Fantasy Football 2022 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 roster percentages coming from Yahoo.com.

Quarterbacks

Marcus Mariota, Falcons (11% Rostered): Mariota is no longer a sexy name, but he has proven through two weeks that Atlanta is not afraid to utilize him heavily as a rusher like the Titans were when they believed he was their franchise QB. Mariota only had 16 yards on the ground in a Week 2 loss, but he rushed it six times, making it 18 rushing attempts through two games. Mariota also threw two touchdown passes in this one vs. a tough Rams defense. The upcoming slate is friendlier, primarily because he doesn’t face Aaron Donald again, and Mariota is a nice option for those who had hoped for a Trey Lance breakout. Mariota has very similar upside to Lance, and is probably a better passer.

Running Backs

Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (43% Rostered): There’s no obvious Jeff Wilson pickup at the position this week, but Mostert’s 11 carries warrant some further inspection. Mostert is never going to be a heavily used back, but this level of usage for a player with his blazing speed could be enough to be a FLEX option. Mostert is a career 5.6 yard per carry rusher, and he’s known to score from long distance. I wouldn’t be comfortable starting him yet, especially in an offense in which passing is the first, second and third option, but he’s a worthwhile bench stash since Chase Edmonds is just not a three-down guy.

Khalil Herbert, Bears (48% Rostered): Herbert managers’ hopes of him zooming past David Montgomery on the depth chart took a hit Sunday night, as Herbert only saw four carries while Montgomery rushed 15 times for 122 yards. Still, Herbert gained 38 yards on his four carries and continues to look shiftier and more explosive than Montgomery. Despite that, he can’t be played or trusted at this point without an injury to the volume-based veteran ahead of him.

Eno Benjamin, Cardinals (11% Rostered): Benjamin entered the season as the presumed handcuff to James Conner, who went down in Week 2. Benjamin saw eight carries and four targets in this one, turning them into 61 yards. If Benjamin can get the majority of the backfield snaps, then he becomes a low-end FLEX play because of the lack of pass-catching options currently at Kyler Murray’s disposal. Darrel Williams’ involvement though has a major cooling effect on Benjamin’s upside. This isn’t a Jeff Wilson situation, so don’t go crazy with your FAAB dollars.

Darrel Williams, Cardinals (4% Rostered): Williams saw an almost identical amount of work to Benjamin and scored a touchdown in the game. Does that mean he’s the superior option moving forward? It could, but more likely it means nothing because the Cardinals planned to have Conner in this game. Both players are worth a look in the event that one assumes a strong grip on the job while Conner is out, but realistically they’re both probably going to cannibalize each other’s opportunities and render each other non-viable.

Wide Receivers

Garrett Wilson, Jets (23% Rostered): Wilson is the standout pickup of Week 2. He was impressive looking in Week 1, flashing nifty feet and an ability to get open. This week, he was on the field more and Joe Flacco was obsessed with throwing him the ball. Wilson drew 14 targets, turning them into eight catches, 104 yards and two touchdowns. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he has Justin Jefferson upside here, but Wilson has quickly shown he is the clear alpha receiver for the New York Jets, and he should be a priority pickup for all teams in all formats. His polish is insane for a rookie, and his three touchdowns show that even in a suboptimal passing offense he can put up numbers.

Jahan Dotson, Commanders (43% Rostered): Dotson is right there with Wilson, catching four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. He now has three scores on the year, matching Wilson, and the only drawback for Dotson is that Terry McLaurin is an established WR1 for this team. Despite that, the defense looks like it stinks, meaning Carson Wentz is going to continue winging it often. If Wentz’s volume stays high, he can feed McLaurin and Dotson consistently.

Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (35% Rostered): Meyers isn’t exciting, and the Patriots’ offense is low-scoring, but his volume can’t be ignored. Someone needs to put up stats in every offense, and Meyers has drawn 19 targets in two games. He’s known to be light in the touchdown category, but if he sees eight targets a game from an accurate passer like Mac Jones, he rates as a usable FLEX play who won’t goose you.

Greg Dortch, Cardinals (7% Rostered): Dortch’s usefulness likely will run out upon DeAndre Hopkins’ return to the field, and could end once Rondale Moore is back. But until then, Dortch is functioning in a high-target role for Kyler Murray, who can help him put up numbers. Dortch caught seven passes in Week 1 and found the end zone in Week 2, so he has earned at least some consideration from fantasy managers as a bench stash.

Robbie Anderson, Panthers (37% Rostered): Anderson’s numbers returned to normal in Week 2 (three catches, 32 yards), but he drew five targets from Baker Mayfield and remains involved in the offense. The big play potential is there on every single play, but Anderson is still little more than an emergency play.

Tight Ends

Hayden Hurst, Bengals (16% Rostered): Hurst was on the field for 81% of Cincinnati’s snaps last week, making it two straight about 75%. Hurst saw seven targets – 15 in two games – and hauled in five of them for 24 yards. Hurst isn’t going to be a big play guy in this offense with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins the preferred options for that, but he’s on the field and should frequently catch emergency checkdowns from Joe Burrow, who is under siege every time he drops back. Hurst is a capable fill-in for teams missing George Kittle, or preparing to be without Dalton Schultz.

Irv Smith Jr., Vikings (41% Rostered): Smith goosed people in Week 1, so he’s by no means a safe addition. In Week 2, however, he saw eight targets and caught five of them for 36 yards and a touchdown. He also flat out dropped a bomb placed in his hands from Kirk Cousins that would’ve resulted in a second, long touchdown reception. Smith is going to disappear from time to time, but he offers big play ability that Hurst doesn’t at the moment. If you can stomach the risk, Smith might make more sense. But he will not be your cup of tea if consistency is what you crave.