Best Fantasy Football Players: Jauan Jennings, Noah Brown and Others to Consider for Week 3

Injuries have forced players to rush to the rookie list in the first two weeks, and most roster and lineup shuffles don’t stop until Sunday’s kickoff. Players who may still be available in free agency to be used in the lineup are highlighted here, so you can still make any necessary adjustments ahead of Sunday’s roster.

Even if you don’t play the players mentioned in this rundown of potentially available position players, many of them can also be drafted to see if they prove valuable for a future draft. The analysis is based on PPR formats. I use CBSSports.com leagues for roster percentages — focusing primarily on players whose rosters are below 60 percent — because the platform is a destination for more competitive leagues.

Main Pickups: Add and Start Them

Cam Akers, RB, HOU (25% of roster)

By the time you read this, Akers’ percentage of the roster will have increased. He has a good chance of starting for the Texans in Week 3, as Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) could both miss the Minnesota game. It would be an admirable feat for him to play well against the Vikings.

Akers has returned from two Achilles injuries in four NFL seasons and now appears poised to start a game for the first time since the start of the 2023 season, when he was still with the Rams. Minnesota’s defense ranks eighth in rushing yards allowed through two weeks, but healthy projected volume and the ability to finish scoring runs for Houston’s offense position Akers as a viable backup starter.

After flashing signs of promise in the preseason, the Rams’ 2020 second-round pick averaged 4.6 yards per carry on seven attempts last week. While you can still bet on Akers in free agency on a waiver-night haul, keep in mind he might only be a one-week starter for the Texans.

Jauan Jennings, Receiver, Staff Sergeant (18%)

Jennings has a bigger role to play in a 49ers offense that has been in decline this week. Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey are both out, and George Kittle is dealing with a hamstring issue. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound player started seven games in his previous three seasons.

In last season’s playoffs, Jennings had six receptions for 51 yards in the NFC Divisional Round, and he caught a TD pass in the Super Bowl. The Rams have been even more affected by injuries than the Niners. Los Angeles gave up 41 points last week, and Jennings should be involved enough to earn a WR3 spot on your roster if needed, though he’s more ideal as a flex option.

Samaje Perine, RB, KC (56%)

It’s surprising to see Perine available in over 40% of leagues on CBSSports.com, so here’s a reminder to check your free agent list, because you never know who might be available. While many fantasy leaguers favored adding Carson Steele (79% of the list) because of his interior running and goal-line promise, Perine could share the workload with him and should be Kansas City’s primary receiver.

Last season, Perine totaled 95 yards from scrimmage in a start for Denver, and in 2022, he rushed for 106 yards and added six receptions for 49 yards in the second of his two starts for the Bengals. He’s a seasoned pro RB, while Steele is still an undrafted rookie who hasn’t proven himself. Unless the first-year player quickly emerges as the running back version of Brock Purdy (who was one pick away from going undrafted), Perine could be useful as a flex option in a proven, potent offense.

I’m not saying Steele won’t be more productive than Perine, because that’s certainly possible when he finishes his drives with TDs for the Chiefs. The eighth-year RB, however, shouldn’t be left on the waiver list if he’s available.

Potential quality contributors

Tutu Atwell, receiver, LAR (17%)

Los Angeles has been overwhelmed by injuries, and now as we wait to see if Demarcus Robinson can lead the way in filling the gaping void at WR, Atwell is being overlooked. I managed to land him in multiple waiver hauls earlier this week, and he remains widely available.

Maybe he doesn’t get enough attention because he’s 5’9” and 165 pounds? Still, Atwell has been given more opportunities at times. The 24-year-old opened the 2023 season by scoring 15+ points in the first three games while Cooper Kupp was out with a hamstring injury. You should also keep an eye on Jordan Whittington and Tyler Johnson to see if they step up and become viable Week 4 draft picks.

Greg Dortch, WR, ARI (19%)

While Marvin Harrison Jr. exploded in Week 2, Dortch was quiet, catching just two of his two targets for 11 yards. The Lions will be heavily focused on containing the dynamic Harrison in the passing game. Cardinals-Lions has the highest Over/Under of the week at 51.5 points, so Dortch can step up a notch this week, taking advantage of the fact that Harvin is drawing a lot of defensive attention. He caught six of his eight targets in Week 1, so a decent statistical day is possible.

Jonnu Smith, TE, MIA (16%)

What? Take a Dolphins player with Tua Tagovailoa out? The idea of ​​adding Smith and starting him isn’t crazy at all, though. Seattle let Hunter Henry go on a career day (eight catches, 106 yards). Miami’s new TE caught six of seven targets in Week 2 and is certainly worthy of consideration as a starter.

The Seahawks’ solid cornerback group will focus on combating the Dolphins’ dynamic WR duo. Backup QB Skylar Thompson might be inclined to involve Smith when he needs a few catches on key downs.

Foreman D’Onta, RB, CLE (31%)

Last week, the RB led Cleveland RBs with 15 touches, and he was also used on two goal-line runs in the first quarter. Pierre Strong is dealing with a hamstring injury, and Foreman will be ready to operate as Jerome Ford’s primary complement against the lowly Giants.

The Browns should move the ball efficiently enough while taking advantage of the good field position the defense is establishing. Foreman could have more TD chances, and a trip to the end zone for a decent amount of yards could result in an acceptable fantasy outing.

Dart Throws for Week 3

Jalen Nailor, catcher, minor (12%)

Jordan Addison is still dealing with an ankle issue, and Nailor’s snap percentage jumped from 47 percent to 93 percent in Week 2, according to FootballGuys. He caught three passes for 54 yards and had a TD reception in each of the first two weeks while recording a pair of receptions of 20-plus yards. If Addison remains on the bench again, Nailor could be used as a deeper streamer.

Colby Parkinson, TE, Rams (37%)

Parkinson was featured in this article last week because the Rams needed him to contribute more due to their significant receiver issues. He apparently didn’t get the message that some fantasy managers were giving him a chance, as he caught one pass for 12 yards. Give it another shot if you dare, because he still has a chance to help offset their receiving losses. Hopefully, he can at least be a make-up factor this week.

Noah Brown. WR, WAS (2%)

After being listed as an inactive in the season opener and playing 28 percent of snaps in Week 2, Brown doesn’t even seem like a deep-league player. But he signed with the Commanders in late August and could take over Washington’s all-available No. 2 WR job.

Brown caught a 34-yard TD pass last week and could be considered in bigger leagues as he gets more comfortable in a new offense and Jayden Daniels improves as a passer. Whoever fills the WR2 role could benefit from serving as an alternative to Terry McLaurin.

The AthleticBen Standing has more on Brown. His in-depth piece on how the downfield threat overcame injury issues to get another chance with Washington after shining with Houston last year might give you more motivation to draft him.

(Top photo of Jauan Jennings: Alika Jenner/Getty Images)