Week 3 waiver wire FAAB: Denzel Boston, Jonah Coleman top fantasy football targets

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Week 3 waiver wire FAAB: Denzel Boston, Jonah Coleman top fantasy football targets

Matt De Lima · The Big Lead

Mon, Sep 21, 2026 ·

15 min read

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Fantasy football managers head into the Week 3 waiver wire with starting quarterbacks down in Washington and Chicago , a rookie back scoring the winning touchdown in Denver and a 12-catch tight end in Houston to sort through. The NFL always keeps us on our toes, doesn't it?

Here's a position-by-position look at who's worth a claim. My FAAB recommendations are relatively conservative, so keep that in mind for your own leagues.

MORE: Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top

Week 3 waiver wire strategy

Week 3 waiver wire FAAB fantasy football

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Two weeks of results is still a small sample, but it's twice what you had last week. Most of this week's changes came from injuries. Jayden Daniels , Caleb Williams , Saquon Barkley , Nico Collins , DJ Moore and David Njoku all got hurt, and each injury pushed carries or targets to a player who might be sitting on your wire.

So spend on roles, not box scores. A backup who could start for a month is worth more than a receiver who caught one long touchdown. Check injury news before you place bids, because several players below only matter if the starter sits.

The schedule matters too. The Atlanta Falcons visit the Green Bay Packers Thursday night, and the Philadelphia Eagles play the Chicago Bears Monday night. Those games change when players lock and how long you can wait on news.

Free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) recommendations are based on a $100 budget. My bids are conservative, so bid higher if you want to be aggressive on a player.

MORE: Week 3 fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em: Plug in Jordan Love

Which quarterbacks should you add now?

Bryce Young , Carolina Panthers

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Opponent: at Cleveland Browns , 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons, 23-of-36 for 287 yards, 3 TD
Rostered percentage: 33%
FAAB recommendation: $10 1QB / $20 2QB

Young has six touchdown passes and a rushing score through two games. Unlike Week 1, Carolina led the whole way in the 34-3 win in Atlanta. He threw for 204 yards in the first half, the most of his career in a half, and he went 5-of-7 for 161 yards on deep throws. The Panthers have scored 71 points, the most in team history through two games. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick heads to Cleveland next, and he's now a weekly starter in two-quarterback leagues.

MORE: Fantasy football waiver wire FAAB Week 2: Tyler Shough, Bryce Young lead QB adds

Tyler Shough , New Orleans Saints

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Opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders , 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens , 27-of-34 for 252 yards, 1 TD, nine carries for 23 yards, 1 rush TD
Rostered percentage: 48%
FAAB recommendation: $10 1QB / $20 2QB

Shough led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to beat Baltimore, 24-17. He hit Chris Olave for a 21-yard score and then won it on a fourth-down sneak with 1:28 left. He has 662 passing yards and a 4-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio through two games, and the rushing score helps his floor. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was carted off with an ankle injury, so watch the Saints' line this week. The second-year passer gets the Raiders at home.

Marcus Mariota , Washington Commanders

Opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks , 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys , 11-of-16 for 111 yards, 1 TD (second half only)
Rostered percentage: 0%
FAAB recommendation: $3 1QB / $6 2QB

Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow on the last play of the first half of a 37-20 loss in Arlington. He dislocated the same elbow last November and missed three games. Per NBC Sports, coach Dan Quinn said the team will "rally so hard around Marcus until Jayden is back." Mariota capped his best drive with a 20-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs . Seattle held Arizona to 151 total yards on Sunday, so the first start is a hard one. The 2015 No. 2 overall pick is a better add for the weeks after that.

Tyson Bagent , Chicago Bears

Opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 28
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings , 5-of-9 for 54 yards
Rostered percentage: 0%
FAAB recommendation: $3 1QB / $6 2QB

Caleb Williams suffered a non-contact right hamstring injury on a fourth-quarter scramble in the 9-3 loss. Coach Ben Johnson said the hamstring "could be pretty damaging as well," and more tests were set for Monday. Bagent moved Chicago to the Minnesota 12 on the final drive before a fourth-down sack. The Division II product from Shepherd started four games as a rookie in 2023 and went 2-2. Johnson backed him after the game: "I called plays for him all preseason, so we'll be fine." Bagent doesn't have Williams' arm, so expect short throws against Vic Fangio's defense. He's a two-quarterback league add only.

MORE: Latest Caleb Williams injury update is massive win for Chicago Bears

Week 3 waiver wire running backs

Jonah Coleman , Denver Broncos

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Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams , 8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars , 10 carries for 39 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches for 19 yards
Rostered percentage: 27%
FAAB recommendation: $3

RJ Harvey sat with a hamstring injury, and J.K. Dobbins left in the second half with a hamstring injury of his own. Coleman stepped in and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter. That's a big jump for a fourth-round rookie who played three offensive snaps and got no carries in Week 1. The former Washington back averaged 5.5 yards per carry with 34 rushing touchdowns in college. If both veterans sit, he's Denver's lead back on Sunday night.

