Week 3 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2026 Fantasy Football Team
Featured

Week 3 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2026 Fantasy Football Team

By Optimus Staff · September 22, 2026

Week 2 is in the books, which means it's time to take another look at the waiver wire.

We've got a few injuries opening the door for new opportunities, some veterans carving out bigger roles, and a handful of players who have done enough over the first two weeks to warrant a closer look.

Of course, two weeks can tell us a lot without telling us everything. A big game doesn't necessarily mean a player has earned a permanent spot on your roster, just like a quiet Week 2 doesn't always mean a player should be written off. The trick is figuring out which situations are worth investing in before the rest of your league catches on.

So, as always, we're looking at the players who could actually help your fantasy team, whether that means a short-term streamer, a potential starter, or someone worth stashing before their role grows.

With that said, let's get into this week's waiver wire.

Week 3 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2026 Fantasy Football Team

all yopur leagues in one place with the Optimus Fantasy League Hub. Get power rankings, positional grades, tailored projections, trade analysis, in-season tools, and more

Quarterbacks:

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers | Sleeper 42% | ESPN 34.3% | FAAB 15%

The Bryce Young recommendations will continue until rostership percentages improve. Look, he's got the Browns and Lions up for his next two games before his Week 5 bye. And aside from the Eagles Week 6 and the Broncos Week 9, he doesn't have a dangerous stretch until Week 13, when we get to really see what he's made of with Minnesota.

But that's Later You's problem. For now, you should be picking up Bryce Young if you can, and unless you have Josh Allen, start him. Unless maybe if you have this next guy.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 49% | ESPN 49.7% | FAAB 20%

"He's not available in my league," I understand; I promise. And in that case, this isn't for you. Tyler Shough qualifies here because he's just barely under our 50% rostership threshold for players. 

We figured he wouldn't throw 56 times again in Week 2, but he put up almost identical fantasy numbers in Week 2 while throwing 34 times. Still enough to get good production from his pass catchers, and he even chipped in a facemask/rushing TD to help bolster those numbers.

It's possible Shough loses some lustre in a few weeks as he goes through the Minnesota/New York Giants/Pittsburgh gauntlet into their bye week, but keep an eye on him in case he hits the waiver wire because the rest of his schedule is very friendly.

Jameis Winston, New York Giants | Sleeper 2% | ESPN 0.3% | FAAB 5%

We have a last-minute addition! Thanks to Jaxson Dart's knee injury on MNF, Jameis Winston is thrust into the starting role on at least a temporary basis. Full disclosure - I'm treating Dart's absence as a 4-6 week absence and recommending FAAB accordingly. This is why he's a dramatically lower recommendation than the others.

First off - yes, Winston looked bad on MNF vs. the Rams. That was a 40.7% completion percentage for those counting at home, which would be almost 17 points behind J.J. McCarthy in 2025. The good news is the Rams are the best defense they will play until at least Week 7 when the Giants go to Houston. Over the next four games, Winston will face Tennessee, Arizona, Washington, and New Orleans. None are close to the quality of the Rams.

So if you've missed out on the full-season QB options, Winston makes for a decent temporary pivot. But it's only temporary, and if MNF was any indication, he might not be the option that he once was. 

hell yeah we're getting the full Jameis experience tonight. two plays earlier he missed an open receiver because he attempted a jump pass for no reason

[image or embed]

— Christian D'Andrea (@trainisland.bsky.social) September 21, 2026 at 9:20 PM

Other Options:

Running Backs:

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 22.1% | FAAB 15%

R.J. Harvey is still dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out in Week 2, and J.K. Dobbins picked up a hamstring injury in Week 2, although reportedly he will be "good."

After he didn't see the field in Week 1, Jonah Coleman led the Denver RBs in snaps in Week 2 at 42.4% (thanks, Sean Payton). Coleman tied for the team lead in carries with 10, including the only carry from inside the 5-yard line after Dobbins left the game.

Monitor the injury news coming out of Denver related to Dobbins as you approach your waiver wire deadline. If Dobbins is trending healthy, lower Coleman's bid into the 3% range. Although it's not like Dobbins has been the sturdiest player over his career, so even an "overbid" will likely bear fruit.

Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 0.5% | FAAB 0-1%

To be clear, Saquon Barkley will likely be fine from his Week 2 stinger that he suffered. After that point, Will Shipley played 52.8% of the snaps in Week 2, and while he only carried the ball 7 times, he ran 24 routes. He only earned 2 targets, so I can't say he's Barkley's backup or anything, but despite the fact that Tank Bigsby got more carries, Shipley is trusted to do a bit of everything behind Barkley. That you can get his likely handcuff for so cheap is thanks to Bigsby getting the TD in Week 2.

