Fantasy Focus Football — MUST GRAB Waiver Wire Adds for Week 3

Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Liz Loza, Field Yates, Stefania Bell, Daniel Dopp
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Episode Overview

The Fantasy Focus Football crew gathers to unpack a wild Monday with double-header games, emerging fantasy concerns, and, above all, critical Week 3 waiver wire adds. The episode combines sharp strategic fantasy advice, injury updates, and candid debates about struggling early-round draft picks. With Liz Loza guesting in as host, the team’s chemistry shines through lively banter and in-depth football analysis — perfect for fantasy managers hoping to make pivotal moves heading into week three.

Episode Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Monday Night Doubleheaders Recap & Panel Banter

• (00:45–03:00)
  • The hosts debrief a long night of football, fueled by coffee and caffeine banter (“I might have some. A little. A little Diet Coke morning for me after a coffee.” — Liz Loza, 01:00).
  • Daniel Dopp jokes about taking a day off after the doubleheader, with playful references to “Wally Pipping” from baseball lore.
  • Notable: An ongoing joke about Field Yates’ “bling” and fashion sense keeps things light (“If I can have two women say you look cool, that outweighs a thousand... What's the lion doesn't concern himself with the opinion of a sheep.” — Daniel Dopp, 04:42).

2. Game Deep Dives: Buccaneers at Texans & Chargers at Raiders

Buccaneers at Texans

• (03:01–08:23)
  • Baker Mayfield’s performance hailed as “gamer” status (near 20 fantasy points, 2 TDs), with memorable toughness (“He was doing gymnastics down the field.” — Stefania Bell, 03:20).
  • Injury Watch: Mecca Egbuka banged up, noticeable tightness after a “hip spiker” wrap; fantasy managers urged to monitor (“Let’s just pay attention to Igbuka. Keep your eye out for any injury report for this week.” — Stefania Bell, 05:53).
  • Texans backfield is largely described as a “stay away,” inconsistent usage and a weak O-line; even Nico Collins’ 9 targets mask inefficiency concerns.
  • Texans’ offensive woes: Only three touchdowns in two games, C.J. Stroud’s struggles, and “Nico Collins is no longer a top 10 WR option this week.”

Chargers at Raiders

• (09:48–14:34)
  • Rookie RBs Ashton Genti (Raiders) and Omari Hampton (Chargers) under the microscope: Both early picks are dubbed potential “busts” due to poor O-line play and timeshare concerns.
    • On Genti: “He’s got perhaps the worst offensive line in the entire NFL...if he’s going to be seeding valuable third down work, it might not be even a top 20 RB in fantasy.” — Daniel Dopp, 11:43
    • Liz Loza voices panic: “As someone who has a lot of shares of him, I am nervous...I am panicked about it...it is not an alarmist point.” (13:13)
  • Actionable advice: Genti remains in lineups for now, but may need to be benched soon. Look to matchups for decisions.
  • Marion Hampton is flagging due to backfield splits, fumble issues, and a lack of passing role. Both Genti and Hampton have “moved way down my rankings.”

Other Player Notes

• (19:31–21:46)
  • Brock Bowers (Raiders TE) played but looked limited from a pre-game ankle issue. Stefania flags concern for Week 3 if he doesn't practice.
  • “8.8 fantasy points for Brock Bowers is like TE5...but you’re disappointed because the player is not going to pay off at the cost you used to acquire him.”

3. Notable Injuries and Quarterback Landscape

• (22:06–28:09)
  • Joe Burrow: Confirmed for surgery, no guarantee he returns in 2025 (“There’s no lock on Joe Burrow coming back this season. That’s the main point.” — Stefania, 22:44)
  • Top Waiver QB: Daniel Jones is “the must add of all must adds” (available in 78.8% of ESPN leagues) after 2 solid weeks (“Rushing TD in both games, over 300 yards, top 10 fantasy scorer both weeks.” — Daniel, 23:45)
  • Other injury notes: J.J. McCarthy (high ankle sprain, likely 2–4 weeks out, Carson Wentz in for Minnesota), Jaden Daniels (knee sprain), Justin Fields (concussion).

4. Week 3 Must-Grab Waiver Wire Adds

• (23:15–31:30)
  • Daniel Jones, NYG QB: Clear top QB pickup due to rushing upside and matchup-proof start.
  • Bashel Tutin, JAX RB: “Must add” with an expected “growing role” (Adam Schefter source); especially if you need RB depth.
  • Juwan Johnson, NO TE: “Has a TD in back to back games, plays nearly every snap, fast-paced Kellen Moore offense boosts opportunity.” Available in >50% of leagues.
  • Defenses:
    • Falcons DST (play Carolina, an offense in shambles)
    • Seahawks DST (face Saints with turnover-prone new QB scenario)
  • Speculative Adds:
    • Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG WR): 18 targets in 2 games, PPR special.
    • Troy Franklin (DEN WR): Flashes with Bo Nix chemistry, may surpass Marvin Mims in usage soon.
    • Zach Ertz (ARZ TE): Still producing, but QBs uncertain.
    • Michael Penix Jr. (ATL QB): Strong streamer vs weak Carolina defense if needing a QB fill-in.

