Waiver Wire Watchlist for Fantasy Football Week 3

September 19, 2025

Joey's fantasy football waiver wire watchlist before Week 3 of 2025. You should keep an eye on these emerging players and consider them waiver wire stashes.

Welcome to Week 3 of our fantasy football waiver wire watchlist for the 2025 NFL season. Week 2 featured increased roles for some players who were previously listed in this article, including WR Elic Ayomanor (four catches, 56 yards, one touchdown) and RB Kyle Monangai (seven carries for 28 yards after receiving zero carries in Week 1).

You know the drill by now: All players listed in this article are rostered in less than 50% of fantasy football leagues, meaning that they are available more often than not. That's why Giants RB Cam Skattebo isn't on the list (he's owned in over 77% of leagues!).

With that being said, here are five players still on the majority of waiver wires who could help you make significant strides in your fantasy football league. Good luck on the waiver wire and happy hunting!

Week 3 Waiver Wire Running Backs

Woody Marks, Houston Texans - 9% rostered

I don't know if any rookie deserves an expanded role more than Marks. The Texans offensive line appears to be awful for the umpteenth consecutive season, and having a talented player who can turn short passes into big gains would be a lifesaver for QB C.J. Stroud.

But they do have that player -- the Texans just haven't been using him. Marks played just 13 of 49 possible snaps and received only four total touches. However, what he did was excellent work -- his three carries went for 14 yards, and he gained 37 yards on his singular reception.

1st career catch for Woody Marks goes for 37 yards!

TBvsHOU on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/JttFoMqixS

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025

He's also a solid pass protector, which should endear him to the coaching staff. Dare Ogunbowale, who played ahead of him for the majority of the game, struggled mightily to keep Stroud clean, so Marks should be given priority over him starting next week.

I'm not saying Marks will unseat Nick Chubb and become the Texans starter. But he's the only legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield that Houston has, and it should start using him like it. If he does earn the role of the Texans' primary third-down back, Marks will be a valuable asset in fantasy and a must-add on the waiver wire.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams - 10% rostered

One of the most valuable backups in the league, Corum got more involved in the Rams offense in Week 2 and looked impressive. He ran for 44 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, looking much more like his college self than he did in 2024. Corum appears to have fully recovered from his 2022 knee injury that slowed him while at Michigan.

Blake Corum scores his first career TD

LARvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/szikEo7HN9

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

While he's still behind Kyren Williams in the pecking order, the fact that he's getting carries at all is a good sign. Williams, previously an untouchable workhorse, may be declining in ability -- he gained just 4.1 yards per carry in 2024 after gaining 5.0 YPC in 2023. Corum could also just be impressing the coaches more since he's now fully recovered from his college knee injury and a fractured forearm that caused him to miss the 2024 playoffs.

Regardless, Corum has become more than just a benchwarmer and could find himself in an expanded role should he continue to be as efficient with his touches as he was last Sunday. The Rams offense is a strong one that provides a lot of opportunities, and Corum could be the next man up to take advantage.

The second-year man should not be on waivers after this week, so act fast. He's a great bench option, but don't put him in your starting lineups just yet. His time is coming, but he hasn't quite arrived yet despite his performance in Week 2.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars - 47% rostered

If you didn't believe in the Tuten hype before, you'd better believe it now. Following the trade of Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia, Tuten became the clear backup running back in Jacksonville behind Travis Etienne Jr., and excelled in Week 2.

On just 10 touches, Tuten recorded 74 total yards and found the end zone in the Jaguars' loss to the Bengals. He showed off the impressive burst and receiving ability that caused the Jags to draft him in the first place. Although Etienne has gotten off to a great start this season, Tuten has shown that he's too good to be kept off the field.

Bhayshul Tuten scores his first NFL TD!

JAXvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/B4EmYon3L8

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

The rookie had a propensity to fumble the football in college, but as long as that issue doesn't rear its ugly head in the pros, Tuten will command a solid RB2 workload. He's already a solid contributor to fantasy teams as an RB3 or fringe flex play.

If the Jacksonville passing game continues to struggle, head coach Liam Coen will have to keep relying on the one-two punch of Etienne and Tuten. That will keep Tuten relevant even if he never takes control of the backfield.

More RB Options:

• Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers - 33% rostered
• Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders - 3% rostered

Week 3 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Hunter Renfrow, Carolina Panthers - 46% rostered

Renfrow isn't a sexy pickup, but clearly he's back to doing what he does best -- separating from defensive backs in tight spaces. He's already established a strong partnership with Bryce Young, and it showed on the stat sheet. The veteran snagged seven passes for 48 yards and two scores in the team's Week 2 loss to Arizona.

The yards per catch might disappoint you, but remember: not a sexy pickup. Renfrow will catch some short passes and occasionally get in the end zone. For a player you're picking up off waivers, that's more than acceptable.

His only real competition for targets at the moment is the rookie Tetairoa McMillan, who has already emerged as Carolina's WR1. And when Jalen Coker returns from IR, he should slot in ahead of Renfrow. But as of now, the savvy vet is the WR2 for a team that has to throw the ball because its defense stinks.

Renfrow is a good pickup as a bench option, although you shouldn't feel confident starting him. He's a player with a limited but reliable role, so you know what to expect from him every week.

Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos - 43% rostered

The Broncos offense impressed last season, but needed a clear WR2 opposite Courtland Sutton. While it's still early, second-year WR Troy Franklin appears to be on the fast track for the role. The former Oregon Duck snagged eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' narrow loss to the Colts.

Wide. Open.@troyylul | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/5J80rVdPcd

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 14, 2025

His chemistry with QB Bo Nix, his college teammate and good friend, was on display all game, and no moment showcased this better than Franklin reeling in a 42-yard pass from Nix on a broken play. The talented wideout appears to be putting it all together after an up-and-down rookie season.

Franklin has emerged as a reliable option in the Broncos' passing attack and could see a more consistent target share as the season progresses. He's earned the trust of not just Nix but also head coach Sean Payton, who is notorious for his no-frills approach.

Franklin has already seen a ton of adds in fantasy leagues, but he's still available in more than half of them. He's a flex option when the matchup is right, and he's got potential to grow into a WR2 as the year goes on.

More WR Options:

• Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens - 25% rostered
• Christian Kirk, Houston Texans - 22% rostered

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