Dynasty Nerds 
Draft Nerds 
NerdHerd 
This Week 3 waiver wire column focuses on deep dynasty leagues, highlighting players under 50% rostered who could make an impact now or develop into valuable assets as the season progresses. There are FAAB suggestions and advice for Tyson Bagent, Marcus Mariota, Cody White, and more after the injuries to Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and others.
All rostership percentages will be based on 12-Team SF PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues.
Week 3 Waiver Wire FAAB Guide
Below are our recommended FAAB bids for the top Week 3 waiver wire targets in 12-team Superflex dynasty leagues.
| Player | Pos | Team | Roster % | FAAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyson Bagent | QB | CHI | 15% | 18-20% |
| Marcus Mariota | QB | WAS | 25% | 15-18% |
| Jack Strand | QB | ATL | 33% | 1-3% |
| DeeJay Dallas | RB | MIN | 18% | 3-5% |
| Emari Demercado | RB | DAL | 38% | 5-10% |
| AJ Dillon | RB | CAR | 6% | 3-5% |
| Travis Homer | RB | PIT | 0% | 1-3% |
| Samaje Perine | RB | CIN | 44% | 5-10% |
| Raheim Sanders | RB | CLE | 47% | 5-10% |
| Will Shipley | RB | PHI | 17% | 3-5% |
| Sione Vaki | RB | DET | 22% | 5-10% |
| Emanuel Wilson | RB | SEA | 41% | 3-5% |
| Joshua Palmer | WR | BUF | 17% | 1-3% |
| Kalif Raymond | WR | CHI | 41% | 5-7% |
| Cody White | WR | LV | 0% | 1-3% |
| Isaiah Williams | WR | NYJ | 7% | 1-3% |
| Roman Wilson | WR | PIT | 42% | 2-5% |
| Dawson Knox | TE | BUF | 27% | 1-3% |
| Johnny Mundt | TE | PHI | 0% | 1-3% |
🆕 Want to skip the Start/Sit headache? Use our one-tap lineup optimizer and set all your lineups instantly.
Week 3 Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets
Tyson Bagent | Chicago Bears | 15% Rostership | 18-20% FAAB
With the news we have currently on Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears are saying Williams sustained a hamstring injury. This wouldn’t normally be good news, but seeing as Williams was carted off with a towel over his head, it would be the best possible news if this news holds true. Tyson Bagent appears likely to start Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Marcus Mariota | Washington Commanders | 25% Rostership | 15-18% FAAB
Jayden Daniels injured his left elbow while attempting to prevent himself from falling to the ground on the final play of the first half. He was carted off the field with an air cast over his elbow and was quickly ruled out prior to the start of the third quarter. Marcus Mariota will be the starter in Washington for the foreseeable future.
Jack Strand | Atlanta Falcons | 33% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
With Michael Penix expected to return in Week 3, I would not make Jack Strand a priority add. Strand entered the Falcons’ Week 2 loss against Carolina after Cooper Rush was benched. Strand was unimpressive, throwing for 59 yards with an interception. If, for some reason, Penix or Tua Tagovailoa is not able to return, Strand is the likely option to start in Week 3.
Week 3 Running Back Waiver Wire Targets
DeeJay Dallas | Minnesota Vikings | 18% Rostership | 3-5% FAAB
Aaron Jones briefly left Sunday’s win against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury. DeeJay Dallas was activated earlier in the Week to the active roster after Jordan Mason was placed on IR. Dallas handled the only carries not given to Jones and also saw one target. Dallas should not be a priority add but is worth a roster add, as Demond Claiborne should also be in the mix for snaps to Vikings not named Aaron Jones. However, Jones’ availability should be monitored ahead of Week 3.
Emari Demercado | Dallas Cowboys | 38% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
Emari Demercado has established himself as the clear handcuff in Dallas. Malik Davis was placed on season-ending injured reserve, making Demercado one of the more valuable handcuff running back options for fantasy managers in the event something happens to Javonte Williams. Demercado also offers a three-down skill set that could allow him to play a workhorse role in the event of an injury to Williams.
