Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterbacks (Week 3)

Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 3 of the 2022 fantasy football season. Check out the quarterbacks you should consider bidding on for this week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston (QB – NO): 49% rostered

• Next opponents: GB, KC, ATL
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: In the war of QB attrition, there are few options to replace an injured starter who have the upside of Jameis Winston. He is coming off a rough performance against the very tough Buccaneers defense, but his upcoming schedule opens up considerably. Winston was also without his star RB Alvin Kamara for the game and had multiple near misses down the field to explosive rookie Chris Olave. Those who drafted Dak Prescott or Trey Lance to be their starter should look to fill the void with someone who will still produce occasional QB1 weeks.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): 4% rostered

• Next opponents: @DEN, LAR, @CAR
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $9
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: One simple way to replace Trey Lance on a fantasy roster — especially a roster that might include a Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk stack — is to plug in Jimmy G just like the 49ers did. Granted, Garoppolo has zero mobility or pocket presence, and the Niners have a suspect offensive line, but the weaponry and system have made Jimmy look even more handsome over the years. If it were me, I’d ride with a QB with more upside through downfield passing or rushing ability. Wins aren’t a QB stat in real football, but in fantasy, they really can be.

Joe Flacco (QB – NYJ): 2% rostered

• Next opponents: CIN, @PIT, MIA
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Before you laugh and chortle with the “elite” jokes, hear me out. Flacco isn’t good and hasn’t been in a very long time. He is intelligent and is already capitalizing on the ridiculous skill position talent that the Jets have compiled over the last two years. The upcoming schedule is juicy enough to stream the Jets’ vet until Dak Prescott returns or another option emerges. The Bengals just got beaten by Cooper Rush, for crying out loud. The Steelers’ corners were exposed without T.J. Watt on the field in Week 2, and Miami just gave up 35 to Baltimore. Flacco might not put up another four-touchdown game, but he has already demonstrated that he won’t stand in the way of the Jets lighting up the scoreboard.

Jared Goff (QB – DET): 22% rostered

• Next opponents: @MIN, SEA, @NE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: I certainly didn’t have the “Joe Flacco and Jared Goff each toss four touchdown passes” spot on my Week 2 bingo card. Here we are, with Goff really enjoying a stellar receiving corps that will only get stronger as the season progresses. The emergence of Amon-Ra St Brown has everyone in the fantasy community marveling at the value built into this offense. D’Andre Swift has also been spectacular for Detroit. Goff was ironically very shaky for most of the game in Week 2, but he was effective at delivering the ball on time to his stars to put on a show. I can foresee him as a stronger streaming option in Week 4, but he’s a garbage time candidate next week in Minnesota as well.

Stash candidates: Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder

Analysis: With QBs, it is always better to “stream, not stash.” Fantasy managers who lose their starter to injury shouldn’t panic. There are plenty of trophies on the shelf from managers who were savvy about picking up the right QB on waivers each week to maximize potential scoring. Fantasy football is still a week-to-week matchup game, with each slate featuring breakout scores from guys who were sitting on the wire.

In large leagues with deeper cuts into the player pool, it is also wise to stash away rookie QBs who are waiting in the wings behind shaky starters.
Kenny Pickett is the obvious one, with Mitchell Trubisky’s longest completion in Week 2 covering a mere 23 yards and only achieving a paltry 5.1 yards per attempt vs. New England. Pickett is an elder statesman for a rookie and has the Yinzers clamoring for his services after a strong preseason and Trubisky’s subpar performance so far.

Ryan Tannehill might not have a very long leash this season, especially if the team struggles to win games. Willis is a high-upside rushing QB who could be a late-season plug who vaults fantasy teams to victory.

Marcus Mariota has looked fine so far for the winless, poorly coached Falcons. The team might be under a lot of pressure to get a glimpse at Ridder if they continue to end up in the loss column, especially in a division that is completely up for grabs.