Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Which Week 3 Studs Are Worth Picking Up?

The waiver wire is fantasy football's version of a flea market. Most of what's on display is utter junk, but there are hidden gems out there that are just waiting to be picked up by a lucky someone.

Then again, there are some gems on the fantasy football waiver wire who are no longer hidden. Week 3 of the NFL season has seen a number of guys burst onto the scene thus far, and fantasy owners have certainly taken note.

If there are guys in your league who never fail to be on top of things, odds are, most of Week 3's studs have already been plucked off of the waiver wire. But you should definitely go take a look anyway.

Whatever you do, though, you must be smart. For the sake of helping out, why don't we discuss which Week 3 studs are actually worth picking up?

Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints

A week after returning from injury to make one catch against the Chicago Bears, Moore caught nine passes for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans.

My guess is that Moore is already owned in your league, as members of New Orleans' high-flying offense tend to be gobbled up before the season even starts.

If he isn't, I would let somebody else gamble on him. Drew Brees is an equal-opportunity passer, and there's just no telling which receiver he's going to favor from week to week. In Week 2, it was Devery Henderson. This week, it's Moore. And so on.

Verdict: Pass.

Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee Titans

Washington was already doing pretty well heading into Week 3, but he had his best game of the young season against the Denver Broncos, catching eight passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

There should be more where this came from. Kenny Britt is likely done for the season, and that makes Washington the No. 1 receiver in Tennessee's offense. Matt Hasselbeck will look his way often.

Verdict: Pick him up.

James Casey, RB/TE, Houston Texans

Casey had three catches for 29 yards coming into Week 3, and he proceeded to record five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He also had one carry for 11 yards.

I would be skeptical about this one if I were you. The Saints are not a good defensive team, and Casey just so happened to be in the right place at the right time on several occasions on Sunday. Owen Daniels, Houston's other tight end, was also very productive on Sunday.

You can pick Casey up if you want to, but he strikes me as being this week's Eric Decker.

Verdict: Pass.

Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

The Giants have all sorts of issues with their wide receiving corps, but Cruz was definitely a bright spot against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, catching three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

But be warned. One of those catches was for 74 yards, which explains why Cruz's numbers were so inflated. Odds of him doing this on a week to week basis are very slim.

However, I do think Cruz is worth a look. The aforementioned issues the Giants have at wide receiver are going to create opportunities for Cruz. As long as he can produce, the Giants will keep running him out there.

Verdict: Pick him up.

Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Smith, the rookie out of Maryland, caught five passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns against the St. Louis Rams, with all three touchdowns coming in the first quarter.

The question that must be asked is whether or not Smith's breakout game was a fluke. Honestly, I don't think it was. Smith didn't have any catches at all in Baltimore's first two games, but he got the start against the Rams. He did well with it, so you have to think the starts will keep coming. So will the production, albeit probably not on the same level as his fantastic Week 3 performance.

Verdict: Pick him up.