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Week 3 Fantasy Football Trading Tips, Top Waiver Adds and Lineup Advice

Fantasy Insider Scott Engel offers guidance as you prep for Week 3 of the fantasy season.

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Scott Engel is in his 10th season as the official Fantasy writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. Scott is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA award winner and 10-time nominee, including being named a finalist for the 2020 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year award. You can also find more of his Fantasy analysis on RotoBaller.com, SportsLine.com, the Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott won two Fantasy Football dynasty league titles in 2020, including one in the prestigious Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) and he previously pulled off a three-peat in a highly competitive New York City league.

After two weeks, Tyler Lockett is the second-highest scoring wide receiver in Fantasy Football, with 57.80 points on NFL.com. He is well ahead of superstars such as Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins. When any player is performing so well, Fantasy leaguers naturally start to think if they should trade him, as the player's value may be at a peak level for the season, even if it is very early in the schedule.

You likely drafted Lockett as a No. 2 Fantasy WR, though, and when he produces at such elite levels, which we have seen before, you are getting a better Fantasy return than projected. Such levels of performance can surely boost your team to victories. So you should also consider not messing with success. Getting higher output than you may have expected is what we all want on draft day.

Ideally, you should keep Lockett on your roster and continue to enjoy the output. The same approach can applied to players such as Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel. But if you do have some pressing needs to fill, those type of players who are producing so well early do have to be considered as parts of potential deals. If your team is deep at wide receiver, and there is a significant need at running back, it must be pondered whether to part with such players in a trade. Just make sure you are getting the proper return. Many times, a possible trade partner will offer two lesser producing players for your one standout. "Quantity for quality" offers will frequently not meet our needs.

Regardless of whether you keep players such as Lockett, Kupp and Samuel, or move them, your current position is advantageous. If those guys remain on the roster, there is a very good chance that strong production will continue to roll in and those players will be locked into lineups every week. If they are moved, your team will fill an important need or make a notable upgrade. The goals of a trade should always be to fill a need or make an upgrade. Trading similarly valued players at the same position(s) often does not accomplish much.

We are always looking to improve our Fantasy teams no matter what the record may be, and there are also some good opportunities to trade for certain players before they start to deliver their best outings. Some of your league mates will overreact if some of their top drafted players have not quite busted out just yet, and it is a good time to see if they are open to trading away proven stars such as DK Metcalf.

Metcalf has posted Fantasy lines of 16.00 and 11.30 Fantasy points in the first two weeks, and those are certainly respectable outings. Yet we know there are even better performances to come, so now is the best time to swoop in and make an offer to the team that currently rosters him in your league. As Lockett continues to threaten defenses with his explosive play potential, he will demand that the Seahawks' opponents will have to devote heavy attention to him as a downfield threat. Yet such adjustments can naturally open up more opportunities for Metcalf to come through with his signature big plays. The excellent start to the season for Lockett can only benefit Metcalf in the near future. Trade for him now if you can.

Other players to target in trades before they start to provide bigger Fantasy returns include Robert Woods, A.J. Brown, Jonathan Taylor, Antonio Gibson and George Kittle.

Week 3 Waiver Targets

Players listed at each position in order of preference for waiver additions.

Running Backs

Sony Michel, Rams: The former Patriot saw his first significant action with the Rams in Week 2, carrying 10 times for 46 yards. The availability of Darrell Henderson for Week 3 is uncertain, and Michel may be pressed into a starting role against Tampa Bay. Los Angeles acquired Michel in case they needed a quality RB to step forward in case of injuries, and he will certainly be worthy of flex consideration as a goal line guy for a very potent offense if he starts. Michel should remain on your roster if added, as more opportunities to see a good amount of work may arise this season.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons: He scored 23.90 points in Week 2, as Atlanta is utilizing him as both a runner and receiver so far. Patterson scored twice against Tampa Bay, as both a rusher and pass-catcher, and he has logged seven rushing attempts in each of his first two games. Patterson's versatility and newfound unique role makes him worth an add as a possible Fantasy RB4.

Zack Moss, Bills: He landed on waivers in many leagues after the first week of the season, but Moss returned to action on Sunday and scored twice as Buffalo routed Miami. It is not easy to find quality RB depth on free agency right now, and Moss should have consistent TD potential as a drive finisher for a potent offense.

