Jake Ciely’s Top 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 3 (Ep. 1708)

Summary

FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Jake Ciely’s Top 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 3 (Ep. 1708)

Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Joey P. (Joe Pisapia)
Guest: Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the top fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 3, focusing on strategies following several significant Week 2 injuries. Host Joey P. and expert guest Jake Ciely methodically break down which widely available players merit aggressive waiver bids, discuss the impact of recent injuries, and sprinkle in actionable buy-low and stash advice for fantasy managers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Green Bay Packers WR Shake-Up: Romeo Doubs & Matthew Golden (00:29–02:43)

• Romeo Doubs rises:
  With Jaden Reed sidelined by a collarbone injury, Doubs (23% rostered) is cemented as Green Bay’s likely WR2.

  “I’m actually surprised that he’s still under 30% [rostered]… now we have the elimination of Reed on top of it. I think it just makes it even clearer—like, Doubs is still going to be frustrating… but it’s a wide receiver four, and it’s somebody that you can go pick up for free and possibly put in your lineup.”
  —Jake Ciely (01:24)

• Matthew Golden as a stash:
  The rookie is seeing reps and, although inconsistent, nearly had a breakout last week.

  “Matthew Golden was this far one way and this far the other way from having over 100 yards and a touchdown, from being overthrown and underthrown.”
  —Jake Ciely (01:58)

  Golden is a buy-low, ideal for bench stashing in deeper leagues.

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2. Troy Franklin (Denver Broncos WR): Breakout Alert (02:43–04:40)

• Immediate Aggressiveness Recommended:
  Franklin (8% rostered) received 15 targets and caught 12, including a touchdown in Week 2. The established chemistry with QB Bo Nix is accelerating his impact.

  “If Doubs is already rostered, Franklin’s going to get probably mid-teens to close to 20% of my [FAAB] budget.”
  —Jake Ciely (03:51)

  Mims is now droppable; Franklin is the clear WR2 behind Sutton.

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3. Blake Corum (LA Rams RB): Elite Handcuff Status (04:40–06:04)

• Top 5 Handcuff Upside:
  Corum saw 5 carries for 44 yards and a TD. If Kyren Williams is injured, Corum is the undisputed backup with lead role upside.

  “Blake Corum would probably be top five and possibly pushing top three [among handcuffs].”
  —Jake Ciely (05:45)

• Note on Usage:
  Corum’s value is tied to Williams’ health, but he is valuable in deeper formats and should be rostered in 14+ team leagues.

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4. Emergency QB Stash: Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (07:52–09:30)

• Must-Add in Superflex/2QB Leagues:
  Burrow’s injury moves Browning (0% rostered) into the starting role for potentially months. Ciely details previous games showing real fantasy viability:

  “The only two games where he wasn’t a top 10 quarterback was Pittsburgh. I’m going to go aggressive in one quarterback… superflex? Dropping the bag.”
  —Jake Ciely (08:53)

  FAAB guidance: up to 20–25% in 1QB; 100% in Superflex (if $0 bids allowed) for desperate Burrow managers.

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5. Dynasty & Deep League WRs: Ao Manor (Tennessee Titans) & Cedric Tillman (Cleveland Browns) (10:20–11:42)

• Pickup Fatigue:
  Both players are still widely available despite strong usage.

  “There’s nothing left to say… I just made the like, the little huffy face emoji because it’s like: I told you so.”
  —Jake Ciely (10:20)

• Week 3 Matchup Angle:

  “I think I’m going to be ranking Ao Manor ahead of Tillman at least for one week just based on those matchups.”
  —Jake Ciely (11:08)

  Both are recommended adds; choose based on matchup if you need an immediate starter.

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6. Deepest Stash: Chris Rodriguez (Washington Commanders RB) (11:42–13:39)

• Opportunistic Flier:
  With Austin Ekeler out for the year, Rodriguez (9% rostered) becomes active—potential for goal line/committee usage.