Saquon Barkley was hurt in Week 2. Here's what the backfield split looked like in the game:

Tank Bigsby: 33% snaps, 41% rush share, 17% route share

Will Shipley: 53% snaps, 22% rush share, 57% route share

— JJ Zachariason (@lateroundqb.bsky.social) September 21, 2026 at 7:46 AM

While I want to say Shipley is a better pass-catching option among the backup RBs, it's not like RBs are often a target for Jalen Hurts. However, Shipley did earn a target on roughly 10% of his snaps in 2025, 12 in 110 snaps. 

Other Options:

Wide Receivers:

Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles | Sleeper 37% | ESPN 26.3% | FAAB 5-7%

What are the Philadelphia Eagles without A.J. Brown? Frankly, we don't know yet. Two games in, however, it's clear that new WR addition Dontayvion Wicks is carving out a role behind incumbent pass catcher DeVonta Smith.

While many thought rookie WR Makai Lemon would slot in behind Smith to start the season, it's instead been the veteran Wicks. Through two close matchups, Wicks is second on the team in targets (10), receptions (7), and receiving yards (147) behind Smith, and both have a TD reception apiece. 

Yes, I know, this offense is notorious for a run-heavy scheme. However, that scheme relies on the health and effectiveness of RB Saquon Barkley. The 29-year-old ball carrier suffered a stinger on Sunday after five carries. And even if Barkley stays healthy with a full workload, this offense can support Wicks and Smith as top-24 WRs in fantasy. It wouldn't be the first time (see Smith and Brown).

He won't be on the waiver wire for long, but right now, fantasy managers are still feeling out this Eagles offense. Wicks is currently sitting at WR15 in PPR, and I wouldn't be surprised if he maintains his presence in that tier. Grab him now while he's still relatively cheap. 

Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens | Sleeper 24% | ESPN 24.4% | FAAB 2-3%

I like this as much as you do (not at all), but facts are facts. In the absence of star WR Zay Flowers on Sunday, Ravens' veteran WR Rashod Bateman made some noise. After a Week 1 contest that saw Bateman see one target and zero catches, his seven catches for 78 yards and a TD were a shock. 

To be clear, this was likely a ceiling game for Bateman, but that doesn't mean he didn't earn himself more opportunities when Flowers returns next week against Dallas. Rookie WR Jakobi Lane is also on IR, which opens a window for Bateman ot be WR3/Flex-relevant for the next 2-3 weeks, with some boom potential with Tennessee in Week 4 and Atlanta in Week 5. 

The max you should consider spending to roster Bateman is two to three percent of your total remaining FAAB budget. If someone outbids you, they overpaid, and you can check back with us Wednesday for post-waiver wire additions. 

Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders | Sleeper 30% | ESPN 24.5% | FAAB 5-7%

Who are the Las Vegas Raiders? 2-0, that's who. And to no one's surprise (sarcastic), veteran WR Tre Tucker has emerged as a reliable third passing option (and ironically the WR1) in the absence of elite TE Brock Bowers. 

Will it last? That's a good question. In a Week 2 win against the division rivals, the Chargers, Tucker logged five catches for 119 yards and a TD. We also saw Tucker have boom games last season, but it was never consistent. From Weeks 1 through 11, Tucker logged five contests with double-digit fantasy point totals, including a ridiculous three-TD, 40-point game in Week 3 versus the Commanders. After? Not one double-digit fantasy point game.

History may not repeat itself, but my gut tells me that as soon as Bowers is back, Tucker will fade into obscurity again. However, this is a new coaching staff, a new QB, a new offense, and we don't know when Bowers will return. For now,l if you need a WR, Tucker is a solid add that should be, at the very least, a good Flex option at a reasonable early-season price. 

Other Options:

Tight Ends:

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans | Sleeper: 45% | ESPN: 21.4% | FAAB: 8%

I was cautiously optimistic about Schultz's prospects for Week 2. Given Nico Collins' injury and his familiarity with C.J. Stroud and the offense, he seemed a decent streaming option. He went on to triple his ESPN projection. As wild as that is, what's really wild is that he did it without scoring a touchdown. Granted, neither did any of his other teammates, as the Texans' measly six points all came from kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn. 

