Hot Off The Wire Week 3

The waiver wire is burning up this week with some hot commodities for fantasy football.   Each week we feature our ‘Hot Off The Wire‘ segment detailing some of the top waiver picks for the week.  In week 2 there were some big injuries and breakout performances that are really heating up the wire and the following players will be hot off the wire in week 3.  These fantasy players will most likely be claimed this week so if you need one of these guys it’s best to go to the waiver wire now and start claiming them.

Without a doubt the biggest add this week will be James Starks. He literally came out of nowhere and wasn’t on anyone’s team going into week 2. His 132 yard performance on 22 carries was an eye-opener.  He also scored a touchdown on the ground. The Packers hadn’t scored a 100 yard rusher since 2010. This will no doubt help his cause and keep him on the field. It will be a problem for Lacy owners as Starks is clearly the reliable veteran back that the Packers will use going forward.  If Lacy is out, Starks is a must start. If both are healthy, it would drop their status to flex at best. Although many people will go out and claim Starks this week, I would be weary as Lacy doesn’t appear to be out for long and should regain most carries when healthy. With that said, Starks is someone to own as a backup and could be a good play on certain weeks.

Eddie Royal is leading the NFL with 5 touchdown catches in just 2 games played. I doubt he will continue this streak, but he does look like a big part of that offense and should be owned in all formats.  Many owners jumped on him last week so he may not be out there this week, but if he is then he is worth a grab as he’ll continue to see a lot of opportunities. He has been targeted 14 times over the past 2 games and caught 10 catches for just over a 100 yards, but it’s the 5 touchdowns on those 10 grabs that is making him valuable.

Phillip Rivers is off to a great start. We don’t normally talk about QBs on this, but I think he is out there in some league formats and is currently the number 2 in the league for passing touchdowns with 7. Only Peyton Manning has more touchdowns then Rivers. He is also #4 in QB rating and looks to be on the same page with his receivers. It looks like this will be a good rebound year Rivers.

Charles Clay is getting a lot of adds this week.  He was targeted 6 times in week 1 and followed that up with another 7 targets in week 2. Both weeks he caught 5 passes, but in week 2 he totaled over 100 yards in the air. It looks like he is going to be involved in that offense and should see consistent production. He would be a good WR3 or flex option for many weeks and on some bye weeks he could jump up to WR2 status.

Knowshon Moreno has cemented himself as the clear number 1 for the Broncos. He should be owned in all formats and if he is still on the wire, grab him now. His 2 touchdown performance on 13 carries was enough to give him RB2 status going into week 3. He should be started in all formats.

Felix Jones is getting added a lot this week, but I wouldn’t jump on this one. He saw a lot of playing time in week 2 for the Steelers, but didn’t do much and they are expecting to see Bell on the field over the next week or two. Jones will be used as a backup and 3rd down back, but will not be a good fantasy option if Bell is on the field.

Ted Ginn Jr made an appearance in week 2 and is now getting adding this week.  With 100 yards returning and 3 catches with a touchdown in week 2, owners in return yard leagues are grabbing him up as a solid flex play.  Personally, I’d hold on him at this time but if I needed a flex option on a bye week I might look at his matchup.

Austin Pettis could get some adds this week. He had 3 catches on 6 targets in week 1, but followed that up with a 8 catches for 78 yards and touchdown in week 2. He saw 11 targets in the game, which was the second most on the team behind rookie Tavon Austin, and had the most catches on the team with 8. He is worth a look in deep formats or PPR leagues.  His teammate Chirs Givens is also getting added, but Austin might be the one to own. Givens lead the team in yards, but it was Austin who lead in catches.

Andre Ellington is getting some love. He is clearly the number 2 back for the Cardinals and even got into the end-zone in week 2. Rashard is still the number 1 back and will see the bulk of the carries and snaps, but Ellington can make plays and could be a decent RB3 or flex option on bye weeks. This could be a fluid situation going forward with Ellington getting more work as the season goes on, but for now it’s a wait and see option.