  “The fab bid is probably only like two or three bucks… because if Chris Rodriguez… gets 10 carries… he’s going to go for 20, 30% [of FAAB] on week five.”
  —Jake Ciely (12:27)

  Grab now while cheap, before any possible week 3 breakout.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Chemistry jokes on Franklin & Bo Nix:

  “I think they roomed together and bunked together and get lunch together and breakfast together and took their dogs on walks… long walks on the beach together. It’s a beautiful thing.”
  —Joey P. (03:41)

• On waiver wire frustration:

  “I feel like everything that I touched on the waiver wire… how dare you not see Austin Ekeler blowing his Achilles.”
  —Jake Ciely & Joey P. (13:52)

• True-to-life fantasy advice:

  “Misery loves company and we love all of you to be our company too.”
  —Joey P. (14:24)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Romeo Doubs/Matthew Golden (Packers WRs): 00:29–02:43
• Troy Franklin (Broncos WR): 02:43–04:40
• Blake Corum (Rams RB): 04:40–06:04
• Jake Browning (Bengals QB): 07:52–09:30
• Ao Manor & Cedric Tillman (Dynasty WRs): 10:20–11:42
• Chris Rodriguez (Commanders RB): 11:42–13:39

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Summary Table — Waiver Priorities (As Discussed)

| Player | Position | Team | Roster % | FAAB Aggressiveness | Context/Notes | |-------------------|----------|--------------|-------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Romeo Doubs | WR | Packers | 23% | Moderate | WR2, benefits from Reed injury | | Matthew Golden | WR | Packers | <10% | Low | Rookie; stash in deep leagues | | Troy Franklin | WR | Broncos | 8% | Aggressive | Clear WR2, Bo Nix chemistry | | Blake Corum | RB | Rams | 13% | Moderate | Elite handcuff, upside if Williams injured | | Jake Browning | QB | Bengals | 0% | All-in (Superflex) | The only QB replacement for Burrow | | Ao Manor | WR | Titans | 28% | Moderate | Week 3 matchup bump; viable floor | | Cedric Tillman | WR | Browns | 54% | Still available | Long-term stash, strong usage | | Chris Rodriguez | RB | Commanders | 9% | Cheap flier | Deep leagues, possible role after injuries |

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Conclusion

Joey P. and Jake Ciely offer sharp, actionable advice in this concise waiver wire rundown. They identify the next-up injury benefit players, clarify which WR breakouts to trust, and stress preemptive QB additions—emphasizing swift, aggressive action where upside is highest. Their banter and “I told you so” energy add entertainment to the process, making this a must-listen (and must-read summary) for fantasy managers aiming to get ahead in Week 3.

Transcript

[Jake Seeley]

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[Podcast Announcer]

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[Joey P]

Welcome in everybody to Fantasy Pros. This is the Fantasy Football podcast. It is me, Joey P, Joe P. Zapia and it's time to look ahead to the waiver wire for week three in the NFL. There were, oh, I don't know, one or two major injuries potentially in week two. Certainly a lot to digest, but luckily we've got the Athletics Jake Seeley here to help us. Real quick get the names you need on your waiver wire onto your team. Jake, always good to see you my friend. And of course I guess we gotta start here with the Green Bay packers because Jaden Reed is going to be out for a few weeks with the collarbone issue. Matthew golden still a rookie working his way. It looks like it might be time to once again take a look at Romeo Dobbs who is rostered in 23% of leagues. Let's start there. And also give me your expectations for Matthew Golden's potential upside because I feel like he's an interesting buy low. I know it's the waiver wire video should. Shh, don't tell anybody. We might talk a little trade too.

[Jake Seeley]

Yeah, I think that's a really good point as well. So we'll talk golden in a second. But Romeo Dobbs, I'm actually surprised that he's still under 30% because it was on a lot of waiver columns, including my own last week because the first week he was running as the one or the one and the two with Reed and then the fact with Matthew golden was like, okay, well no matter what happens, whatever shakes out, Dobbs is still going to be the two. Reed is still going to be the 11 slot wide receiver. He's going to be out there for three wide and he's not going to be the main one too. It's still very productive on a per touch base. But the 1 and 21 answer was clear, Dobbs. And now we have the elimination of Reed on top of it. So I think it just makes it even clear like Dobbs is still going to be frustrating. He wasn't even out there for 80% of the routes. There's still going to be games where he leaves you alone. But it's a wide receiver four and it's somebody that you can go pick up for free and possibly put in your lineup. I had him in one of my lineups last week for those 10 points. It wasn't amazing, but it was valuable. And I really glad you brought up Matthew golden because I know a lot of people might have not watched the entire game or watched only parts of it or whatever it might be, but I know you saw the same thing. Matthew golden was this far one way and this far the other way from having over 100 yards and a touchdown, from being overthrown and underthrown. So I think the chances that golden sees it uptick is interesting because he did rotate with Wicks, but he was still on the field a lot more than Wicks.

