The second full Sunday of the fantasy football season is officially in the books. It’s now time to improve our rosters.
We recently broke down the top Week 3 waiver-wire targets that fantasy managers should consider adding. But if you’re only interested in the top available quarterbacks and tight ends, we’ve got you covered.
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
It’s time to put some respect on the Saints’ offense. Evidently, new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was just what this team needed to unlock its talent.
Derek Carr has now thrown five touchdowns and rushed for one more in his first two games.
Same Rashid, different day.
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/Ap2RXdPhew
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 15, 2024
Despite having no rushing upside, Carr has topped 20 fantasy points in each of the first two weeks, leading his team to 40+ points in both contests.
Carr gets the Eagles and Falcons the next two weeks. Both of those games could be high-scoring affairs. At worst, he’s a viable streamer. At best, he could be the answer for teams who punted QB and have struggled to find their answer.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers, QB
The box scores don’t reflect how well Justin Fields has played through the first two games of the 2024 NFL season.
Fields had a touchdown pass and a 40+ yard completion to George Pickens both called back due to penalties against Denver on Sunday. Additionally, another explosive play to Pickens was called back in the season opener against Atlanta.
Fields is playing great football and still has the elite rushing upside in this run-heavy offense — that isn’t afraid to dial up QB-designed runs — which makes him a quality streaming option against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers love to run the ball but have faced off against two subpar defensive units where this offense hasn’t been tested against a quality unit like the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, who have allowed just 16 points through the first two games of the season.
It is only a matter of time until Fields breaks through for a big fantasy performance, and I believe this matchup provides George Pickens with an opportunity to have a huge performance in Week 3.
– Derek Tate, Fantasy Football Analyst
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (24%)
The New England Patriots have played two games this year and Hunter Henry has more than triple the amount of targets, receptions, and receiving yards than any other individual pass catcher on the roster.
Henry’s 10 receptions for 127 yards may not sound like an astronomical total, but he currently ranks as the TE4 overall in full-PPR formats.
Hunt is feeling it today 🔥@Hunter_Henry84 | #NEPats
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/x1bN1KLq3R
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 15, 2024
I am fully aware that the thought of trusting any Patriots pass catcher in your starting lineup with Jacoby Brissett under center in an offense that has handed the ball to its running backs 66 times through the first two games isn’t exactly exciting, but when the Patriots have gone to the air in 2024, it has been to Henry.
Like it or not, that type of reliable volume in the passing game normally equals fantasy success at the tight end position, which means he should be worth consideration as a low-end TE1 option in Week 3 until another pass catcher emerges.
– Derek Tate, Fantasy Football Analyst
Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins (6%)
The big story from Thursday Night Football is undoubtedly Tua Tagovailoa’s health. Given his history of concussions, it would not be a surprise if that was the last time we’ll see him on a football field. Most importantly, he needs to do what’s best for his long-term health.
On the field, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle thoroughly disappointed. However, Jonnu Smith saw a significant uptick in usage. Although Smith played fewer than half of the offensive snaps, he actually led the team in routes run. Smith caught six of seven targets for 53 yards.
Given the state of the tight-end position, I wouldn’t fault anyone for chasing the points and hoping there’s something here. However, I am not interested in adding Smith.
We’ve now seen the Bills erase outside wide receivers for two consecutive weeks, forcing opponents to take short stuff underneath. Additionally, for at least a couple of weeks, if not the entire season, it’s going to be Skylar Thompson at quarterback. I am not interested in anyone catching passes from Skylar Thompson.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders (8%)
There is certainly nothing exciting about Zach Ertz. The soon-to-be 34-year-old tight end has recovered from multiple serious knee injuries and is now the TE1 for the Commanders.
Ertz hasn’t done much of note over the first two weeks, but he is on the field plenty. Four catches for 62 yards is very much passable at a challenging tight-end position. Although we’d like more than four targets, anyone scoring double-digits is good enough for me.