Fantasy football waiver wire pickups: NFL Week 3

Troy Franklin leads the Denver Broncos‘ receiver room: Franklin might end up as the team's top wide receiver over the rest of the season.

Bhayshul Tuten takes on an increased role: The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Tank Bigsby, leading Tuten to see more snaps and touches in Week 2.

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Another week of the 2025 NFL season is just about in the books. Here are the players you should be targeting in your fantasy football leagues, including targets in smaller leagues and deeper leagues, as well as players to avoid.

One change is the addition of league size and time frame. “League size” indicates the number of teams in your fantasy league where the player is likely available and it makes sense to pick them up. Anyone listed for a 12-team league should also be available in a 10-team league, but it might not make as much sense to add that player, given the roster size. If it makes sense to pick someone up in 10- and 12-team leagues, the player will be listed in both. “Time frame” indicates the length of time for which the player could be valuable, helping those looking for a short-term replacement or a player for the future.

Jump to a position group:

QB | RB | WR | TE

QUARTERBACKS

Michael Penix, Atlanta Falcons (Rostered in 28.0% of leagues on ESPN)

League Size: 10

Time Frame: Week 3 and Long Term

Penix was a top-10 fantasy quarterback in Week 1, but he struggled against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 2. On the bright side, most quarterbacks had trouble with the Vikings last season, as they allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.

The Falcons play the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, which was a great matchup for quarterbacks last season. It hasn’t been a great matchup in 2025 because teams have gotten out to early big leads against Carolina. The Panthers will likely keep the game against Atlanta a little closer, leading to more volume for Penix than past quarterbacks against Carolina.

The Falcons follow that up with games against the Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers — contests in which the offense will also need to pass often. They have a rough three-game stretch after that and then an excellent slate from Weeks 11-17. That includes no games against teams that were in the top 12 in stopping quarterbacks last season. If Penix can gain some good experience over the first half of the season, he could be an elite fantasy quarterback over the second half of the year.

Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (0.1%)

League Size: 10, 12, 16

Time Frame: Short Term

Joe Burrow left Sunday’s game against the Jaguars with a toe injury. Initial reports indicated the injury will likely require surgery, which would cost Burrow around three months — or the majority of the fantasy regular season. Browning took over and completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, along with a one-yard touchdown run.

Browning started seven games in Burrow’s place in 2023 and averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game. His 80.2 PFF overall grade from 2023-2024 ranked 23rd out of 52 quarterbacks with at least 400 snaps. His fantasy production should be elevated by the Bengals' offense and skill players. If Cincinnati faced the Falcons’ schedule over the rest of the year, Browning might be the top quarterback on this list. However, the Bengals have a below-average schedule for quarterbacks, leaving Browning second among the quarterback waiver-wire options.

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