Fantasy Football: Top 10 Waiver Wire Week 3 Pickups

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs with the ball as he is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the first quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Fozzy Whittaker-RB-Carolina Panthers(0.8%)

Whittaker has been known in fantasy football leagues mainly as a reason for naming your team “Waka waka waka.” However, he turned that around with a big game after stepping in for the injured Jonathan Stewart on Sunday. Whittaker ended up one of the top running backs of the week despite working against a 49ers defense that shut down Todd Gurley in Week 1.

On his 16 carries Whittaker totaled exactly 100 rushing yards and tacked on 31 more yards on three receptions. While Whittaker’s yardage totals were great, he had the same problem that ultimately limits the value of any Panthers running back.

Whittaker failed to get into the end zone despite his heavy workload since Cam Newton takes any short yardage goal line work. Newton’s rushing touchdowns leave few goal line opportunities for Stewart or Whittaker, but the opportunity for Whittaker to produce still makes him a solid pickup from the waiver wire week 3.

On Monday, Coach Ron Rivera said that Stewart will miss “at least a week or two.” Although he may share time with Cameron Artis-Payne and Michale Tolbert, Whittaker is one of the top running backs to target this week.

Next: How big of a shot will he get?

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