10 Best Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Heading Into NFL Week 3

Best Waiver Wire Adds at a Glance

• Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos
• Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns
• Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints
• Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

Two weeks of the NFL season are in the books, and fantasy football managers are already getting a much clearer picture of which early-season performances are worth buying into.

Whether you're trying to replace an injured starter, add some much-needed depth, or simply get ahead of the next breakout player, the waiver wire can be one of the best ways to improve your roster as the season unfolds.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top fantasy football waiver wire adds to target heading into Week 3.

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Week 3 Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos

Jonah Coleman should be one of the top waiver priorities this week after taking advantage of an expanded opportunity against Jacksonville. Coleman turned 10 carries into 39 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 19 yards, with J.K. Dobbins leaving the game because of a hamstring injury and RJ Harvey already dealing with a hamstring issue. Coleman also played nine more snaps than Tyler Badie after Dobbins went down, giving the rookie a potential path to leading the Denver Broncos‘ backfield in Week 3. Even if Dobbins and Harvey don't miss much time, Coleman showed enough to warrant a roster spot as an upside running back.

Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns

It might be time to take Denzel Boston seriously as a weekly fantasy option. The rookie followed up a long touchdown in Week 1 by catching 5 of 7 targets for 95 yards and another score against Tampa Bay in Week 2, giving him 154 receiving yards through two games. More importantly, his seven targets led the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, and his combination of size and big-play ability gives him an intriguing ceiling if that volume sticks. Boston looks like much more than a speculative bench stash at this point.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Tank Bigsby‘s value suddenly looks a lot more interesting after Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger against Tennessee. Bigsby finished that game with 13 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches, and he out-touched Will Shipley 15-9 after Barkley's injury despite Shipley playing slightly more snaps. Barkley was able to return but is reportedly undergoing additional testing, making his status one of the biggest situations to monitor this week. Bigsby is worth adding regardless as a high-upside handcuff, and he could become an immediate fantasy starter if Barkley misses time.

Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough is quickly moving from streaming option to legitimate weekly fantasy starter. After throwing for 410 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, Shough completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore while adding 23 rushing yards and another score. New Orleans has attempted 90 passes through two games, giving Shough the kind of volume fantasy managers want from a quarterback — although he won’t always see a negative game script every week. Starting in Week 3, he gets three straight home games and draws Las Vegas and Atlanta over the next two weeks. He’s a QB1 until further notice.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman took advantage of Zay Flowers' absence in a big way against New Orleans. Bateman caught 7 of 9 targets for 88 yards and a touchdown, leading the Baltimore Ravens in targets while operating as the team's top wide receiver. His long-term ceiling is heavily tied to Flowers' health, but Bateman should carry WR3/flex appeal for as long as Flowers is sidelined. Baltimore visits Dallas in Week 3 in a game with a 54.5-point total, so Bateman could immediately find himself in another useful fantasy spot.

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

Keon Coleman deserves another look after making the most of an expanded opportunity against Detroit in Week 2. With DJ Moore injured, Coleman caught all six of his targets for 63 yards and was particularly important on third down for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. He had only one catch for one yard in Week 1, so we shouldn't overreact to a single productive game, but Moore's injury could open the door for Coleman to remain heavily involved. Any wide receiver seeing meaningful targets from Allen carries enough upside to be worth stashing while we find out whether the Week 2 role sticks.

Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Tre Tucker delivered one of the biggest waiver-wire performances of Week 2, catching 5 of 7 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. Tucker has established himself as the most intriguing wide receiver in the the Las Vegas Raiders‘ passing game, and his speed gives him big-play upside whenever he gets sufficient volume. There is some risk here because Brock Bowers could return soon and command a substantial portion of the targets, while Tucker played only 58.7% of the offensive snaps in Week 2. Still, Tucker is an appealing add if you need WR help.

Darren Waller, TE, Carolina Panthers

Darren Waller isn't seeing huge volume, but it's getting increasingly difficult to ignore what he's doing near the goal line. Waller caught three passes for 33 yards and two touchdowns against Atlanta this past week, giving him five catches for 61 yards and two scores through his first two games of 2026. His poor overall target volume creates a low weekly floor, but touchdown upside is especially valuable at a tight end position where reliable production can be difficult to find. Waller is a worthwhile pickup for fantasy managers streaming the position.

Malik Washington, WR, Miami Dolphins

Malik Washington probably isn't a high-ceiling addition, but his early-season target volume makes him worth considering in deeper PPR leagues. Washington opened the year with three catches for 53 yards on eight targets, then added four catches for 43 yards on five targets in Week 2. Caleb Douglas' ankle injury could further solidify Washington's role in the Miami Dolphins‘ passing game entering Week 3. The Dolphins' offensive struggles lower his ceiling, but a receiver averaging 6.5 targets per game belongs on the fantasy radar.

New York Giants D/ST

The defense of the New York Giants is an elite streaming play this week as they host the Tennessee Titans. While Tennessee’s offense looked better in Week 2, we know they’re not very good. Cam Ward has taken five sacks through two weeks, and Big Blue’s top-notch pass rush could wreak havoc against the Titans. Depending on your league settings, you might be able to grab the Giants D/ST today before their MNF kickoff.

Check out our Giants vs Rams MNF best bets and props article.

Fantasy Football Waivers FAQ

What is the waiver wire in fantasy football?

The waiver wire is where fantasy managers can add players who are not currently on a roster in their league. It is one of the best ways to improve your team during the season, especially when injuries, role changes, and breakout performances create new opportunities.

When should I make waiver wire claims?

Most leagues process waivers once or twice per week, so it is important to check your league's settings. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning are common waiver periods, but managers should also monitor news throughout the week for late-breaking opportunities.

Which positions should I prioritize on the waiver wire?

Running backs and wide receivers with expanding roles are usually the most valuable waiver targets. Quarterbacks — especially in two-QB formats — tight ends, and defenses can also be strong additions when they have favorable upcoming matchups.

How much FAAB should I spend on a waiver wire player?

FAAB spending should depend on a player's projected role, upside, your FAAB budget and how badly your roster needs help. It is usually worth being more aggressive for a player who could become a weekly starter than for a short-term streaming option.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.