This week was particularly dangerous for quarterbacks as Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger both went down with injuries. The value of the signal-callers behind those two on the depth chart still figures to be less than this week’s top readily available wideouts and running backs. To help you figure out who you should prioritize on waivers, we’ve invited our featured pundits to give their thoughts on which players and defense they’re currently targeting.

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Featured Experts:

Mike Tagliere – FantasyPros

Walter Cherepinsky – WalterFootball

Derek Lofland – FantasyPros

Bobby Sylvester – FantasyPros

Bart Wheeler – Hail to Fantasy Football

Huseyin Aksu – Fantasy Couch



Q1. How much are you willing to spend (FAAB %) on your favorite waiver wire target (or two) and why do you like him?

Mecole Hardman (KC – WR) | Demarcus Robinson (KC – WR)

“I’d be willing to spend 15-20% of the FAAB on the top two players. Both are Chiefs receivers, so they should be able to produce heavily with Tyreek Hill out for several weeks. Hardman is especially appealing because of his talent, even though Robinson outproduced him versus Oakland by over 100 yards.”

– Walter Cherepinsky (WalterFootball)

“Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson burst onto the fantasy scene with six receptions, 172 yards, and two touchdowns this week. Robinson has a lot of upside playing with quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and, even if WR Tyreek Hill returns in a couple weeks, the Kansas City offense has enough explosiveness to support multiple fantasy receivers. Robinson is looking like he could carve a huge role out in that offense. I would be willing to spend $15 on Robinson. He could be a top-20 fantasy wide receiver until Hill returns and there is enough upside in that offense for him to have WR3 to WR4 value when Hill returns. Also, Sammy Watkins has an extensive injury history, so there is no reason Robinson could not be back in the starting lineup later this season.”

– Derek Lofland (FantasyPros)



“If you’re looking for production now, Mecole Hardman should be atop your list. It’s somewhat crazy to think he’s available in most leagues, but after posting 61 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders, you’ll find him on many more teams. He would’ve had 100-plus yards and two touchdowns if not for a holding penalty. With Tyreek Hill out another three-to-five weeks, Hardman is worth 20-25 percent of FAAB budgets if you’re in need of a wide receiver.”

– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) | Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)

“If “Scary” Terry McLaurin is somehow still on your waiver wire, I’d spend 15% of your FAAB to get the de facto No. 1 wide receiver in Washington. The Redskins will continue to play catchup in a lot of games this season, and Keenum has been airing it out to the rookie. If it’s a running back you need, Mostert is worth about 15% of your FAAB as well. With Tevin Coleman out, Mostert makes for a decent flex play for the next month or so. Plus, if Matt Breida gets the injury bug like he did last season, Mostert could have good rest of season value.”

– Bart Wheeler (Hail to Fantasy Football)

Geronimo Allison (WR – GB)

“Fortunately for Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers won’t play Minnesota and Chicago every week, so we can expect the fantasy points to begin piling up in this passing game again. The Packers made it clear in Week 2 that Allison is a starter and a key piece to their offense, so he should be regarded again as a rest-of-season WR3. As a result, I’d spend 12-15% of my FAAB in order to acquire him.”

– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Chris Herndon (TE – NYJ)

“The tight end position is yet again a messy one and pretty close to a crapshoot. Stashing Herndon ahead of the pack is a smart move and worth taking a shot at in leagues where you have enough bench spots. Even though Herndon won’t be back until Week 6 (four-game suspension and Week 4 bye), you’ll be alright. Get ahead of the curb and bid only one-to-two percent of your FAAB on Herndon. This is the same thing I do for defenses playing the Dolphins later on in the year.”

– Huseyin Aksu (Fantasy Couch)

Q2. For owners renting a D/ST in Week 3, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target and why?

“With the way the Packers’ defense looked against the Bears in Week 1, I thought they would be higher owned. The additions of Za’Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, and Preston Smith showed up immediately. Mitch Trubisky was pressured on 40 percent of his dropbacks against them and was sacked five times — and we know he has mobility. It continued against the Vikings as they pressure Kirk Cousins a league-high 60 percent of the time in Week 2. Knowing they’ll be at home against Joe Flacco in Week 3 should be a treat, as his mobility is practically zero. The Packers are my favorite streamer available in practically every league.”

– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“For the third consecutive week, Green Bay is my favorite D/ST steamer. The matchup against Denver and Joe Flacco certainly isn’t bad, but this has more to do with game script and just sheer talent. The offseason additions of Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage make them a force to be reckoned with. You can start them with confidence against any non-top-10 offense in the NFL.”

– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

“Mason Rudolph looked good in his NFL debut in the second half against the Seahawks. You know who also looked good versus Seattle? Andy Dalton, who threw for 400 yards in Week 1. Dalton struggled mightily versus San Francisco this past week. The 49ers, armed with a great pass rush, could rattle Rudolph, forcing the first-year starter into committing turnovers.”

– Walter Cherepinsky (WalterFootball)

“The San Francisco 49ers have been pretty stout on defense to start the season and their first two games were on the road. This week, they go home to play a Pittsburgh offense that will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back James Conner is also dinged up and unlikely to play. The 49ers are good enough to take a flier on this week and even keep on your roster if they are able to continue their strong start to the season.”

– Derek Lofland (FantasyPros)

“I’m adding the Jets D/ST in deep leagues or leagues where I seven or more bench spots. Look at the Dolphins’ schedule and start streaming defenses that play them earlier. The Bills’, Patriots’, and Jets’ defenses all get a boost just because they play the Dolphins twice. Darnold (mono) should be back before the Jets play the Dolphins in Week 9.”

– Huseyin Aksu (Fantasy Couch)

“Even though they’re a top-five fantasy defense after two weeks, Tennessee is still only owned in 35% of Yahoo leagues. This week they travel to Jacksonville to face a struggling Jags offense led by a rookie quarterback. Sign me up for a top-10 finish on Thursday night for the Titans.”

– Bart Wheeler (Hail to Fantasy Football)

Thank you to the experts for naming their top waiver targets. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.



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