MIAMI, Sept. 16 (UPI) — Geno Smith and Carson Steele are among my fantasy football waiver wire priorities for Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season.
Sam Darnold, Bucky Irving, Mike Gesicki and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense/special teams are among my other targets.
Injuries, breakout performances and other factors have cleared the way for several players to warrant a spot on fantasy football team benches or maybe even placement in starting lineups.
My waiver wire priorities each carry an ownership percentage of 60% or less. Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 3:
ALL-ADD TEAM
QB | Geno Smith, Sam Darnold; RB | Carson Steele, Ty Chandler, Bucky Irving; WR | Alec Pierce, Quentin Johnston; TE | Mike Gesciki; D/ST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers; K | Greg Zuerlein
HONORABLE MENTIONS
QB | Derek Carr; RB | Braelon Allen, Rico Dowdle; WR | Khalil Shakir, Romeo Doubs; TE | Hunter Henry; D/ST | Las Vegas Raiders; K |; Daniel Carlson
TOP DROPS
QB | Tua Tagovailoa; RB | Justice Hill; WR | Marquise Brown; TE | Cole Kmet; D/ST | Miami Dolphins; K |; Graham Gano
QUARTERBACK
Geno Smith totaled 327 passing yards and a score in the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the New England Patriots, finishing the week as a Top 10 fantasy football quarterback. He also accounted for two scores in Week 1.
This week, the Seahawks will face a Miami Dolphins team that could struggle to move the ball because of the absence of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. I expect the Seahawks to dominate this home matchup, with Smith throwing at least two touchdowns. He is a serviceable streaming option.
RUNNING BACK
Carson Steele should be the top waiver wire priority this week. The Kansas City Chiefs rookie totaled just nine carries for 26 yards through his first two games, but is in line for a major workload boost because of injured starter Isiah Pacheco’s departure from the lineup.
The Chiefs’ roster also features veteran running back Samaje Perine, but I prefer Steele because of a likely role as a goal-line ball carrier. The Chiefs should consistently find themselves in the red zone, giving a lot of scoring opportunities to this rookie. I wouldn’t start Steele until his role is more clearly defined, but he is worth a bench spot.
WIDE RECEIVER
Alec Pierce is my top wide receiver target. The Indianapolis Colts playmaker totaled three catches for 125 yards and a score in Week 1. He followed that performance with five catches for 56 yards and a score in Week 2.
Pierce played 53 of the 56 (95%) offensive snaps in the Colts’ Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the most among any Colts skill position players. Look for his high usage and production to continue in Week 3, when the Colts take on the Chicago Bears, who just allowed 135 yards and a score to Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins.
Pierce can be plugged in as a low-end WR3 in leagues with at least 14 teams, but only if you are desperate for production from the position.
TIGHT END
Mike Gesicki is among the tight ends I would target. The Cincinnati Bengals veteran hauled in seven catches for 91 yards in Week 1. He also was targeted four times and nearly scored a touchdown in Week 1.
The Bengals desperately need a victory, and their offense appears to be working into form. Look for quarterback Joe Burrow to continue to utilize this 6-foot-6 playmaker, especially in Week 3 against a Commanders defense that allowed six passing scores through the first two games of the season.
Gesicki should be added to rosters in leagues that require starting a tight end.
