NFL Week 3 has been easily the wildest week of the NFL season thus far.
Sunday was about as thrilling of a day as NFL fans could ask for. With it came some new names emerging as fantasy football stars, while others continue to fade into the abyss. Now, here’s a look at the waiver wire moves you need to make heading into Week 4.
Chicago Bears RB Tarik Cohen
It’s officially time for Tarik Cohen to be owned in 100 percent of fantasy leagues. After a hot start in his first two games, Cohen was still someone free on a lot of waiver wires as week 3 began. That won’t be the case when Week 4 begins, as Cohen is set to be scooped up, and it’s hopefully by you.
Against the Steelers in Week 3, Cohen rushed for 79 yards on just 12 runs while adding four catches for 24 yards. What made it even better was Cohen made a big impact with Jordan Howard also having a big game, so it’s clear that both backs can be fantasy starters in your lineup.
New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard
The Giants are still winless, but the offense is finally clicking thanks in large part to Sterling Shepard, who appears to have moved past the enigmatic Brandon Marshall to become the No. 2 receiver in New York. Against a tough Eagles defense, Shepard racked up seven grabs for 133 yards on 10 targets. Shepard has now gotten at least eight targets in two of the first three games. He’s worth picking up if you need wide receiver help heading into Week 4.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood
The Eagles were expected to rely heavily on LeGarrette Blount this year, but he was benched in Week 2 as Darren Sproles became the featured back. However, Sproles injured his wrist in Week 3, leading to Blount and second-year man Wendell Smallwood share touches. Blount scored a touchdown, but Smallwood was the more impressive back with 71 yards on 12 carries to go with one catch for nine yards. He is also more likely to be involved in the passing game as long as Sproles is out, so add Smallwood if you need running back help this week.
Carolina Panthers WR Devin Funchess
The Panthers may have lost Kelvin Benjamin to another serious knee injury, one week after they lost star tight end Greg Olsen to a season-ending foot injury. That means Devin Funchess is becoming a featured weapon in Carolina. Whether he’s earned it or not is another discussion, but for now, he’s a viable fantasy addition you can get in most leagues. Against the Saints in Week 3, Funchess got 10 targets and caught four balls for 58 yards. He’s a low-end WR2 as long as Benjamin is out.
Los Angeles Chargers RB Branden Oliver
The Chargers have been featuring Melvin Gordon at running back, but now, he’s in danger of missing time due to a knee injury suffered in Week 3. When he went down in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Chiefs, Branden Oliver handled much of the workload, running for 16 yards on eight carries. He also got six targets, catching four of them for 18 yards. Oliver is a decent PPR back if Gordon is out for awhile.
DROPS
Los Angeles Chargers TE Hunter Henry
After a promising rookie season, Hunter Henry is getting lost in the shuffle with the Chargers’ bevy of offensive weapons. He tied for the league-lead among tight ends with eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2016, but has yet to visit the end zone this year. Against the Chiefs in Week 3, Henry wasn’t targeted in the Chargers’ 24-10 loss. It was his second no-catch game of the season, making him an easy drop heading into Week 4.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Darren Sproles
Darren Sproles’ days as an impact fantasy player may be over. The veteran PPR stud suffered a broken arm, which will sideline him indefinitely. That kind of injury could even land him on IR, which makes him a tough but easy call to make this week. Hopefully, he’ll return to help the Eagles fight for a playoff spot later this season, and perhaps, he can help your team in the fantasy playoffs. But for now, he needs to hit the waiver wire.