If you’ve been procrastinating on your Fantasy Week 3 Waiver Wire moves, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered. Every season, there are a few players who sneak under the radar early, and this week, three names are popping up that could pay off in a big way: Woody Marks, Kyle Monangai, and Troy Franklin. They’re not household names quite yet (rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo! leagues), but they’re already flashing the kind of upside that could change rosters fast.
The key this time of year is to get ahead of the breakout before it happens. Monangai is one D’Andre Swift injury away from meaningful touches in Chicago, Franklin is rapidly becoming Bo Nix’s go-to playmaker in Denver, and Marks just might be carving out a pass-catching role behind Nick Chubb in Houston. None of these guys are locked-in fantasy starters yet, but each has the skill set and opportunity to be a difference-maker sooner rather than later.
So whether you’re 2-0 and looking to strengthen your bench, or 0-2 and already feeling the heat, these last-minute Week 3 waiver adds could give you the edge. Don’t wait until a bidding war breaks out next week, stash these three now.
LAST-MINUTE FANTASY WEEK 3 WAIVER ADDS
TROY FRANKLIN, WR BRONCOS (44% ROSTERED)
The Troy Franklin breakout might already be here. The Broncos may have lost a heartbreaker in Indy, but Franklin went off for career highs across the board with eight catches on nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. He even outproduced Courtland Sutton while looking every bit like Bo Nix’s No. 2 option in the passing game.
What’s most exciting is how Franklin is being used: he’s no longer just a deep threat. Denver is scheming him touches all over the field, giving him a target share that looks sustainable. He may not jump Sutton right away, but Franklin has flashed real upside and chemistry with his college QB. At this point, he’s more than just a stash. He’s a legit FLEX play who could grow into an every-week starter if this usage holds.
KYLE MONANGAI, RB BEARS (11% ROSTERED)
Rookie RB Kyle Monangai saw his first action in Week 2, rushing seven times for 28 yards and adding one catch for eight yards in the Bears’ blowout loss to the Lions. More importantly, he operated as the clear No. 2 behind D’Andre Swift, even with Roschon Johnson active. While Monangai’s usage may be inconsistent in regular game scripts, he’s one Swift injury away from stepping into a sizable role in the Chicago backfield.
That opportunity could come as early as Week 3, with Swift questionable (quad) against the Cowboys after being limited in practice all week. If Swift is limited or sidelined, Monangai has a real chance to handle Flex-worthy volume in a potential high-scoring matchup.
Given Ben Johnson’s history of feeding his “big backs” at the goal line with Jamaal Williams (17 TDs in 2022) and David Montgomery (25 TDs in the last two seasons), it’s worth stashing Monangai now before he potentially carves out that role in Chicago. Monangai is one of our favorite speculative adds this week with serious touchdown upside (+135 ATD).
WOODY MARKS, RB TEXANS (8% ROSTERED)
Woody Marks may be inching his way into a bigger role for Houston. He only logged three carries for 14 yards in Week 2, but he added a 37-yard reception and looked far more explosive than Dare Ogunbowale, who’s struggled with ball security and pass protection. With the Texans reportedly shifting to a two-back rotation instead of three, Marks is in prime position to stick as the change-of-pace option behind the aging Nick Chubb.
He’s not a FLEX play just yet, Chubb is still the unquestioned lead back, but Marks has the skillset to carve out more work if he keeps flashing. He showed in college that he can handle volume as both a runner and pass-catcher, and that versatility is starting to pop. For now, Marks is more of a bench stash than a start, but he’s one of those sneaky names who could be a difference-maker later in the season if opportunity knocks. Get him now before the iron is too hot.
