Footballguys Fantasy Football Show — Waiver Wire Pickups Before Week 3 (Fantasy Football 2025)

Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into actionable waiver wire pickups for Week 3 of fantasy football, targeting players rostered in fewer than 40% of leagues on Sleeper. Alfredo and Dave emphasize deep stashes, potential breakout candidates, and overlooked contributors—helping fantasy managers find value on the wire and improve their rosters. The hosts debate each player's real value, long-term potential, and appropriate FAAB spending. They also share players to drop, cut through committee backfields, and touch on streamer QB/TE options. Plenty of candid, fun banter throughout.

Key Waiver Wire Recommendations

1. Wandale Robinson (WR, Giants)

• (04:30–08:45)
• Dave’s No. 1 pickup; only 28% rostered.
• “This was a guy I loved coming out of Kentucky…all of the targets in the world didn’t matter because he was catching the ball two, three yards off the line of scrimmage…But now we see these vertical routes.” — Dave (07:14)
• 18 targets (14th among WRs). But crucially, average target depth has increased from 4.9 to 10.44 yards, aligning with his college profile.
• Giants' offense, led by a resurgent Russell Wilson, looks far better, and defensive attention on Malik Nabers opens up opportunities for Wondale.

Fantasy Take:
Plug-and-play flex with starter upside, especially now featured as a legit downfield threat. 8–10% FAAB recommended.

2. Elick IO Manor (WR, Titans)

• (09:05–12:08)
• Early breakout, nearly leading the team in targets, and already has a TD.
• “The other two players recently to do this were Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. I’m not saying IO Manor is those guys, but damn…that’s a hell of company.” — Alfredo (10:18)
• Strong rapport with rookie QB Cam Ward, who extends plays and targets IO Manor on broken plays/backyard ball.
• Medical red flags dropped his draft stock, but those are behind him.
• 7–9% FAAB recommended due to high ceiling for target volume.

3. Troy Franklin (WR, Broncos)

• (14:26–16:35)
• Stepping into a major role, led Denver in targets and yards.
• Existing chemistry with Bo Nix from college significant.
• Sean Payton unpredictability cautioned: “I feel like I’m stepping into a bear trap…but Troy Franklin looked pretty awesome yesterday.” — Dave (14:26)
• Only 2–3% FAAB recommended. Stash and see if role sticks.

4. Packers WRs (Dobbs, Wicks, Golden)

• (17:13–18:56)
• Reed’s injury opens snaps; Dobbs most viable.
• Packers spreading the ball; Dobbs recommended for steady role if streamed, but Matthew Golden may be the best STASH.
• “It wouldn’t surprise me if Jaden Reed, Romeo Dobbs, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft all have similar stats at year’s end.” — Dave (17:56)

5. Jalen Coker (WR, Panthers)

• (18:56–20:58)
• Deep-league stash. Could be the WR3 in Carolina when healthy.
• “If anything, what I want to do as a coach is get my best three receivers out on the field… I might bypass the Packers receivers and just go get a Jalen Coker for zero FAAB.” — Alfredo (18:56)

6. Blake Corum (RB, Rams)

• (21:41–23:39)
• Now locked in as RB2, got 30% of touches in Week 2, scored TD. Role trending up.
• “Blake Corum is the RB2 written in stone over there in Los Angeles…he’s a Kyren Williams injury away from being a top 10 running back.” — Dave (23:39)
• Strong stash, especially in deeper leagues.

7. Kyle Monangai (RB, Bears)

• (21:41–24:28)
• Usage surging, particularly in blowouts. Deeper stash behind oft-injured Swift.
• Bears OC wants to use him more.

