It was another weird week in fantasy football with shocking performances, disappointing busts and more player injuries, including running backs De’von Achane and Breece Hall. Washington Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin finally got involved in their offense during their surprising win over the Seattle Seahawks while Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love had a bounce back game despite the Cardinals’ loss.
Meanwhile, some players were down-right disappointing. Receiver Tetairora McMillan, who had five receptions and at least 75 receiving yards in the first two games, only had two catches for 17 yards against the Cleveland Browns. Houston Texans running back David Montgomery barely put up any points despite going against one of the worst run defenses
in the NFL in the first two weeks. His teammate, tight end Dalton Schultz, also had a disappointing week with only three catches despite having 12 catches the week before.
Here is a look at the top five waiver wire pickups in fantasy football after Week 3 of the NFL season.
WR Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears
Rostered in 10.3% of ESPN leagues
With wide receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and rookie Zavion Thomas along with tight end Colston Loveland on the roster, who could have guessed Kalif Raymond would emerge as the leading receiver through the first three weeks? It seemed like a fluke after Week 1 and it was hard to tell anything about the offense in Week 2. There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding Chicago’s offense in Week 3 with Case Keenum at quarterback, but he still got the ball to Raymond as he finished the game with six receptions for 90 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown. He is a top-15 fantasy receiver right now and only rostered in 10.3 percent of fantasy leagues. It is hard to find someone with this kind of production available on the waiver wire.
QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered in 34% of ESPN leagues
In his return following his glute injury, Darnold put up a lot of fantasy points despite the Seahawks losing to the Commanders. He finished the game with 379 passing yards and four touchdowns. Darnold also has the benefit of throwing to the best receiver in the NFL, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which certainly helps his fantasy numbers. If you need a quarterback, Darnold is someone to consider picking up especially since they are about to play against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday who are currently 0-3.
RB Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Rostered in 1.6% of ESPN leagues
With Achane out for the season, Ollie Gordon took over as the leading running back for the Dolphins. He finished the game against the Kansas City Chiefs with 17 rushing attempts for 41 yards and a touchdown along with three receptions for 14 yards. Having just 2.4 yards per carry is not too promising, but getting 17 attempts is a good sign for his fantasy potential. Gordon has a difficult matchup against the Minnesota Vikings this week, so it may not be ideal to start him this week. But, if you have room on your roster, it would at least be worth picking him up.
TE Noah Fant, New Orleans Saints
Rostered in 0.2% of ESPN leagues
Tight ends are hard to figure out this season. Colston Loveland with the Chicago Bears still has not put up the numbers people thought he would. Some of the other streamer options at tight end have gotten injured. Fant is not even the top tight end on the Saints. However, quarterback Tyler Shough loves to throw the ball and he seems to favor Fant in the red zone. He already has three touchdowns this season, including two last week. Fant is a true boom-or-bust player, but he has solid numbers when he booms.
WR Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts
Rostered in 23.8% of ESPN leagues
With Alec Pierce out, Keenan Allen stepped up for the Indianapolis Colts and finished their Week 3 game against the Houston Texans with six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. He is probably facing a multi-game suspension, so he may not be someone that stays on your roster long. But, as long as Pierce is out and Allen is not suspended, he may be worth picking up. His matchup against the Washington Commanders next week also helps matters as Washington has one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL through the first three weeks including surrendering 11 receiving touchdowns.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 waiver wire pickups in NFL fantasy football in Week 4
