Week 3 Waiver Wire: Emerging Stars You Must Claim Before It's Too Late

As injuries take a heavy toll early in this fantasy football season, it's imperative to make smart decisions on the waiver wire heading into Week 3. 

Though two games hardly make for an ideal sample size from which to make season-altering decisions, there are a few rising stars who have done enough to warrant must-add status. 

Picking up these players before it's too late could mean the difference between failing to make the playoffs and winning a championship. 

Get them while they're hot!

Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers

After Week 1 Eddie Royal was a guy many fantasy owners thought about adding but ultimately didn't pick up. He only caught three passes, after all. Never mind that two of them went for touchdowns. 

Heading into the action in Week 2, Royal was owned in just 9.1 percent of ESPN.com standard fantasy leagues. It seems most people that assumed his two-touchdown performance was an aberration—he couldn't duplicate it week in and week out.

But after the diminutive receiver hauled in another three touchdowns in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, there's no doubt that fantasy owners around the nation will be clamoring for a chance to land him on the waiver wire.

He's the hottest available player on the market, and it appears as though Philip Rivers is looking for him early and often during scoring opportunities.  

Aaron Dobson, WR, New England Patriots

There's no doubt that Aaron Dobson faces a huge learning curve when it comes to playing the receiver position for the New England Patriots. This is likely a huge reason that he's still available in 93.7 percent of ESPN.com fantasy leagues. 

After missing Week 1 with a sore hamstring, he dropped a few catchable balls in Week 2 against the New York Jets. Furthermore, there were multiple occasions when he didn't read the defense the same way Tom Brady did.

But his ability to make game-changing plays was evident. His raw speed was on full display during his 39-yard touchdown grab, and he has the size at 6'3" and leaping ability to become a dangerous red-zone threat. 

Furthermore, given the injury to Danny Amendola, Dobson will receive plenty of work. He was targeted 10 times against the Jets, and Brady will continue giving him chances to prove himself this season as a rookie. 

Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins

When Dustin Keller went down with a catastrophic knee injury this preseason, many wondered who would step up to become Ryan Tannehill's security blanket in the middle of the field. 

Through two weeks, it appears that third-year tight end Charles Clay is the man for the job. 

He caught five passes for 54 yards in Week 1 and then followed that up with another five-catch game in Week 2, only this time he doubled his yardage and added a touchdown. 

In limited action during his first two seasons with Miami, Clay caught 34 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns. 

The best part?

Clay is available in more than 99 percent of ESPN.com standard fantasy leagues. 

He's going to continue to be a big part of Miami's offense throughout the season. He may not catch five passes every game, but you can count on the big man out of Tulsa to be a consistent scorer for the Dolphins. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78.