Scott Engel, now entering his twelfth season as the esteemed fantasy football scribe and expert for Seahawks.com,

continues to dazzle with his gridiron insights. He’s a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame. Scott has won the FSWA award four times and has been nominated 13 times. You can find his fantasy football analysis on game day and lineup rankings on RotoBaller.com.

In the first three weeks of the season, we’ve witnessed some outstanding fantasy football performances from rookies. Miami’s running back, D’Vaun Achane, was the standout headline in Week 3, and here, he’s being showcased with recommendations on how to acquire him via waivers.

In this week’s Fantasy Insider, we’ve included several other notable first-year players, as we want to help you identify potential breakouts or fantasy situations where they might excel.

Regarding Jace Charbonnet and Jackson Smith-Njigba, patience is key, and we should look for satisfying fantasy outings from them in the near future. Analysis depends on points per reception (PPR) formats, and players are listed in priority order for lineup picks or waiver claims.

Running Backs

Raiders’ RB1 should deliver his best fantasy football performance of the season so far. Against the powerful Chargers in Las Vegas, controlling the clock as much as possible will be the plan, and Jacobs will be the key to that. The Chargers rank 21st in rushing yards allowed through three weeks, and Jacobs should have a busy day.

In Week 3, Jacobs carried the ball 20 times for a total of 80 scrimmage yards and should see even more work here. Some fantasy players may consider him a must-start, especially in 10-team leagues, but Jacobs should be in lineups for this matchup. In his last meeting with the Chargers, he had 144 yards and a touchdown.

Former Buffalo Bill Le’Veon Bell has found a role as the lead RB for the Colts. In the third week, he ran for 122 yards and caught a 17-yard TD pass in Baltimore’s win. He also had 88 rushing yards and a TD run in the previous game.

In the closing weeks of the 2022 regular season, Moss ran for 114 yards and a TD, and in each of the campaign’s final four games, he ran for more than 65 yards on the field. He should be locked in lineups for those looking for a solid fill-in RB2 or flex option.

Rams rank 16th in rushing yards allowed, which suggests a favorable fantasy matchup for Moss, who could provide at least respectable production.

Bears’ rookie RB Khalil Johnson could be primed for his first fantasy breakout this week. Johnson has been buzzing in Chicago since the summer, and now he could get an even more extended look in an appealing matchup.

Denver has given up the most rushing yards and touchdowns (seven) to opposing RBs this season. Establishing the run behind Johnson could help the Bears mount a balanced offensive assault as they seek their first win of the 2023 season.

Steelers’ RB1 has faced off against Houston’s defense and played to a draw, ranking 28th in fantasy points allowed per game to RBs. A versatile sparkplug, Warren could emerge as a viable candidate for more consistent consideration in fantasy, especially in PPR formats. He’s certainly capable of adding some extra life to Pittsburgh’s offense.

Miami’s rookie, featured in the Seahawks Fantasy Insider’s 2023 Sleeper list, exploded onto the scene in Week 3 with a 51.3-point fantasy performance. He rushed for 203 yards and scored four TDs in a scrimmage-heavy outing that helped the Dolphins secure a win against the Broncos.

These rookies are showing great promise early in the season, and fantasy managers should keep a close eye on their performances in the coming weeks. Whether you’re looking for a reliable RB1, a flex option, or a waiver wire pickup, there are plenty of exciting options emerging in the world of fantasy football. Stay tuned for more insights and recommendations as the season progresses.

If you’re playing in a league with a free-agent budget, you’ll need to spend more than 75% of your available FAB (Free Agent Budget) to have a chance at acquiring Achenn. I don’t see any problem with that because he could be a game-changer and such impactful players are often not available throughout the season.

Just plan to save some budget for future prospects or fill-in pickups.

In leagues that use waiver priorities, if Achenn wasn’t placed first on waivers, you won’t have a chance to claim him. Consider the offer to acquire Achenn when leagues allow trades for waiver positions. He’s a double-threat fast bowler who plays an ideal role in his skill set.

An experienced Kansas City committee member specializes in pass-catching, and he caught two TD passes in Week 3. Maconan caught nine TD catches last season, so you know what he can offer if needed in PPR formats.

This week, apart from Achenn, there is nothing immediate in terms of fantasy impact on the waiver wire. If Roshon Johnson is available, he should be the top priority pickup. After the two of them, you can still find some quality adds for depth, like the former Cowboys star, who actually faces his former team in Week 4.

Eliot ran for 80 yards on 16 carries last week and could be a good plug-in option for future fantasy matchups when we have to say goodbye to bye weeks.

This waiver recommendation is a reminder to roster your top fantasy backup running back. We’ve already seen a significant wave of RB injuries that have made people like Jerome Ford viable pickups. Michel Sain is in the next tier after San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey and Dallas’ Tony Pollard for those who roster them.

In most cases, you should pay attention to keeping Lockett active. WRs are allowed in FFPG, and the Giants are 16th. The matchup does not indicate that Lockett’s usual production will not be reversed, and New York is 28th in fast defense. Another strong performance by Geno Smith will prepare Lockett for a play-action strike on the locks.

As Pro Football Focus has noted, Smith is ahead in the NFL with 369 yards of play-action passes. If you’re not considering locking it in, just take this fantasy lineup pick as a reminder that you took a good step when preparing Lockett’s draft and fantasy awards are coming back this week.