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Fantasy football last-minute pickups for Week 3: Matthew Stafford, RB fill-ins and an appealing D/ST

Matthew Stafford has eclipsed 300 passing yards in each of the first two weeks, even without the ultra-reliable Cooper Kupp to throw to. Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Each week throughout the NFL regular season, we will discuss the top fantasy football streaming options. These are deeper-league targets who have shown viable production or fit as a matchup-dependent play to give you a boost in the lineup this week.

Players listed below are rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues. Although you might notice some overlap with Eric Moody's waiver wire 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 on the players' values for the remainder of the season.

With potential spots open in your lineup due to injuries at quarterback and running back, we have options here to discuss. We'll also hit on the pass-catchers with WR3/flex upside, in addition to an available defense with a prime Week 3 matchup.

This column originally publishes on Tuesday and roster percentages are updated on Friday morning. Some players have been added in most leagues by this point, but they remain in the column in case they are still available in your league. All references to fantasy points are for PPR leagues.

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (34.2% rostered; at Bengals)

Stafford turned the ball over twice last week in a tough matchup versus the 49ers defense, but he is driving throws on the tape. Stafford has topped the 300-yard passing mark in each of his two starts this season, with receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell separating from coverage and finding open turf in Sean McVay's heavily schemed pass game. You need more scoring production from Stafford here, as he's thrown only one touchdown on the season, but I like him as a steady QB2 in superflex formats against the Bengals.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (46.7% rostered; vs. Saints)

Tougher matchup this week for Love versus Dennis Allen's defense, but we can't ignore the production from the Packers quarterback. Love has thrown for three touchdowns and registered more than 20 fantasy points in each of his first two starts this season. He's playing as a ball distributor in Matt LaFleur's offense, and he could get a boost against the Saints if explosive-play wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) is up for the game. He's locked in as a starter in 2-QB/superflex formats.


Running back

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (81.4%; vs. Titans)

Ford was the most-added player following Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury on Monday night, so he's unlikely to still be available in your league. If he is, though, just go to the tape from the Monday's game versus Pittsburgh to see what he's capable of. He rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries and added three receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. Ford has the big-play chops to break plays on the perimeter, and he plays in one of the best run schemes in the league. Play him as an RB2 this week.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (49.8%; vs. Colts)

With Justice Hill down with a toe injury, Edwards is in line to lead the Ravens backfield in Week 3 versus the Colts. It's about his straight-line burst and finishing power here when watching the tape on Edwards, especially at the goal line. He posted 62 yards rushing and a score in last week's win over the Bengals, and if he's not scooped up off waivers in your league, Edwards can start at the flex spot this Sunday.

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts (76.2%; at Ravens)

The only Colts running back to record a rushing attempt in Week 2, Moss got on a north/south track and played with a physical element in the win over the Texans. He finished with 88 yards rushing on 18 carries, including a red zone touchdown, while also adding another 19 yards on four receptions. In a Colts offense that could feature the running back position even more if quarterback Anthony Richardson is out (concussion), Moss is a really smart play for the Week 3 game versus the Ravens.

Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions (11.3%; vs. Falcons)

If you missed out on Ford, Moss and Edwards, this might be your best remaining streaming option. With David Montgomery out with a thigh injury that could sideline him a couple of games, Jahmyr Gibbs should see a bump in volume. But Reynolds has the ability to jump into that early-down rushing role for the Lions, which includes goal line carries. Montgomery totaled 37 carries in the first two weeks of the season, with a rushing score in each game. This suggestion is really about opportunity for Reynolds behind a Detroit offensive line that will move people off the ball on both zone and power schemes. Reynolds is a player to consider for managers in deeper formats who want to stream the Lions running back, possibly until Montgomery returns.


Wide receiver

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (19.6%; vs. Saints)

Even if Watson is back for Green Bay this week, I still see value with Reed in the lineup due to his dynamic skill set as a slot target for Love. In Week 2, Reed caught four of eight targets, including two red zone scores, on his way to posting 19.7 points. He's a rapid accelerator who can see the ball on fly sweeps and quick throws. Plus, his red zone deployment tells a story here. There's deeper-league WR3 value for Reed at Lambeau this Sunday.

Robert Woods, Houston Texans (20.0%; at Jaguars)

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has thrown at least 44 passes in each of his first two games, which has created more opportunities for Woods. He's seen 19 total targets already this season, and has scored in double digits in both games. Woods is a crafty, veteran route-runner who is willing to work the dirty areas of the field, making him a potential WR3 in deeper leagues this week against the Jags' defense.

Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions (34.4%; vs. Falcons)

Reynolds followed up his four-catch, 80-yard opening night effort by dropping 23.2 fantasy points on the Seahawks in Week 2, catching five of six targets for 66 yards, with two touchdowns. He's seeing volume, and the fit works here with Reynolds running the schemed in-breakers off play-action, or isolating as a perimeter target. He's a solid streaming option for Sunday.


Tight end

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (2.8%; vs. Panthers)

Let's take a look at Fant after he produced 54 yards on four receptions in the Week 2 win over Detroit. He has the catch-and-run traits to pick up numbers on Seattle's boot concepts with Geno Smith getting to the edges, and we know he can work vertically off play-action to find windows in the seams. He's a deeper-league target in Week 3 versus the Panthers' defense.


D/ST

Kansas City Chiefs (65.3%; vs. Bears)

This Bears' offense looks disjointed on tape, and the passing game with Justin Fields lacks both timing and rhythm. This is a great spot to play the Chiefs' defense, especially with difference-making Chris Jones back. Kansas City posted 11 fantasy points in the Week 2 win over Jacksonville, logging four sacks and an interception. Look for a lot of late movement, disguise and pressure from the Chiefs here to change the picture post-snap, while heating up Fields.