[Joey P]

Yeah, to me golden also a rookie so you got to be more patient with those guys. But look, right now the supply is there of target volume. So look to buy low because the first two week performances haven't been great. So people might lose patience early on. All right, let's talk about another receiver here. Let's talk about Troy Franklin of the Denver Broncos. Franklin so far this year has seen 15 targets and he's caught 12 of them already. He had a touchdown on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. He's roster percentage again very low, under 10% over on sleeper 8%. So he's widely available. Basically a free square. How aggressive should people be on Troy Franklin in week three?

[Jake Seeley]

I'm going as aggressive as I am for Dobbs, honestly. And it comes down to the fact of oh by the way, who was the leading route runner and they can target getter in week two. It wasn't Cortland Sutton. And no, I don't think he's coming for Cortland Sutton's job. But I don't know if you heard that these guys were, you know, teammates in college. The Troy Franklin boy, Nick, Bo Nicks. I think they room together and bunk together and get lunch together and breakfast together and took their dogs on walks.

[Joey P]

And yeah, long walks on the beach together. It's beautiful thing. But like the connections really had all the answers. They had wagging like the Hardy boys.

[Jake Seeley]

Solving the crip seats. Their crip sheets or seat sheets or seats, whatever. I can't even talk. I know the interesting thing here is that we were trying to figure out who the two was and now Mims is completely droppable. I know he caught the touchdown, but that was two targets, two receptions, a touchdown. He was only out there for 50%. Like week one came out and Franklin was barely ahead of Mims. It's like, all right, let's give it another week. He is clearly by far way ahead of Mims. He is the one in the two with Sutton. I think Sutton's a good buy low because I know people are probably panicking. But Troy Franklin, that connection is there with the one year of being a rookie. Like basically took a backseat to everybody and deservedly so. He needs some time to develop and it's hitting and it's hitting probably quicker than I expected, but I would be as aggressive. If Dobbs is already rostered, Franklin's going to get probably mid teens to close to 20% of my budget.

[Joey P]

All right, let's switch gears from wide receivers to a running back here, Blake Corum and discuss him with the Los Angeles rams. He saw five carries for 44 yards, had a touchdown. So let's talk about his value potentially going forward and what this Rams backfield is going to look like.

[Jake Seeley]

Yeah, and this isn't like somebody that I necessarily think will fall into the Benson timeshare where you might get RB3 value in the right week. I'm not going that far just yet. But running backs thin. We haven't had very many injuries, just one so far really that hurt us and it wasn't even the lead running back. And just the fact that if something happens to Kyren Williams, it is 100% clear that Corum is the backup plan, not Jarquez Hunter. And that's why, because we know how valuable the running back for the Rams will be if anything were to happen. It might be a Tyler Algier situation like this we just saw yesterday. Maybe he gets a few touches some weeks and he's like hey, you got the touchdown or he got you five fantasy points and non, you know, six or seven and a half point ppr. And there'll be weeks like that if he if Kyron stays healthy. But the upside is there and you know I know he got the touchdown when they already had a big lead but a lot of the starters were still on the field too. It wasn't like it was complete mop up duty like Kyron actually came back in the game after that. So like I said, I'm not worried about Kyron Williams. I actually think this would be a buy low situation. People are panicking of this usage, but the usage is why I'm going after Corum and the fact that we now know this is one of the if we Did a ranking show. You and I have like top five handcuffs. Blake Corum would probably be top five and possibly pushing top three.

[Joey P]

