Welcome to the Week 3 edition of Waiver Wired for the 2019 season. Week 2 brought a myriad of injuries to the table including Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow surgery and Drew Brees’ torn thumb ligament. The trickle-down effect stemming from those two absences will be discussed in detail below. It’s also important to highlight the inevitable fallouts following Tyreek Hill’s (collarbone) absence, James Conner’s knee injury, Alshon Jeffery’s strained calf, and Devin Singletary's (hamstring) unknown status.

As a reminder, the drop list consists of players who are no longer must-roster assets, recommended adds are available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, the watch list contains in-depth notes on players who are worthy of roster spots if possible, and deep cuts includes player notes on those rostered in five percent or fewer of Yahoo leagues.

The Drop List

QB: Kirk Cousins, Philip Rivers, Sam Darnold, Derek Carr, Mitchell Trubisky

RB: Derrius Guice, Justice Hill, Mike Davis, Tevin Coleman, Darrell Henderson, Kareem Hunt

WR: Robby Anderson, Dante Pettis, Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Donte Moncrief, Devin Funchess, Keke Coutee

TE: Hunter Henry, Kyle Rudolph, Trey Burton

O.J. Howard came close to qualifying, but it’s still too early to shed a premier athlete at tight end. Here’s to hoping he starts running (and getting targeted on) more routes soon. As mentioned last week, Coleman is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, which usually means a 4-6 week recovery timetable. Raheem Mostert's (expected) outburst obviously makes this situation a three-headed timeshare (rather than simply two-headed) whenever Coleman returns. I wouldn't drop him personally, but every roster (and league) is different, which may force the issue and make him expendable. With Sam Darnold reportedly eyeing Week 5, I'd attempt to hold both Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder, but understand it may not be feasible for every roster. Corey Davis has led all Titans in routes run (51), but his 15 percent target share is unusable as the third option on a sluggish offense. Hunter Henry's unknown timetable also makes him a drop (barring an I.R. spot in your leagues).

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Overall Top 5

1. Jaylen Samuels

2. Demarcus Robinson

3. Mecole Hardman

4. James Washington

5. Raheem Mostert

For those simply looking to roster the best player available regardless of position, the rankings above take into account every factor from the positional lists minus the actual positions. These are listed in the precise order I’d prioritize waiver claims in Week 3.

Handcuff Top 5

1. Giovani Bernard

2. Jaylen Samuels

3. Tony Pollard

4. Ty Montgomery

5. Chase Edmonds

For those refusing to stand pat and itching for an end-of-roster asset after starting 2-0 on the back of an obviously stacked lineup, the above list was carefully assembled to highlight league-winners in the event the player ahead of them misses any time. Presumed snaps, carries, targets, and the play-calling each are tied to have been factored in. This list could change weekly.

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston rostered in 63 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Josh Allen

2. Mason Rudolph

3. Daniel Jones

4. Teddy Bridgewater

Running Backs

Rashaad Penny rostered in 60 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Jaylen Samuels

2. Raheem Mostert

3. Chris Thompson

4. Frank Gore

5. Carlos Hyde

6. Ito Smith

Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin rostered in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Demarcus Robinson

2. Mecole Hardman

3. James Washington

4. Deebo Samuel

5. D.J. Chark

6. JJ Arcega-Whiteside

7. A.J. Brown

8. Devin Smith

9. Geronimo Allison

10. Nelson Agholor

Tight Ends

1. Will Dissly

2. Jason Witten

3. Vernon Davis

Defense/Special Teams

Dallas Cowboys rostered in 70 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers

Kickers

1. Joey Slye

2. Zane Gonzalez

QUARTERBACKS

1. Josh Allen, Bills – Rostered in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 7% FAAB Bid)

Allen’s been discussed weekly in this space and that won’t change heading into Week 3 against the Bengals. His 8.5 carries per game remain invaluable at the position, securing his spot as a weekly QB1 if only for the high floor. Cincinnati’s inability to cover downfield is a plus for Allen (and John Brown) in this prime streaming matchup.

2. Mason Rudolph, Steelers – Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues (4%)

Rudolph ranks highest among the newcomers to this list if only for his immediate exploitable schedule in an up-tempo matchup against the Niners in Week 3 then home for a divisional bout against Cincy’s secondary. A relative unknown, Rudolph at the very least will have his old running mate James Washington on the field for immediate rapport. The Steelers showed enough confidence in the 24-year-old to send their 2020 first-round pick to the Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick (at 0-2 nonetheless).

3. Daniel Jones, Giants — Rostered in 2 percent of Yahoo leagues (3%)

Jones is admittedly a better athlete than Rudolph and could hit his ceiling earlier. But Sterling Shepard’s (concussion) and Cody Latimer’s (concussion) availabilities, not to mention Golden Tate’s ongoing four-game suspension, bring doubts to what Jones can accomplish in his first couple of starts. His presence is still a huge plus for Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley both short-term and down the stretch.

4. Teddy Bridgewater, Saints — Rostered in 1 percent of Yahoo leagues (1%)

Warren Sharp forecasts the Saints with the fourth-softest passing schedule from Week 3 on, logically setting Bridgewater up for success. The underlying question is how long of a leash Bridgewater has with do-it-all Sean Payton favorite Taysom Hill lingering on the sidelines. There’s a legitimate chance Bridgewater is taken off the field in red zone packages, limiting his ceiling in the six weeks Drew Brees is out.