It's not clear when Collins will return. But it is unlikely to be Week 3. Furthermore, the Texans have plus matchups at tight end for the next three games. It could make sense to exceed my FAAB recommendation here if you're especially hurting at tight end.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers | Sleeper: 20% | ESPN: 21.6% | FAAB: 5%

Pat Freiermuth

Who would've thought we'd start the season with two weeks tagging Pat Freiermuth as a waiver wire target? Yet here we are. And though he did not post the big shiny numbers he did in Week 1, Freiermuth still earned a respectable five targets. In a day when the Steelers struggled to get going against a tough Patriots defense, Aaron Rodgers still slung the rock 39 times. 

Freiermuth's Week 2 output is his floor. Most other tight ends on waivers have a floor of ZERO. Add that to his penchant for the end zone, and you have a recipe for someone worth a 5% bid if you're light at tight end. 

Other Options:

Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):

Cincinnati Bengals | Sleeper 7% | ESPN 8.2% | FAAB 1-2%

Despite historically slow starts under Head Coach Zach Taylor and QB Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0. While the offense behind a healthy Burrow has been electric, the shockingly good Bengals' defense has also been a big part of their hot start. One of the worst defensive units in 2026, the Bengals D/DST is currently No. 1 overall in fantasy with an average of 14.5 fantasy points per game.

Week 3 is a gift for both the Bengals and your fantasy rosters if you're streaming D/STs. Cincinnati travels to the Steel City to face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' inept offense. Despite being 1-1, the team's leading rusher is Jaylen Warren with 89 yards on the season, and the team is giving up an average of 26 fantasy points per game to D/STs.  This is an easy, smash stream.

Bonus: the Bengals have a great schedule through Week 10, with matchups against the Dolphins, Falcons, Titans, and Steelers again. If you'd like a break from the streaming game, you can hold the Bengals D/ST for a few weeks and relax. 

New York Giants | Sleeper 5% | ESPN 3% | FAAB 1-2%

The New York Giants are a pleasant surprise so far this season. Yes, they struggled against the Rams on Monday Night, but when they aren't forced to travel to Australia, they are one of the best offenses in the league. 

And yes, they weren't big on fantasy points in Week 1. However, they did manage to hold Dak Prescott and a dangerous Dallas offense in check, allowing them 175 yards passing and 69 yards rushing. 

Now, after a tough Week 2 matchup against the Rams, they have a friendly three-game stretch of the Titans, Cardinals, and Commanders. Assuming Brian Burns is back for Week 3, the Giants are a D/ST unit you can roll out for a few weeks without hesitation. 

Other Options:

  • Green Bay Packers | 0-1% FAAB
  • Minnesota Vikings | 0-1% FAAB
  • New Orleans Saints | 0-1% FAAB

Kickers:

Spencer Shrader, Indianapolis Colts | Sleeper 7% | ESPN 2.8% | FAAB 2-3%

Remember Colts kicker Spencer Shrader? Through the first four weeks of 2025, he was the best fantasy kicker on the market. Then the injury bug struck, and that was it. And it was a shame. Well, it's a new season, and Shrader is back and looking good.

In two games, the third-year kicker has made five of his six extra-point attempts and all four of his field-goal attempts, good to slot in as the overall K5. And despite concerns about this Indianapolis offense and QB Daniel Jones's health, Shrader will be fine. 

Don't overthink it. Indianapolis will be kicking the ball plenty, and Shrader doesn't miss much. Week 3 has the Colts up against the Texans, who are giving up the fourth-most points to fantasy kickers (12.5). Shrader is a set-it-and-forget-it waiver-wire kicker addition. 

Daniel Carlson, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 0% | ESPN 1.3% | FAAB 1-2%

Are the New Orleans Saints good? That seems to be the question of the week. It appears they are at least good enough to give their new kicker, former Las Vegas Raider Daniel Carlson, a chance to be fantasy-relevant this season.

Debating the team-wide talent ceiling is for another time. What matters is that Carlson, who has a reputation as a reliable, accurate leg, is currently the overall K10, and the Saints offense can move the ball. In two games, Carlson has missed one of his five field-goal attempts: a 62-yard potential game-winner as time expired in regulation in Week 1. 

On paper, Week 3 isn't a great matchup. The Las Vegas Raiders are allowing the 5th fewest fantasy points to kickers (5). However, their opponents in those games were the lowly Chargers and Dolphins, and this is Carlson's former team. The revenge factor.

Carlson is a solid Week 3 streamer at kicker and could be a solid long-term addition. This Kellen-Moore-Saints offense is scrappy and will look to put him in position to score a lot. Much like Shrader above, Carlson is a set-it-and-forget-it roster addition at kicker until further notice.  

Other Options:

For more waiver wire advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

Leave A Comment