And look at 13% roster too, especially in those 14 team leagues or anything deeper. Like he should be rostered by now if he's not, so go get him. And the fact that it's only 14% tells you like he's still floating out there, even in some deeper leagues. And to Jake's point, you know, not every situation where a running back goes down does it turn over to somebody capable. Sometimes it goes to committee. Corum would clearly be the guy, quote unquote. Sure, he would split some carries here and there, but he would be the guy. And he looked very capable on Sunday, so that is a good thing. Before we get to more names on our list, I want to recognize today's sponsor and that is Chalkboard. If you want to cash in your NFL picks this season, do it with Chalkboard. Simply choose more or less on your favorite player stats to win up to 5, 000 times your money. That's right, 5,000 times your money. See why over a million fans have already locked in with Chalkboard to turn their sports knowledge into cold, hard cash. Whether you're locking in the perfect lineup with alternate lines or debating whether to take the money and cash out, Chalkboard is the premier destination to win big all season long. Download it today and get 20 free with the deposit required. Get in on the action today with Chalkboard. All right, Sealy, let's get into the action with some more of these guys we got on our list. Let's talk about quarterback. Zero percent roster zero. You don't see that very often. Jake Browning, he's gonna be playing for months now, unless the Bengals go out there and make a trade. I don't know where they would make a trade for a quarterback or who that would be. You want to bring back Andy Dalton for good old time's sake? I don't think so. Right, so it's going to be Jake Browning who. Look, they won the game, right? He had some moments in that game, but he's a backup for a reason. So let's talk about this in the Super Flex context that it's based in, right? Because that's what we're talking about. So if you're the Joe Burrow manager, what do you do here? Like, do you have to empty the tank here for Jake Browning to stay afloat? For a friend not named Joe Pizza?

[Jake Seeley]

Pia, I will say you said Super Flex and he is now retired. But I Will say, not so fast, my friend. Because I actually think there's one quarterback viability with him. I went back and looked because I'm like, I remember he was pretty damn good. I checked this out. You wanted this game log, by the way, when he took over as a starter for two years ago. And it's not like this is a different Bengals team. I know some of it, but I mean, I'm talking about the offensive.

[Joey P]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jake Seeley]

So first start he ever had to face was Pittsburgh. He was QB18 with 15 points. After that against Jacksonville, 30 for QB4, Indy, 29 for QB4, Minnesota, 25 for QB8, Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, by the way, 20 for a rebound kind of performance, only QB21. The full slate of teams were out there at Kansas City, 24 for QB8 and at or no home to Cleveland, 24 for QB9. The only two games where he wasn't a top 10 quarterback was Pittsburgh. And in Pittsburgh. And I'm not saying go crazy for Joe Burrow in one quarterback league, but if I lost Joe Burrow.

[Joey P]

Browning. Jake Browning.

[Jake Seeley]

Jake. Jake Browning. Sorry. If I lost Joe Burrow in a one quarterback lead, let alone a super flex. And the waiver wires are like these cam wards and C.J. strouds and those are the worlds. Well, I'm just going to shoot for Jake Browning because I'm trying to replicate what I lost in Joe Burrow. And you're just not going to do that with what most is out there right now. I'm expecting on most waiver wires like Matthew Stafford, he's not going to do it for you. So I'm going to go aggressive in one quarterback. You know, I'm not going to blow my entire budget, but I'd probably go like 20, 25% super flex dropping the bag. Like if you have $0 bids, I'm probably going 100% Joe. Because you cannot risk not getting Jake Browning. I'm sorry.

[Joey P]

I understand. I wish I had more free agent budget left. I took a. Took a heavy flyer early in the year, running back that I thought might work out and it did not. But you know what, like if you look at it too, it's not like the Bengals don't have the weapons. Happens around him, you know, Jamar Chase D. Higgins, Chase Brown. I wish they had a better offensive line. So does Joe Burrow right about now. But just sad. Like the Joe Burrow injury just makes me sad. So I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's talk about like a man or one of our Favorite things. We've been talking about this guy forever. I talked about him in draft season. I talked about him in Dynasty draft season. I talked about him even in week one with you before things kicked off here on the waiver wire, we said stash this guy and AO matter at 28 rostered, clearly people really still not paying attention. So what do we have to do to get him on people's rosters? How do we sell people at this point?

[Jake Seeley]

So when I have my waiver calm over the athletic. I started using emojis a few years ago because at some point, like there's nothing left to say. Like, so I just made the like the little huffy face emoji because it's like I told you so. Like I don't know what else to say to convince you to pick this person up. We're not quite there yet. I understand why the hesitancy has been there on IU Manor, but let's loop in one more. And you included his roster percentage. The Cedric Tillman is still available in 46% of leagues. Like Cedric Tillman's getting the full blown huffy emoji. Like, I don't know what else to tell you. And no, I don't expect a rebound touchdown to happen every single week. No, but he's running as the one.

[Joey P]

And the week one usage was very good too. So he got a little lucky in week two. Okay, cool. But AO Manor, we all knew week one was going to be a disaster against the Denver secondary.

[Jake Seeley]

Exactly.

[Joey P]

Against the Rams, a still pretty good defense.

[Jake Seeley]

4.

[Joey P]

I will say this targets at a touchdown.

