Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: 3 Rising Stars Worth Claiming

While having a great draft is ideal in fantasy football, the most overlooked way of vastly improving your team is by being the first to grab hot waiver-wire pickups.

Ask any experienced fantasy football guru and he or she will tell you how many times a waiver claim has saved them in the regular season or heading into the playoffs.

Especially in football, where injuries mount quickly, sometimes an unheralded player on a streak can be the difference between winning and losing.

One huge injury thus far is the hamstring injury to Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, who scored the most points in fantasy last season.

Fortunately for you, his backup should be a great option while Foster's out of action.

3. Early Doucet, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Early Doucet, the third-round pick out of LSU in 2008, has always been a big, physical receiver who can also be explosive after the catch.

The only problem is, he's been behind Steve Breaston on the depth chart throughout the years and he's battled injuries.

Now, with Breaston on the Kansas City Chiefs, Doucet has slipped into the No. 2 spot for the Cardinals. Just so happens, he has a much better quarterback in former Philadelphia Eagles backup Kevin Kolb throwing to him now.

The result was predictable against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. Doucet had just three catches, but he erupted for 105 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. He should be a solid No. 3 receiver the rest of the way for your fantasy squad.

2. Tim Hightower, RB, Washington Redskins

Tim Hightower is running with the physical style that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan loves and he's actually a great complement to the Redskins' blocking schemes. He can run and receive the ball, making him even more valuable in PPR leagues, and he appears to have solidified the starting spot on the Redskins.

He ran for 72 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants and has the Arizona Cardinals next, his former team.

Players have a way of excelling against their former squads.

1. Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans

I would be surprised if Arian Foster started for the Texans in Week 2. He's expected to practice on Wednesday, but after the Texans' victory over the Colts on Sunday, the team probably won't rush him back.

That means backup Ben Tate, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, will likely receive more carries, especially with Derrick Ward's latest injury.

Tate, a second-round pick out of Auburn last year, missed last season with a fractured ankle, but he's already showing what he can do when given playing time.

Don't expect over 100 yards and a touchdown every game, but until Foster's back, he should put up respectable No. 2 RB numbers on the Texans' explosive offense.