8. Chris Rodriguez (RB, Commanders)

• (25:45–28:19)
• With Eckler out, steps into a heavier short-yardage/goal line role. Three-man rotation likely.
• “He’s another guy that’s just one injury away from being a relevant RB.” — Alfredo (25:45)

9. LaQuint Allen, Bayshal Tootin, Jags RBs

• (28:19–30:49)
• True committee. LaQuint Allen dominating third downs; Tootin’s role growing. Tough to read week-to-week, like last year’s Bucs.
• “Don’t be surprised when this ends up being really frustrating to get a read on.” — Dave (30:49)

10. Quarterback/TE Streamers

• (33:06–34:21)
• Jake Browning (CIN): High pass volume, locked on Jamar Chase. Not worth starting immediately but streaming potential later.
• Kenneth Gainwell (giants): 9 targets in 2 weeks, significant RB role in pass game.

Other Notable Deep/Contingent Adds

• Nazee Harris (Browns backup) is still valuable as an elite injury-away RB (41:51)
• Rashad White (Bucs) could regain value after being dropped in many leagues (40:54)
• Dalton Schultz (TE, Texans) — boring but trending up after injury return (42:58)
• Juwan Johnson (TE, Saints) and Harold Fannin (TE, Browns) keep producing, worth adds over dead roster weight.

Players to Drop

(Specific calls. See 36:59–40:00 for detailed drop segment)

• Caleb Johnson (PIT RB) — “the easiest cut right now in fantasy football.”
• Jerome Ford (CLE RB) — with Quinshon Judkins taking over.
• Marvin Mims (DEN WR)
• Adam Thielen (CAR WR)
• Xavier Legette (CAR WR)
• Colston Loveland (TE, CHI)
• Luther Burden (WR, KC) — no snaps, cut for anyone with a pulse.
• Jaden Blue (WR, DAL)
• Hollywood Brown (WR, KC) — “He went back to being the inefficient, low volume player he’s been since joining Kansas City.” — Dave (37:45)
• Potentially Evan Engram, TJ Hockenson, Mark Andrews for a second TE stash.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Wandale Robinson is the oatmeal of fantasy football. It’s going to feed you, but you’re not excited about it.” — Alfredo (08:45)
• “The Mountain Dew of quarterback throws.” (re: Cam Ward’s wild, risky plays) — Alfredo (10:28)
• “I’m looking for guys with character concerns or medical red flags, because that’s what causes these guys to really outperform their day three draft capital.” — Dave (12:08)
• “Stash and pray…that’s all we’re doing here.” — Alfredo (28:19)
• “Even at the point, I don’t know what to do with TJ Hockenson and Mark Andrews. These guys have just been terrible.” — Dave (42:58)

Segment Timestamps

• Player Analysis Start (Week 3 Waiver Wire): 03:18
• Wandale Robinson Deep Dive: 04:30–08:45
• Elick IO Manor/Day 3 WRs: 09:05–13:36
• Troy Franklin/Broncos WRs: 14:26–17:13
• Packers WRs & Jalen Coker: 17:13–20:58
• RBs: Corum, Manungai, and Commanders Backfield: 21:41–26:45
• Jags RB Committee Caution: 28:19–30:49
• QB/TE Streamers: 33:06–34:21, 42:58
• Players to Drop: 36:59–40:00

Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances detailed analysis with humor and realism—no hyped-up advice, just practical, thoughtful waiver advice rooted in opportunity and usage trends. They stress not to chase last week's points, but to target roles trending up, trust reliable usage data, and be aggressive with FAAB on players whose roles may expand.
Deep league considerations, injury-away stashes, and identifying “the next Amon-Ra or Puka” are all key themes.

Recommended Strategy

• Prioritize Wandale Robinson and Elick IO Manor at WR.
• Don’t overreact to committees; stash talent, but start only with confidence in usage.
• Drop underperforming, non-involved, or name-brand players who aren’t seeing snaps.
• Play the long game with promising rookies and day-three talents who can win leagues if roles shift due to injury or breakout.

For deeper bench leagues or dynasty, pay close attention to player archetypes the hosts recommend: high upside, injury-away, and recently ascending day three picks.