NFL Fantasy Football: Week Three Waiver Wire Tips

Yeah, it looks like some big performances last week were blips. And some of the big performances this week are going to be blips. But somewhere in between lies the truth. Here are this week’s on-the-radar-screen performances that could be helpful as you churn the bottom of your roster.

QB
Sam Bradford: (available in 50% of ESPN leagues) Bradford looked average against the Lions in Week One, but he really stepped up against a Redskins defense that had been reasonably effective against Drew Brees in the opener. He’s on the road against Chicago next week, but the old Sooner is worth consideration as a back-up. with the byes starting in two weeks.

Brandon Weeden: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) After a horrible game against the Eagles, Weeden put up great stat line against the Bengals with 20 fantasy points.

Matt Cassel: (available in 68% of ESPN leagues) Sure, he’s not RG3 or Cam Newton, but he’ll be playing the Saints next week like Griffin and Newton just have.  Those two young QBs lit the Saints defense up like a Christmas tree. Cassel may not have as much success as them but if the guy could but up 16 points against the Falcons and 18 on the road in Buffalo, he could put up comparable numbers again in New Orleans, especially in garbage time.

RB
Andre Brown: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) A speculative play since we don’t know how serious Ahmad Bradshaw’s neck injury is, but at the least he’ll be Bradshaw’s back-up since he put up 16 fantasy points and didn’t butterfinger the ball like some draft picks I could mention did last week.

Jackie Battle: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) The former Chief  generated 18 points taking over for Ronnie brown. Ryan Mathews still isn’t ready for prime time, so until he is, it looks like Battle may be spotlighted in the running game until Mathews returns to the line-up.

WR
Danny Amendola: (available in 81% of ESPN leagues) Ok, he’s probably not going to get 15 catches in any game the rest of the year like he did this week, but he’s definitely Bradford’s go-to guy.

Brandon LaFell: (available in 74% of ESPN leagues) Hit double digits again this week starting opposite Steve Smith. Looks like the young fella is here to stay.

Donnie Avery: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) Hauled in over 110 yards receiving. It looks like the former ram is solidifying the starting position opposite Reggie Wayne over the oft-concussed Austin Collie.

Josh Morgan: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) This is a speculation pick. But if Garcon misses more time, it’s important to note that while Morgan only caught 5 passes for 50 yards, he was targeted  those five times and caught each ball. That sort of consistency might endear him to RG3 going forward if Garcon’s foot keeps bothering him going forward.

Brandon Tate: (available in 100% of ESPN leagues) While he scored double digits, he’s also speculative. Most of his points came on one long scoring play and several receivers were targeted more. But he’s worth keeping an eye on since nobody really has a stranglehold on the job opposite A.J. Green.

TE
Martellus Bennett: (available in 65% of ESPN leagues) I still don’t have a world of confidence in him but it’s hard to argue with production, another double digit day in the comeback win over Tampa Bay.

Dennis Pitta: (available in 75% of ESPN leagues) Pitta is still in a time share with Ed Dickson, but nevertheless he was targeted more than any other receiver against the Eagles and racked up 6 fantasy points on 8 receptions.

Brent Celek: (available in 31% of ESPN leagues) Talk about feast or famine, from 6 points to 15. Still no TDs, though. But if Vick isn’t throwing picks he loves to look for Celek.

Scott Chandler: (available in 98% of ESPN leagues) Another TD this week to get him to 11 fantasy points. He’s not going to get a lot of catches and yards, but with the injuries to the Bills WRs and his height, he’s going to get his touches and a fair percentage of them will be in the red zone.

Dante Rosario: (available in 99% of ESPN leagues) Do not ever expect him to get 22 points again this year, but if Gates’ rib injury lingers, Rosario has definitely shown that he’s the Chargers’ better TE option over Randy McMichael.

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