Week 3 Takeaways
WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
This week’s waiver wire targets are listed by position, in order of priority.
LB Danny Stutsman, New Orleans Saints
Stutsman stepped into Pete Werner’s LB2 role and made the most of his opportunities. Stutsman should be considered a deeper-league option for now, until we know the extent of Werner’s injury.
LB Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay Packers
McDuffie stepped into an every-down role in Week 3 after Edgerrin Cooper left the game with a concussion. Cooper will have about 10 days to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, though McDuffie should be considered a speculative add in non-shallow leagues in the meantime.
LB Garret Wallow, San Francisco 49ers
With Dre Greenlaw getting banged up and missing the last part of this game, Wallow replaced him for 75% of the team’s remaining defensive snaps. If Greenlaw misses any more time, Wallow should be considered an option for deeper formats.
LB Kain Medrano, Washington Commanders
If Frankie Luvu misses another game, since Leo Chenal is out for the season, Medrano could work as the LB2 next to Sonny Styles. He’ll be a deep-league option only for the short term, as Luvu is expected back sooner rather than later.
ED Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
Thibodeaux made this list last week, though it’s worth highlighting him again after Brian Burns tore his ACL and is now out for the season. Thibodeaux is a good depth option for non-shallow formats.
DT Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
With Madubuike returning from neck surgery this week and playing a strong snap share, he should have better matchups to be added as DT2 depth in DT-required formats going forward.
S Dante Trader Jr., Miami Dolphins
Trader finally played an every-down role, even getting the ideal usage near the line of scrimmage for this Miami safety group, which helped him have a productive IDP performance. Trader will be a strong safety option for non-shallow IDP formats.
S Christian Izien, Detroit Lions
Izien led the Lions in tackles this week thanks to strong IDP usage around the line of scrimmage, and should be considered a short-term option until one of the starters (Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph) returns from IR, potentially as soon as Week 5.
S Kyle Dugger, Cincinnati Bengals
Bryan Cook suffered an injury this week, so Dugger stepped into his deep safety role. Dugger will just be an option for deeper formats as long as Cook is out.
S Quan Martin, Washington Commanders
If Nick Cross misses any more time, Martin can be added only in deep leagues. He’ll just be a short-term option, as he’s also playing mostly deep, so not a high waiver-wire priority this week.
CB Roger McCreary, Detroit Lions
Played a full-time role and worked as the team’s primary slot defender this week, making him a speculative add in CB-required formats in case that usage holds.
Be sure to check out last week’s IDP waiver targets listed in the report here.