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 rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
1. Carson Steele, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Steele was an undrafted free agent out of UCLA who made the Chiefs’ roster out of camp. So far this season, Steele has nine carries for 27 yards. He was in line for more work moving forward, but that is even more true now.
Isiah Pacheco left the game early against the Bengals in week 2. He left the stadium in a walking boot. Steele played the second most snaps out of any running back. He’ll have to compete with Samaje Perine for touches, but Steele has been there longer and has had more playing time so far, making him the frontrunner to take over the backfield work. Steele is rostered in just 1.6 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pierce was on this list last week and his good play has continued. Against the Packers in week 2, Pierce had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. He was the most targeted Colts’ receiver in week 2 and now has two straight games with a touchdown.
Josh Downs is dealing with an injury, so Pierce is one of three wide receivers getting a lot of run. He seems to be Anthony Richardson’s favorite target. Pierce can be a boom-or-bust player, which makes it tough to know when to start him, but he is rosterable. Currently, Pierce is available in over 85 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston had a rough rookie season in 2023. That seems to be behind him with a new regime in charge. In week 2, Johnston hauled in five of his six targets for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Through two weeks he has 11 targets.
The Chargers don’t have the most talented receiving room. They will be counting on Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer. Johnston has a chance to carve out a role in the offense long-term. He is worth stashing on a roster to see how things play out. Johnston is rostered in 6.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson was supposed to start for the Steelers this season, but he has been injured. Justin Fields has led the team to a 2-0 record. He has only thrown for one touchdown, but he has shown his ability to run the football with 84 rushing yards so far this season.
Fields has played solidly and there could be bigger performances ahead, especially if he is able to find the end zone with his legs. He is a player to pick up and stash, as he currently is ranked as QB20, but with more time, could move up the rankings. Fields is rostered in 32 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
Lloyd was inactive for the season-opener due to a hamstring injury. He did suit up for the second game against the Colts. The Packers had a game-plan built around the run and he totaled six carries for 15 yards. He did leave the game with an ankle injury, so that is important to note.
In week 2, Josh Jacobs touched the ball over 30 times. That won’t be sustainable and the Packers will need to get other players touches. Lloyd is a rookie who, if healthy, could see more of the work out of the backfield soon to give Jacobs a rest. He is an add-and-stash player. Lloyd is rostered in 17.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
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