Fantasy Football 2020 Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickup Advice

Is your fantasy team in need of new blood? Each week I’ll bring to you the best pickups to make ahead of the waiver deadline. All the players I list will be owned in fewer than 50 percent of leagues, with the ownership percentage coming from Yahoo.com.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins (7% Owned): Fitzpatrick has tossed two touchdown passes in back-to-back weeks, and gets a decent slate for the next few weeks. He’ll face a pass-friendly Seattle secondary, followed by San Francisco and Denver defenses missing critical pass rushers. The Dolphins’ running game is also a mess, which should encourage them to throw much more than they run. Combined with strong pass catchers like DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki, the Dolphins’ offense isn’t the mess we might’ve expected prior to Week 1.

Daniel Jones, Giants (43% Owned): Jones probably only has one more week before I jump off the bandwagon, but I’m still intrigued by him. He showed blowup potential last season, and his skill players haven’t changed much aside from Sterling Shepard being out. He also has a lot of ability as a rusher, which raises his floor. His offensive line is a massive problem, as is the absence of Saquon Barkley, as is two straight weeks without a passing touchdown. It’s perfectly understandable to want zero to do with Jones right now, but he has more upside than most waiver QBs, and he’ll be free.

Running Backs

Carlos Hyde, Seahawks (18% Owned): For owners who need immediate help, Hyde is probably the top add. Chris Carson looks to have avoided a serious knee injury, but even just a sprain should cause him to miss some time. While Seattle appears to have committed to making Russell Wilson the focal point (finally!!!), they’ll still look to run the rock a bunch. Hyde isn’t a star, but he proved he was very fantasy relevant in Houston with enough volume, which he should see if Carson is out. Seattle has Miami and Minnesota next, and if they go up big early in these games Hyde will get a workout.

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins (47% Owned): Gaskin went from a nice flier to taking control of Miami’s backfield last week, earning 22 carries and putting up 95 yards from scrimmage. The volume is nice, as is his role as Miami’s pass-catching back, but he’s not going to be dominant on the ground. He’s not a player I’m likely to blow a huge chunk of my FAAB budget on because his ceiling is not the highest, but if you’re desperate and need someone who will just be on the field, Gaskin fits the bill. He should be a start-worthy FLEX each week moving forward.

Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (22% Owned): Wilson’s big stat line is deceiving, as he worked well behind Jerick McKinnon and did his damage in garbage time. He scored twice, but only put up 15 yards on 12 carries on the ground. Wilson will be a TD threat as long as Raheem Mostert is out, but he carries massive, massive dud potential. He’s a desperation play, mostly for those invested in San Fran’s backfield.

Frank Gore, Jets (17% Owned): Gore isn’t appealing, and the Jets’ offense is one of the worst I’ve ever seen. But, he had 15 carries and put up 57 yards against a Colts defense that did not have a single threat to concern themselves with in the passing game. At some point the Jets might have red zone opportunities, and there’s no way Sam Darnold can be trusted with them right now. Touchdowns will come for Gore in the next few weeks, so his volume warrants ownership.

Wide Receivers

Allen Lazard, Packers (48% Owned): This past Tuesday was the last chance to land Lazard without paying up. Aaron Rodgers is rejuvenated, and Lazard is the clear-cut No. 2 in this offense – No. 1 when Davante Adams is out – based on snap percentage, and now production. When the receiving corps is healthy, Lazard is never a sure bet for fantasy points. But he’s always on the field for this team, and with Rodgers at the helm that makes him playable always. He is quality depth for any fantasy roster, and a must-add for teams hurting at WR. 146 yards and a touchdown won’t be his norm, but it’s rare to see that kind of potential on waivers.

Corey Davis, Titans (49% Owned): Davis’ value will shrink when A.J. Brown returns, but for now he’s the clear top receiver for an efficient Titans passing offense. Davis started slow but finished with five catches for 59 yards on the day, which is serviceable for a WR3, which is how he should be treated. Injuries are hitting teams hard, and Davis is going to see reliable volume, providing immediate help.

Golden Tate, Giants (39% Owned): Tate has caught five passes in back-to-back games, and while the yardage hasn’t been there, his opportunity is going to remain consistent or grow as the Giants’ schedule eases up, and Daniel Jones wakes up. Tate has a very high floor, and a pretty low ceiling, which makes him more suitable for strong rosters trying to increase their depth. If you’re absolutely wrecked with injuries and need a body, he’ll work, but his upside is capped.

