NFL Waiver Wire: Week 3 Pickups

Week 2 was a big injury weekend with several fantasy starters getting hurt. The two biggest injuries being to Christian McCaffrey (out 4-6 weeks) and Saquon Barkley (out for season) while the 49ers were the team that collectively got hit worst. Let's get right to take under consideration this week. Spoiler alert: there are plenty of running backs to acquire this week.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

PRIMARY TARGETS

Gardner Minshew, JAC - Minshew has a short week playing against the Dolphins on Thursday night. Miami just gave up 417 passing yards and four touchdowns to Josh Allen, and both Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are playing at less than 100 percent health. Minshew has looked excellent to start the season, scoring 22.6 and 30.9 fantasy points in his first two games. There's a good chance he's better than whoever you have on your bench as the backup to your starter FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Justin Herbert, LAC - This might look like a bit of an odd pick given that it appears Tyrod Taylor will start once he's healthy. According to coach Anthony Lynn, Tyrod is the starter and there's a reason Herbert is the backup. However, outside of a "rookie" interception, Herbert moved the ball well Sunday in his debut, finishing with 311 passing yards and 9.4 YPA. It seems like a matter of time before Herbert (the sixth overall pick) takes over as starter. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Jeff Driskel, DEN - Drew Lock is expected to miss at least the next two games with a shoulder injury, and it could be longer than that. Enter Driskel, who can use his legs to get extra fantasy points even though he's  probably no better than an average backup quarterback. Unfortunately, he just lost Courtland Sutton, but he still has plenty of weapons to target. Bump up this bid in superflex or two-quarterback leagues. FAAB: $1-$2

Running Back

PRIMARY TARGETS

Mike Davis, CAR - Davis appears to be the running back to own in the absence of Christian McCaffrey, though Curtis Samuel likely will get some work as well. Coach Matt Rhule said after the game that Davis was "a threat coming out of the backfield," and typically the Panthers have featured only one running back. Throw a buck or two on Samuel, as well, but Davis is my top target this week at running back. FAAB: $15-$25

Joshua Kelley, LAC - He is rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues, a number that likely will double this week after he got 23 carries Sunday. He finished with 113 yards from scrimmage and actually out-touched Austin Ekeler, 25-20. An increase in Kelley's Week 2 role makes sense, given he's a rookie learning a new offense. It appears the Chargers plan on running the ball a lot this season, and Kelley could have the goal-line work as a bigger back than Ekeler. FAAB: $15-$25

Devonta Freeman, Wayne Gallman, Dion Lewis, NYG - Freeman will meet with the Giants on Tuesday and a decision on whether to sign him should be made immediately. It's tough to read the tea leaves on the backfield situation. Lewis isn't capable of handling every-down work and should be used mainly as the receiving option out of the backfield. While running back is one of the easier positions to pick up the playbook, it's unlikely Freeman makes a big impact this weekend. Gallman should get most of the early down work this week but it's telling he wasn't even active for Sunday's games. Freeman seems like the  best bet to take over the early down work with Lewis coming in on third-down passing situations. FAAB: Freeman $10-$20; Lewis $8-$12; Gallman $3-$6

Jerick McKinnon, SF - It's unknown how long Raheem Mostert will be out, and Tevin Coleman is definitely slated to miss at least a few weeks. That leaves McKinnon as the next man up. He showed some burst on a 55-yard scamper and a 16-yard touchdown run. Jeff Wilson should vulture a few carries as well, but McKinnon is the back to target while Mostert is out. FAAB: $10-$20

Darrell Henderson, LAR - Is everyone sick of the backfield carousel the Rams have had? Cam Akers look poised to see a full workload after getting the first three carries of the game, but a rib injury made him exit early. It was Henderson who had the biggest fantasy impact after Akers left, and it turns out that Malcolm Brown is dealing with his own finger injury. Henderson appears to be the running back to own now due to being the healthiest of the trio. FAAB: $10-$20

SECONDARY TARGETS

Myles Gaskin, MIA - Gaskin played more offensive snaps (49) than any Miami running back Sunday and is the best option to add from that backfield. He hasn't had double-digit carries in either of the first two games but has had 11 targets. In 12-team leagues it's tough to trust him even as a flex play, but he has the ability and opportunity to get more work as the season goes on. FAAB: $4-$8

Wide Receiver

PRIMARY TARGETS

Russell Gage, ATL - Gage get another mention this week after scoring 10.6 fantasy points Sunday. That comes after scoring 11.4 in Week 1. The key is Julio Jones is nursing a hamstring injury, limiting his ability to be effective on the field. That means Gage should continue to see plenty of targets (21 the first two games) and the Falcons should be involved in plenty of shootouts. FAAB: $6-$12

SECONDARY TARGETS

Zach Pascal, IND - The injury to Parris Campbell should offer the opportunity for an increase in targets. Pascal played a large number of snaps (59 out of 73) Sunday and proved to be fantasy relevant at time last season, especially when T.Y. Hilton was out. Michael Pittman should be on everyone's radar in deeper leagues as well. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

KJ Hamler, DEN - If San Francisco was the team hit the hardest by the injury bug, then the Broncos were not too far behind with Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton going down. Enter Hamler, who ended up tied with Jerry Jeudy for the team lead with seven targets. Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton should see an uptick in targets as well, but it's Hamler who seems to be the best lottery ticket of the group. FAAB: $1-$2

Tight End

SECONDARY TARGETS

Jordan Reed, SF - Reed had a fantastic game with George Kittle sidelined, finishing with seven catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns. The key for Reed is that he stays healthy and the availability of Kittle. Kittle is expected to be back this week, otherwise Reed would be a top-10 option at the position. Keep track of Kittle's health this week. FAAB: $3-$6

Dalton Schultz, DAL - Out of respect for the great Blake Jarwin I felt compelled to mention Schultz as a pickup last week. He surpassed all expectations with a 10-9-88-1 line, but I'd suggest exercising caution. First, there are plenty of more talented pass-catchers on Dallas who should get more targets than Schultz. Dallas travels to Seattle this week in what should be a bad matchup for Schultz against those linebackers. FAAB: $3-$6

Mo Alie-Cox, IND - Alie-Cox had a breakout game with five catches for 111 yards in the absence of Jack Doyle. It's unclear if Doyle will miss more games, and even if he's out this week it sounds like he'll be back sooner than later. Don't overreact to one game by Alie-Cox unless the timetable on Doyle's return is pushed back. FAAB: $3-$6