Week three of the 2025 NFL season is over, and so is your season. CeeDee Lamb? Dead! James Conner? Dead! Hope? That died a long time ago because you are a veteran of fantasy football. You already know in the depths of your soul that you are not allowed to have nice things. Because nice things, like your fantasy football roster, break easily. Before you give up on your fantasy season, remember that the waiver wire exists to save you from the cruel and unforgiving fantasy football gods. I will provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Perhaps they are so bad that I don’t even consider them. Maybe it’s because your opinions are not trustworthy. After all, you are here. So let us examine our best week two waiver wire players for your championship run:
Week Four Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (30% rostered)
Last week, I said that if you didn’t get Danny Dimes, you would miss your chance. I underestimated the PTSD the fantasy community would feel over Daniel Jones. While he was only QB11 on the week, he was still a QB1 every week of the season. Don’t overthink it. If you need a quarterback, get Daniel Jones.
Week Four Waiver Wire Running Backs
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (55% rostered)
Trey Benson is over my 50% threshold, but considering he is the number one waiver wire target for week four, I couldn’t let him not be talked about. With James Conner out for the year and the Cardinals’ backfield being one of the few teams in football that focuses on a lead back getting a majority of snaps, you would be a fool not to spend all your FAAB on him. With Benson’s workload and athleticism, he has the potential to be a league winner. Get him if he is available.
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers (16% rostered)
In week 3, Rico Dowdle had 38 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. He also saw a 40% snap share. Honestly, outside of Benson, I don’t think there are any running backs worth rostering, but Dowdle has the most straightforward path to relevance, even if you will never feel good about starting him.
Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins (32% rostered)
Gordon had nine carries for 38 yards and one touchdown. He also only had a 25% snap share. This is Achane’s backfield.
Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders (1% rostered)
While Jeremy McNichols was the big fantasy points guy on Washington in week 3, he also only had a 26% snap share and only 4 of the 23 touches to the running back position. At this point in the season, I don’t want anyone in the Commanders’ backfield. It looks like a headache.
Week Four Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Luther Burden, Chicago Bears (18% rostered)
While everyone else is extolling the virtues of Tre Tucker, I am going to tell you why Luther Burden is the more savvy play. First, the Bears have one of the worst defenses in football, which means they will likely be playing from behind frequently. Second, DJ Moore does not like to block, which is a big problem for head coach Ben Johnson. Third, the Bears invested a second-round pick on Burden this year, and he was a player many thought was the best receiver in this draft class, not named Travis Hunter. Burden is a long-term stash. He might be inconsistent for the first half of the season, but in the second half, he has the upside to be a league winner.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders (4% rostered)
Tre Tucker had an outstanding week 3, finishing as WR1 with eight catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Personally, I think he is fool’s gold. In the first three quarters, Tucker had a respectable four catches for 47 yards and one touchdown. He got another 98 yards and two touchdowns in the 4th quarter, right when the team was losing by 24 points. Sure, he let the team in run routes and air yards in week three. However, through his first two games, Tucker was the clear 4th in targets and air yards. I think this was one of those fluky games you get from a guy. Enjoy it while you can. If you believe this is the start of the Tre Tucker era, by all means burn a waiver or some FAAB on him. Just do it, understanding that it has a low likelihood of having any relevant return on investment.
Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks (1% rostered)
In week 3, Tory Horton had three catches for 32 yards and one touchdown. He also had a punt return for a touchdown. Through 3 games, the rookie has shown flashes and has the chance to take control of the number two receiving role on the Seahawks. I am just not sure that role will be fantasy-relevant.
Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs (1% rostered)
With Worthy and Rice out, Thornton has emerged as the WR1 on the Chiefs over the last two weeks. Unfortunately, being the WR1 on the Chiefs means a lot less than it used to, but five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown is a nice line for a flex play. My concern here is that once Worthy and Rice come back, Thornton will turn back into a pumpkin.
Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans (13% rostered)
Elic Ayomanor has a touchdown in his last two games. Ayomanor is intriguing, but you have to ask yourself if you really want to invest in the third-receiving option on the Titans’ offense. I do think by the end of the year, he’ll be the number one receiver. I’m just not sure that will provide any fantasy relevance.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (32% rostered)
In week 3, Bateman had five catches for 63 yards and one touchdown. We know who Bateman is. A good receiver on a high-powered offense. [Editor’s Note: He is not good.] The trick will be figuring out which weeks he will actually produce.
Week Four Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (49% rostered)
On the back of an eight-catch, 90-yard performance with two touchdowns, Hunter Henry is the TE1 of the week and on the season. With Stefon Diggs not producing, someone has to emerge as the primary target for Drake Maye. Three weeks into the season, it is clear that the target is Hunter Henry. Henry leads the team in air yards and targets and is second in routes run and yards per route run. Henry is going to finish the year, at the very least, as a low-end TE1. He might as well do it on your roster.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (29% rostered)
The bad news is that Juwan Johnson didn’t have a touchdown this week. The good news is that Juwan Johnson is still TE4 on the season. Through three weeks, Jennings is first in yards per route run, second in targets, and third in air yards for the Saints. If you can’t get Henry, Johnson has shown he has a solid floor with upside.
