Week 3 Waiver Wire Top Pickups and Drops Likely Available After Reviewing Box Scores

The NFL season has a way of reminding fantasy football enthusiasts that smart drafting is only part of the equation, and things have been no different in 2026.

While we did see Week 1 disappointments like Ja'Marr Chase and Matthew Stafford bounce back in Week 2, we've also seen a rash of injuries that have taken top fantasy stars out of the equation for the short term. Since the season started, we've seen A.J. Brown, Zay Flowers, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Sam Darnold, Nico Collins, and Puka Nacua exit or miss time with injuries.

Even the smartest drafters can struggle to avoid the injury bug, but fortunately, they can find help on the waiver wire. Let's take a look at what we've seen over the first two weeks and identify some top pickups and drops for Week 3.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Let's start by saying that if New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is available, he's a must-add. The second-year star has thrown for a league-high 662 yards with four passing touchdowns and a rushing score. He's only rostered in 49 percent of fantasy leagues.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is another terrific option. He's thrown for 648 yards and a league-high six touchdowns and has also run for a score. He's only rostered in 30 percent of leagues.

Young is also worth starting consideration this week against a Cleveland Browns defense that may be average at best. The Browns did get the best of Baker Mayfield in Week 2, but it's not a stretch to suggest that Mayfield beat himself more than he was beaten by his former team.

Cleveland was also atrocious in Week 1 and has surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing QBs through two weeks.

Add: Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Star Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley missed most of Week 2 with a stinger, though he did briefly return in the second half. He logged just four carries and finished with 20 scrimmage yards, and his health will bear watching heading into Week 3.

It's worth scooping up Eagles backup Tank Bigsby even if Barkley is in line to face the Chicago Bears. Chicago won't have quarterback Caleb Williams, and if the Philly gets up early, it may look to grind things out on the ground.

Chicago has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Bigsby saw 15 touches in Week 2 and tallied 38 yards and a touchdown. He's rostered in 27 percent of fantasy leagues.

The Buffalo Bills saw new No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore go down with a shoulder injury against the Detroit Lions last Thursday. While the extra few days may allow Moore to return by Week 3, Buffalo isn't interested in rushing him back.

According to ESPN's Nick Suss , the Bills plan to "slow play" Moore's recovery.

This makes Khalil Shakir a tremendous waiver target, as he's likely to step into the No. 1 receiver role if Moore can't go. He's caught seven passes for 88 yards to this point in the season, but he'll have a much higher floor as Josh Allen's top perimeter target.

This week, Buffalo will host a Los Angeles Chargers team that has surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Shakir is still only rostered in 60 percent of fantasy leagues.

Baker Mayfield has struggled with efficiency and turnovers through the first two weeks, and it's impossible to trust him moving forward. He hasn't found a true replacement for former go-to receiver Mike Evans, and the offense of new coordinator Zac Robinson remains a work in progress.

A Week 3 matchup with a terrific Minnesota Vikings defense makes a quick rebound unlikely for Mayfield. With quarterbacks like Shough and Young likely available, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter can be safely dumped.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer can probably also be jettisoned this week. He was a serviceable fill-in while Brock Bowers was out, but Bowers appears likely to return to face the Saints in Week 3.

In his postgame press conference, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Bowers was "very close" to playing on Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr . has clearly fallen behind Bhayshul Tuten in the Jags' committee backfield and hasn't seen enough of a receiver role to justify keeping in shallower leagues. However, he may be worth holding in deeper leagues due to the shortage of viable RB options this year.

Eagles rookie receiver Makai Lemon isn't worth keeping as he struggles to find a consistent role in the offense. Through two weeks, he's caught four of five targets for a mere nine yards.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros .