Fantasy football free agent pickups Week 3: Replacing Isiah Pacheco

The NFL is a “next man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy football league is as well. You acquired your team during the preseason draft, but it’s the moves you make as the season unfolds that will ultimately decide if you’re playoff-bound or planning for next season. Every week, we’ll help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has taken a turn for the better and should be added to your roster as starters or as smart stashes for your bench.

Reports arrived Monday morning that Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is expected to land on IR after suffering a fibula injury in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He left the game in the final minutes. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco would undergo tests Monday, which grabbed the attention of fantasy managers, especially after the running back was spotted leaving the stadium sporting a walking boot and using crutches.

There’s a chance Pacheco could be out for more than the minimum four weeks. So, with that in mind, let’s get into this week’s waiver wire at every position, starting with the running backs who might best help you weather Pacheco’s absence.

Through two games, the Chiefs’ RB rotation has been consistent. Pacheco handled most of the early-down snaps, while Samaje Perine (rostered in 3.6% of ESPN leagues) has been the go-to guy on third downs. Carson Steele (1.6% rostered) has seen more work on early downs and in short-yardage situations and is the top candidate to lead the Chiefs backfield while Pacheco is out.

It’s also worth noting Clyde Edwards-Helaire is eligible to return from IR after Week 4. This gives Steele some time to stake his claim to the No. 1 job, assuming the Chiefs don’t bring in any free agents. Steele, an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, has the contact balance and leg strength to maximize every rushing attempt, along with solid receiving skills out of the backfield. His workload is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Other RB options

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29.5% rostered): Rachaad White had one of the lowest success rates last season among running backs with 200-plus rushing attempts. This might explain why the Buccaneers drafted Irving. Despite the Detroit Lions limiting Tampa Bay to just 70 rushing yards Sunday, offensive coordinator Liam Coen seems committed to using both Irving and White. Consider stashing Irving on your bench as a potential late-season difference-maker.

Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (37.3%): The Cowboys are frustratingly sticking with a two-man committee of Ezekiel Elliott and Dowdle. Both have had 20 touches through the first two games. However, Dowdle has been the more productive back of the two, with more yards per touch and after the catch. Now is a great time to stash Dowdle, especially if the Cowboys give him even more play going forward. Dallas’ offensive line is playing well, ranking eighth in run block win rate through two games.

Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (32.3%): Gibson made the most of his 12 touches in Week 2, finishing with 11.3 fantasy points. However, the Patriots’ backfield still belongs to Rhamondre Stevenson, who has had at least 23 touches and 17 fantasy points in consecutive games. With Jacoby Brissett averaging just 25.5 passing attempts, New England is leaning heavily on the run. Add Gibson as a stash for now. He’s not a must-start, but he could be valuable if Stevenson misses time.

Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (2.3%): Joe Mixon injured an ankle Sunday night in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears, after what looked like a now-banned swivel hip-drop tackle. He went to the locker room for treatment and did return. However, Mixon played only seven snaps after coming back. During the leadup to Sunday, Pierce was limited Thursday and didn’t practice Friday due to a hamstring injury, making him inactive for Sunday night’s game. If Mixon misses time, I’d prefer targeting Pierce (if healthy) over Cam Akers (0.5% rostered), who had a fumble in the fourth quarter.

Quick hits

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (46.6%): Chandler led the Vikings with 82 rushing yards against the San Francisco 49ers and has had double-digit touches in two straight games. He should keep a steady role in the Vikings’ committee alongside Aaron Jones. Consider him a flex option in deeper leagues.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (43.5%): He’s one of the top RB stashes in the league. James Conner has had at least 19 touches in both games thus far. If Conner misses time down the road, Benson will likely take on a significant portion of that workload.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (11.4%): James Cook is firmly entrenched as the Bills starter. However, in Buffalo’s rout of the Miami Dolphins last Thursday, we did see Davis getting touches. With the Bills ranking fourth in points scored per game, Davis could step up if Cook ever gets hurt. You should stash him on your bench, just in case that happens.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (7.4%): Allen’s 19.6 fantasy points in Week 2 on just nine touches (20 offensive snaps, 12 routes run) definitely caught everyone’s attention. While he doesn’t have much standalone value behind starter Breece Hall right now, he’s worth stashing for the future. The big takeaway from Allen’s performance? He has firmly established himself as the No. 2 back on the Jets’ RB depth chart.

