Fantasy Football Week 3 Pick-Ups: 5 Sneaky Deals to Round out Your Roster

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Injuries and unexpected performances always make fantasy football owners scour the waiver wire for that one guy that can fill a hole on a team.

Week 2 in the NFL saw its share of injuries and break-out performances. Matt Forte, Ahmad Bradshaw and Aaron Hernandez are all big-name players who were injured last week. Leonard Hankerson of the Redskins put up solid points at wide receiver.

There are several names floating around the waiver wire that will be very popular adds this coming week.

This list takes a look at five adds for Week 3 that may seem a bit like a shot in the dark to some owners, but will definitely help your fantasy team.

Note: All point values used are from ESPN standard scoring. All percentage-owned statistics are based on all ESPN leagues.

WR Andrew Hawkins- Bengals

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Amazingly, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Andrew Hawkins is currently only owned in 2.4 percent of ESPN leagues. Hawkins has 19 fantasy points through two games.

In last Sunday's game against the Browns, Hawkins hauled in eight catches for 86 yards and a score. He racked up 11 fantasy points in that matchup to go with the eight points that he earned in Week 1 against the Ravens.  

Hawkins is quickly becoming a favorite target of quarterback Andy Dalton, as he has shown the ability to take a short pass and turn it into a long gain.

Take a chance and stash Hawkins on your bench if he is available.

WR Danny Amendola- Rams

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St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola had a career day last Sunday against the Redskins. Amendola hauled in 15 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown. That performance earned owners a solid 20 fantasy points. He also had a solid Week 1 performance, with five catches for 70 yards.

Amendola is currently owned in 19.2 percent of ESPN leagues. Owners looking for help at wide receiver will be itching to add Amendola, especially with a favorable Week 3 matchup against the Bears.

If Amendola is somehow still on your waiver wire, don't hesitate to snatch him up.

RB Andre Brown- Giants

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New York Giants running back Andre Brown was inserted into the starting lineup last Sunday when starter Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a neck injury. Brown finished the game against Tampa Bay with 16 fantasy points.

Brown carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown. He is currently owned in 1.5 percent of ESPN leagues. There is no current timetable on Bradshaw. If he misses Sunday's game at Carolina, look for Brown to carry the load on the ground.

Grab him while you still can. Brown is sure to be one of the most popular waiver-wire pickups of the week.

Arizona Cardinals Defense

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The Arizona Cardinals defense has put up stellar fantasy numbers over the first two games. The Cardinals netted 16 points in a Week 1 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Week 2 saw the Cardinals earn 18 points against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

The Cardinals defense is currently owned in 7.4 percent of ESPN leagues. 

Arizona could be a great play this week because of the matchup. The Cardinals play the Philadelphia Eagles, a team which has committed nine turnovers in just two games.  Also, the Philadelphia offensive line is a mess right now, especially with starters King Dunlap and Jason Kelce out with injuries.

Let's not forget that special teams points count with defense. The Cardinals possess one of the top punt returners in the game in Patrick Peterson.

Pick up the Arizona defense with confidence and look for double-digit points once again.

TE Kellen Winslow- Patriots

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While Kellen Winslow isn't expected to do much this Sunday, he could be a solid pick moving forward. Winslow was signed on Tuesday by the New England Patriots, the best possible destination in the NFL for a tight end.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez was injured in Week 2 and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks.

New England uses the two tight end set better than any team in the league. Quarterback Tom Brady has been able to spread the ball around enough to make both Hernandez and tight end Rob Gronkowski fantasy studs.

Winslow, a big body with good hands, fits the mold for the perfect New England tight end. Stash him on your bench now before it's too late.

Winslow is currently owned in only .2 percent of ESPN leagues, but that number is sure to rise this week.