Fantasy Football Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups: Bryce Young is an option if you need a QB after Caleb Williams injury

In Week 1, we saw plenty of scoring. In Week 2, well, not so much scoring. At least early on. That limits the number of quality options off the waiver wire, so in some cases, you'll need to get creative as a fantasy football manager. But with injuries and players stepping up, we were able to throw together a handful of solid pickups to consider as we head into Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season.

Bryce Young, QB, Panthers (32% rostered on Yahoo)Plenty of fantasy football managers may be in need of a QB fill-in if Caleb Williams (hamstring) is out long-term. Young could also be more than just a fill-in or streamer for your team. Through two weeks, he's been one of the more impressive QBs in the NFL. He followed up 32.44 fantasy points in Week 1 vs. the Bears with 24.08 points against the Falcons on Sunday in a blowout win. Young has thrown for three TDs in each game this season and could have back-to-back top-5 fantasy QB finishes.

style="text-align: left;">It took a bit, but Young looks legit and head coach Dave Canales has a lot to do with that. It also helps that Young has plenty of talent around him in the passing game with Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and red-zone target Darren Waller (2%), who caught two TDs vs. Atlanta. The Panthers offense looks fun and has two plus-matchups in the Browns and Lions up next. Young is a solid streamer the next few weeks. While it's still early, if Young keeps this up, he could finish as a QB1 this season.

Denzel Boston, WR, Browns (31% rostered)The Browns rookie receiver is surprisingly available in plenty of leagues despite putting together a respectable Week 1 showing (2-59-1, 12.9 FPTS). He was Deshaun Watson's favorite target in Week 2 vs. the Bucs, hauling in five catches for 95 yards and a score for 18 fantasy points (we’re still waiting on the final line for Boston as Browns-Bucs is in a long weather delay).

style="text-align: left;">While the volume could be better — Boston only has seven catches on 11 targets — the big-play ability is certainly there. Cleveland figures to be in plenty of positive game scripts for passing, which could lead to more volume in easier matchups (the Jags and Bucs were tough draws through two games). Boston should be on more rosters in deeper formats as a WR3/flex play with volatility given the weak offensive ecosystem.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens (2% rostered)The Ravens were without Zay Flowers (hamstring) and rookie WR Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) on Sunday vs. the Saints in Week 2. There's a chance Flowers is back next week and resumes his role as the top dog in the passing game. But Bateman was expected to be more involved in Week 2 and that was exactly the case.

style="text-align: left;">Bateman led Baltimore receivers with seven catches on six targets for 88 yards and a score, good for 18.3 fantasy points. While the return of Flowers would cut into Bateman's potential target share, Lamar Jackson and this Ravens offense should continue to put up plenty of points. If Flowers remains out, Bateman will continue to be a decent WR3/flex play. Even with Flowers back, Bateman holds some flex value in deeper formats.

Keon Coleman, WR, Bills (2% rostered)Most of Coleman's career in the NFL has been inconsistent. While that may continue to be the case, the Bills may not have much of a choice but to give the third-year receiver snaps with DJ Moore's status up in the air. Moore is considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury sustained in Buffalo's win over Detroit on TNF in Week 2. After playing 50% of the snaps in Week 1, Coleman saw his snap count increase to 74% against the Lions, the only Bills WR to go over the 50% mark in Week 2.

style="text-align: left;">As a result of Moore's injury, Coleman was able to finish the contest with a decent 6-63-0 line and 9.3 fantasy points. Through two games, the Bills offense has 77 total points, so adding a piece (albeit small) of this unit makes a lot of sense in deeper formats. If Moore is out, Coleman should be on the field plenty in Week 3 vs. the Chargers and could see a decent amount of targets.