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (28% Owned): Aiyuk has been on the field a ton since debuting in Week 2, and with the 49ers’ banged up receiving corps he has a great opportunity to establish himself. In just his second game he ripped off five catches for 70 yards and was involved in the running game, carrying the ball three times for 31 yards and a score. That is Deebo Samuel’s role when he comes back, but it’s exciting that the 49ers are using him in similar fashion while Samuel is out. Once Deebo is back, Aiyuk will benefit from softer coverage as teams focus on Samuel and, eventually, George Kittle. Aiyuk is a bit of a longer term play; Tate and Davis will provide more immediate help, but as the season progresses Aiyuk could be the more impactful addition.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (44% Owned): Valdes-Scantling was on the field for a season-high 92% of snaps, and had by far his worst game. That’ll happen sometimes with Green Bay, as they have one of the best RBs in football, making it tough for three, or even two, receivers to consistently shine. Don’t freak out, as you shouldn’t be relying on MVS anyway. Better days are ahead, and he’s still playable in a pinch.

Curtis Samuel, Panthers (28% Owned): Samuel is a unique player, used as an explosive gadget weapon more than a traditional pass-catcher. He’s been quiet for fantasy owners thus far, but with Christian McCaffery out, he drew four targets and also four rushing attempts. Samuel’s volume isn’t going to be great as long as D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson are healthy, but he has the capability to do a lot with minimal touches, making him a high-risk, high-reward type for teams battling injury and looking for players who can explode. Just know you will have to tolerate a very low floor.

Alshon Jeffery, Eagles (14% Owned): If your team is healthy, and you are looking to add players with big upside, Jeffery is your guy. He’s long been injury-prone and frustrating, but at his best he’s been a WR1, and the Eagles are starved for WR. DeSean Jackson and Jalen Reagor are hurt, as is TE Dallas Goedert. Jeffery is believed to be returning in Week 5, and while he could be on a snap count then, Philadelphia might need him to hit the ground running. He’s a long way off his peak, but Jeffery will be a magnet for red zone targets from Carson Wentz, and adding him now shouldn’t cost you much, if any, of your FAAB budget.

Greg Ward, Eagles (0% Owned): Speaking of Philly, Ward is an add if you need a live body who will be targeted this week. I am not bullish on Ward long term, or even short term, but he drew 11 targets from Wentz in Week 3 and caught eight of them for 74 yards and a touchdown. There’s not many options right now, so targets will be there in Week 4. That does not guarantee production.

Chase Claypool, Steelers (14% Owned): Looking for cheap upside? Claypool has shown major playmaking ability down the field, and he could be in line for an uptick in target share if Diontae Johnson misses time with the concussion he sustained on Sunday. His targets have risen by one each game, and he’s averaging 16.8 yards per target, so he won’t need to catch too many to be fantasy relevant. He has breakout written all over him.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings (30% Owned): Finally, the Vikings stopped putzing around and unleashed Jefferson, one of my favorite rookie WRs in the draft. He has incredible athleticism and playmaking ability, which led me to believe this offense wouldn’t suffer too much from losing Stefon Diggs. Through two weeks Kirk Cousins hadn’t been looking his way, and he wasn’t on the field enough. This week, he saw 78% of the snaps, and caught seven of nine of his targets for 175 yards and a touchdown. This kind of volume is rare for this offense, capping his ceiling, but his breakout potential means he should be added.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (31% Owned): For the second week in a row, Schultz was heavily targeted as the Cowboys’ defense forced them to throw a ton. I’m never going to be excited about a TE who is, at best, the fifth option in the passing game, but I will not let my own philosophy cloud his potential usefulness.

Logan Thomas, Washington (33% Owned): Thomas is being held back by his QB. He’s failed to reach 40 yards this season, but he’s seen no fewer than seven targets in any of Washington’s first three games this year. Volume like that cannot be ignored for a TE, and touchdowns will come. The only offensive player standing out for the Football Team is WR Terry McLaurin, so for now, add Thomas as TE depth and see if he explodes. If not, you can drop him knowing you tried.

Greg Olsen, Seahawks (22% Owned): Olsen always carries the risk of a zero, which we saw in Week 2, but the Seahawks have been more pass-happy than we’ve ever seen them under Pete Carroll. Olsen scored in Week 1, and racked up 61 yards on five receptions on Sunday, decent TE numbers. I wouldn’t be souped to add him, but he can be played in a pinch.