Week 3 QB/TE Waiver Wire Targets: Hunter Henry, Derek Carr, Mike Gesicki, Sam Darnold and More

Week 2 of the NFL season is just about in the books, and it’s time to get your waiver wire set up going into week 3. 

Let’s look at the top quarterback and tight end options.

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Tight End Waiver Wire Options

New England Patriots’ Hunter Henry is maybe the top tight end waiver option after hauling in eight of his 12 targets for 109 yards in week 2.

Henry, rostered in about 20% of leagues, was held to 18 yards on two catches and three targets in week 1, so maybe his showing in week 2 was more because of a favorable matchup than Henry breaking out in the Pats’ offense. Still, with not a ton of playmakers on that team, Henry is an intriguing waiver option, especially at a weaker TE position.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Mike Gesicki went for 91 yards on seven catches and nine targets in week 2. He’s owned in about 5% of leagues.

Gesicki also was held in check week 1, tallying 18 yards on three receptions and four targets. The Bengals’ offense is another one that needs some additional playmakers to step up, and there’s a chance Gesicki is that guy, although things could change when Tee Higgins finally suits up.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Brenton Strange, barely rostered in any leagues, went off for 65 yards on three grabs and six targets in week 2. He started in place of Evan Engram, who was a surprise scratch with a hamstring injury that could be a week-to-week injury.

If Engram is back, Strange’s value drops significantly. Still, he produced enough in week 2 to possibly get some spot starts in week 3 if Engram can’t go again.

Washington Commanders’ Zach Ertz tallied 62 yards on four catches and targets in week 2. He is rostered in 10% of fantasy leagues.

Ertz had three grabs on four catches in week 1, but for just 28 yards. His showing in week 2 looks more like an outlier (in terms of the yardage), but he’s worth a mention after carving out a little role through two weeks. 

Houston Texans’ Dalton Schultz is rostered in 82% of leagues, but a favorable week 3 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings gets Schultz on this list.

Schultz has just five catches on six targets for 37 yards and no scores through two weeks this season. Minnesota has already allowed opposing TEs to go for 123 yards and a score on 11 catches and 15 targets, so I see some value in streaming Schultz this coming week.

Miami Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith tallied 53 yards on six catches and seven targets in week 2. He only had a seven-yard catch across two targets in week 1.

Smith, rostered in 5% of leagues, also will likely have a new quarterback in week 3 after the concussion Tua Tagovailoa suffered. It makes it hard to see another decent fantasy showing this coming week, but a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks has me at least intrigued. Seattle’s defense has allowed 126 yards on 11 catches and 17 targets through two weeks to opposing tight ends.

Let’s now order these tight ends in terms of the best week 3 options and season-long options.

For week 3 streaming options, I really think Schultz would be the way to go. He hasn’t done much this season, but that matchup against the Vikings is great, and I think he posts at least average fantasy numbers this week.

A week 3 clash against the Jets isn’t super favorable for Henry, but after what he did in week 2, I’m on board with him as the No. 2 option among this group of TE.

If Strange gets another start, I’d take him third. He takes on the Bills, who have allowed 103 yards on 14 catches and 21 targets. I wouldn’t play Strange if Engram is active in any way though.

The QB situation scares me, but I’d still take Smith against the Seahawks here. After that, I’d go with Gesicki against the Commanders instead of Ertz against the Bengals. The matchup favors Ertz, but I simply trust Gesicki more after two weeks and in his offense.

As for the season-long rankings, I like Henry the best. I was high on him before the season and think he’s going to be a decent starting option most weeks going forward. I’d take Schultz next, even though he’s struggled to get going so far.

I’d lean toward Gesicki next and say he’s got the best chance to be consistently involved in his offense. Give me Smith slightly ahead of Ertz, even though I wouldn’t be thrilled with either long term.

Strange, of course, would go last. Unless Engram is placed on IR, Strange is just a week-to-week starting option, not a long-term guy to trust.

Quarterback Waiver Wire Options

I’ve got five quarterbacks to discuss, and we have to begin with New Orleans Saints’ Derek Carr. He has 443 passing yards, five touchdowns, one interception and a rushing touchdown through two weeks.

The Saints’ offense looks fantastic, and he’s got a good matchup on paper in week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He deserves to be added until he cools off at least.

Minnesota’s Sam Darnold had a good showing against a tough San Francisco 49ers defense in week 2. Darnold had 476 passing yards, four touchdowns and two picks through two weeks.

Darnold will take on the Texans in week 3. Houston has allowed 386 passing yards and 100 rushing yards, plus three total touchdowns, to opposing quarterbacks so far.

New York Giants’ Daniel Jones was pretty solid in week 2 after a disastrous week 1. He always adds a rushing attack, but won’t be playing the Commanders every week.

The Giants face the Bengals in week 3. Cincy’s defense has allowed just 272 passing yards and 62 rushing yards to opposing QBs, while giving up two touchdowns, but also having a couple takeaways.

Geno Smith threw for 327 yards and a touchdown against a New England defense that stifled Joe Burrow in week 1. He’s always a waiver wire option and is a decent one this week. 

Smith will face a Dolphins’ defense that’s allowed 301 passing yards and two touchdowns through two games. Miami doesn’t have a pick yet, and has only allowed eight rushing yards to opposing QBs.

Kirk Cousins is the last guy I want to mention. He’s playing Monday night and could turn himself into a big-time waiver option with a good showing. He’s on this list for me because of his week 3 matchup.

The Kansas City Chiefs are not usually a defense to target, but they’ve allowed 531 passing yards and three touchdowns so far, while not picking off a pass. Opposing QBs have 131 rushing yards as well, but most of that was Lamar Jackson’s doing.

For week 3 streaming options, I like Carr the best. He’s hot right now, and unless Philly’s defense looks fantastic on Monday night, there’s no reason not to keep going with Carr.

I’d trust Cousins against the Chiefs next. It’s a bit risky, but I also like Cousins more than the other three guys, and I think he can avoid terrible showings.

I’d go with Smith next, followed by Darnold and Jones. Smith looked good against a good defense in week 2, so I’m trusting him to keep it going. Darnold doesn’t have the dual-threat ability Jones does, but the matchup against the Texans is simply better. I think Jones will have a rough go of it against a Cincy team desperate for a win.

As for the season-long options, I’m leaning toward Cousins. I think he’ll continue to knock off the rust and start really producing with a bunch of playmakers around him.

Give me Carr next. I don’t think he’ll remain this hot all season, or even a half of it, but there’s plenty to like so far and I simply can’t take him any lower.

I’d give Smith the next nod. He’s got a better history than Darnold and Jones, and he’s simply on a better team, which should help his fantasy stock throughout the season.

I’d take Darnold over Jones for the last spot. Darnold has surprised me so far, but I think he will come back to earth soon. Jones had one good showing against a terrible defense, and is the most likely to lose his job, so he goes to last by default.