NFL Waiver Wire: Week 3 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday. 

QUARTERBACK

Primary Targets

Carson Wentz, PHI - Isn't it time to trust Wentz after his second 300-yard game in a row? Truth told, he's roughly owned in two-thirds of all fantasy leagues, but his ownership lingers at 50 percent on various sites. It's notable that he's attempted four rushes in each game and had 55 rushing yards Sunday on the road against a tough Chiefs defense. What's more, the NFC East should have highly competitive games with none of the defenses sticking out as elite. FAAB: $8-12

Secondary Targets

Jay Cutler, MIA - Cutler had mixed results Sunday, committing no turnovers (though there were a couple close calls) but posting a mediocre 7.0 YPA. Jay Ajayi and the offensive line will provide a good running attack, and Cutler has a good set of receivers in DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills. Cutler has two good matchups the next two weeks at the Jets and then home against the Saints in Week 4. FAAB:$3-$6

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Chris Carson, SEA - Carson, who was mentioned last week, was a bit of surprise leading the Seahawks' backfield with 22 touches for 100 yards Sunday. Eddie Lacy was inactive and Rawls was limited in his first game back from a preseason ankle injury, leaving Carson to dominate early down carries while C.J. Prosise handled third-down work. Lacy's status for Week 3 is uncertain, but Rawls likely will get more touches. Carson, though, has earned the team's trust. However, while he will benefit from playing with a mobile quarterback in Russell Wilson, Seattle's offensive line is one of the worst in the league. FAAB: $15-$25

Samaje Perine, WAS - Rob Kelley has a rib cartilage injury and is day-to-day. Perine was the main ballcarrier after Kelley was injured, totaling 21 carries for 67 yards. Chris Thompson had a big game, thanks to a 61-yard touchdown run, but should only see a small uptick in carries, handling mostly third-down work while Perine gets the early down workload. Kelley has yet to be ruled out this week, but rib injuries tend to linger. FAAB: $10-$20

Hail Mary

Chris Johnson, ARI - Johnson was cut during preseason and hasn't looked close to being the same player he was years ago in Tennessee. However, it appears he'll be in for an expanded role with David Johnson out. His 4.0 YPC on Sunday was much better than Kerwynn William's 2.4 YPC. Johnson could also take over the goal-line work if the Cardinals make him the starter. Still, it's tough to see him making a big enough impact to be in a lot of fantasy lineups every week. FAAB: $1-$2

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

J.J. Nelson, ARI - Nelson had a nice fantasy day Sunday, finishing 5-120-1 in the absence of John Brown. Brown, whose status directly affects the fantasy potential for Nelson, is not expected to play this week. Nelson has elite speed, running a 4.28 40, and Larry Fitzgerald's presence will allow him to see softer coverage. Jaron Brown also gets a boost as it wouldn't be surprising to see John Brown miss significant time. FAAB: $10-$15

Rashard Higgins, CLE - Higgins may have landed the top receiving role in the Cleveland offense with Corey Coleman breaking his hand and Kenny Britt struggling to produce. Higgins finished Sunday with seven catches for 94 yard (11 targets) and even rushed once for four yards. Just promoted from the practice squad, Higgins has some upside and pedigree. He averaged more 1,200 receiving yards and more than 10 touchdowns per season in three years at Colorado State. It's possible the Browns end the Kenny Britt experiment and allow their young quarterback the chance to use Higgins as his No.1 target. FAAB: $8-$12

Secondary Targets

Jermaine Kearse, NYJ - It will be tough to call the Jets' most effective receiver week to week – Kearse or Robby Anderson – given the unpredictability of Josh McCown. Kearse did his damage in garbage time Sunday with two touchdowns but was only targeted five times to Anderson's four. But the Jets should be playing from behind a lot in the second half this season, setting up a lot of garbage time production. FAAB: $4-$6

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Evan Engram, NYG - A number of tight ends were injured in Week 2 (Greg Olsen, Jordan Reed, etc.), sending many owners to the waiver wire. Engram scored his first professional touchdown Monday night and is one of the best options at the position this week. Engram is more of a receiver than a blocker, and his 4.42 forty 40 should make him a nightmare matchup for linebackers. FAAB: $8-$12

DEFENSE

Secondary Targets

Miami at New York Jets - The Jets are an easy team to pick on given the lack of talent on both sides of the ball. Despite playing from behind in the first two games and having to throw in the second half, Josh McCown has only 353 passing yards with an inefficient 5.5 YPA. While the Dolphins aren't anything special on defense the matchup, even on the road, makes them an attractive option. FAAB: $1-$2