Heading into Week 3, we now have more information, and information is key in fantasy football.
Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. Remember, your roster can always improve, and even if you don't need a player, you still want to keep another manager from picking them up.
And remember those pesky bye weeks; they are coming up quickly, with two teams off in Week 5.
Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers
In most leagues, these guys are not available. But if you are lucky enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.
WR Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco 49ers (82.9% rostered on ESPN)
I wrote about Deebo last week, and he has become even more valuable as the San Francisco wide receivers seem to be dropping to injury on a weekly basis. So far, Deebo has caught all three of his passes in the red zone (we love that) and has quietly slid right back into an impact role in the Niners offense. The schedule is not cake, but the offense is firing on all cylinders, and Purdy is delivering.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (68.2% rostered on ESPN)
Shough made an appearance here last week, and I chatted him up with Dave Kluge this week as well. This might be your last chance to grab Shough, and I suggest you do it whether you need him or not. This offense is hopping with a fantastic pace of play, and Shough is coasting a 68% passing success rate. The team also should get back rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson soon, who is currently on IR.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (22.2% rostered on ESPN)
Darnold played so briefly in Week 1 that, as fantasy managers, we seem to have settled into a Drew Lock-led offense. However, Darnold could return soon (maybe even this week), as head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold is ahead of schedule. The Seattle defense will continue to be the backbone of this team, but Darnold has been startable, and in a world where fantasy football managers are losing a starting quarterback from their roster every 18 hours or so, Darnold needs to be rostered. The team also has a later bye - they are off Week 11.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons (2.5% rostered on ESPN)
Before last night, we had seen literally nothing from Penix this year, but there is a big need for starting quarterbacks, and Penix showed against Green Bay that he has potential.
Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (1.4% rostered on ESPN)
Jayden Daniels is dealing with an elbow injury and will be out at least a few weeks. Mariota will be under center, and past this week's matchup with Seattle, you could consider starting him in Week 4 against the Colts and in Week 5 against the Giants. Mariota also offers a rushing floor, albeit not as high as Daniels.