2026 Week 3 Waiver Wire

QB priority 1 · Quarterback streamer

Tyler Shough NO

Suggested FAAB: 2–5% of original budget · Week 3 and beyond

New Orleans attempted 90 passes across two games. Shough merits a starting-QB comparison before you spend on a replacement. Half-PPR game points: W1 23.20, W2 22.38. Preseason reference: QB17 (Aug 19, full PPR; different scoring).

Main risk: Passing volume and efficiency can fall together; one-QB replacement options limit the bid.

Report-week opponent: vs LV

ESPN (via NFL.com): 50% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Check if available

QB priority 2 · Quarterback streamer

Bryce Young CAR

Suggested FAAB: 1–4% of original budget · Week 3

Young opened with consecutive three-touchdown games. He is an option when your current quarterback has a weaker outlook. Half-PPR game points: W1 31.44, W2 24.08.

Main risk: Two games do not establish a dependable weekly ceiling.

Report-week opponent: at CLE

ESPN (via NFL.com): 34% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Common waiver candidate

QB priority 3 · Deep-league streamer

Kirk Cousins LV

Suggested FAAB: 0–2% of original budget · Week 3

Cousins has three passing touchdowns in each game. He is a cheaper fallback after the preferred quarterbacks. Half-PPR game points: W1 13.80, W2 20.22.

Main risk: Touchdown efficiency may regress; retain room for a different streamer next week.

Report-week opponent: at NO

ESPN (via NFL.com): 3% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Widely available

RB priority 1 · Opportunity add

Jonah Coleman DEN

Suggested FAAB: 15–25% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Coleman gained work after Denver backfield injuries. Add for upside, with the bid tied to the next practice reports. Half-PPR game points: W1 0.00, W2 13.30.

Main risk: A healthy backfield could sharply reduce his workload.

Injury condition: Dobbins and Harvey were reported with hamstring issues; neither is assumed out for Week 3.

Report-week opponent: vs LA

ESPN (via NFL.com): 22% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Widely available

RB priority 2 · Bench stash

Kaelon Black SF

Suggested FAAB: 5–10% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Black remains involved behind McCaffrey. Prioritize him as bench insurance rather than a guaranteed starter. Half-PPR game points: W1 7.50, W2 2.50.

Main risk: Limited touches can leave a low weekly floor.

Report-week opponent: vs ARI

ESPN (via NFL.com): 50% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Check if available

RB priority 3 · Bench depth

Tyjae Spears TEN

Suggested FAAB: 3–7% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Spears remains the secondary Tennessee back. Add selectively when the bench needs receiving upside. Half-PPR game points: W1 3.40, W2 8.00. Preseason reference: RB45 (Aug 19, full PPR; different scoring).

Main risk: The lead role is not his; do not bid as if it is.

Report-week opponent: at NYG

ESPN (via NFL.com): 49% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Common waiver candidate

WR priority 1 · Priority add

Denzel Boston CLE

Suggested FAAB: 8–15% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Boston has scored in both games. His Week 2 seven-target workload strengthens the case beyond the touchdowns. Half-PPR game points: W1 12.90, W2 18.00.

Main risk: Two early touchdowns are not a sustainable weekly expectation.

Report-week opponent: vs CAR

ESPN (via NFL.com): 26% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Common waiver candidate

WR priority 2 · Add for depth

Devaughn Vele NO

Suggested FAAB: 6–12% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Vele offers exposure to a Saints passing attack that has supported useful production in consecutive games. Half-PPR game points: W1 16.40, W2 8.90.

Main risk: Target distribution can change quickly; avoid treating two games as a full-season guarantee.

Report-week opponent: vs LV

ESPN (via NFL.com): 54% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Check if available

WR priority 3 · Flex consideration

Dontayvion Wicks PHI

Suggested FAAB: 2–6% of original budget · Week 3 and beyond

Wicks topped 70 receiving yards in each game, but his Week 2 snap share declined. Half-PPR game points: W1 14.30, W2 9.90.

Main risk: Competition for routes limits confidence in a weekly starting role.

Report-week opponent: at CHI

ESPN (via NFL.com): 26% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Common waiver candidate

WR priority 4 · Upside bench add

Tre Tucker LV

Suggested FAAB: 2–5% of original budget · Multiple weeks

Tucker rebounded from a quiet opener with a large Week 2 receiving line. Treat him as a volatile flex candidate. Half-PPR game points: W1 3.70, W2 20.40. Preseason reference: WR66 (Aug 19, full PPR; different scoring).

Main risk: A touchdown and long gain can mask week-to-week inconsistency.

Report-week opponent: at NO

ESPN (via NFL.com): 25% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Common waiver candidate

TE priority 1 · Tight end add

Dalton Schultz HOU

Suggested FAAB: 3–7% of original budget · Week 3 and beyond

Schultz drew 14 Week 2 targets. Consider the role useful while treating the huge yardage total as an outlier. Half-PPR game points: W1 5.50, W2 20.00.

Main risk: A repeat of that target spike is unlikely.

Injury condition: His elevated opportunity came without Nico Collins; reassess the bid when Collins returns.

Report-week opponent: at IND

ESPN (via NFL.com): 21% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Widely available

TE priority 2 · Tight end streamer

Juwan Johnson NO

Suggested FAAB: 1–4% of original budget · Week 3

Johnson has produced in both games. Compare his weekly receiving involvement with your current tight end. Half-PPR game points: W1 12.90, W2 8.60. Preseason reference: TE20 (Aug 19, full PPR; different scoring).

Main risk: A small target total can make scoring touchdown-dependent.

Report-week opponent: vs LV

ESPN (via NFL.com): 53% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Check if available

K priority 1 · Kicker streamer

Harrison Butker KC

Suggested FAAB: 0–1% of original budget · Week 3

Butker made four field goals in Week 2. Kansas City visits Miami next.

Main risk: Kicker scoring depends on drives ending in attempts rather than touchdowns.

Report-week opponent: at MIA

Check your league · availability unknown

K priority 2 · Kicker streamer

Daniel Carlson NO

Suggested FAAB: 0–1% of original budget · Week 3

Carlson plays at home against Las Vegas. The dome setting removes outdoor weather exposure.

Main risk: Do not pay a premium for a one-week kicking choice.

Report-week opponent: vs LV

Check your league · availability unknown

DEF priority 1 · Defense streamer

Detroit Lions DET

Suggested FAAB: 0–2% of original budget · Week 3

Detroit hosts the Jets. A home streaming option for managers rotating defenses.

Main risk: Turnovers and defensive touchdowns are volatile; this is not a rest-of-season promise.

Report-week opponent: vs NYJ

ESPN (via NFL.com): 52% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Check if available

DEF priority 2 · Budget defense streamer

Carolina Panthers CAR

Suggested FAAB: 0–1% of original budget · Week 3

Carolina visits Cleveland. A low-cost alternative when the preferred defense is unavailable.

Main risk: Do not chase a prior defensive score as a repeatable forecast.

Report-week opponent: at CLE

ESPN (via NFL.com): 4% rostered · checked on 2026-09-22 · Widely available