Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 3.
(Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
1. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Pollard was the backup running back coming into the season. He still is, but it is hard to tell how much backup running backs will get the ball. So far this season, he has been a key component of the Cowboys’ offense. His role should increase over the next few weeks, as the Cowboys have seen how effective he has been.
Through two games, Pollard has 16 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. He also has seven catches for 60 yards. Teams are stacking the box against Ezekiel Elliott, but are not doing so against Pollard, which has allowed him to be effective. He is also getting more passing targets while Michael Gallup recovers from his injury. Pollard is currently available in over 60 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals selected Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Moore has come along nicely in the first two weeks of the season. The rookie specifically stepped up in week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, showing a nice rapport with quarterback Kyler Murray. It looks like he could be emerging and now is the time to pick him up.
On the season, Moore has 11 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown. In week 2, he hauled in seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals have several top receivers, so it may be hard for Moore to sustain his success, but he is worth picking up to see if he can. He is rostered in just 19.2 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
Tim Patrick was projected to be the fourth wide receiver on the Broncos this season. He has talent, but the Broncos were loaded at the position. After an injury to Jerry Jeudy, which will sideline him for several weeks, Patrick has filled in well for the Broncos.
He has caught seven passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns. This week, when the Broncos were without Jeudy for the full week, Patrick caught three passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, which gave him a touchdown in each of the first two weeks. He has benefitted from Teddy Bridgewater‘s new aggressiveness to throw the ball downfield. Patrick is available in over 85 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Quintez Cephus, WR, Detroit Lions
There was some uncertainty about the Lions’ receiving core going into the season. This was amplified after Breshad Perriman was cut and Tyrell Williams has dealt with various injuries. Through two weeks, Cephus has stepped up for Jared Goff and has earned the opportunity to get targets in the future.
On Monday Night Football, Cephus finished with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. In week 1, he had three catches for 12 yards and a touchdown. His ability to score and the fact that the Lions will be behind a lot this season make him worth a look. He is available in over 99 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
Chicago traded up to draft Justin Fields. Matt Nagy has refused to name him the starting quarterback though. Andy Dalton was the starter for the first two weeks of the season, but he left the game against the Bengals. Fields stepped in, and even though Nagy won’t name a starter, at this point it is only a matter of time before Fields takes over.
His first extended game action was shaky at best against Cincinnati. Fields went 6/13 passing for 60 yards and threw an interception. He did run in a touchdown in week 1 and had 31 rushing yards in week 2, which is something he brings to the table. With some time to prepare, Fields should be able to improve and be a solid fantasy quarterback.
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