Need a last-minute pickup to round out your Week 3 roster? We're going to identify fantasy football pickups specifically for those of you seeking streaming options in deeper leagues. These are players that were available in at least 50% of ESPN Fantasy leagues (ahead of the standard waiver window on Tuesday night) and who could still be as of Friday morning, and who have enticing Week 3 matchups that make them worthy of consideration for your lineups.
While you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
This was a tough week to find a bunch of viable streaming options. But we did target a couple quarterbacks in here, including one who has shown considerable growth under new coaching. And I looked at two wide receivers who could be in a position to create explosive plays in the pass game on Sunday. There's an available defense with a good matchup in here, too.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Chargers; 50.7% rostered)
Lawrence has just now exceeded our 50% cutoff, but this late in the week, it's worth seeing if he's out there in your league if you are in a tough spot at the position. Now, I don't love the matchup against the Chargers, because they have a strong pass rush and ballhawks in the secondary. However, in a game where the passing volume could increase for Jacksonville, you can upgrade Lawrence due to his improved mechanics in a system that is creating positive (schemed) throws for the second-year quarterback. Lawrence posted 18.3 fantasy points in the Jaguars' Week 2 win over the Colts. He's thrown at least one touchdown in both games played this season. Pederson will sprinkle in some designed carries, in addition to the rushing yards Lawrence can log on scramble attempts. If you are streaming to replace Dak Prescott and can't pick up Jimmy Garoppolo, then the Jags' quarterback is an option heading into Week 3.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons (at Seahawks; 17.1% rostered)
For managers in deeper leagues, or 2QB formats, Mariota could give you something in Week 3. After not finding the end zone through the air in the season opener, Mariota threw two touchdown passes against the Rams on Sunday. He's already logged 18 carries this season, as designed rushes are a part of the Atlanta offense. We know Mariota will look for open rush lanes to pull the ball down as a runner. But against a Seattle defense that plays heavy Cover 2 and Cover 3, the Falcons can scheme up second-level throws, too. Look for Mariota to execute on play-action plays this week. That means in-breakers for rookie wide receiver Drake London and passes up the seam to tight end Kyle Pitts, who needs to see more volume.
Other potential options: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Falcons; 4.5% rostered)
Running backs
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (at Seahawks; 18.0% rostered)
This is a non-PPR play if you roll with Allgeier, The rookie out of BYU saw his first game action last week against the Rams, logging 10 rushing attempts -- tied for the team-high -- and producing 30 yards on the ground. While I would like to see him hit the hole with more speed, he did split carries with Cordarrelle Patterson in the Falcons' backfield. He could see a couple checkdowns and some low red zone/goal line work, too. If you are in a 12- or 14-team league, give Allgeier a shot in Week 3.
Other potential options: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (at Broncos, 3.7% rostered); Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (at Commanders; 23.4% rostered)
Wide receivers
Nico Collins, Houston Texans (at Bears; 15.0% rostered)
Collins has caught just six of 12 targets from Texans quarterback Davis Mills through two games. However, in last week's loss in Denver, Collins had two receptions of 20-plus yards against zone coverage. He caught a deep, dig ball to the middle of the field and a corner route against Cover 2. These are schemed plays to find open gaps against zone -- and that's exactly what Houston will see from the Bears' defense on Sunday. Collins has more upside in non-PPR formats until we see a jump in volume.
Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Packers; 3.4% rostered)
With Mike Evans suspended for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Chris Godwin out and injury questions surrounding Julio Jones, is there enough juice with Perriman to take a shot? He caught Tom Brady's only touchdown pass in the win over the Saints and he finished with 43 receiving yards, catching three of five targets. Monitor the availability of Jones, but Perriman could still have some value as a deeper-league option given the vertical element he brings to the offense.
Other potential options: Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots (vs. Ravens, 16.2% rostered); Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (vs. Cowboys, 21.5% rostered)
Tight ends
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Chargers, 24.9% rostered)
Engram already has 11 receptions -- on 12 targets -- to start the season. He's the underneath/middle-of-the-field option for Lawrence in this offense, running stick routes, crossers, flats and more. Engram is a smooth route-runner who can create separation and I expect him to see more steady volume as a quick-game target on Sunday against the Chargers. Engram carries more PPR value this week, as he hasn't seen a red zone target yet on 11 routes run inside the 20-yard line.
Other potential options: Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals (at Jets; 25.2% rostered)
Defense/special teams
Houston Texans (at Bears, 21.6% rostered)
I'm not all-in on the Houston defense, but this unit has taken the ball away in two straight games (three total turnovers forced) and logged five sacks in Lovie Smith's system, a core split-safety zone defense (63% of coverage snaps). But we've seen the Texans play a little bit more man this season, and their blitz rate is also climbing. Houston can match up against a Chicago offense that has lacked explosive plays and passing volume through the first two weeks of the season.
Other potential options: Kansas City Chiefs (at Colts; 11.9% rostered)