Quarterbacks

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (32.0%): The Steelers are the fifth team in the Super Bowl era to start 2-0 despite scoring fewer than two offensive touchdowns. This keeps Fields as Pittsburgh’s starter, even though he finished Week 1 with only 11.9 fantasy points and Week 2 with just 11.4. However, Fields and the Steelers had several big plays called back due to penalties. He’s a solid QB3 pickup (for superflex leagues), thanks to his dual-threat ability and favorable upcoming schedule. Fields should be on the radar for anyone looking to replace Jordan Love during his absence.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (21.6%): Carr had 23 passing attempts in Week 1 and just 16 in Week 2, but he’s making the most of them. He already has three passing touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season, after having only one all of last year. Carr is thriving under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, scoring 20-plus fantasy points in both games. With a favorable matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles secondary at home in Week 3, he’s poised for another strong outing.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (16.3%): It’s great to see new Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb leaning more on Smith and the pass, especially with the talented trio of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett in the huddle. Smith has now scored at least 17 fantasy points in back-to-back games and has a favorable Week 3 matchup at home against the Dolphins. As a starter for the Seahawks, Smith has averaged 16.7 fantasy points per game at home. He’s a solid midrange QB2 with upside.

Wide receivers

Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (33.6%): The Rams were already missing Puka Nacua (IR) when Cooper Kupp left in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a left ankle injury. If Kupp misses time, Robinson will be the lead target in the Rams’ offense, which is tied with the Dolphins for the fourth-most passing attempts per game. Robinson leads Los Angeles in routes run this season and is a solid flex option. Also consider Tyler Johnson (13.0%) in deeper leagues. With the Rams’ defense allowing 67 points over two games (third highest in franchise history), L.A. could be playing catch-up in many games.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (30.2%): Doubs is an every-down player for the Packers, leading Green Bay’s wide receiver group in snaps, routes run and targets this season. Although the Packers leaned on the run (53 attempts) with Malik Willis under center against the Indianapolis Colts, this is a prime opportunity to add Doubs to your roster. Green Bay didn’t place Love on IR, suggesting it believes he could be back in fewer than four games.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (18.2%): Robinson didn’t see many targets against the Washington Commanders, especially with Malik Nabers’ 18 targets leading all rookies in Week 2. Still, Robinson salvaged his fantasy day with a receiving score. He has 16 targets this season, compared with 25 for Nabers. Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns isn’t ideal for Robinson, but the following three games (against Dallas, Seattle and Cincinnati) could offer better opportunities for success.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (13.5%): Pierce finished Week 2 against the Packers with seven targets — an increase from his three Week 1 looks. He has now posted back-to-back strong performances, with at least 16 fantasy points in both games. Pierce’s snap count and routes run total are surprisingly close to what Michael Pittman Jr. has seen this season. While Pittman has had 15 targets, it’s Pierce who leads the team in air yards. Now’s the perfect time to add him and watch to see if these trends continue.

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (6.9%): Johnston had a career day against the Carolina Panthers, racking up 22.1 fantasy points. While the Chargers rely heavily on J.K. Dobbins and the run game, Johnston leads the team in air yards. With Joshua Palmer injured and Ladd McConkey going through rookie struggles, Johnston could emerge as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Upcoming matchups against the Steelers and Chiefs aren’t great, so keep your expectations in check. Still, this could be the start of a career turnaround. Add Johnston to your bench and see what happens.

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Why fantasy managers should keep an eye on Jalen Nailor

Daniel Dopp says he’s not sold on Jalen Nailor but thinks fantasy managers should keep an eye out for him going into Week 3.

Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (0.5%): Nailor had a chance to step up with Jordan Addison ruled out for Week 2 against the 49ers, and he delivered. He ended the game with four targets and 14.4 fantasy points. Justin Jefferson suffered a leg contusion in the third quarter and didn’t return. Keep an eye on the status of both Jefferson and Addison heading into Week 3’s game against the Texans. Nailor could be worth starting in deeper leagues if one or both are absent.

Tight ends

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (10.1%): Brissett’s connection with Henry is one of the few bright spots in the Patriots’ struggling passing game, which ranks near the bottom of the league. Brissett targeted Henry 12 times, with the tight end hauling in eight catches for 109 yards — a career high. He finished with 18.9 fantasy points and is shaping up as a strong TE2, with the potential to flirt with TE1 production if he keeps seeing this many targets.

Quick hits

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (44.1%): Parkinson’s two targets and 2.2 fantasy points against the Cardinals were disappointing. However, with Nacua on IR and Kupp nursing an ankle injury, Parkinson might well see more targets from Matthew Stafford moving forward.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (6.3%): Ertz wrapped up Week 2 with four targets and 10.2 fantasy points. The veteran seems to be rookie QB Jayden Daniels’ safety valve. Ertz leads the Commanders’ TE room in both snaps and routes run through two games, making him a solid streaming option for managers in need.