newsline24

MIAMI, Sept. 22 (UPI) — Bryce Young and Tre Tucker are among my fantasy football waiver wire priorities for Week 3.

C.J. Stroud, Jonah Coleman, Dalton Schultz and the Kansas City Chiefs defense/special teams are among my other waiver wire targets for the third week of the 2026 NFL campaign.

My waiver wire priorities each carry an ownership percentage of 60% or less.

Week 2 showed just how quickly waiver wire/free agent additions can surge in value due to others’ injuries. Several high-end quarterbacks and running backs missed time, including Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Saquon Barkley, J.K. Dobbins, Jadarian Price and Jaxson Dart.

Continue to monitor those injuries going forward. You also should keep as many next-man-up type running backs on your roster as possible, as an injury to a top ball carrier could immediately give you a new RB1/RB2.

Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 3:

ALL-ADD TEAM

HONORABLE MENTIONS

TOP DROPS

QUARTERBACK

Bryce Young averaged 1.4 passing touchdowns per game last season and about one per game through the first three years of his NFL career. The Carolina Panthers quarterback totaled six through his first two starts of 2026 — the first stretch of his career with consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes.

Young also averaged 324 passing yards per game so far this season, about 144 more than his average through his first three years in the league.

The Panthers quarterback is a decent streaming option going forward, especially if your previous starter is injured. This week, Young will take on a Cleveland Browns defense that allowed four passing scores to Trevor Lawrence in Week 1. The Browns held Baker Mayfield to 182 yards and one score in Week 2, but I expect Young to continue his hot start against this defense.

He will be inside my Top 14 for Week 3.

RUNNING BACK

Several backup running backs should be targeted off the waiver wire in Week 3. Jonah Coleman should likely be the first option, as he has the clearest path to immediate value.

The Denver Broncos rookie is behind J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey on the depth chart, but they are each dealing with hamstring injuries. Harvey sat out in Week 2. Dobbins exited the Broncos’ Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coleman responded with 58 yards from scrimmage and a score off 13 touches. This week, Dobbins appears on the mend, but I would still snag Coleman because of his ceiling. Don’t put him in your starting lineup unless Dobbins and/or Harvey sits out and you are in a deep league.

WIDE RECEIVER

Tre Tucker is my wide receiver priority this week. The Las Vegas Raiders playmaker received 11 targets through two weeks. He turned those looks into seven catches for 146 yards and a score. Tucker went off for 119 yards and a touchdown in Week 2.

This week, the Raiders will face a New Orleans Saints defense that allowed 88 yards and a score to Rashad Bateman in Week 2. The Saints also surrendered two scores to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in Week 1.

I expect the Raiders to continue to air it out, with Tucker receiving at least seven targets for the second consecutive week. He is a low-end WR3 in deep leagues that require starting three players at the position.

TIGHT END

Take a look at Dalton Schultz if you are in a league that requires starting tight ends and are needy at the position. The Houston Texans pass catcher was the No. 2 tight end in fantasy football in Week 2, when he caught 12 passes for 140 yards in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Schultz caught four passes for 35 yards in Week 1. He drew 22 targets though his first two games and should continue to see looks because of injuries to the Texans’ wide receivers room.

This week, Schultz and the Texans will take on an Indianapolis Colts defense that just allowed 101 yards and a score to Travis Kelce. Look for the Texans to continue to feed this 6-foot-5 target.

He is a TE1 until further notice.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes the ball over New York Giants cornerback Kayvon Thibodeaux at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on September 21, 2026. The Rams defeated the Giants 28-6. Photo by Jon Son Hoo/UPI | License Photo