Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 5 Players Available on the Waiver Wire

We're two weeks into the 2011 season, and the second weekend of NFL action saw such fantasy football stars as Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick suffer potentially serious injuries that sent their fantasy owners scrambling in search of replacements.

With that in mind, here are the top five players available on fantasy football waiver wires this week—players that owners looking to fill a hole or improve their squads would be well-advised to consider adding.

1. Thomas Jones: RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 2 Stats: 12 carries, 40 yards

The season-ending ACL tear suffered by Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was a huge blow to both the Chiefs and Charles' fantasy owners, who suffered the loss of their first-round pick only two games into the season.

The injury thrusts 12th-year veteran running back Thomas Jones back into the starting lineup for the Chiefs. While the 33-year-old is no longer the back that put together five consecutive 1,000-plus yard rushing seasons from 2005-2009, he did rush for nearly 900 yards and six scores in 2010, and he has to be the top waiver priority for fantasy owners in need of a ball carrier.

2. Devery Henderson: WR, New Orleans Saints

Week 2 Stats: three receptions, 103 yards, one touchdown

With wide receiver Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints sidelined for the foreseeable future, wideout Devery Henderson will be counted on to help pick up the slack. So far, the eighth-year speedster has responded, notching his second straight 100-yard receiving day in New Orleans' win over the Chicago Bears in Week 2.

Henderson has been an inconsistent fantasy option in the past, but has topped the century mark and scored a touchdown in each of his first two games this season, making him an excellent waiver target for fantasy teams looking to bolster their receiving corps.

3. Daniel Thomas: RB, Miami Dolphins

Week 2 Stats: 18 carries, 107 yards, one reception, 10 yards, one fumble

Rookie running back Daniel Thomas saw his first action of the 2011 season in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. He responded by notching the first 100-plus yards rushing day of his young career, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards on 18 carries.

After a lackluster preseason, Thomas played much better in his first game that counted, running with power and showing good burst. Daniel Thomas will share carries in the Miami backfield with running back Reggie Bush, but his strong showing likely earned him more work, so fantasy owners with a need at running back should definitely consider adding the youngster.

4. Eric Decker: WR, Denver Broncos

Week 2 Stats: eight receptions, 166 yards, two touchdowns

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd was a late scratch Sunday afternoon, moving Eric Decker into the starting lineup. The second-year pro answered the call by catching more passes for more yards and more touchdowns in the Denver Broncos' win over the Cincinnati Bengals than he did in all of his rookie season.

Even if Lloyd returns to the lineup this week, wide receiver Eddie Royal is now sidelined indefinitely with a groin injury, meaning additional playing time for Decker and making him a viable fantasy add, at least in the short term, for teams with a need at the position.

5. Mike Kafka: QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Week 2 Stats: 7-of-9, 72 yards, one carry, two yards

With Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young inactive for Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons, it was second-year signal-caller Mike Kafka who was called upon when starter Michael Vick was forced from the game with a concussion. Kafka performed well, posting a quarterback rating of 100.0 and keeping the Eagles in the game.

The NFL's rules regarding concussions leave Vick's status for the Sunday very much in question. With Young's health also up in the air, it may well be Kafka who gets the ball when the Eagles host the New York Giants and their depleted secondary in Week 3. So he's worth a look from QB-needy fantasy owners looking for a spot starter.