Emanuel Wilson , Seattle Seahawks

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Opponent: at Washington Commanders, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals , 21 carries for 92 yards
Rostered percentage: 1%
FAAB recommendation: $3

Wilson went from two carries in Week 1 to a team-high 21 in the 31-7 win. First-round rookie Jadarian Price left in the fourth quarter with a chest injury. X-rays were negative, and more tests were set for Monday. The burly back was already trading series with Price before the injury, and he ran 12 times for 58 yards after it. Zach Charbonnet can't return until Week 5 at the earliest. The former Packers back is the top running back add if Price misses time.

MORE: Mike Macdonald has Jadarian Price injury update following fourth-quarter exit in Seahawks win

Kaleb Johnson , Green Bay Packers

Opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 24
Week 2: at New York Jets , 8 carries for 32 yards
Rostered percentage: 4%
FAAB recommendation: $1

Green Bay traded a sixth-round pick for Johnson at final cuts with Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list. He didn't play an offensive snap in Week 1. In Week 2, he matched MarShawn Lloyd 's workload and was on the field to start overtime in the 20-17 win. He fumbled once, but Green Bay recovered it. The former Iowa back is bigger than Lloyd and gave the run game a spark.

Tank Bigsby , Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent: at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 28
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans , 13 carries for 33 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches for 5 yards
Rostered percentage: 29%
FAAB recommendation: $3

Saquon Barkley hurt his neck on the first play from scrimmage in the 24-20 win and finished with five touches. He returned after halftime, but he said he'll have an MRI on Monday. Bigsby led the backfield in carries and scored from 2 yards out. He averaged just 2.5 yards per carry. Still, the former Auburn back has handled volume before, with 168 carries for 766 yards and seven touchdowns in Jacksonville in 2024.

Alvin Kamara , New Orleans Saints

Opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Baltimore Ravens, nine carries for 15 yards, 5 catches for 7 yards
Rostered percentage: 29%
FAAB recommendation: $3

Kamara made his season debut, and the box score was rough. Still, he handled 14 touches in his first game back. Travis Etienne Jr. has 71 rushing yards on 17 carries through two weeks , and Kendre Miller was a healthy scratch. Nobody has taken control of this backfield. The veteran is a hold if you drafted him and a cheap add if someone dropped him after Sunday. The Saints return home to face Las Vegas.

Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

Opponent: at Miami Dolphins , 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts , 27 yards on three touches during one scoring drive
Rostered percentage: 27%
FAAB recommendation: $1

Johnson won the No. 2 job behind Kenneth Walker III in camp. He's done a lot with a little. He had 68 total yards on 10 touches in Week 1, including catches of 19 and 25 yards. On Sunday night, he had three touches for 27 yards on one drive that ended in a field goal. But Walker has run for 290 yards through two games, so the Nebraska rookie has no standalone value yet. I believe he's the most valuable handcuff RB in fantasy right now along with San Francisco 's Kaelon Black. He's a bench stash who would start every week if Walker got hurt.

Which wide receivers are worth adding?

Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns

Week 3 waiver wire FAAB — NFL: Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sep 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison (21) defends against Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5 catches on 7 targets for 95 yards, 1 TD
Rostered percentage: 32%
FAAB recommendation: $4

Boston has a touchdown of 40-plus yards in each of his first two games. His 55-yard score tied the game at 16 in the third quarter of Cleveland's 23-19 upset in Tampa. He caught a crosser, spun off tacklers and ran it in. The 6-foot-4 rookie from Washington has seven catches for 154 yards on 11 targets. KC Concepcion had another quiet game, and Jerry Jeudy didn't catch his only target. Deshaun Watson 's offense limits the ceiling, but Boston is the Browns' top receiver right now.

Rashod Bateman , Baltimore Ravens

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Opponent: at Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro), 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints, 7 catches on 9 targets for 88 yards, 1 TD
Rostered percentage: 17%
FAAB recommendation: $2

Zay Flowers (hamstring) and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) sat out, and Bateman led the Ravens with nine targets. He scored on a 22-yard catch late in the second quarter. In Week 1, he had one target and no catches on 27 routes. So his value depends on Flowers. In 2024, Bateman had 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. If Flowers sits against Dallas in Brazil, he's a flex play. If Flowers plays, he's a bench piece.

