Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

It is going to be a busy Week 3 on the fantasy football waiver wire in terms of vying for quarterbacks. Some notable NFL starters look like they will miss some significant time, and we provide the ideal options to consider if you lost Joe Burrow, for example.

In superflex leagues, where you can start two QBs, the scramble for any available possible starters will be even more hectic. You might have to make a trade for a decent starting option.

We focus on the best fantasy football free agent pickups for Week 3, with analysis leaning to PPR formats. Players are listed in preferred order of adds at their respective positions. Plus, for the second consecutive week, the Seahawks are a recommended starting defense.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns: In the first two games of the season, Tillman has a TD catch in each outing while being targeted a total of 15 times. If Joe Flacco remains the starter for Cleveland, Tillman will have the potential to post good totals in any week. Game scripts may force the Browns to throw often on a regular basis.

Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots: Boutte performed well in the preseason and seemingly cemented himself as one of Drake Maye's preferred targets. He caught six passes for 103 yards in the season opener and then notched a TD reception in Week 2. Boutte could prove to be the most productive fantasy WR from the Patriots this season.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed is out with a collarbone injury, and Doubs may start to become targeted more often moving forward. He caught a 48-yard pass in Week 1 and registered a TD reception in Week 2. Doubs caught eight TD passes two seasons ago and may be a regular TD threat with additional potential targets.

Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos: He is a former college teammate of Bo Nix at Oregon, and the connection started to surface in NFL Week 2. Franklin caught eight of nine targets for 89 yards and a TD. The No. 2 WR role is still open for the taking in Denver, and with continued quality output, Franklin could nail the spot down.

Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants: In Week 2 at Dallas, Robinson caught eight passes for a career-high 142 yards and a TD. In games where Russell Wilson might get involved in higher-scoring contests and unfurl the deep ball, Robinson may be a worthy streamer. Add Robinson now as at least a matchup play, as he seems to have developed a good early rapport with Wilson.

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans: You may have to be patient with Ayomanor to become a consistent fantasy starter as Cam Ward continues to get more comfortable at the pro level. He did catch four of six targets for 56 yards and his first pro TD in Week 2. Ayomanor won a starting job with a strong preseason and might be more reliable for fantasy purposes later in the season.

Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans: The Houston rookie flashed his promise with a 28-yard catch-and-run on Monday night. Houston does need a consistent complement for Nico Collins to emerge in the passing game. Stash Higgins now and you might be able to utilize him down the road.

Other Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire WRs To Add: Tyquan Thornton, Hunter Renfrow, Malik Washington, Dyami Brown.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Running Backs

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants: The hard-running rookie might soon emerge as a lead ball carrier for the Giants. If he is not available on waivers, you might want to consider trading for Skattebo now. He registered his first NFL rushing TD in Week 2 while leading Giants RBs with 11 carries.

Skattebo should at least emerge as a preferred goal-line runner in a timeshare scenario. He is available in some leagues if you check the free agent list. Always be vigilant and never assume a player is rostered already.

Jeremy McNichols/Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders: The loss of Austin Ekeler pushes McNichols and Rodriguez into the picture as fantasy football RBs to add in NFL Week 3. McNichols could take over the receiving part of Ekeler's role, while Rodriguez might be the team's optimal physical runner.

We will have to see how the Commanders' RB situation plays out over the next game or two, but all of their prime RBs should be rostered right now. Jacory Croskey-Merritt may still prove to be a productive runner, yet he also might split some work with at least one more RB.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson is the obvious RB1 for Atlanta, but Allgeier will continue to be utilized enough to prevent the superstar No. 1 guy from being overworked. Allgeier rushed for 76 yards and a TD on 16 carries in Week 2. The waiver wire is pretty thin at RB, and Allgeier is getting enough work to be a viable depth pickup.

Woody Marks, Houston Texans: Houston does need a spark in the running game, and the rookie might be able to provide it. Although Nick Chubb should remain the mix, Marks might be able to push for a timeshare role soon. Chubb did rip off a 25-yard rushing TD on Monday but was mostly ineffective otherwise. Using both RBs in more of a split might be something the Texans try at some point, and Marks could be potentially productive with more regular work.

Other RBs to consider adding as insurance for your starters: Rachaad White, Kareem Hunt, Kyle Monangai, Blake Corum, Tank Bigsby, Miles Sanders.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts: The "Indiana Jones" era has started with two impressive performances by the former Giants QB. Fantasy players wanted to see another strong outing from Jones after Week 1 to buy in. He delivered again, passing for 316 yards and a TD,

With his usual rushing upside, Jones is the ideal pickup for those needing a QB replacement. Let's not forget that he finished as a top 10 fantasy QB in 2022.

Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals: Browning will fill in for the injured Burrow until further notice, and he slips into a starting spot surrounded by a top-notch supporting cast. He passed for two TDs and three interceptions in relief of Burrow last week. Expect a good amount of consistent passing volume that will make Browning worthy of regular starting consideration.

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers: He rebounded in Week 2 to throw for 328 yards and three TDs. Young still has the promise to become a respectable fantasy option this season

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers: While Brock Purdy is unavailable, Jones showed he can be a respectable plug-and-play option in a good matchup. He passed for 279 yards and three TDs against New Orleans in Week 2. .

Russell Wilson, New York Giants: The top fantasy QB of all time for the Seahawks carried the Giants' offense in Week 1 at Dallas, passing for a career-high 450 yards and three TDs. You should at least add Wilson to see if he can become a quality streamer again if an injury hole needs to be plugged.

More Fantasy Football Week 2 QBs To Consider Adding: Michael Penix Jr, Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz (in superflex leagues).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Tight Ends

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: In the first two games of the season, Johnson has posted good fantasy numbers, He is being targeted more often and seems to have a solid on-field connection with Spencer Rattler. Johnson caught five of nine targets and a TD in Week 2.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers: The second-year man was targeted nine times in Week 2 and finished with seven receptions. If Young continues to produce well enough, Sanders will start to gain more fantasy notice. Add him now in hopes of adequate output more frequently.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Defenses To Stream

Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee), Seattle Seahawks (vs. New Orleans), Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina), Buffalo Bills (vs. Miami).

The Seahawks have allowed only 17 points in each of their first two games. They lead the NFC with four interceptions and registered three sacks in the road win at Pittsburgh. The duo of Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II is looking dominant up front, and Josh Jobe is performing very well in coverage and as an opportunistic cornerback.

The Seahawks secondary should match up well with the New Orleans passing game to keep the score down again.