5. Position Deep Dives & Key Strategic Advice

Running Backs

• Nico Collins is trending down; Texans offense is sputtering.
• Ashton Genti & Omari Hampton are potential early busts; recommend keeping close eye; possible to bench for workhorse backs with better situations.

Tight Ends

• Juwan Johnson is now in the “must start” fringe alongside Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Tyler Warren, Sam LaPorta. Jake Ferguson and Zach Ertz are also viable.
• Brock Bowers: Watch practice reports closely; 8.8 points disappointing but the position is shallow.

Quarterbacks

• Daniel Jones: Rising stock; high-priority add due to rushing and improved efficiency.
• Michael Penix Jr. and Mac Jones: Viable deep league/emergency options.
• QB landscape is volatile — multiple major injuries — superflex managers need to stay aggressive on waivers.

6. Mailbag & Listeners’ Questions

(56:21–61:27)

• Should I trade A.J. Brown for Javonte Williams? (“You can’t use a second round pick on a guy like AJ Brown and then turn around and sell him for potentially 50–60 cents on the dollar.” — Daniel, 56:56)
• Superflex: Mac Jones or Jake Browning? — They lean Mac Jones as a safer fill-in if you’re also rostering Brock Purdy.
• Panic on Brian Thomas Jr? — Worry is justified (“We did [start panicking] weeks ago.” — Stefania, 59:19), but target volume keeps hope alive.
• Flex: Jalen Warren or Breece Hall? — Talent breaks the tie; prefer Breece Hall despite early Jets struggles.

7. Rapid-Fire: Field In The Blank Segment

(46:02–55:54)

• Travion Henderson (Patriots RB): Week 3 could make or break his status; missed assignments, pass-protection issues threaten his role.
• Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars WR): Targets are high, but chemistry with Trevor Lawrence is out-of-sync.
• Quinshawn Judkins (Browns RB): Snap share rising, could leapfrog entire depth chart soon (“Averaged 7 yards per carry after contact; role should only grow.” — Daniel, 52:14).
• Keon Coleman (Bills WR): Disappointed in Week 2, but is a strong bounce-back candidate due to Miami’s porous defense in Week 3 (“Start your players against the Dolphins.” — Daniel, 55:34).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He was doing gymnastics down the field.” — Stefania Bell on Baker Mayfield, 03:20
• “If I can have two women say you look cool, that outweighs a thousand... What's the lion doesn't concern himself with the opinion of a sheep.” — Daniel Dopp, 04:42
• “I am panicked about it...it is not an alarmist point. It is something that needs to be discussed and monitored.” — Liz Loza, on Ashton Genti, 13:13
• “Joe Burrow...there’s no lock on [him] coming back this season. That’s the main point.” — Stefania Bell, 22:44
• “Daniel Jones is the number one must add of the week. He’s a priority for anybody.” — Daniel Dopp, 23:45
• “He’s got perhaps the worst offensive line in the entire NFL.” — Daniel Dopp, 11:43 (on Ashton Genti)
• “You can’t use a second round pick on a guy like AJ Brown and then turn around and sell him for potentially 50–60 cents on the dollar. You can’t do it.” — Daniel Dopp, 56:56

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 00:45–03:00 | Doubleheader recap, banter, bling jokes | | 03:01–08:23 | Buccaneers at Texans recap | | 09:48–14:34 | Chargers at Raiders, Rookie RB struggles | | 19:31–21:46 | Brock Bowers’ status & TE landscape | | 22:06–28:09 | QB injuries, Daniel Jones as top waiver add | | 23:15–31:30 | Must-grab waiver wire picks (RB, WR, TE, DST) | | 31:30–37:32 | Speculative, deep league adds & QBs | | 46:02–55:54 | Field in the Blank: make-or-breaks & bounces | | 56:21–61:27 | Listener Q&A and strategic debates |

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Act Fast: Daniel Jones is a must-add across leagues at QB, with numerous injury openings.
• Running Backs to Monitor (and Worry): Ashton Genti and Omari Hampton are underperforming; don’t hesitate to bench them if you have viable alternatives.
• Waiver RB/WR/TE Priorities: Bashel Tutin, Juwan Johnson, Wan’Dale Robinson, Troy Franklin, Falcons DST.
• Monitor Injuries: Pay particular attention to Brock Bowers, J.J. McCarthy, Jaden Daniels, Justin Fields — their statuses can swing positional value.
• Start Your Players vs Miami: The Dolphins defense is a prime matchup, especially for pass catchers.
• Don’t Panic Sell Studs: Hold or ask for much more if moving disappointing stars (e.g., A.J. Brown).
• Mailbag: Lean toward talent and opportunity in timeshares or committees — e.g., Breece Hall over Jalen Warren.

For further questions, juggling deep league dilemmas, or handling injury fallout, tune in for follow-up shows throughout the week as player situations and rankings evolve.