Adonai Mitchell , New York Jets

Opponent: at Detroit Lions , 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers, 6 catches on 12 targets for 63 yards
Rostered percentage: 16%
FAAB recommendation: $2

Mitchell led the Jets with 12 targets, about 29% of Geno Smith 's throws, in the 20-17 overtime loss. He played 61 of 74 snaps and ran a route on 41 of 50 dropbacks. Mitchell has 60 or more yards in both games. The former Georgia and Texas receiver caught only 41.4% of his targets for the Jets last season, and six of 12 isn't much better. But the volume is steady, and Detroit's secondary gave up 41 points to Buffalo last Thursday.

Keon Coleman , Buffalo Bills

Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers , 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions, 6 catches on 6 targets for 63 yards
Rostered percentage: 2%
FAAB recommendation: $2

DJ Moore left late in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and a stinger after diving for a pass in the end zone. Coleman caught everything thrown to him after that, including a few key grabs late in the 41-31 win. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Moore's injury isn't serious, and he has a chance to play in Week 3. The 33rd pick in the 2024 draft was a healthy scratch four times last season. So he's a deep-league add. Josh Allen has five passing and three rushing touchdowns through two games , and any Bills receiver with a role can score.

Tre Tucker , Las Vegas Raiders

Opponent: at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers, 5 catches on 7 targets for 119 yards, 1 TD
Rostered percentage: 29%
FAAB recommendation: $1

Kirk Cousins threw mostly check-downs in Week 1, then took deep shots in the 26-14 win at SoFi Stadium. Tucker caught two passes of 40-plus yards, including a 40-yard touchdown, and had 110 yards by halftime. He also tied Ashton Jeanty for the team lead with seven targets. Last season, the speedy veteran had a 145-yard, three-touchdown game against Washington but averaged 36.8 receiving yards in his other 11 games. Consistency is the concern, so treat him as a flex option in New Orleans.

Dontayvion Wicks , Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent: at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 28
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans, 5 catches on 6 targets for 74 yards
Rostered percentage: 28%
FAAB recommendation: $1

Wicks has topped 70 yards in both games and stays ahead of first-round rookie Makai Lemon. All five of his catches on Sunday came on third or fourth down, and every one moved the chains. He has seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The former Virginia receiver doesn't see much volume, but Jalen Hurts trusts him on key downs. He's a bench piece with a flex case in deeper leagues.

Week 3 waiver wire tight ends

Dalton Schultz , Houston Texans

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Opponent: at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals , 12 catches on 14 targets for 140 yards
Rostered percentage: 57%
FAAB recommendation: $3

With Nico Collins out with a hamstring injury, Schultz posted a career-high 140 yards. Eight of his 12 catches came in the fourth quarter while Houston trailed. No other Texans pass-catcher had more than three catches or 40 yards. Collins' Week 3 status is unclear. But Schultz also drew eight targets in Week 1 with Collins healthy, so the veteran tight end is a streamer in Indianapolis either way. His floor rises if Collins sits.

Darren Waller , Carolina Panthers

Sep 20, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Darren Waller (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Opponent: at Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons, 3 catches for 33 yards, 2 TD
Rostered percentage: 3%
FAAB recommendation: $2

Waller scored twice in his hometown, from 7 and 12 yards out. He's the first Panthers tight end with two touchdown catches in a game since Greg Olsen in 2019. The snap count is the concern. He played 29 snaps, 44% of the offense, behind Mitchell Evans and Tommy Tremble . So he's a red-zone option in a three-man rotation. Carolina's offense has been scoring, but treat the veteran as a touchdown-or-bust streamer.

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers

Opponent: at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 2 catches on 2 targets for 18 yards, 1 TD
Rostered percentage: 6%
FAAB recommendation: $1

David Njoku was carted off in the second quarter with a knee injury, and blocking tight end Charlie Kolar later left with a forearm injury. Gadsden's route rate jumped from 14% in Week 1 to 48%, and he scored in the third quarter. As a rookie last season, he caught 27 passes over one five-game stretch. The Chargers are 0-2, and the offense has stalled, which limits his ceiling. If Njoku misses time, the second-year tight end is the top tight end add this week.

MORE: David Njoku injury: Latest news on Chargers tight end after being carted off

Pat Freiermuth , Pittsburgh Steelers

Opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 2: at New England Patriots , 4 catches on 5 targets for 32 yards
Rostered percentage: 13%
FAAB recommendation: $1

Freiermuth has nine catches on 10 targets through two games and holds the No. 1 tight end job. Aaron Rodgers throws short often, and the 6-foot-5 tight end works underneath. The problem is the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh scored three points in the 20-3 loss and rarely reached the red zone. Freiermuth scored in Week 1, and he'll need more touchdowns to pay off against Cincinnati.

MORE: Aaron Rodgers calls on Steelers to 'play better' after Patriots loss

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