Admin September 17, 2024
Ravens struggle against Raiders, Vikings get win over 49ers
Prince Grimes breaks down all the ups and downs of NFL week 2 of the 2024 season.
Sports Seriously
From upsets to injuries, the first two weeks of the NFL season have been full of surprises.
Those early ups and downs have likely played havoc with your fantasy football rosters. But there are still a number of valuable players out there on your league’s waiver wire who can be important contributors the rest of the way.
The trick is finding the right ones.
Here’s what we think is the best mix of talent and opportunity from players who have been overlooked (or even already discarded) in the early going. See which ones might fit your team’s needs and place your bids accordingly.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 3
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms.
RB Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (32% availability)
Gibson was mostly a pass-catching threat in Washington, but he seen steady work on the ground so far in New England. In relief of starter Rhamondre Stevenson, Gibson had seven carries in Week 1 and 11 in Week 2 in a rushing offense that ranks fifth overall.
RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets (36%)
The NFL’s youngest skill-position player at age 20, Allen turned nine touches on Sunday into 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Jets. Like Gibson, he’s not going to overtake Breece Hall as his team’s established starter, but the rookie fourth-rounder has unquestionable playmaking ability, and he’s earned more playing time with his excellent production.
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (41%)
Yes, he disappointed us multiple times as a rookie with his drops and his inexplicable disappearing acts, but that wasn’t as a member of the new-look, Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers. Johnston flashed some of his big-play potential in Week 2 with a pair of touchdown catches. Although his upcoming schedule is brutal, he is showing signs of maturity that could pay big dividends later in the season.
QB Derrek Carr, New Orleans Saints (43%)
Carr has driven the league’s most productive offense almost flawlessly over the first two weeks, completing nearly 77% of his passes for five touchdowns and just one interception for the Saints. He’s the only recommended streaming option at quarterback this week, playing at home against the Eagles.
WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (56%)
The Colts aren’t throwing the ball a ton, but Pierce has been effective on the receiving end, catching a touchdown in each of the first two games. He’s getting more looks with Josh Downs nursing an ankle injury and Michael Pittman Jr. drawing most of the opposing secondary’s attention.
WR Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals (66%)
Iosivas only caught two passes in Week 2, but both went for touchdowns. That may cause him to be a bit overvalued on the waiver wire, but he does have a definite role in the Bengals offense – especially with Tee Higgins still not fully healthy. Iosivas has been on the field for 94 snaps in two games, just behind Ja’Marr Chase’s 96.
RB D’Onta Foreman, Cleveland Browns (75%)
Fantasy managers have seen Foreman go from waiver wire pickup to every-week starter before. So it shouldn’t come as a huge shock to see him get more touches (15) than Browns’ starter Jerome Ford (8) on Sunday. He even got the nod over Ford in the red zone. Pierre Strong’s injury gave Foreman a chance and – on his fourth team in the last four seasons – he’s making the most of it.
WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (78%)
With six catches for 82 yards in Week 2, Tolbert may have moved ahead of veteran Brandin Cooks as the Cowboys’ No. 2 wideout. That’s not an overly ringing endorsement because the Dallas passing attack has been pretty bad so far and well … CeeDee Lamb is going to see a majority of the targets. However, Tolbert could be a sneaky add for later.
RB Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (80%)
With Chiefs’ starter Isiah Pacheco facing a several-week absence due to a fractured fibula, Steele is potentially the most valuable pickup of the week. Though he hasn’t shown much in limited action (and he did lose a costly fumble in Week 2) the undrafted rookie will likely get most of the snaps on first and second downs. Samaje Perine (available in 64% of leagues) will also see more touches, especially in the receiving game, which will make him more valuable in PPR leagues. (And if you really want to take a flier, former Chief Kareem Hunt could eventually enter the mix as well.)
WR Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (88%)
Vikings QB Sam Darnold has been very impressive in his first two starts in purple, despite his top two wideouts dealing with injury issues. Star receiver Justin Jefferson had to leave Sunday’s game early with a quad injury, and Jordan Addison didn’t even suit up because of an ankle injury. Enter Nailor, who’s caught touchdown passes in each of the first two games, despite seeing only five targets. He could see significantly more work in the weeks ahead.