Tyrod Taylor
, The Canadian Press
Ben Fisher, TSN.ca Staff
Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the Wednesday waiver deadline. This week, Tyrod Taylor could be the solution for owners of injured QBs like Tony Romo, Drew Brees, and Jay Cutler.
1. QB Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Last Week: 23/30, 242 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTS; 43 rushing yards, 1 TD
-
Week 3 Opponent
at Dolphins
-
% Owned
17.8
-
FAAB
$23
Taylor's far from a QB1 option using his arm alone, although his early season passing numbers are decent. What makes him an intriguing option is what he can do with his legs. Taylor is one of the better running QBs in the league and his combined production should make for a solid fill-in for any team that lost a QB to injury this week. Because so many QBs went down, you'll likely have to spend a little more for Taylor to secure him.
2. RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 12 carries, 25 yards, 1 TD; 34 receiving yards
-
Week 3 Opponent
at Cowboys
-
% Owned
64.5
-
FAAB
$10
Freeman hasn't looked overly impressive in his young career, but could be starting Week 3 if rookie Tevin Coleman isn't recovered from fractured ribs suffered against the Giants. You won't know Coleman's status by the time your bid is due, but he isn't expected to practice until Friday at the earliest so bet on Freeman getting a start.
3. TE Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 3 receptions (4 targets), 23 yards, 1 TD
-
Week 3 Opponent
vs. Chiefs
-
% Owned
13.8
-
FAAB
$8
Every starter in the Packers' offence needs to be owned and it's clear that's what Rodgers is now, playing far more snaps and seeing more targets (4-0) than Andrew Quarless in Week 2.
4. WR Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 3 receptions (4 targets), 115 yards, 2 TDs; 1 Return TD
-
Week 3 Opponent
vs. Raiders
-
% Owned
6.3
-
FAAB
$6
Benjamin has done a lot with few targets in Cleveland so far this year. He'll need more looks before he becomes anything more than a boom or bust fantasy start, but the fourth-year breakout player is a potential game-changer, and has proven he can score at any time.
5. WR Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 9 receptions (16 targets), 111 yards, 1 TD
-
Week 3 Opponent
at Browns
-
% Owned
31.6
-
FAAB
$6
If you're concerned about Benjamin's lack of targets, Crabtree is the receiver for you. With Derek Carr healthy for a full game, Crabtree trailed only Julian Edelman and Calvin Johnson with 16 targets in Week 2. Oakland won't always be in shootouts like they found themselves in against the Ravens, but they'll often be playing catchup - garbage time yards count all the same in fantasy.
6. QB Andy Dalton, Cinnati Bengals
Last Week: 16/26, 214 yards, 3 TDs
-
Week 3 Opponent:
at Ravens
-
% Owned
21.1
-
FAAB
$22
Dalton was right on the edge of draftability to begin the year so he might not be available in your league, but if he is you should scoop him up after two big weeks to begin the year. Dalton's big Week 1 didn't raise many eyebrows given it came against the Raiders, but his three touchdowns against the Chargers has him on the radar. The fifth-year QB has another favourable matchup in Week 3 against the Ravens.
7. RB Matt Jones, Washington Redskins
Last Week: 19 carries, 123 yards, 2 TDs
-
Week 3 Opponent
at Giants
-
% Owned
15.8
-
FAAB
$5
Jones isn't going to repeat his 25-point Week 2, so don't expect immediate dividends from this add. But if you have the room on your bench to stash the rookie running back, he'll likely pay off for you eventually as he steals more and more carries from Alfred Morris.
8. WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: 7 receptions (8 targets), 92 yards, 1 TD
-
Week 3 Opponent
vs. Bears
-
% Owned
35.7
-
FAAB
$4
Baldwin isn't a sexy add, but he's a solid receiver who has been targeted 17 times so far this season in a strong offence. A strong offence that is due for a breakout...
9. QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Last Week: 30/46, 351 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
-
Week 3 Opponent
at Browns
-
% Owned
10.5
-
FAAB
$3
Carr's career-day should have him on the fantasy radar for needy owners. Even if the Raiders haven't figured it out on offence yet, Carr should benefit from garbage-time yards to put up consistently decent numbers. The second-year QB showed promise last year and now has some receivers to throw to.
10. TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
Last Week: 5 receptions (10 targets), 43 yards, 1 TD
-
Week 3 Opponent:
vs. Broncos
-
% Owned
20.0
-
FAAB
$1
After a disappointing rookie season for the former 10th overall pick, Ebron has looked a lot better in his sophomore campaign so far. The tight end has been a bigger part of the Lions' offence (which should be better moving forward) and rewarded owners with a touchdown per week so far. His potential alone makes him intriguing.
% Owned based on ESPN standard leagues