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.

Rams shift Week 1 to 12 personnel, not just to involve tight ends but to pull Houston into base defense and open space for Puka Nacua in the slot. Higbee, Parkinson, and Davis Allen anchor the two-TE look while the run game and pass game stretch ground coverage. The result isn’t a TE heavy box score, but the alignment created matchup advantages that could carry into future weeks, especially against Tennessee.

Rams injury news heightsen Week 2 suspense: Dotson and Avila are listed as week-to-week with ankle sprains, Havenstein’s status is uncertain but likely to play, Parkinson finished the game despite an AC sprain, and Beaux Limmer may be leaned on if depth is needed. Adams is noted as a rest-day participant but expected to play. The Titans also roll through a shifting line with Diggs and Latham out and Key/Sneed limited.

Fantasy angles center on the interior line health for Los Angeles and the edge presence for Tennessee. If Dotson/Avila are limited, Rams run and pass protection could wobble, elevating the value of Rams’ depth pieces; conversely, Cam Ward’s early pressure opportunities could swing quick scores for Tennessee.

Ultimately, the trench duel may decide the outcome. Monitor Dotson, Avila, Parkinson, and Adams for Rams shifts, and Arden Key plus Cam Ward for Titans optimism and potential fantasy upside in a high-variance Week 2 showdown.

Rams will ease Terrance Ferguson into offense after Week 1, leaning on Higbee, Parkinson and Allen and using Ferguson in reserve while he recovers groin issues. Ferguson contributed on special teams and celebrated Davis Allen's go-ahead TD, signaling a growing role ahead.

McVay said Ferguson will be a factor sooner rather than later, with week-to-week usage based on matchups. The rookie's long-term value hinges on staying healthy and carving out receiving snaps behind a veteran, making Ferguson a fantasy sleeper if his role expands.