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 wide receivers, we’ve got you covered.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys
It’s always wise to invest in good offenses. The Cowboys may have faceplanted at home against the Saints, but they still scored 19 points. That’s a bad game for this elite offense.
Jalen Tolbert had the best game of his career, catching six of nine targets for 82 yards. I have no idea if this is here to stay. But Brandin Cooks is 30 years old and CeeDee Lamb can’t do everything. Tolbert is worth a speculative add.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns
This may be a bit tough to believe, but Jerry Jeudy is currently a top-30 fantasy WR in full-PPR formats.
An injury to David Njoku and the struggles of Amari Cooper through the first two weeks of the season have helped Jeudy produce eight receptions for 98 yards and a score through his first two games with the Browns.
Quite frankly, saying that Cooper is struggling is putting it very gently. Jeudy has more receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns than Cooper on three fewer targets. Additionally, Cooper has multiple drops on his profile, while Jeudy continues to be the significantly more efficient option.
Jeudy’s realized air yards sits at 52.7% — which isn’t exactly a great mark — while Cooper is concerningly bad at 11.1% (which ranks 120th at the WR position this season).
Jeudy may not be the fantasy stud many hoped he would be entering the league, but he has managed to carve a fantasy-relevant role in this Browns offense, which does make a WR3 option against the New York Giants in Week 3.
– Derek Tate, Fantasy Football Analyst
Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, WRs, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua is already on IR and expected to miss anywhere from 5-to-7 weeks. That immediately elevates both Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson into starting roles in three-receiver sets.
The bad news for the Rams got worse on Sunday, as Cooper Kupp sprained the same ankle he had problems with last season and did not return. If Kupp can’t play next week, the Rams would be looking at Robinson and Johnson as their top two receivers.
While neither did anything of note against the Cardinals, that was a weird game that was non-competitive from very early on. Matthew Stafford has to throw to someone. Both are worth speculative adds.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Regardless of whether you should add Quentin Johnston off the waiver wire, anyone scoring two touchdowns has to at least appear on the list.
The much-maligned Johnston made his presence felt on Sunday, catching five passes for 51 yards and the aforementioned two scores.
Quentin Johnston TOUCHDOWN
📺: #LACvsCAR on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/OzD8IfKRTC— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Johnston led the Chargers in routes run. However, he didn’t even get to 20. Unfortunately, the Chargers remain incredibly run-heavy.
If you want to grab Johnston to see what happens, as he is a former first-round pick, I won’t argue it. But I’m not doing it.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
All Anthony Richardson concerns aside, the second-year quarterback clearly has established a nice rapport with Alec Pierce through the first two games of the 2024 NFL season.
Pierce made an appearance on this list last week and followed up his 21.5 fantasy points — on three receptions for 125 yards and a score — in Week 1 with five more receptions for 56 yards and another score in Week 2.
MORE: Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Pierce saw his snap share jump from 84% in Week 1 to 95% in Week 2, which suggests he is firmly entrenched at the moment as a focal point of this passing attack.
The Colts do draw a tough matchup against a stingy Chicago Bears secondary this week, but as Pierce has already proven this year, he is capable of having a successful fantasy day with just one big vertical down the field in this offense.
– Derek Tate, Fantasy Football Analyst
Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson left the game late in the second half with a quad injury. By the sounds of it, he should be okay. However, we need to be proactive. Therefore, Jalen Nailor’s name at least needs to be on fantasy managers’ minds.
Nailor served as the WR2 with Jordan Addison out. If Jefferson can’t go, Nailor would be the presumptive WR1 in what would not exactly be an ideal offensive situation.
I think Jefferson will play, but if you feel compelled to grab Nailor, you’re going to have to do it ahead of time.
