The NFL season has been insane, to say the least.  Brock Purdy has been playing at an MVP-type level; the Las Vegas Raiders are off to a 3-0 start; the New York Jets look like they have a future.  But what’s been truly insane this year is the number of injuries.  

Injuries have derailed teams this year; even the New York Giants have been affected, as they’ve lost Jaxson Dart for the rest of the season.  Recently, the Miami Dolphins learned that De’Von Achane is out for the year with a torn ACL.  If you have De’Von Achane in fantasy, you will be looking at the waiver wire for a replacement.

The waiver wire is a great place for fantasy managers looking to replace their injured starters.  That said, let’s look at the top players you should pick up on the fantasy waiver wire.

Top Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins

It sucks that De’Von Achane was lost for the year for the Miami Dolphins.  Luckily, Ollie Gordon II is a good backup for the Dolphins and should be able to take over the RB1 spot for Achane.  

When Gordon took over, he had 17 carries for 41 yards and added a rushing TD, finishing with 14.5 PPR points.  Even though rookie RB Jaylen Wright was out with a foot injury, it’s still unclear how the touches will be shared in the backfield, but it cleared the way for Gordon to cement his role as the primary option and the next RB1.  He’s the only RB on the waiver wire who can earn 15+ touches per game over the next stretch of the season. 

For those who lost Achane for the year or want to add an RB who will put up double-digit fantasy points over the season, Gordon is a must-add.  He’s only rostered in 2% of leagues. Per Fantasypros.

Konata Mumpfield, WR, Los Angeles Rams

While Puka Nacua has been out with a groin injury, Konata Mumpfield has stepped up as the WR2 behind Davante Adams in the Rams’ offense.  In his second game filling in for Nacua, Mumpfield made the most of his Sunday night, catching 4 of 8 targets for 93 yards and a TD for the Rams for 19.3 PPR points.

He stepped into an expanded role as he played in 63 snaps, which was 2nd among Rams WR’s.  His best play of the night was his 48-yard TD catch against the Denver Broncos on a double move against Riley Moss down the sideline for the walk-in score.  It seems like the more playing time that Mumpfield gets, the more he adapts to the offense and builds a connection with QB Matthew Stafford.  

Being in a potent passing offense led by Sean McVay with Matthew Stafford at QB gives him inherent upside if injuries keep persisting.  He’s definitely worth a shot on the waiver wire.  He’s only rostered in 1% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, New York Jets

When the New York Jets drafted Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, people were shocked because they took a TE at 16th overall when they could have taken WR Makai Lemon.  Over the past few years, the Jets haven’t been known for their TEs, but that may change with Kenyon Sadiq.  This past Sunday, Sadiq put the league on notice with his performance against the Detroit Lions and is a player that fantasy managers should target through the waiver wire.  

This past Sunday, Sadiq put together a great performance, catching 7 of his 8 targets for 105 yards and hauling in a beautiful diving TD catch for 23.5 PPR points.  The Jets were battling injuries across the skilled-position room.  With AD Mitchell and Mason Taylor ruled out for Sunday, Sadiq took advantage of the expanded role in the Jets’ passing attack, commanding a 22% target share.  After Sunday, Sadiq will certainly be more involved in the aerial attack.

As a high-pedigree rookie draft pick with elite 4.39 speed and explosive testing numbers, his raw talent is rapidly translating into high-impact NFL production.  He proved to be a trusted target of Geno Smith; Garrett Wilson commanded 13 targets while Sadiq got 8, the second most on the team.  Sadiq should be a waiver-wire priority, as he’s rostered in only 34% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders

Even though Jayden Daniels is out for the Commanders with a dislocated elbow, the good news is that at least he’s week-to-week.  In the meantime, Marcus Mariota has proven to be a competent backup for the Commanders and looks like he runs that offense with ease.  After his performance against a top defense like the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks, Marcus Mariota should be a top waiver wire option.

Mariota threw for 3 TDs and 183 yards, adding 11 yards on the ground for 20.42 PPR points.  His Week 3 performance finished him in the top-12 among fantasy QB’s.  Mariota has shown he’s a capable backup who can put up great fantasy numbers while running the Commanders’ offense.  According to draftsharks.com, he has a favorable schedule, facing the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants in the next two weeks.  

Mariota should be considered a waiver wire option, as he’s known to produce when given the starting opportunity.  He’s only rostered in 4% of leagues.  

Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

Breece Hall suffered a thigh injury in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions and is now considered week-to-week; Braelon Allen should take on the RB1 role for the Jets.  As a result, he’s an intriguing waiver-wire option.  

Allen finished Week 3 against the Lions with 4 carries for 14 yards and 3 catches for 3 yards, for 4.7 PPR points.  Those numbers aren’t scary, as the Jets struggled to get a running game going and focused more on the passing attack, but when Hall left, Allen took over as the Jets’ lead back.  Hall left the game in the early 4th quarter, so Allen didn’t have a full game to generate fantasy production.  

He has a knack for finding the end zone in short-yardage and goal-line situations when given the opportunity.  When Week 4 rolls around, Allen will be the Jets’ RB1 and will command a lot of snaps.  Allen is only rostered in 18% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

Tyler Loop, K, Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Loop has come a long way, especially after missing a late field goal last year in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and forcing the Ravens to miss the playoffs.  But his game-winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in Rio shows he hasn’t lost confidence and is still an elite kicker.  His clutch 56-yard field goal to seal the Ravens’ 34-31 victory over the Cowboys showed he is a strong waiver-wire pickup, as he finished with 12 points.  

His 56-yard field goal made him a fantasy waiver-wire pickup, and he also benefits from a potent Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson that consistently moves the chains and provides regular scoring opportunities, including plenty of extra points and field-goal attempts.  So far this season, he’s 5-for-6 and has made all 11 of his extra points.  

In FantasyPros, he’s only rostered in 63% of leagues.