Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 3

It was another wild and woolly week of NFL football in Week 2, and while there are still no bye weeks to contend with, plenty of owners may be seeking to make a change at quarterback.

Owners of Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger should be looking at free-agent quarterbacks, as both veteran signal-callers potentially face multi-week absences. Owners of Cam Newton and Kirk Cousins may just be looking to swap out their under-performing quarterbacks, but in either case, we've got solid options on waivers for Week 3.

In this article, we're looking at quarterbacks owned in fewer than 65% of fantasy leagues, while throwing in a few deep-league options who are owned in fewer than 20% of leagues.

QB Waiver Wire - Free Agents To Consider Adding

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 62% Owned

There are plenty of reasons to be dismissive of Winston given his first two performances of the year. It wouldn’t surprise me if more owners dropped Winston than added him when waivers run. However, a matchup with the New York Giants could be the perfect elixir for Winston’s problems.

The Giants pass defense has been atrocious this season, getting carved up by Dak Prescott in Week 1 and Josh Allen in Week 2. The Giants may be the second-worst team in the NFL after Miami, and Winston can take out his frustrations on a broken defensive unit. The Giants have been relatively better against the run as well, having allowed 3.75 YPC in their first two games. Hopefully, the Bucs attack the Giants’ biggest weakness, their secondary, and build their lead through the air with their pair of elite receivers. That would lead to a huge game for the embattled Tampa Bay quarterback.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills - 40% Owned

Allen’s play may still be unrefined, but he’s a mobile gunslinger with a home matchup against Cincinnati in Week 3. This Cincy defense just let the Niners hang 41 on them, and had allowed the most passing yards and fourth-most net yards per attempt last season. The fearless leader of New York’s best team is one of the best widely available options as a QB streamer for Week 3 and could have more long-term value as he faces a relatively easy schedule and continues to improve his play.

Mitch Trubisky, Chicago Bears - 53% Owned

Trubisky has really let his believers down in the first two weeks, failing to muster double-digit points in either of his first two games. Things should get better for him this week, as he faces a significantly softer matchup in Washington. Washington has allowed 63 points and six passing touchdowns in the first two weeks.

Although the Bears’ offense has looked underwhelming thus far, their offensive line looks like a robust unit, and Trubisky should have plenty of time for things to develop against a weak secondary. Like with Jameis Winston, I suspect Trubisky to be dropped more than he’s added this week, but Week 3 may be his awakening.

Two-QB League Options and Stashes

Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts - 13% Owned

Atlanta’s secondary has good numbers on paper this season, but their pass defense has inflated numbers due to weak performances by the competition. The Falcons were the fourth-worst pass defense by DVOA rankings last season, and were bottom 10 in passing yards and net yards per attempt in 2018. I’m skeptical Atlanta’s pass defense improvements, and Brissett could take advantage this week coming off his three-touchdown performance. This week isn’t the only juicy matchup for Brissett either, as he takes on Oakland in Week 4 and Kansas City in Week 5 before a Week 6 bye. Brissett is a nice short-term option for those who may need to get through a few weeks, such as Drew Brees or Ben Roethlisberger owners.

Daniel Jones, New York Giants - 2% Owned

Let’s face it, Eli Manning belongs behind the desk on NFL Network, not behind an NFL center. The change is imminent, and while Jones isn’t exactly in an offense conducive to success, scoring, or forward progress, the sixth overall pick is certainly worth a stash in deeper leagues as a lottery ticket. Even if Jones gets the nod this week, owners should be hesitant to start him despite the soft matchup. This is a long-term play, not a one-week streamer.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice