Waiver Wire Watch: Week 3

Sep 16, 2013

Editor’s Note: We’re happy to announce the arrival of 4for4 Contributor Pat Fitzmaurice (formerly of Pro Football Weekly), who will work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile this list of the top waiver wire pickups each week.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 3. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer ESPN leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance.

* Players with an asterisk next to their name were mentioned in last week’s Waiver Wire Watch.

Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor* ($8)
The Pryor bandwagon careened off-course in Week 2, with the Oakland QB producing only 176 yards of offense and failing to record a TD in the Raiders’ 19-9 win over the Jaguars. Still, even in a slow week, Pryor still managed to run for 50 yards. He was also interception-free against Jacksonville after throwing two the previous week. Pryor’s running ability still merits an overall endorsement.

Next up: Broncos, Redskins, Chargers

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer ($6)
A solid season so far for the grizzled vet: 575 passing yards and three TDs. Palmer now embarks on a three-week tour of the NFC South, a division not exactly known for airtight pass defenses. (Disclaimer: If your league has an especially harsh punishment for pick-sixes, you may want to look elsewhere.)

Next up: Saints, Buccaneers, Panthers

Chargers QB Philip Rivers ($5)
Reports of Rivers’ demise have been greatly exaggerated. He riddled the Eagles for 419 passing yards and three TDs in Week 2 and now has seven passing TDs for the season. San Diego’s offensive line has been better than advertised, and WR Eddie Royal has provided an unexpected spark. It’s also worth noting that there aren’t many daunting pass defenses on the Chargers’ schedule over the next 10 weeks or so.

Next up: Titans, Cowboys, Raiders