[Jake Seeley]

I was going to go one step further, Jon and say like, okay, I will pick up both if you haven't yet, please pick up both. I like Tillman more than IU Manor for the long term. However. Not so fast, my friend. For the second time this show, week three, Cleveland gets Green Bay. Tennessee gets Indianapolis. I think I'm going to be ranking IU Manor ahead of Tillman at least for one week just based on those matchups. That's how much I think of IU Manor's potential is that I don't think their gap is much bigger. I would take Tillman for the year, but they're close enough that in this week with those two matchups, I'm rather taking out your manor against Indianapolis. All right.

[Joey P]

And if you don't think that I Manor is a smart ad, well I got news for you. He is. Don't miss out on snagging potential difference makers like him. Use the waiver central tool over at fantasypros.com myplaybook or just download the Fantasy Pros app and instantly view all the suggestions on who you should add or drop to your rosters. And of course we usually talk about five guys. We kind of just lamented about a sixth. But you know, hey, we're the gift that keeps on giving here on the show. So let's talk about Chris Rodriguez too. A guy who's rostered in about, oh, I don't know, 9% of leagues as well right now. Chris Rodriguez obviously was inactive the last two games because there were too many cooks in the kitchen with that commander's backfield. So with Austin Eckler now done for the year, Chris Rodriguez gets an opportunity again. What does that role look like and what does the fab bid look like for Rodriguez?

[Jake Seeley]

The fab bid is probably only like two or three bucks. Like not even percentage. Like I'm just going to take a chance because we've already seen two weeks and yes, we all expect cross Gamert to start to get more of the workload. But what if it's only 10 or 20%? Well, if this is a full blown committee and all that talk about the goal line opportunities and the short yardage actually goes to Chris Rodriguez now that he's active, I'll bring in the Jacksonville Jaguars because once you cleared out one option, that being Tank Bigsby. Look at Tootin's usage yesterday, like his Tutin's usage in week one. It was very low. They get one of the equations out of there and it bumps up and I know that this is somebody who's been inactive, but the point being is like Tutin was barely used in week one. So I just say take the chance because if Chris Riley put it this way, we'll kind of play forecasting into Week 4 if Chris Rodriguez, first game active, gets 10 carries. McNichols stays in his little. I get a couple passing downs and pass catching opportunities and Crosby, Merritt stays the same and those 10 opportunities tune into 50 yards but the touchdown and it's not cross key Merritt at the goal line. Chris Rodriguez is going to go for 20, 30% on week five. So that's why I said or week four. Yeah, heading into week four. So that's why I say go take a flyer on him now while he's super cheap just in case.

[Joey P]

Or you could be a dope like me who dropped him Thursday night because I wanted some extra tight end insurance because I had Brock Bauer.

[Jake Seeley]

Yeah, but.

[Joey P]

Yeah, I know Jake, but I'm still mad about it. I feel like everything that I touched on the waiver wire this how dare.

[Jake Seeley]

You not see Austin Eckler blowing his Achilles.

[Joey P]

I can't. But at the same time it's frustrating because you're like hey, this was a smart late round draft pick or stash or whatever.

[Jake Seeley]

Hey do you want? I'll give you one and make you feel better. I stashed Troy Franklin in a ton of leagues and this past week in one of the leagues that I had zero running backs left on my bench because I just lost Austin Eckler. I dropped Troy Franklin for Roshan Johnson because Menon guy got zero use in week one. I'm like hey, just a case. You never know. What if Roshan I wish I could have Troy Franklin back right now because now I'm going to have to go spend 25 to get him back.

[Joey P]

Misery loves company and we love all of you to be our company too. Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel of fantasy Pros. Drop your comments below. Who's your favorite waiver wire ad in Week 3 of the NFL? And of course, don't forget to ring that bell till it goes ding so you never miss a piece of content here on the Fantasy Bros. Channel. That'll do it for us, but the story of the game goes on for the Athletics. Jake Seeley I'm Joey P. We'll see you next time.

[Fantasy Pros Host]

Kids, thanks for listening to the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Podcast. If you love the show, the best free way to support us is by leaving a positive review on apple [e-mail] review or on Spotify. Follow us on X Instagram and TikTok at fantasypros and subscribe to our YouTube channel at YouTube.com fantasy fantasy pros.

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[Joey P]

Ah, come on.

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[Jake Seeley]

This thing is ancient.

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