The first three weeks of the NFL season has been nothing short of exciting; unless you’re a fantasy football owner. Then it’s been stressful. As if it couldn’t get any more frustrating, Malik Nabers is knocked out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, meaning you have to act quick to get a WR1 replacement. At this point, you may have to turn to a receiver-by-committee approach, but if you’re fortunate enough to get a good waiver spot, it could work out.
Along with looking for receiver replacements, you also have to keep in mind the quarterback position. There’s always some good options out there, even if they aren’t necessarily your first choice. Lamar Jackson went down with a hamstring injury and looked frustrating at that against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Here’s who you should be going after in your fantasy league if you’re looking for depth or looking for some serious help. This early in the season, the waiver wire can still be your friend as fantasy football owners frantically scrap together the best roster they can.
Note: Roster percentages are in ESPN fantasy leagues. All rankings and point totals are in PPR leagues and entering both Dolphins-Jets and Bengals-Broncos for Monday Night Football.
Quarterbacks to add from the fantasy waiver wire
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (21.1 percent rostered)
Jaxson Dart has a surprisingly strong first start in the NFL, leading the Giants to their first win of the season and seemingly helping New York turn the page on a disappointing Russell Wilson tenure. Dart had nearly 20 fantasy points, predominantly killing the LA Chargers with his feet. New York has the New Orleans Saints this week so if you have Lamar Jackson or simply an underperforming QB1, it may be worth looking at Dart for this week.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (9.4 percent rostered)
Sam Darnold hasn’t played bad since Week 1 and has at least 15 fantasy points every week since then. He’s not the first quarterback option, but he’s someone to keep in mind. While Darnold hasn’t ever beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his career and hasn’t played them since 2023, he’s averaging 250 passing yards and almost two touchdowns per game against them. It may be worth looking into if you need a quarterback.
Running backs to add from fantasy waiver wire
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (89.2 percent rostered)
If you’re in a league where Skattebo is available to claim, you better be quick. He’s burst onto the scene this season and with Nabers’ injury, could have an even bigger role in the run game for the Giants. Per ESPN, he was projected to get 14 points this past week and had 13.4. Other than Week 1, he’s had at least 13 points per game including a season-high 24 in Week 3. He’ll be a hot commodity this week.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (35.6 percent rostered)
Kenneth Gainwell is a depth option for now, but he could be a Flex or RB2 option down the road, especially if Jaylen Wells misses a lot of time to injury. Gainwell exploded for 31.4 fantasy points a week ago. While that was probably a one off, it doesn’t take away that he could have a bigger role with this offense moving forward. I wouldn’t put a lot of faith in Gainwell, but I wouldn’t count him out either.
Wide receivers to add from fantasy waiver wire
Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts (1.3 percent rostered)
Don’t get too wrapped up on Adonai Mitchell’s two huge mistakes in the Indianapolis Colts’ first loss of the season. Mitchell took on a bigger role with the offense in Alec Pierce’s absence with three catches and 96 yards. He should have had 76 more yards and a touchdown, but at least the Colts know he can be an option in need. He’s a player that as long as Daniel Jones keeps playing well, I would keep him in your back pocket. At worst, you pick him up and never need him. At best, he becomes a depth piece or even trade bait down the road.
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans (31.6 percent rostered)
Christian Kirk isn’t someone that’s going to hold down the receiver room for you right now, but he could be a good depth piece and future WR2 or Flex option for you as he starts to find his grounding in Houston. He made his debut for the Texans in Week 3 and as he becomes more comfortable with this offense can be a better alternate option in need. I wouldn’t draft him as an immediate replacement to Nabers, but I wouldn’t look past the fact that he can be an option for some extra points this season.
Tight ends to add from fantasy waiver wire
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (67.8 percent rostered)
In all three of the games Dallas Goedert has played in this season, he’s had at least 10 points per game. Consistency is paramount in fantasy football and with Goedert only rostered in about two-thirds of ESPN leagues, he could be one of the biggest steals at this point in the season. I’m not saying he’s going to finish as a top 10 tight end, but he could ultimately end up being a solid piece this season.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (22.6 percent rostered)
Brenton Strange, like Goedert, isn’t the core of your team, but could be a welcomed surprise if you land him off the waiver wire this season. He essentially has 10 points in three of his four games this season and is the Jacksonville Jaguars leading receiver. He doesn’t have a touchdown reception yet this year, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a player worth keeping as a TE2 or Flex option.