnell Mooney WR 15 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
37 Jacob Cowing WR 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
38 Justice Hill RB 17 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
39 Jaylen Wright RB 22 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
40 Zach Ertz TE 8 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
41 Jahan Dotson WR 17 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
42 Noah Brown WR 0 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
43 Antonio Gibson RB 16 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
44 D'Onta Foreman RB 1 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
45 Dameon Pierce RB 5 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
46 Luke Schoonmaker TE 3 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
47 Jamaal Williams RB 7 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
48 Tyler Boyd WR 2 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
49 Tucker Kraft TE 4 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
50 Ray-Ray McCloud WR 5 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
51 Jordan Whittington WR 2 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
52 Kareem Hunt RB 2 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
53 Jonnu Smith TE 6 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
54 Kenny McIntosh RB 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
55 Derek Carr QB 19 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
56 Geno Smith QB 34 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
57 Sam Darnold QB 13 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
58 Deshaun Watson QB 25 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
59 Justin Fields QB 20 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
60 Gardner Minshew II QB 5 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
61 Will Levis QB 14 Add in 2QB Leagues
62 Andy Dalton QB 0 Add in 2QB Leagues
63 Skylar Thompson QB 0 Add in 2QB Leagues
64 Malik Willis QB 2 Add in 2QB Leagues
65 Las Vegas Raiders DST 7 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
66 Tampa Bay Buccaneers DST 5 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
67 Seattle Seahawks DST 41 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
68 Green Bay Packers DST 16 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
69 Cincinnati Bengals DST 20 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
70 Tennessee Titans DST 1 Add in 14+ Team Leagues

 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlooks

Some of the top names include J.K. Dobbins, Isaiah Likely, Joshua Palmer, Alexander Mattison, and Tank Bigsby. We recap why these players rostered under 55% in Yahoo! leagues should be on your radar when scrolling through the waiver wire for Week 3:

Carson Steele, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (2% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Ranking: 2

Isaiah Pacheco has been a workhorse for the Chiefs to begin the 2024 season, and no other Chiefs running back has held any fantasy value. However, Pacheco will go on injured reserve after fracturing his fibula in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Steele was the biggest beneficiary this past weekend. Samaje Perine, whom they signed after his release from the Broncos, only had one catch for three yards, while Steele had seven carries for 24 yards.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is currently on IR. They may sign a veteran with Pacheco out for a while, but Steele seems like the player to add right now.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Las Angeles Chargers (7% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Ranking: 9

Don't look now, but Johnston might be a thing. He was the Chargers' second-leading receiver in Week 1, finishing with five targets, three receptions, and 38 yards. In Week 1, he was tied for second on the team in snaps played and routes run. He's a full-time starter for Los Angeles and playing well.

This past weekend, he played 48 snaps, 14 more than the second-closest receiver. Johnston also led the team in routes run and targets. Before the season, there were reports that he was fourth on the depth chart, but his playing time has been excellent for two weeks.

This past weekend, he had six targets, five receptions, 51 yards, and two touchdowns en route to 19.6 half-PPR points. Johnston was (unfairly) written off after a brutal rookie season. However, he was drafted in the first round for a reason. He was playing out of position as a rookie and in a situation where Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Justin Herbert all were hurt.

Not to mention a head coach and offensive coordinator who was promptly fired after the season ended. Now, with a competent head coach, Johnston is showing some of the promise that made him a first-round pick. The Chargers are desperate for a pass-catcher, and Johnston shows he might be that guy. He needs to be added.

Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings (1% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Ranking: 16

It was a strong showing for Jalen Nailor on Sunday, as he caught three of his four targets for 54 yards and a score. His value going forward depends on what the injury situation is with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, though.

Nailor is off the fantasy radar if both are healthy in Week 3. If one is out, he has deep-league appeal. If both wind up out, he becomes a strong streaming play.

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (24% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Ranking: 13

Henry has always been a mainstay in fantasy football thanks to his nose for the end zone (38 career touchdowns), and he should be a solid TE2 this season, thanks to the lack of playmakers in New England’s receiving corps. Case in point – in New England’s Week 2 loss against Seattle, Henry racked up eight receptions for 109 yards.

New England has no Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, or Randy Moss on the roster. Henry is the top option for Brissett to throw to for the foreseeable future. Fantasy managers can pick him up and play him on weeks when he is facing a below-average pass defense.

Henry can't be counted on every week because he does have his fair share of dud performances (Week 1 = 18 yards), but he is probably the best TE available on your waiver wire this week.

Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings (29% Rostered)
Week 3 Waiver Wire Ranking: 8

Ty Chandler continues to operate with a weekly allotment of touches in Kevin O’Connell‘s offense, even though Aaron Jones is functioning as Minnesota's lead back. Chandler has now played on 38 snaps during the Vikings' first two contests. He has also accrued 99 rushing yards with his 18 attempts while running 14 routes, capturing all three of his targets, and assembling 25 yards as a pass catcher.

That includes Chandler’s involvement when Minnesota hosted San Francisco in Week 2. The third-year back accumulated 19 snaps, led the Vikings in attempts (10) and rushing yards (82) and averaged 8,2 yards per attempt. Jones trailed Chandler in carries (nine), and rushing yards (32), while leading the backfield in routes run (20), targets (six), and receiving yards (36).

Chandler has carved out a favorable role in Minnesota's backfield rotation. He would also secure an extensive workload if Jones would be affixed to the sideline at any point during the season.

That cements Chandler as a viable handcuff. All other fantasy managers can also target Chandler, as he would provide RB2 output if he ascends into a temporary feature-back role.

 

Running Backs - Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Player Name
Carson Steele
Samaje Perine
Ty Chandler
Bucky Irving
Chuba Hubbard
Rico Dowdle
Cam Akers
Braelon Allen
Alexander Mattison
Ray Davis
Isaac Guerendo
Justice Hill
Jaylen Wright
Antonio Gibson
D'Onta Foreman
Dameon Pierce
Jamaal Williams
Kareem Hunt
Kenny McIntosh

 

Wide Receivers - Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order:

Player Name
Rashid Shaheed
Khalil Shakir
Demarcus Robinson
Brandin Cooks
Jauan Jennings
Quentin Johnston
Gabe Davis
Jerry Jeudy
Jalen Nailor
Tyler Johnson
Mike Williams
Allen Lazard
Jakobi Meyers
Greg Dortch
Wan'Dale Robinson
Alec Pierce
Jalen McMillan
Andrei Iosivas
Rashod Bateman
Adonai Mitchell
Jalen Tolbert
Darnell Mooney
Jacob Cowing
Jahan Dotson
Noah Brown
Tyler Boyd
Ray-Ray McCloud
Jordan Whittington
Ronnie Bell

 

Tight Ends - Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings:

Pickups are in priority order:

Player Name
Hunter Henry
Colby Parkinson
Mike Gesicki
Luke Schoonmaker
Zach Ertz
Tucker Kraft
Jonnu Smith
Brenton Strange

 

Quarterbacks - Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 3:

Player Name
Derek Carr
Geno Smith
Sam Darnold
Deshaun Watson
Justin Fields
Gardner Minshew II
Will Levis
Andy Dalton
Skylar Thompson
Malik Willis

 

Defenses (D/ST) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Rankings

Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 3:

Player Name
Las Vegas Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers
Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans


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More Waiver Wire Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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