Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford – (32.3% Owned)

It turns out Stafford can still have success without Cooper Kupp. Stafford has thrown for over 300+ yards in his first two games as he continues to build rapport with his young receivers. One of those targets is of course Puka Nacua who is on a record-breaking pace in his rookie season. If you’re struggling at the quarterback position, Stafford is worth a look.

Running Backs

Jerome Ford – (13.1% Owned)

We now know star running back Nick Chubb is out for the season which means it’s Jerome Ford’s time to shine. Chubb suffered a gruesome knee injury on Monday night that was so bad they couldn’t show the replay. In his absence, Ford showed he is more than capable of taking over the lead-back role. Ford finished with 106 rushing yards including an impressive 69-yard scamper. Cleveland will need more of that from him to have any chance this season.

Matt Breida – (1.6% Owned)

Another key injury at the running back position was to Saquon Barkley who went down with an ankle injury. It looks as of now that Barkley will miss 2-3 weeks as he recovers. Matt Breida will most likely take over the starting duties but don’t expect huge production. Breida has been quiet thus far this season and should only be claimed if you are deep at the RB position.

Jaylen Warren – (40.7% Owned)

Now is the time to pick up Jaylen Warren if he is available in your league. Warren has looked like the more explosive back in the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield thus far. With Najee Harris struggling it’s only a matter of time until Warren gets more touches. What should you do with Harris? It’s time to think about putting him on the trade block.

Wide Receivers

Skyy Moore – (59.6% Owned)

It took a while but Skyy Moore finally showed his upside in week 2. Moore caught his first NFL receiving touchdown versus the Jaguars as he finished with 70 yards on the day. It’s still too early to lock him into your starting lineup but this is encouraging for Moore going forward.

Marvin Mims Jr. – (15.1% Owned)

The volume isn’t there yet but Mims Jr. showcased his speed on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Mims Jr. had 113 yards on only 2 targets including a touchdown. He was also impressive on special teams as he returned a punt for 45 yards. If Mims and Russell Wilson can continue to build chemistry he could be a big threat in the Broncos offense.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz – (29.2% Owned)

Zach Ertz hasn’t found the end zone yet in 2023 but the volume has been there. Ertz has 18 targets in his first 2 games as Joshua Dobbs has shown he is not afraid to throw him the ball. Expect this to continue and for Ertz to eventually have a break-out performance.

The post Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups (2023) appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Denver Broncos finished with the 12th ranked rushing offense in 2021, but their veteran running back Melvin Gordon is a soon-to-be free agent. There is mutual interest between Gordon and John Elway to ink another contract in Denver.

Nonetheless, the Broncos have a future star in Javonte Williams and it’s possible that a team is more desperate to sign Gordon. If the Broncos lose their beloved Gordon, I expect Nathaniel Hackett to want an RB that can nicely fill in the shoes for Gordon if he departs. Although, I don’t expect him to break the bank for a RB not named Melvin Gordon because Williams will clearly be the lead bell-cow in 2022 and beyond. So, who could the aggressive Broncos look to sign? Here are a few cheaper, halfbacks that can complement Williams.

• Chase Edmonds

The Arizona Cardinals RB recorded a career-high rushing yard tally (592) and total yards (903) in 12 games last season. Edmonds is the perfect all-purpose RB that Denver needs Edmonds is ready to blossom at 25 years old. It might be hard for him to take his next step with the Cardinals.

James Conner and Edmonds are both free-agent RBs on the Cardinals. I unequivocally expect the Cardinals to prioritize Conner (15 touchdowns in 2021) and it will be a challenge to retain Edmonds, as well.

• Phillip Lindsay

Phillip Lindsay has the experience, relationships, and success with the Denver Broncos. He ousted a 1,000+ rushing yard season in 2018 and 2019. If the Broncos lose Gordon, they can call their ex-RB in Lindsay.

Lindsay might have struggled in Houston, also known as Alcatraz, but he has plenty of juice at this stage in his career. I expect the talented RB to seek out a prove-it deal, so he could opt to come home. The question is: will he want to return to Denver?

• Matt Breida

The former 49ers speed RB has been injury-riddled (12 missed games in the past two seasons) and buried on the depth chart in the past two seasons, but he still has the dust that Kyle Shanahan saw when he was an x-factor on the 49ers early in his career. In 2018, he clocked 814 yards and he can certainly be a nice backup to Javonte. Breida and Javonte can the “thunder and lightning”.

Breida has the potential to be one of the best “good value signings”, as he will likely have to sign a cheaper deal to prove himself. He has to love the idea of playing in Denver.

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