Six QBs threw for 300+ yards in Week 2, led by Russell Wilson's 450-yard night against Dallas, with Jared Goff tossing five TDs and Lamar Jackson adding four. Allen and Hurts disappointed, while Joe Burrow’s foot injury clouds Week 3. The waiver wire focus centers on under-65% rostered passers and a couple of deep two-QB sleepers. Week 3 streaming paths span 1QB, 2QB, and superflex formats, with Browning serving as a prominent Bengals option when Burrow’s status is uncertain.

This guide breaks down the top Week 3 pickups, stash targets, and matchup-aware thresholds, translating Week 2 fireworks into actionable roster moves for savvy managers. It emphasizes balance between upside and roster cost, plus the evolving dynamics of QB depth in 2025 leagues.

Week 3 tight end waiver pickups carry strong fantasy upside with George Kittle sidelined for San Francisco. Zach Ertz leads Week 3 adds for Washington, while Juwan Johnson and Brenton Strange remain hot on the radar in New Orleans and Jacksonville. Harold Fannin Jr. continues to ride hype from preseason, and Noah Fant has overtaken Gesicki in Cincinnati. Jonnu Smith, Chig Okonkwo, Davis Allen, and Dalton Schultz all offer plausible streaming or depth plays in the early season.

Targets and role matter most early in the year, and these options provide varying floors and ceilings based on quarterback play and matchup. The list emphasizes volume, red-zone chances, and tactical usage, giving fantasy managers several overlapping paths to week-by-week production as offenses settle in. Consider roster flexibility and opponent strength when deciding who to add or start in Week 3.

To navigate these choices, use waiver tools and compare up to four players to identify the best fit for your lineup, especially with ongoing injuries and early-season spread. These options are designed to fill tight end gaps quickly while you monitor in-season developments and the health of key quarterbacks.

Burrow will miss substantial time after a Grade 3 turf toe surgery, sidelining him for at least three months. Cincinnati, 2-0, faces a QB puzzle and historically avoids midseason trades. Three names surface as potential upgrades: Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jameis Winston, each with a different upside and price, while Jake Browning handles the field.

Cousins would upgrade immediately but at a hefty price and with a no-trade clause; Garoppolo is a cheap, proven playoff commodity on a one-year deal; Winston offers big-arm upside and AFC North familiarity but inconsistency. Most likely, Cincinnati rides Browning and adds a cheap backup unless a perfect fit lands.

Week 2 injuries reshape fantasy NFL rosters. Burrow's toe surgery outs him for months; Browning starts, elevating Chase's and Higgins' ceiling only if Cincinnati stabilizes at QB. Reed's 6-8 week absence widens Packers targets to Wicks, Doubs, and Kraft while Love powers the offense. Ekeler's season-ending injury opens Croskey-Merritt as Washington’s lead back, with Jones’ hamstring risk looming. Fields' concussion creates Jets QB uncertainty, boosting Tyrod Taylor as a streamer. Week 3 brings more volatility as backfields and pass-catching duties shift to fill the gaps.

Wilson’s Week 2 fireworks for the 0-2 Giants ignite blockbuster trade chatter with Cincinnati lingering as a real fantasy pivot. Burrow’s turf toe sidelines him for months, thrusting Browning into a long audition and elevating risk-reward in Bengals pass-catchers. Giants fans debate a future without Wilson, eyeing Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston as potential keepers. Daboll and Schoen face pressure and capital considerations that could reshape the season and beyond.