EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEach Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players worthy of your attention available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change quickly for player valuation and roles each week in the NFL, and free agency is a critical way to acquire players. We are here to help!Top pickup options at every positionLooking for the top recommendation at each skill position? Look no further! Here are the players to target heading into Week 3, along with their current roster percentages and a recommendation of how much of your free agent budget (FAB) you should consider using for your bid. Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks (rostered in 33.9%, 5% of your FAB)Darnold (glute) missed most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, but he sure looked healthy in Sunday's shootout against the Washington Commanders. Game score and a challenged run game dictated myriad passes, and Darnold completed 31 out of 45 attempts for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He also tossed a pair of interceptions, one that was returned for a score.Immeasurably aided by dominating WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is off to one of the greatest starts ever, Darnold may match his success from last season, when he surpassed 4,000 passing yards, threw 25 TD passes and mattered in fantasy. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.Ollie Gordon II, RB, Dolphins (1.1%, 12% FAB)Gordon, a second-year Oklahoma State product who averaged only 2.8 yards per his 70 carries last season, replaced an injured De'Von Achane (knee) during Week 3's action and scored 14.5 points. Gordon wasn't efficient, but getting 20 touches and scoring a touchdown often masks inefficiency. With Achane reportedly done for the season, Gordon is next up, although Jaylen Wright may have a role, too.Keenan Allen, WR, Colts (23.8%, 7% FAB)Allen, second among active players in receptions behind Travis Kelce, was one of three Indianapolis Colts to earn at least nine targets on Sunday, but he was the one who scored the team's touchdown. In addition, teammates WR Josh Downs and TE Tyler Warren are already rostered in most leagues. Allen is not, but with Alec Pierce (heel) on IR, he now has opportunity. Allen isn't close to the threat he was as recently as 2023, but he did catch 81 passes for last season's Chargers (for only 777 yards), so perhaps he can do that again.Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Jets (33.5%, 10% FAB)Sadiq, selected 16th in the draft out of Oregon, scored a short rushing TD in Week 1, but he totaled only six targets and 38 receiving yards through two weeks, failing to excite potential investors. They may be excited now, after Sadiq caught seven passes for 105 yards and a 24-yard TD on Sunday. Sadiq is strong and fast and a potential top-10 fantasy tight end if he gets the targets. He should from now on.Other quarterbacksJacoby Brissett, Cardinals (4.6%, 3% FAB): Brissett bounced back from a rough Week 2 by throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers, and rushed for another score. His three games haven't been consistent for fantasy purposes, but Brissett is worth a look for Week 4 against the New York Giants -- and clearly in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions when the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Plan ahead if you can.Geno Smith, Jets (7.1%, 1% FAB): Smith delivered his best game of the season, scoring 26.04 points in the team's Week 3 loss to the Lions -- a team fantasy managers should target for offensive options. New York's Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears, has also struggled to defend the pass this season, making Smith an intriguing streamer.Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3.3%, 1% FAB): Mariota led the stunning win over the Seahawks with 20.42 points, aided by three TD passes. He may not be the starter in a month's time if Jayden Daniels (elbow) returns, but we can deal with that later. The Commanders and Colts meet Sunday morning in London.Deep-league options/streamersMichael Penix Jr., Falcons (4.2%, 1% FAB): Penix led Atlanta's stunning win last Thursday against the Green Bay Packers, though with only 14.04 fantasy points. RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London were the offensive stars. Penix isn't a runner like Mariota, but he has a decent Week 4 matchup with the New Orleans Saints on Monday.Kirk Cousins, Raiders (10.2%, 1% FAB): The former Falcon boasts consecutive top-10 fantasy outings for the (still) unbeaten Las Vegas Raiders, though Week 4 features a challenging game with the Chiefs. Still, Cousins is playing well, and he should keep the starting role over rookie Fernando Mendoza for as long as he continues to do so.Other running backsBraelon Allen, Jets (14%, 6% FAB): Starter Breece Hall (thigh) left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter, and his status remains undetermined. Allen, a bigger player at 235 pounds, played a relevant role during his rookie season, but he hasn't done much since then. If Hall misses games, Allen becomes a reasonable flex choice. Why target the Miami Dolphins' Gordon over Allen? Achane's injury is a far more significant one.Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (15.6%, 1% FAB): Mitchell, the former Raven who earned only 10 touches over the first two weeks, scored 13.7 points on Sunday, mainly because he caught a short TD pass. He turned eight rushing attempts into 52 yards, while starter Omarion Hampton rushed 15 times for only 56 yards, with nary a reception. The diminutive Mitchell isn't a threat to displace Hampton for volume, but he has some flex appeal for the bye weeks (which start in Week 5) where he has strong matchups.Deep-league options/streamersBrian Robinson Jr., Falcons (21.6%, 1% FAB): This Robinson backs up the awesome Bijan Robinson, so one may think opportunities would be difficult to find, but that has not been the case. Brian Robinson scored a touchdown in last Thursday's blowout win over the Packers, and he has now rushed for 50 yards in consecutive games. Perhaps this Robinson maintains deep-league value, as former Falcon Tyler Allgeier did last season.George Holani, Seahawks (3.3%): Holani caught five passes for 48 yards on Sunday, differentiating himself from teammates Jadarian Price and Emanuel Wilson. The Seahawks, trailing much of the game to an inferior opponent, couldn't run the football effectively against the Commanders. Soon, Zach Charbonnet (knee) may further complicate this crowded situation, but if Holani continues catching passes, he may maintain some value.Other wide receiversTre' Harris, Chargers (3.4%, 3% FAB): Harris led all Chargers with six catches, seven targets and 76 receiving yards Sunday, and he certainly looks like a preferred option over inconsistent teammate Quentin Johnston. The Chargers can't be this underwhelming on offense all season, and Harris, in his second season, is becoming a factor.Mack Hollins, Patriots (5.4%, 2% FAB): Hollins was the lone bright spot on offense for the New England Patriots in their blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching six out of nine targets for 87 yards. The Patriots did not score a touchdown. Hollins, 33, isn't much of a TD option (he has scored only 17 times in nine seasons), but he was third among Patriots in catches just one year ago -- and he will enter Week 4 leading the team. It may not be much, especially with QB Drake Maye throwing footballs toward opposing players and A.J. Brown (ankle) out another month. Still, someone must catch the passes here.Deep-league options/streamersMalik Washington, Dolphins (13.4%, 2% FAB): Washington, in his third season, is seeing ample snaps, and he caught five out of 10 targets on Sunday. Miami's passing game isn't thriving behind QB Malik Willis, but Washington leads this winless team in both catches and receiving yards. Rookie Caleb Douglas (ankle) is more rostered and boasts star potential, but he is not nearly as reliable. Plus, he did not play in Week 3.Ted Hurst III, Buccaneers (1.1%): Hurst, the third-round rookie from Georgia State, scored on a 40-yard play to open the team's scoring Sunday, though it was his lone reception for the game. Hurst has caught only six out of 14 targets through three games, and the QB situation in Tampa Bay may become a bigger problem if Baker Mayfield (thumb) is out long term. Even so, Hurst seems likely to earn more attention moving forward.Other tight endsDarren Waller, Panthers (10.4%, 1% FAB): Waller caught five passes on Sunday, matching his total from the first two weeks. Then again, he scored touchdowns in those first two games. He did not score a touchdown on Sunday, but the eight targets are quite encouraging -- and perhaps a harbinger of more.Mike Gesicki, Bengals (8.6%, 1% FAB): Gesicki, who scored 18.8 points in Week 1 and caught nary a pass in Week 2, bounced back with another touchdown and 12.7 points against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He may not be the most consistent player this season, but Gesicki is a relevant streamer.DefenseVikings D/ST (47.1%): This unit scored a league-best 19 points, registering six sacks and returning a punt for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings scored 16 fantasy points in Week 2 versus the Bears. Perhaps a third consecutive double-digit performance is looming for a Week 4 home matchup with the Achane-less Dolphins.Bills D/ST (8.3%): This unit hasn't played great defense this season, scoring a total of 12 fantasy points over three games, but they face the Patriots and their turnover-ridden quarterback at home this week, making for a solid streaming opportunity.
