Fantasy Football Week 3: Underrated Waiver Wire Players Who Will Bolster Rosters

A common mistake made by fantasy football owners is ignoring valuable players on the waiver wire because they wouldn't immediately move into the starting lineup. Having a deep roster is key with bye weeks about to start and injuries sure to arise.

If there's a player capable of helping your team at some point, grab them right away because the free agent market starts to get depleted once byes cause owners to go fishing for talent. Let's look at some underrated players worth adding before Week 3.

QB: Matt Cassel

After two weeks, Cassel is averaging 18 fantasy points per week. That's better than Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, who were both selected very early on draft day. It's an example of exactly how unpredictable the NFL can be.

While those two big names will eventually pass Cassel in average scoring, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is worthy of being owned as a backup. He has a true No. 1 receiver in Dwayne Bowe and a solid group of pass catchers behind him.

One underlying factor working in his favor is the team's defense, which has been brutal. That means the Chiefs will be playing from behind a lot, allowing Cassel to rack up a lot of points trying to make a comeback.

RB: Shaun Draughn

Another member of the Chiefs, albeit a player who most people probably haven't heard about yet. Draughn has received limited touches through the first two weeks, but has still managed to rack up 16 fantasy points.

Draughn has shown dual-threat ability, making plays both as a rusher and coming out of the backfield on passing downs. It's that versatility that should eventually earn him more playing time, especially after two straight impressive weeks.

Right now, he's nothing more than an emergency flex play. But with Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis failing to impress, don't be surprised if he starts getting more touches moving forward, at which point he'll be snatched up immediately.

WR: Brandon LaFell

LaFell has reached the double-digit point mark in each of the first two weeks, finally illustrating the potential the Carolina Panthers saw when they drafted him in the third round a few years ago. He's emerged as a reliable No. 2 target behind Steve Smith.

The best news for LaFell's value is the struggling Panthers running game. Cam Newton actually leads the team in rushing with 75 yards in two weeks, showing exactly how little production they are getting from the RBs despite a large investment.

That means Carolina should continue to air it out early and often, leaving enough targets for both Smith and LaFell to be solid fantasy starters. The Panthers face a Giants secondary that has been torched in both games so far.