Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season featured plenty of exciting offensive performances, which means that the fantasy football waiver wire will be even more vital ahead of Week 3.
Let’s outline six major targets that should be on waivers in most fantasy leagues before Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. We’ll also shine the spotlight on a few honorable mentions who could become fantasy-relevant within the next few weeks. Let’s get into the list!
Russell Wilson (QB, NYG)
3.5% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
If you were to have told me before the start of the 2025 NFL season that Russell Wilson would set a new single-game career-high in passing yards during his tenure with the New York Giants, I most likely wouldn’t have believed you. However, that’s exactly what he did, setting a new mark of 454 passing yards against Dallas on Sunday.
To be honest, it’s a little difficult to tell if this offensive explosion was a result of New York’s offense finally figuring things out or of Dallas’ defense not being up to the challenge. In my opinion, the jury is still out on that. Nonetheless, Dallas clinched a 40-37 overtime win in what ended up being the best game of Week 2.
With second-year wideout Malik Nabers on the field, it’s hard not to be a little optimistic about Wilson if he starts the rest of the season. The LSU product is already one of the top receivers in the NFL in terms of talent, and has a chance to turn in a truly special season.
However, this situation is one to monitor. Wilson certainly earned himself the starting job for the foreseeable future in 2025, but I’ll be looking for more offensive consistency from New York in the coming weeks. Wilson is a low-risk, high-reward pickup with the benefit of previous fantasy stardom to slightly boost expectations and his floor. In other words, we’ve seen him do it before, so maybe he puts together a strong fantasy season in 2025.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB, JAX)
40% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
After Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby was traded to Philadelphia on September 8th, rookie Bhayshul Tuten was thrust into a larger role just behind veteran Travus Etienne Jr. ahead of the team’s Week 2 matchup against Cincinnati.
Tuten has always been a great athlete and a threat to make a home-run play, and he showed it on Sunday, taking 10 touches for 74 total yards and a touchdown in his second career game in the NFL.
If he can carve out more of a role going forward, his big-play ability could make him a valuable fantasy asset. We’ve seen head coach Liam Coen make fantasy stars out of fourth-round rookie running backs before, with the example of Bucky Irving in 2024; maybe he’ll end up doing it again with Tuten.
The ceiling is absolutely there with Tuten. If he gets more touches, I have no doubt he’ll prove himself as a valuable member of Jacksonville’s backfield.
Troy Franklin (WR, DEN)
2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin was extremely involved in Denver’s offensive game plan against Indianapolis on Sunday. The Oregon product caught eight of nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in an impressive performance, seeing plenty of volume from his college teammate, quarterback Bo Nix.
Franklin not only led the team in targets and receptions, but was the only Bronco to receive more than three targets during the contest. His chemistry with Nix and speed have earned him a real role in the offense, and there’s a chance he’s among the top targets on this team by the end of the year.
Franklin has made some big plays so far this season, and I’m willing to bet that he’ll continue to do so. His weekly ceiling has always been high due to his ability to beat defenses deep, but his floor has also risen significantly due to the amount of volume coming his way.
Franklin is a player I’d be trying to acquire on waivers as a priority. With more performances like this, he’ll be a fantasy star in no time.
Hunter Renfrow (WR, CAR)
1.7% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Hunter Renfrow is in the midst of a return to the NFL in Carolina after spending a few dominant seasons with Las Vegas just a few years ago. And after two games, it’s safe to say that he’s off to a solid start.
Carolina was not hesitant to target Renfrow in important situations. In the red zone, he was one of the offense’s top targets regularly. Because of this, he managed to score two touchdowns on Sunday against Arizona.
Renfrow seems to have taken over the mantle of the reliable veteran wideout since Adam Thielen’s departure. After seeing nine targets in Week 2, Renfrow may end up right behind rookie Tetairoa McMillan in terms of production by the end of the season if everything goes according to plan.
Overall, I am encouraged by Renfrow’s volume and usage. His ability to get in the end zone is also a boost to his fantasy value. The veteran is an intriguing option if you have an open bench spot on your fantasy roster.
Alec Pierce (WR, IND)
1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Alec Pierce is continuing his run as one of the best deep threats in the entire NFL. After taking in one reception for 36 yards in Week 1, the NFL’s 2024 leader in yards per reception hauled in four of five targets for 68 receiving yards against Denver in Week 2. This included a massive 44-yard dime from quarterback Daniel Jones late in the second quarter.
Pierce has a clear talent for making huge plays. Indy’s offense looks much more stable as a whole in 2025, so that could mean more steady volume for Alec Pierce as the season goes on.
While I’m not ready to commit to Pierce as an every-week contributor, his ceiling is hard to ignore. He’s worth a pickup in deeper fantasy leagues ahead of Week 3.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, NYG)
29.9% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was a major beneficiary of quarterback Russell Wilson’s 454-yard performance on Sunday. The former Kentucky Wildcat logged eight receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown against Dallas’ defense.
If Wilson manages to become more consistent in terms of passing production, Robinson will be fantasy relevant, even if his relevance is slight. And if his quarterback can come even close to Sunday’s performance on a weekly basis, Robinson is worth rostering.
Wan’Dale Robinson is a great athlete, especially after the catch. It seems as though he’s developed a connection with Wilson, and 18 targets through two weeks suggest he’ll remain a key part of head coach Brian Daboll’s weekly game plan.
HM. Tyler Allgeier (RB, ATL)
HM. Dyami Brown (WR, JAX)
HM. Parker Washington (WR, JAX)
HM. KaVontae Turpin (WR, DAL)
HM. Tory Horton (WR, SEA)
HM. Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE, CAR)