AJ Dillon | Carolina Panthers | 6% Rostership | 3-5% FAAB
Jonathon Brooks exited Sunday’s game against the Falcons in the fourth quarter due to a groin injury. Brooks missed time in training camp with groin issues, so this injury is somewhat concerning. AJ Dillon now becomes the handcuff to Chuba Hubbard in the absence of Brooks.
Travis Homer | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
Rico Dowdle exited midway through the second quarter loss to the Patriots due to a toe injury. Dowdle was able to return before reaggravating the injury to his toe and was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the game. Travis Homer and special teams ace Eli Heidenreich will be asked to step up if Dowdle misses time. However, Jaylen Warren will be the biggest benefactor, as I do not expect Homer or Heidenreich to take as many touches as Dowdle has.
Samaje Perine | Cincinnati Bengals | 44% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
Nothing has changed since my waiver-wire write-up last week on Samaje Perine. His rostership has increased by 3%, so people are finally starting to catch on.
Raheim Sanders | Cleveland Browns | 47% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
With Dylan Sampson landing on the IR, Raheim Sanders has become the handcuff to Quinshon Judkins. Handcuffs are crucial, even if they are Cleveland Browns. I am sorry, Cleveland fans, but the Browns’ running game is off to a poor start.
Will Shipley | Philadelphia Eagles | 17% Rostership | 3-5% FAAB
Saquon Barkley was diagnosed with a stinger after the Eagles’ first offensive play of the game and missed the rest of the first half, but he was able to return after halftime. If Barkley ends up missing any time, Tank Bigsby likely would be the primary beneficiary, but Will Shipley also figures to have a role in Philadelphia’s offense.
Sione Vaki | Detroit Lions | 22% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
Sione Vaki has squarely established himself as the handcuff running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs. With the recent news of Isiah Pacheco being out at least 12 weeks due to back surgery, Vaki becomes a must-add to your dynasty rosters, especially for Gibbs managers.
Emanuel Wilson | Seattle Seahawks | 41% Rostership | 3-5% FAAB
Jadarian Price left Seattle’s win over the Arizona Cardinals with a chest injury in the fourth quarter. Emanuel Wilson had a solid Week 2 and filled in nicely with Price out of the game. Wilson finished with 92 rushing yards on 21 carries. If Price misses time, I expect Wilson and George Holani to split the workload.
Week 3 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets
Joshua Palmer | Buffalo Bills | 17% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
Joshua Palmer is a name to monitor with the health of DJ Moore in question. Palmer has caught touchdowns in back-to-back games for the Bills, but those two touchdowns have also been his only receptions on the season. If Moore misses time, I expect most of the target volume to be distributed between Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman. However, Palmer still should be rostered until Moore is able to return; just don’t break the bankroll to acquire him.
Kalif Raymond | Chicago Bears | 41% Rostership | 5-7% FAAB
Another name from my Week 1 Waiver Wire article was Kalif Raymond. I mentioned that Raymond had impressed the coaching staff and his teammates during the offseason and looked comfortable reuniting with Ben Johnson in Chicago. After leading all Bears pass catchers in Week 1 with 9 targets, 8 receptions, and 84 receiving yards, Raymond followed it up with another impressive performance in Week 2.
Raymond once again had an impressive performance with 5 receptions on 5 targets for 40 receiving yards, continuing to establish himself as a reliable target in Chicago’s offense. What started as a deep-dynasty waiver-wire recommendation is quickly turning into a player fantasy managers need to pay attention to.
Cody White | Las Vegas Raiders | 0% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
Cody White was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday. On Sunday, White had 2 receptions for 2 touchdowns. This will probably be White’s best performance of the season, but if you miss out on other waiver wire wide receivers, you could do worse.
