Waiver Wire Watch: Week 3
By John Paulsen, Contributing Editor
Note: For more options, see our classic ReDrafter Cheat Sheet each Tuesday. It's perfect for evaluating free agents and thinking over trade offers as it offers you our rest of season rankings.
First, a word for those Jamaal Charles owners out there -- I feel your pain. In one of my auction leagues, I have Charles and Arian Foster. A month ago, I was flying high, envisioning my double-stud backfield running roughshod through my league. Now I'm scrambling to find a RB2 to start alongside my RB3, Cedric Benson.
Injuries are unfortunately a big part of fantasy football and given the inherent randomness, they're nearly impossible to predict. Fortunately, there are options for Charles owners out there. These aren't great options, but if you drafted an otherwise solid team, there's still a chance you can work your way into the postseason, where we all know anything can happen.
Attack this problem in three ways:
1. Don't give up. Your season's not over! The fantasy gods only give you as much as you can handle! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! And other platitudes.
2. Pick up a RB or two. Look down the list and see who's available in your league. If there are no good RB options, pick up a WR/QB/TE and...
3. Look to make a trade. Scan your roster and see if you have superior depth at QB, WR or TE. Then look at the other teams in your league and target teams with depth at RB and see if they have a weakness in an area where you're strong. Don't try to pry away Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson -- it isn't going to happen. Instead, target a RB2 or RB3, maybe one who has disappointed early in the season. Perhaps you can acquire Benson, Tim Hightower, Felix Jones, James Starks or Mike Tolbert. Who knows, maybe Chris Johnson is available at the right price.
But enough about Charles. Let's look at the Week 3 waiver wire pickups. This week, I'm going to include a suggested dollar-value (for a budget of $100) for those owners in leagues with Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB), but every league is different so adjust accordingly. Let's start with the QBs...
Panthers QB Cam Newton ($35)
He's probably not available in your league, but if he is -- pick him up. He has 854 passing yards and 71 rushing yards in two weeks. Sure, he's been picked off four times, but he's also thrown for three TDs and run for two more. The Panthers are no longer a run-oriented team. Newton has attempted 83 passes (and rushed 18 times) versus just 30 carries combined for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Next up: Jaguars, Bears, Saints
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ($20)
The chips were down at halftime of the Bills' W2 game against the Raiders. Fitzy had only thrown for 108 yards and an interception, which means he posted 156 passing yards and three TDs in the second half. He also finished with 23 rushing yards. The Bills defense isn't good, so he'll probably be involved in a lot of shootouts throughout the season.
Next up: Patriots, Bengals, Eagles
Redskins QB Rex Grossman ($8)
Grossman got off to a rough start against the Cardinals, tossing a pair of interceptions early on. But he finished with 291 yards passing and two TDs, giving him four TDs in the first two games. With a injury-depleted Cowboys defense up next, Grossman looks like another good start in W3.
Next up: Cowboys, Rams, BYE
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