Week 3 Waiver Wire: Top Fantasy Football Options for WR and TE

The NFL had several players suffer injuries in Week 2 while others aren't yet living up to expectations. Fantasy football owners will be scrambling to find replacements and Bleacher Report is providing information to help direct owner decisions on "add-day."

Week 1 brought several waiver prospects to light but their success didn't carry over. Many saw Randall Cobb, Dexter McCluster, Stephen Hill and Kevin Ogletree as attractive options at receiver.

They had six receptions for 78 yards and no touchdowns in Week 2...combined.

Here are three receivers and three tight ends that will continue to produce on the field.

Wide Receiver

There were several receivers with mixed reviews heading into the season. Some didn't live up to expectations last season, while others are making new marks on NFL defenses.

Here are three options that might be an option to replace a Week 2 waiver wire claim.

Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams

Amendola was seen as a late-round sleeper pick heading into the 2011 season. He didn't produce for the Rams, but it isn't as though anyone did in that offense.

He was largely ignored this season and is currently on just 13.0 percent of the rosters in NFL.com.

Amendola was targeted 16 times on Sunday, catching 15 of them for 160 yards. One of Twitter's better studies on Sunday was Trey Wingo tracking Amendola's receptions vs. Chris Johnson's total yards.

"

In a close one..Chris Johnson 17 rushing YARDS.. Amendola 15 catches. I'm sure CJ is reveling in his victory

— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 16, 2012"

It is doubtful Amendola will see this kind of production out of the slot on a weekly basis, but he's definitely worth making a waiver claim.

Donnie Avery, Indianapolis Colts

Fans have been waiting for this speedster to show he can produce in the NFL. He had a decent rookie season but hasn't been able to build on his initial 674-yard campaign.

Owners that drafted Austin Collie are looking for an option to replace him in their lineups and Avery is a likely candidate. He caught nine passes in 11 targets against the Minnesota Vikings for 111 yards. He only had 37 yards in Week 1, but added a touchdown.

Andrew Luck is comfortable throwing the ball to Avery and the two could become a solid tandem for the Colts. He's a solid option for a team that needs another receiver.

Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins

Owners figured someone would step up as a viable receiving target for Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins. Many saw Davone Bess as the most likely option, with some leaning towards Legedu Naanee.

Hartline may have been given some consideration, as he was second to Brandon Marshall in yards last season, but he was fourth in receptions and only connected on 52 percent of his targets in 2011.

So far in 2012, Hartline is getting the most looks from his rookie quarterback and he is taking advantage of his opportunities. 

Week 1 was difficult for the Dolphins overall, but few things heal an ailing offense like a visit from the Oakland Raiders. Hartline gained 111 yards on nine catches on Sunday. He was targeted 12 times, double any other receiver on the roster.

I wouldn't drop a player with the potential to produce for Hartline, but if an owner has a roster spot to spare then Hartline could continue to improve over the course of the year.

Tight End

This position group will get a lot of attention this week. Aaron Hernandez is expected to be out for at least six weeks per NFL.com and the injury bug is hitting Antonio Gates yet again.

"

Report: Aaron Hernandez (ankle) out at least into October on.nfl.com/HernandezOut (@nfl_atl)

— NFL (@nfl) September 18, 2012"

Martellus Bennett, New York Giants

The Giants needed to find a third receiving option to replace Mario Manningham. It appears they've done so with Bennett.

He has had some issues with dropped passes so far, but that hasn't deterred Eli Manning in throwing him the ball. Expect him to continue to be targeted, building confidence and stat lines.

Bennett has two touchdowns and 112 receiving yards in two weeks.

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

Chandler may not be available in all leagues, but NFL.com shows him available in 88.3 percent of them. 

Chandler is the main big-man for the Bills with David Nelson on injured reserve. He isn't needed as much in pass blocking and should become a viable fantasy option.

Ryan Fitzpatrick won't likely look to him to be a major factor in moving the team down the field, but he's a primary red zone target.

Dante Rosario, San Diego Chargers

Picking up Rosario might make sense for an owner that drafted Gates. He could step in and produce when Gates isn't able to play.

The problem is Gates' injuries have lingered. His rib injury could make him a game-day decision for weeks to come and one doesn't know how much he'll play if he's active.

As pointed out by Michael Fabiano, owners are in a dilemma between Gates and Rosario. One of them will produce, but there isn't a lot of security on who it will be.

"

Dante Rosario now has 3 TD catches. Fantasy owners who have Antonio Gates must be sick right now...

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) September 16, 2012"

The best approach now is to stash Gates away on the roster and pickup Bennett or Chandler. You'll be competing with Hernandez owners for him, though, so have a backup plan in place.