The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And be sure to check out our full Week 3 fantasy football waiver wire advice column as well.
- More Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets
Derek Carr (NO): 40% rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, TB, @NE
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Saints have the easiest schedule in the league, so you will rarely run into a matchup that will make you feel as if you can’t possibly start Carr that week. The veteran quarterback is also blessed with an abundance of pass-catching talent, including Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, Rashid Shaheed and, soon, Alvin Kamara.
Tyjae Spears (TEN): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, CIN, @IND
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: The Titans haven’t done very well with bolstering their RB room around Derrick Henry, but Tyjae Spears is already earning a solid role through his first two professional games. The former Tulane back is very explosive in the open field and more than adequate as a receiver. This is less of a handcuff than it is a bet that the rookie will continue to carve out games with double-digit touches.
Matt Breida (NYG): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SF, SEA, @MIA
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Saquon Barkley‘s lower-leg injury at the end of the Giants’ Week 2 win over the Cardinals is problematic for fantasy. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell have barely seen the field to this point, neither making an impression. Explosive rookie Eric Gray has only seen the field as a kick returner. Beware the waiver spend for the sake of chasing a miracle, especially if Saquon only figures to miss Thursday’s game against the nasty 49ers defense.
Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management
Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:
Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.
Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.
Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.
Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.
Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.
Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
