Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 3: Why You Must Add Roy Helu

The Washington Redskins picked up Tim Hightower in the offseason to handle No. 1 running back duties, but as always, head coach Mike Shanahan has a young guy waiting in the wings to be a difference maker.

Rookie Roy Helu got his first real taste of NFL action in Week 2 and looked really good doing it. There is no doubt the Nebraska product will see more time in the coming weeks.

Helu was a fourth-round pick (No. 105) in the 2011 NFL draft, and much is expected of him because of his exceptional physical tools. He is big, strong and fast, and though he never consistently performed up to his enormous potential in college, Shanahan has a way with getting the most out of running backs.

In Washington's 22-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, Helu was saw action on 26 of the team's 82 offensive snaps. That came after being involved in just two plays in Week 1. He was also on the field for all seven snaps of Washington's game-winning drive.

When on the field, Helu was excellent against the Cardinals, carrying the ball 10 times for 74 yards and also snagging three passes for 38 more. The 22-year-old clearly has the versatility Shanahan covets in his backs, which means we're likely to see him emerge as a weapon for the Rex Grossman-led offense in the next few weeks.

While Hightower is still the team's No. 1 back, Washington can't keep Helu nailed to the bench after his Week 2 performance. He clearly has a lot of talent and can make some noise at the NFL level.

If Helu is available in your fantasy league, grab him now. He may not break out for a few weeks, but I'd be shocked if he wasn't the Redskins' No. 1 option out of the backfield by the end of the season.

Helu is just too talented to remain a backup all season. Pick him up while you can.