• Bucky Irving leads the Tampa Bay Book Hunters in hasty attempts: It seems only a matter of time before he becomes the team’s primary running back.

• Jauan Jennings scores three touchdowns: The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver played one of the best games of the season at the position.

• Discover your advantage with a PFF+ subscription: Get full access to all of our fantasy tools in the season, including weekly rankings, WR/CB Matchup Charts, weekly projectionsthe Start-Sit-optimizer and more. Sign up now!

Estimated reading time: 26 minutes

With Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season nearly upon us, these are the key players to watch on the fantasy football waiver wire. Here, we’ll discuss options for smaller and deeper leagues, as well as highlight players to avoid.

Jump to a position group:

QB | RB | WR | TE

Quarterback

Justin Velden, Pittsburgh Steelers (Included in 24.2% of competitions on ESPN)

Fields went 25-for-32 passing for 245 yards and a touchdown while also running for a touchdown as the Steelers remained undefeated. The first important point is Pittsburgh’s record; the more Fields wins, the less likely it is Russel Wilson will take over the runway.

Fields’ performance was good enough to make him QB9 on the week. The biggest difference between Week 3 and his first two outings is that he scored twice. The fact that he only managed six yards on six carries is also notable because his rushing production should be increasing.

He is a top-four quarterback in rushing attempts. If Fields were to combine his newfound passing efficiency with his rushing efficiency from previous seasons, he would be a top-five fantasy quarterback. Even if that doesn’t happen, he should remain a fantasy starter in the right matchups.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (16.1%)

Darnold has finished as a top-six fantasy quarterback over the past two weeks, completing 17 of his 28 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns in the Vikings’ Week 3 upset win. His potential for rushing production is minimal, which is why he’s below Fields on waivers, but Darnold could play even better. He hasn’t Jordan Addison in the past two weeks, and star tight end TJ Hockenson would have to return from injury at some point.

Darnold should be considered above most quarterbacks selected as reserves in fantasy football.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (27.5%)

Smith is still one of the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy points so far this season, despite a poor Week 3. He’s completed over 75% of his passes for nearly 300 yards, but has also thrown one touchdown and two interceptions.

While the touchdowns haven’t always been there, Smith ranks third in passing yards in the Seahawks’ new pass-friendly offense. All of his receivers have had at least one good week this season, and the offense should actually improve with more time together. Smith could be inserted into fantasy starting lineups if the matchup is right.

Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers (1.4%)

Dalton made his season debut in Week 3 and became the first quarterback this season to pass for 300+ yards and three touchdowns in the same game. Most of the Panthers’ skill players had their best game of the season. Carolina did it in a decisive win, but there will be weeks where the offense has to throw a lot to play from behind. Dalton may be a one-week wonder, but it’s rare that a quarterback who scores close to 25 fantasy points is available in over 95% of fantasy leagues.

Walk back

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Book Hunters (32.7%)

Irving led the Buccaneers in rushing yards and yards per carry in each of the first two weeks, and he led the team in rushing attempts in Week 3.

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