Week 4 Waiver Wire: Why Fantasy Owners Must Add James Casey

Welcome to the NFL, James Casey. The third-year tight end/fullback burst onto the scene for the Houston Texans in Week 3, with five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, and cemented himself as a legitimate receiving threat for quarterback Matt Schaub. He also had one carry for 11 yards.

Casey has always had a considerable amount of athletic talent—he played minor league baseball for three years before attending Rice to play football—and has long looked like a guy who could do some things at the NFL level. He was taken by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft and has been patiently waiting for his opportunity. Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday he finally got the chance to shine.

If Casey is available in your fantasy league, jump on him, especially if you're short-handed at tight end. The 27-year-old was finally a part of the Texans' game plan in Week 3, and he showed his ability to get open and find seams. As mentioned, he is a phenomenal athlete and can even be split out in the slot as a receiver.

Right now with Jacoby Jones battling a knee injury and Andre Johnson receiving all kinds of attention from opposing secondaries, Casey and fellow tight end Owen Daniels are sure to get tons of opportunities to catch the ball. Schaub needs more targets to keep Houston's offensive machine humming and Casey is versatile enough to be on the field for the majority of the team's snaps.

While he's obviously still trying to establish himself at the NFL level I've always seen Casey as a guy who could have the kind of impact Chris Cooley had for the Redskins a few years ago. Both guys have the same body type and skill set, but Casey might be even more athletic, though he is a little less polished.

He's one to keep an eye on and even snatch up if you've got the chance.