Alex Collins, Seahawks: He had a 25-yard run against Tennessee on Sunday, and Collins had a very good preseason to solidify his place in the Seahawks' RB room. If he does get any chances to see increased work this season, Collins can certainly become worthy of Fantasy consideration. The Seahawks know they can turn to Collins for satisfying efforts when needed, and you should view him similarly. He is a recommended add for RB depth if you have the roster room.

Wide Receivers

Henry Ruggs III, Raiders: He is rostered in only 18.2 percent of NFL.com leagues, and that number will surely rise after he caught a 61-yard TD against the Steelers. Ruggs finished with five receptions for 113 yards in what could eventually be looked back on as his true breakout game.

Rondale Moore, Cardinals: The rookie made his first big splash with a 77-yard TD reception in Week 2, and he has scored over 34 Fantasy points in his first two games. There will be a lot of opportunities for both Moore and Christian Kirk to make notable Fantasy contributions this season in a prolific passing game. Both Cardinals WRs are good waiver adds, as Kliff Kingbury's vision of a deep and dangerous air attack is coming together.

Quintez Cephus, Lions: The opportunity is there for Cephus to become a top WR target for the Lions, and so far, he is cashing in on his chances. Cephus has scored in each of Detroit's first two games and Jared Goff is showing a lot of confidence in him as a TD option. He has been targeted seven times in each game so far. Cephus can challenge defenses with both size and some speed and may soon tighten his grip on a primary role in the Detroit passing game.

K.J. Osborn, Vikings: After catching seven passes in the season opener, Osborn scored on a 64-yard reception in Week 2. So far, he has made both key catches and delivered a major highlight for a score. Two good outings should be enough to convince you to pick him up. Hopefully, the Vikings will keep three WRs heavily involved in the offense.

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Listen To The Seahawks Stories Podcast

Hosted by the Voice of the Seahawks Steve Raible and Seahawks Legend Jim Zorn, Seahawks Stories features Seahawks Legends, and members of the Seahawks organization. The guys take you on a journey with your favorite players on their journey to the Seahawks, playing in the organization, transitioning to life after football and everything in between. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Raiders: He has scored 24-plus points in each of the first two weeks, against two defenses with highly respectable reputations, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Carr went over 400 yards against the Ravens and nearly hit the mark again when he faced the Steelers in Week 2. Ruggs and Bryan Edwards are showing true signs of progress in their second seasons and Carr is now becoming more aggressive downfield. Monitor the status of his ankle injury heading into Week 3.

Taylor Heinicke, Washington: Heinicke completed 34 of 46 attempts for 336 yards and two TDs in his first start of the season in Week 2. He was totally unfazed in a surprising playoff matchup with the Buccaneers last season, and was mostly impressive against the Giants last Thursday. He is a must-add if available in superflex/two QB leagues and is worth a pickup in single QB leagues as a No. 2 option.

Tight Ends

Dawson Knox, Bills: He had a TD reception in Week 2 after catching four passes for 41 yards in Buffalo's opener. The Bills do want to see Knox's role increase in the passing game this season, so pick him up to see if his production starts to rise.

Pat Freiermuth, Steelers: The rookie caught four balls for 36 yards in Week 2, and his output may start to increase as the season progresses. Freiermuth did catch two TD passes in a preseason game and Ben Roethlisberger has often shown an affinity for his TEs in the past. Like Knox, he is a speculative add that could pay off.

Week 3 Lineup Considerations

Expect at least one TD run from Chris Carson at Minnesota. … Look for Saquon Barkley's first TD of the season vs. Atlanta. … Ty'Son Williams is a good flex option vs. Detroit. … Melvin Gordon should be started as a flex against the Jets. … Damien Harris is running hard and should be locked in as a RB2 against the Saints. … A.J. Brown will score at least once vs. the Colts. … Courtland Sutton is a must-start as Denver faces the Jets. … DeVonta Smith is an upside play vs. Dallas. … Robby Anderson has a good matchup vs. Houston. … Sterling Shepard is a must-start Fantasy WR3 vs. Atlanta. … Kyle Pitts may catch his first career TD pass against the Giants. … Expect quality production from Gerald Everett vs. the Vikings … Some defensive streaming targets include the Cardinals, Panthers, and Raiders.

Check out more of Scott Engel's 2021 Fantasy Football analysis and his full Week 3 rankings at RotoBaller.com. Enter promo code "seahawks" at checkout for an additional discount on the RotoBaller Fantasy Football season pass.

Fantasy Insider Scott Engel identifies players to target on the waiver wire in the lead up to Week 3 of the 2021 season.

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