Week 3 Waiver-Wire Pickups and Sleepers Available in Majority of Fantasy Leagues

Week 3 got underway on Thursday night, and some fantasy managers may already be scrambling to play catch-up. Unfortunately, they may find that not every star draft pick is available, as injuries have already become a bit of a problem in 2026.

The good news is that some viable fill-ins may still be available on the waiver wire. Waiver claims have been processed in most leagues, but the following players aren't heavily rostered heading into the weekend.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring. Scoring and roster information from FantasyPros .

With quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Sam Darnold, and Jaxson Dart getting injured over the first two weeks, some managers may already be desperate for quarterback help. This week, they may be able to get it from New York Jets signal-caller Geno Smith.

Smith should not be viewed as a high-end season-long fantasy option. He's thrown for just 462 yards and one touchdown, and there's no guarantee that he'll keep rookie Cade Klubnik on the bench all season.

However, Smith has a terrific fantasy matchup this week against the Detroit Lions. New York will likely be playing from behind most of the game, and the Lions have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team this season.

Smith is only rostered in eight percent of fantasy leagues.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson is a fifth-round rookie out of Nebraska. While he's no threat to unseat prized free-agent addition Kenneth Walker III as Kansas City's starter, it's clear that the Chiefs plan to use both backs this season.

Johnson has logged four receptions, 14 total touches, and 103 scrimmage yards this season.

While Johnson will remain a matchup-based flex play for the foreseeable future, he has a terrific matchup this week. The Chiefs will visit the Miami Dolphins, who have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

There's also a very good chance that the Chiefs will get up big on the Dolphins early and look to grind out the game on the ground. In that scenario, Johnson should see a sizeable workload. He's rostered in 26 percent of leagues.

Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Following the Philadelphia Eagles' trade of A.J. Brown, most expected rookie Makai Lemon to quickly emerge as the team's No. 2 receiver behind DeVonta Smith. However, it's been trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks in that role thus far.

Wicks ranks second on the team with seven catches and 147 receiving yards. He's also tied for second with one touchdown. He's seen no fewer than four targets in a game, and his role could grow with tight end Dallas Goedert battling an MCL sprain.

This week, Wicks probably doesn't have the highest ceiling, as the Chicago Bears are expected to be without their top two quarterbacks. If Chicago struggles to keep pace on the scoreboard, Jalen Hurts is unlikely to spend the game in pass-first mode. However, Wicks' floor as a flex option is solid, and he has a good amount of long-term upside.

Wicks is rostered in 32 percent of fantasy leagues.

Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers' offense hasn't been very good in 2026, and it appears that Justin Herbert and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel are still trying to mesh. However, managers looking for a tight end should still consider Oronde Gadsden II.

Gadsden is likely to leap into a significant role for L.A. after the Chargers placed David Njoku on injured reserve. Fellow tight end Charlie Kolar is also dealing with a forearm injury.

While Gadsden has just four catches for 50 yards this season, he did find the end zone in Week 2, and he should see plenty of targets against the Buffalo Bills this week. Buffalo has looked like one of the league's top teams through two weeks, and the Chargers may have to pass often to keep pace.

Buffalo has surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2026. Gadsden is rostered in 25 percent of leagues.