Isaiah Williams | New York Jets | 7% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
With Omar Cooper on IR, Isaiah Williams operated as the clear third wide receiver, playing on 61 of the team’s 74 snaps and running a route on 43 of their 50 dropbacks. Almost all of Williams’ work was on screen passes and quick slants where he can use his speed, but if he’s going to be on the field this much, he could be a sneaky PPR deep league add.
Roman Wilson | Pittsburgh Steelers | 42% Rostership | 2-5% FAAB
Roman Wilson continues to be a name that I am monitoring. After back-to-back 6-target games, I am intrigued. While Wilson has not turned those targets into much production, he is a name to stash on the back of your rosters.
Week 3 Tight End Waiver Wire Targets
Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | 27% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
Dawson Knox has been on the field for at least 67% of the Buffalo Bills offensive snaps during the first two games. Knox has been primarily used as a run blocker, but he is a candidate to find the endzone which is exactly what he did in Week 2. Much like Josh Palmer, Knox could also be a dark-horse candidate for more targets if DJ Moore misses time.
Johnny Mundt | Philadelphia Eagles | 0% Rostership | 1-3% FAAB
Dallas Goedert left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and did not return. Johnny Mundt took over the tight end duties, making 2 receptions on 3 targets for 8 receiving yards. Philadelphia is extremely thin at tight end, with Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra both on injured reserve already.
Over 50% Rostered | Week 3 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: Drew Allar, Braelon Allen, Kaytron Allen, Elic Ayomanor, Rashod Bateman, Jack Bech, Tank Bigsby, Chris Brooks, Demond Claiborne, Keon Coleman, Kirk Cousins, Ray Davis, DeMario Douglas, Greg Dulcich, Ryan Flournoy, Pat Freiermuth, Ollie Gordon, George Holani, Justice Hill, Mack Hollins, Xavier Hutchinson, Ted Hurst, Kaleb Johnson, Michael Mayer, Seth McGowan, Adonai Mitchell, Keaton Mitchell, Cade Otton, Eli Raridon, Brian Robinson, Shedeur Sanders, Dalton Schultz, Tre Tucker, Darren Waller, Malik Washington, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Dontayvion Wicks, and Kyle Williams
Week 3 Waiver Wire FAQ
How much FAAB should I spend on Tyson Bagent?
Spend 18-20% FAAB on Tyson Bagent in 12-team Superflex dynasty leagues. Starting quarterbacks are scarce enough to justify an aggressive bid while Caleb Williams is sidelined.
How much FAAB should I spend on Marcus Mariota?
Spend 15-18% FAAB on Marcus Mariota in 12-team Superflex dynasty leagues. He carries immediate value while Jayden Daniels is unavailable.
How much FAAB should I spend on Cody White?
Spend 1-3% FAAB on Cody White in deep dynasty leagues. He is a speculative add after scoring twice in Week 2.
Which running back handcuffs should I target on the Week 3 waiver wire?
Emari Demercado, Raheim Sanders, and Sione Vaki are the top Week 3 handcuffs, each worth roughly 5-10% FAAB.
Who should fantasy managers add at tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles?
Johnny Mundt is the Eagles tight end to target while Dallas Goedert is sidelined. He is worth approximately 1-3% FAAB in deep leagues.
How do I decide how much FAAB to spend on waiver wire targets?
Consider league format, positional scarcity, expected role, roster need, and remaining FAAB. Spend more aggressively when a player has a clear path to meaningful snaps or starts.
🔥Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
- 📱 Dynasty Nerds App → Analyze trades, compare rosters—see where you rank.
- 🏈 Dynasty Rankings → Updated player values for every position.
- 🎓 Rookie Mock Draft Hub → Find the next wave of talent for your drafts.
- 🚀 Join the NerdHerd → Unlock premium tools and exclusive extra podcast.
👉 It’s time to take control of your dynasty and see where your lineup truly ranks.
