Another week of the dynasty season in the books, and another week where the pickings are frankly slim on the dynasty waiver wire, particularly in deeper leagues. However, we should see a deluge of backup quarterbacks getting picked up due to injuries of varying severity to several starting quarterbacks, namely Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Justin Fields, and J.J. McCarthy.

 

 

If you are set at quaterback, there are a couple interesting names floating around at the flex position, particularly for teams in search of spot starters. 

 

Before proceeding to the best waiver pickups for week 3, give a cursory glance and see if any of the names from last week’s edition are still available. 

 

The Backup QB Rundown, Ranked

 

Best Long Term Fill-In

 

Jake Browning

 

If you’re an owner who finds himself in need of a viable QB3 option, or to replace a long-term injury at quarterback, you should be targeting Jake Browning. He will likely be the most expensive option on this list, so rebuilders or teams who can’t conceivably start him shouldn't outbid the most desperate teams in your league. 

 

Contending teams should prioritize Browning if they could conceivably spot start him here and there all year long. Or if they have a shaky QB2 and want to play matchups.

 

Among backup quarterbacks, Browning is reasonably functional, has a sample size of being viable in this exact team and coaching setup, and most importantly isn’t afraid to take swings on high-value throws down the field.

When you have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the team, that’s an extremely viable approach, and it results in fantasy points. Additionally, the Bengals’ defense is still leaky, so Browning may have the green light to chase points in the second halves of games.

 

Unfortunately, Joe Burrow will be missing at least three months after undergoing surgery to treat turf toe, meaning Browning is a fantasy starter for nearly the whole season. In 2023, Browning scored at least 16 fantasy points in his last six starts of the season. You could do much, much worse in fantasy football. 

 

 

Best Short-Term Spot Starter

 

Carson Wentz

 

There isn’t much to say here. Carson Wentz is a boom or bust quarterback with decent mobility and decent willingness to make big time throws. While he’s no longer a starter in the league, he is going to be starting games for Kevin O’Connell, who wrung a QB1 season out of Sam Darnold and produced QB1 weeks with Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens. 

 

He also gets to play the Bengals defense in Week 3. Teams in need of a short-term fill-in could save some FAAB by targeting Wentz instead of Browning. 

 

Dice Roll

 

Marcus Mariota

 

Marcus Mariota isn’t a good NFL quarterback but he has looked good in spot starts in the past, so much so that he tricked the Falcons into naming him their starting quarterback at one point. He also has solid rushing ability, though it’s diminished from his Heisman days.

 

Avoid

 

Tyrod Taylor

 

In theory Tyrod Taylor brings rushing ability to the table, but in practice he’s going to have the most trouble moving the ball of all the quarterbacks mentioned here. If he’s starting for you, something has gone very wrong. 

 

 

Probably Rostered, But Double Check

 

Troy Franklin

 

As a young player with some pre-draft hype, Franklin is probably rostered already. Additionally, I don’t consider him a high priority, as the Broncos’ pass catchers will be inconsistent all year.

 

However, we can’t ignore a sophomore player catching 8 of 9 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. For all we know, he’s taken the next step as a pro. All roster types should look into adding him.

 

Waiver Targets

 

Hunter Renfrow

 

More of a desperation play, Renfrow should be viable for as long as Jalen Coker is on IR. And for as long as the Panthers look like a dumpster fire that will be chasing games all season. 

 

In week 2, Renfrow caught 7 of 9 targets for 48 yards and two touchdowns, including a designed play in which Tetairoa McMillan ran a pick for him. 

 

Granted, Bryce Young threw the ball 55 times in week 2, which simply won’t happen that often, but Renfrow is essentially this team’s WR2 for the next couple weeks, and has a knack for finding pockets of space in the endzone.

 

Dyami Brown

 

The Liam Coen offense in Jacksonville has been less concentrated on Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter than expected, and Dyami Brown has benefitted from that. He’s gone 3-52 and 5-57-1 in weeks 1 and 2. That’s not a league winner, but it is somebody that you can have around just in case.

 

 

Deep Sleepers

 

Parker Washington

 

Same argument as Dyami Brown (above), just slightly more buried on the depth chart. He was the beneficiary of Travis Hunter, who has worked primarily in the slot, playing more defense in week 2. 

 

Chase Edmonds

 

Pour one out for fantasy football legend Austin Ekeler, who was one of the most productive and likable players in the NFL for several years, and who interacted positively with the fantasy community, unlike many other NFL players.

 

With Ekeler’s season-ending Achilles injury, the Commanders signed Chase Edmonds to be their pass-catching back. While it’s possible Edmonds never gets highly involved, as he’s not the talent that even an older Ekeler is, the Kliff Kingsbury offense can theoretically support a designated pass-catching back better than most offenses.

 

Any non-rebuilding team in need of running back depth should consider taking a flyer on Edmonds and hoping for PPR scammer-y.

 

Elijah Higgins

 

Higgins will never be startable as long as Trey McBride is healthy, but he’s taking a step forward as a player this year and earning more trust. Teams with flotsam on their roster could consider adding him for free and waiting around to see if he’s ever good for a spot start. Not a priority. Churn him on and off the roster if more pressing needs arise.