What. Is. Happening!?!?
As if the injury bug could not get worse than 2022 and 2023, we find ourselves with Puka-less, Kupp-less and Deebo-less receiver squads heading into the final half of September; not to mention all of the injuries outside of strictly WR.
CATCH Quentin Johnston, Darnell Mooney, and Jauan Jennings!
If you are one of the lucky managers to escape Week 2 without an injury to your roster, read along and laugh at your league mates. The rest of you… now is the time to lock in! WRs Quentin Johnston (16% rostered on Sleeper; 8% Yahoo), Darnell Mooney (31%; 16%), and Jauan Jennings (6%; 2%) headline my Week 3 Waiver Wire priority streamers at the WR spot.
WR 1: Quentin Johnston (LAC – 16%; 8%)
Could we finally be seeing first-round draft capital production out of Quentin Johnston? Through two weeks, Johnston leads his team in routes run per team drop back (82%), is second in targets per route run (TPRR – 0.27) behind Ladd McConkey (0.31), and has posted a blistering 38.5% first-read rate, easily leading his team (all per Fantasy Points Data).
Couple those lines and rates with two touchdowns this week, and we have what feels like an excellent 2024 start for Quentin Johnston, and an even better Week 3 waiver wire target for teams with injured stars. I recommend 10-15% of your FAAB on QJ this week!
WR 2: Darnell Mooney (ATL – 31%; 16%)
Darnell Mooney; yes, he can! As of the time I am writing this, the advanced data for MNF between Falcons-Eagles has not been posted; however, Darnell Mooney finished tonight with three catches for 88 yards including 41-yard score.
In Week 1, Mooney posted a quiet stat line, but also quietly led his team in routes run per team drop back. While 3 targets and a icy cold 0.13 TPRR in Week 1 is blinding to the eye, the Falcons put their faith in Mooney, signing him to a 3-year, $39M deal in free agency. The Falcons wanted to build around Kirk Cousins, and after seeing 2-minute Kirk handle business against Philadelphia, it is time to place your waivers for Mooney.
I am recommending the same 10-15% FAAB range as Quentin Johnston; although, feel free to place 5% more if in dire need of a WR replacement (also think about your respective league mates’ needs).
WR 3: Jauan Jennings (SF – 6%; 2%)
Brock Purdy leading the league in passing yards after two weeks was certainly not the expectation from football fans, and certainly not to the 1-1 San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers, entering Sunday as 4.5-point favorites, suffered a grueling loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Literally, grueling; at one point in the game, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel were all hurt. This is of course in addition to superstar RB Christian McCaffrey (return TBD). While the former 2 were able to return to the game without any further issues, but Deebo Samuel is unfortunately down for the count, at least for “a few weeks.”
Insert Jauan Jennings.
Behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings ran the same number of routes (29) as George Kittle on Sunday, and will have to pick up the receiving work Deebo will vacate (sorry, Jauan will not also be running the ball). Not only is Jauan familiar with the offense, but behind him are vet Chris Conley, rookie Jacob Cowing, and second-year Ronnie Bell. Cowing figures to be the only potential threat to Jennings’ projected share, and even then, Jauan is a lowly-rostered, cheap plug-and-play flex option while Deebo is out (recommendation (5-8% FAAB capital).
Good luck navigating the piling injuries and Week 3 Waiver Wire, and remember: this is only the beginning of the season. Never give up in fantasy football.