Watch List: It sounds as if either Kyle Allen or rookie Will Grier will start in place of Cam Newton, who re-aggravated his preseason foot injury in Thursday's loss. No official starter has been named just yet, but whoever's under center would benefit from Arizona's league-high rate of opponent plays per game allotted...Luke Falk admittedly showed something in mop-up duty Monday night, but a road start against the Patriots isn't something you want to have stake in.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Jaylen Samuels, Steelers – Rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 18% FAAB Bid)

James Conner (knee, questionable) is trending towards playing against the Niners, but his recent stint off the field showed exactly why Jaylen Samuels need be rostered across all formats. Once Conner exited against the Seahawks, Samuels played 21-of-23 offensive snaps, handling every backfield touch. A knee injury this early into the season only makes Samuels that much more pressing a player to roster. The Steelers hit their bye in Week 7.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues

2. Raheem Mostert, 49ers – Rostered in 16 percent of Yahoo leagues (12%)

It stands to reason that all three of San Francisco’s backs have FLEX value (at minimum) while Tevin Coleman’s (ankle) out. Mostert was a hot commodity for half the cost last week, but you should still fight to roster him following an (expected) 13/83 on the ground and 3/68/1 as a receiver. He would be the No. 1 option atop this list if Conner was deemed healthy, and can easily be dispersed alongside Matt Breida as a RB1/2 combo.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

3. Chris Thompson, Redskins – Rostered in 48 percent of Yahoo leagues (10%)

It was much of the same for Thompson in Week 2 as he carried the ball just a couple of times but walked away only one fantasy point shy (10.1) of Adrian Peterson’s total (11.2) due to his usage in Washington’s passing game. Thompson’s currently living on the high of Case Keenum being the No. 9 quarterback in fantasy (which isn’t expected to continue), but his shallow 1.2 average depth of target out of the backfield is safe even when rookie Dwayne Haskins inevitably gets the nod mid-season.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

4. Frank Gore, Bills – Rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo leagues (5%)

Gore was removed from the Drop List and added as a priority the moment Devin Singletary (hamstring) came up limping. The veteran won’t be used in the passing game — that role’s reserved for third-down back T.J. Yeldon — but a friendly game script at home projects Gore out-touching Yeldon as Buffalo likely ices this one late. You know what you’re getting if you bid on him.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

5. Carlos Hyde, Texans – Rostered in 43 percent of Yahoo leagues (5%)

Hyde’s admittedly looked great on 48.2 percent of Houston’s offensive snaps, averaging an outstanding 3.87 yards after contact per attempt, but there’s still only so much weight (and FAAB) you should put into a soon-to-be 29-year-old playing on his fifth team in the last two seasons. Bill O’Brien’s play-calling will keep Hyde as the early-down favorite in this backfield.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues and RB-desperate teams

6. Ito Smith, Falcons – Rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo leagues (1%)

Anyone who’s watched Devonta Freeman play this season should be chomping at the bit to make room for Smith at the end of their roster.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 14-team leagues

Watch List: With the likelihood Kenyan Drake’s shipped out of town soon, it’s worth noting Kalen Ballage is still available in 72 percent of Yahoo leagues. Make no mistake about it: Ballage is #notgood. But Drake’s inevitable departure would vacate 43/66 percent of Miami’s backfield carries/routes…Giovani Bernard was in line for starter’s run until Joe Mixon played through his ankle sprain for 11 carries (1.54 YPC). As shown in the Handcuff Top 5, Bernard’s an end-of-bench priority if you have a spot to burn since having passing downs all to himself is the only way he’ll return production behind this woeful offensive line. Otherwise he’s simply taking up space on your roster…Coach Bruce Arians openly stated Peyton Barber would remain Tampa Bay’s starter and be spelled by Ronald Jones, and that’s exactly what happened in the team’s Week 2 win. Barber was in on 67 percent of offensive snaps while Jones checked in with a backfield-low 12 percent…Justin Jackson’s 8.4 YPC against the Lions, albeit impressive, won’t move the needle as long as Hunter Henry (knee) is out. Los Angeles’ offense solely depends on Austin Ekeler being an every-down player in the interim, as proven by his 48 routes to Jackson’s 13 through two games…Justice Hill and Gus Edwards played 20 percent of Baltimore’s Week 2 snaps, respectively. They merely chipped away at each other’s production while Mark Ingram got 58 percent of the team’s snaps in a competitive contest…Tony Pollard’s snap rate (32.4% > 24.3%) and carries (13 > 4) unsurprisingly dipped against Washington with Ezekiel Elliott getting into shape…Le’Veon Bell took an entire year off, got 23 touches as a bell-cow back in New York’s season opener, received a shoulder MRI, then proceeded to handle 31 touches against the Browns. Odds are Ty Montgomery starts at least one game by Week 7...If you kept Darwin Thompson close to your vest, it may be time to unleash him with both Damien Williams (knee) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) on the mend. We’ll know more mid-week.

Deep Leagues: Jeff Wilson (10) finished behind Raheem Mostert (13) and Matt Breida (12) in total carries, but he was the preferred goal line option (at least for one week), punching in two touchdowns from only five yards out. That gig has value in this backfield if it sticks…Chase Edmonds got five touches during the chunk of time David Johnson (wrist) sat out against the Ravens, but didn’t sniff the field when the latter returned…Ty Johnson equaled C.J. Anderson in carries (5) as the Lions’ No. 2 back on Sunday…D’Ernest Johnson played 23 snaps sans third-down back Dontrell Hilliard (concussion) Monday night, earning six touches behind Nick Chubb. His third-down role makes him sneakily valuable at this time…Have no fear prioritizing T.J. Yeldon over Gore in PPR leagues if Singletary (hamstring) is ruled out. Note that Josh Allen has targeted running backs three percentage points (17%) below league-average (20%)…If Damien Williams (groin) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) do miss time, Darrell Williams would likely out-carry rookie Darwin Thompson (with the latter being more valuable for his work in the passing game).