Fantasy football managers are always searching for that diamond in the rough on the waiver wire, especially when injuries create sudden opportunities. Week 3 brings its share of questions about which players deserve a roster spot. The key is identifying which pickups have genuine upside versus those that are simply filling temporary holes. Understanding the difference can make or break your fantasy football season.
Should Jeremy McNichols Be a Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Add in Week 3?
Rostered: 0%
It’s hard to endorse picking up a player who didn’t see a touch. If Jeremy McNichols were that good, the Washington Commanders would’ve felt compelled to give him the ball. There’s a reason he played behind Austin Ekeler and got beaten out by Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Nevertheless, the Commanders are in a bind here. As poorly as they view McNichols, at least he was active. Chris Rodriguez was not, which heavily suggests that McNichols is the more valued player.
Jeremy McNichols finds the endzone for the @Commanders!
Stream WASvsNE on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WLZPKkU7r5
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2025
More importantly, McNichols played every snap in the Commanders’ feeble attempt at a comeback against the Green Bay Packers. He’s the Ekeler replacement, at least for now.
The rookie should start going forward and will see more work on the ground, but JCM is not a good pass-catcher. When the Commanders fall behind or are in the two-minute offense, it’s going to be McNichols. While he’s unlikely to be startable in fantasy, he’s worth adding just to see how things shake out.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.5
Week 3 Waiver Wire Strategy: Balancing Immediate Impact vs Future Potential
The waiver wire landscape in Week 3 presents challenging decisions for fantasy managers navigating early-season uncertainties. McNichols exemplifies the type of speculative add that requires careful consideration of context over immediate production.
Washington’s backfield situation remains fluid, but McNichols has positioned himself as the clear handcuff to Ekeler despite his lack of touches in Week 2. His role in passing situations gives him a defined path to fantasy relevance if the Commanders continue to struggle offensively. The fact that Rodriguez was inactive while McNichols played every snap during garbage time speaks volumes about the team’s pecking order.
However, fantasy managers must temper expectations accordingly. McNichols profiles as a low-upside stash rather than an immediate starter in most formats. His value lies primarily in his potential role expansion and the insurance he provides if Ekeler misses time.
The waiver wire requires balancing immediate needs against future potential. Players like McNichols represent the latter category, offering modest ceiling but legitimate opportunity in specific game scripts. Success often comes from identifying these situations before they fully materialize, making selective adds like this worthwhile investments for patient managers.
