Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 3

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who's trending up.

Roster percentages are based on Sleeper leagues. Free-Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Jake Browning, Bengals

Browning has performed admirably when forced into the lineup in the past, and he'll need to do so again with Joe Burrow out a minimum of three months due to a toe injury sustained Sunday. Browning was a gunslinger in Week 2's win over the Jaguars, throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions. He added another score on the ground.

In 2023, Browning threw at least one touchdown pass in all eight games in which he played over half of the Bengals' offensive snaps. He also scored at least 19 fantasy points in five of his seven starts that year.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Daniel Jones, Colts (35%): Jones now has two games with no turnovers and no drives ending in punts as a member of the Colts. Peyton Manning only accomplished that feat once in 227 starts with Indianapolis. That's not to say Jones will be better than Manning, but he's probably worth picking up even if he cools off a bit moving forward.

• Russell Wilson, Giants (13%): Wilson looked 26 rather than 36 for the majority of Sunday's overtime thriller against the Cowboys. His (likely) inconsistency will be frustrating, and first-rounder Jaxson Dart started to get a few snaps, but Wilson is worth adding if you're one of the many fantasy managers in need of a new quarterback after last week's injuries.

• Temporary starters: Carson Wentz (Vikings, 0%), Tyrod Taylor (Jets, 0%), and Marcus Mariota (Commanders, 0%) are all worth considering if you're desperate for quarterback help. Wentz is in line to start two-to-four games as J.J. McCarthy deals with an ankle sprain. Taylor could see the field if Justin Fields misses time due to the concussion that forced him to exit Week 2's loss to the Bills. Mariota may be forced into the lineup if Jayden Daniels is ruled out for Week 3 with a knee sprain.

Running backs

Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars

Tuten was on this list last week based on speculation that he'd see more work following Tank Bigsby's trade to the Eagles. This week, Tuten's here because he tallied 74 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.

His eight carries trailed Travis Etienne by six, but the rookie's yards per carry mark was slightly higher than Etienne's. Plus, he recorded 14 more receiving yards on one fewer target. It will be important to monitor the pair's usage moving forward, but it's possible that both retain fantasy relevance.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

You'll be hard-pressed to get great production from Allgeier as long as Bijan Robinson is healthy. But Allgeier has been far more involved in the offense to start this season compared to last, averaging an additional 4.9 carries and 12.1 yards per game thus far.

He's worth stashing in most leagues even if Robinson plays the entire season. You can do a lot worse than rostering a former 1,000-yard rusher who has 104 scrimmage yards and a touchdown this year.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (29%): Gainwell has played 56 offensive snaps through two games compared to Jaylen Warren's 61. Gainwell could remain the primary backup given rookie Kaleb Johnson's struggles to start the season, but he's only a touchdown-reliant flex option for the foreseeable future.

• Chris Rodriguez, Commanders (9%): Rodriguez is unlikely to see a ton of snaps in Week 3 after starting the season as a healthy scratch in back-to-back contests. However, Austin Ekeler's Achilles tear opens the door for him to have a role. Expectations (and FAAB bids) should be modest, considering the 5-foot-11, 224-pounder has only totaled 444 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in 22 career games.

Wide receivers

Troy Franklin, Broncos

Franklin had a breakout game against the Colts, tallying 100 scrimmage yards for the first time in his young career. He also set new career highs in targets (nine) and receptions (eight), clearing his previous bests of six and five, respectively.

Franklin's recent production largely drives the argument to add him to your fantasy team, but his relationship with quarterback Bo Nix is another factor. The pair played two seasons together at Oregon and connected on 142 passes for 2,274 yards and 23 touchdowns. It looks like that chemistry is starting to pay off in the pros.

Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants

Robinson was one of Wilson's primary targets in Week 2, behind only Malik Nabers. He'll likely trail Nabers in most receiving categories throughout the season, but Robinson proved he can be one of the focal points of the Giants' offense when given the chance.

The eight-catch, 142-yard, one-touchdown outing was the best overall performance of the Kentucky product's career. He's primed to build on his eight- and 10-target games as the season rolls on, considering no other Giants wideout had more than five targets, four receptions, or 61 yards Sunday despite Wilson throwing for 450 yards. Nabers and Robinson are also the only Giants receivers with touchdowns this year.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Elic Ayomanor, Titans (28%): We'll need to see more from Cam Ward before we can recommend starting Ayomanor, but he's flashed plenty of talent. He hauled in Ward's absurd first career touchdown pass in contested fashion, has a healthy 13 targets through two weeks, and has played 76% of the Titans' offensive snaps.

• Cedric Tillman, Browns (47%): Tillman had a ball go through his hands and turn into an interception in Week 1 and then caught a touchdown that should've been picked off Sunday. Among Browns pass-catchers, only Jerry Jeudy has more targets (16) than Tillman (15) through two games.

Tight ends

Zach Ertz, Commanders

We're going just above the 50% threshold for tight ends this week because of how shallow the position is for fantasy purposes. Ertz followed up his five-target Week 1 with an eight-target Week 2. He more than doubled his yards Sunday, posting 24 to open the season and then 64 against the Packers. Ertz has also caught touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.

The 34-year-old could see his production dip in Week 3 if Daniels misses the contest with his knee sprain. But Ertz is still worth rostering given his solid production and 77% offensive snap share through two games.

Other TEs to pick up:

• Juwan Johnson, Saints (51%): Johnson, like some others on this list, was mentioned here after Week 1. He's rostered in just over 50% of leagues now after being held in only 5% last week. Expect another big jump after another strong game.

Other players to eye on the waiver wire

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (60%): Stevenson isn't eligible for the running back section since he's already rostered in 60% of leagues. TreVeyon Henderson is the more exciting athlete and more valuable long-term asset, but the rookie second-rounder played just 35% of the team's offensive snaps in Week 1 and 32% in Week 2. Stevenson played 65% in both games. Plus, he has 25 touches and 169 scrimmage yards against Henderson's 16 and 91, respectively.

WR Isaac TeSlaa, Lions (25%): It won't be long until TeSlaa sees more targets if he continues to make highlight-reel catches every week. The 23-year-old only has two targets in as many weeks, but he turned both into impressive grabs (including a touchdown in Week 1). Stash him in deeper leagues for now.

WR Devontez Walker, Ravens (0%): Like TeSlaa, Walker has made the most of his limited opportunities. He played 23% of the Ravens' offensive snaps against the Browns and was targeted twice, but Walker turned those looks into 26 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Stash him if you have a large bench.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.