Fantasy Football Week 3: 13 Waiver Wire Pickups With Commentary
Don’t panic.
Your team may be 0-2, but that doesn't mean the season is over. However, you may be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this column because you likely have some players who are underperforming.
You don't need to be jumping off a cliff if you own Brett Favre, Maurice Jones-Drew, or Ray Rice. You also don't need to be selling the farm for Jahvid Best and Arian Foster.
It's very early in the season.
Going into Week 3, it’s important to look at the wire to locate some players who could help your team. Just don’t overreact and get too aggressive with the players you cut—they could burn you later.
Keep in mind these weekly pickups will include players owned in less than 30 percent of leagues (most are owned in less than 10 percent) and are always going to be added to the ones we suggested from previous weeks.
Names won’t be repeated, so that’s why you don’t see Jimmy Clausen on the list this week. We suggested you pick him up LAST week, and owners who followed that advice are pretty happy they did since it looks like he'll be replacing Matt Moore in Carolina this week.
Keep in mind you’ll also be able to get a sneak preview of some names each week on our Monday Morning Aftermath column posted every Monday morning on DLF.
1. Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN (Owned in 1.7 Percent of Leagues)
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Thomas himself doubted he could play this week while still recovering from a foot injury. When he was declared active, most looked right past it. That won’t happen again after he posted eight catches, 97 yards, and one touchdown in his pro debut. Not bad.
2. Bruce Gradkowski, QB, OAK (0.1 Percent)
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Hard to say what’s going to happen in Oakland with the quarterback controversy, but every quarterback who doesn’t play in Buffalo should be owned. This switch seems incredibly premature, but who are we to question Al Davis and his staff?
3. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET (1.2 Percent)
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Dynasty owners know a lot about Pettigrew. Mainstream fantasy players likely do now after he posted seven catches for 108 yards. He should serve as a great security blanket for Shaun Hill while Matt Stafford is recovering. Welcome back!
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4. Jason Snelling, RB, ATL (3.4 Percent)
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Snelling is one of the most underrated backups in all of fantasy. He erupted for 186 combined yards and three touchdowns after Michael Turner was hurt this week.
While Turner is expected back next week, this showing reminds us of just how effective Snelling can be. Let's not forget how excited fantasy veterans were a few years ago when he tore up the preseason.
Snelling is an untapped talent.
5. Charlie Batch, QB, PIT (0.1 Percent)
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It sure looks like Batch has a chance to start this week over Dennis Dixon since rumors are swirling that Dixon has a torn meniscus. It's a serious blow to the long-term prospects of Dixon, but likely one more solid opportunity for Batch.
While you can't expect much from him statistically, he should still be owned in 10- or 12-team leagues, just in case you get hit with a bunch of injuries.
6. Golden Tate, WR, SEA (4.5 Percent)
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Tate is still very much a work in progress, but he had two big plays of at least 50 yards on Sunday that keep him on the fantasy radar. The Seahawks have been quoted today saying they'd like to start making him a bigger part of the offense.
7. Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ (22.6 Percent)
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Sanchez has had quite the turnaround in the last six days. After looking awful in Week 1 against the Ravens, he bounced back with three (yes, three!) touchdown passes against New England.
While he shouldn’t come close to starting for your team yet, it’s conceivable he could grow into a bye week play this season.
8. Aaron Hernandez, TE, NE (3.5 Percent)
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The Jets have allowed two 100-yard receivers in around the past year and a half. One was Anquan Boldin. Want to guess the other?
9. Mike Tolbert, RB, SD (0.4 Percent)
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Speaking of running back injuries, Ryan Mathews left the game early with a foot injury for the Chargers. Tolbert did a great job of replacing him with 82 rushing yards and two scores. Mathews' injury status is still unknown, but his handcuff is certainly no mystery.
10. Rashad Jennings, RB, JAX (26.2 Percent)
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Maybe the Jags really were serious about getting MJD some help.
11. Earl Bennett, WR, CHI (0.9 Percent)
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Five catches and 29 yards don’t excite you, but the Bears playing Devin Aromashodu mostly on special teams should give him some future opportunities. Don't forget that Bennett was a college teammate of Jay Cutler as well.
12. David Gettis, WR, CAR (0.001 Percent)
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This is strictly a dynasty league pickup, but did anyone notice who started at wide receiver for the Panthers this week with Brandon LaFell out? It was Gettis, not Dwayne Jarrett.
He's worth a flyer and a roster stash in a deep dynasty league.
13. DeShawn Wynn, RB, NO (0.2 Percent)
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Let's not jump the gun on Reggie Bush's injury, but unconfirmed reports say he's suffered a break in his leg and will miss at least six weeks.
Former Green Bay Packer DeShawn Wynn could get some quality time as the backup to Pierre Thomas if Bush misses extended action. When healthy, Chris Ivory would also get a nice bump if Bush is out for a bit.
Good Luck!
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Good luck with your waiver pickups this week!
To read the entire Monday Morning Aftermath, or to visit the fantasy football site your league friends don't want you to know about, click here.
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