With the Week Three Waiver Wire list hot off the press, lets take a look at some of those players who are slowly working their way into a week-to-week role this year. While it's still hard to gauge just how well these players will do going forward, they are starting to trend a bit upward with two weeks under their belt.
Please remember that this list will be updated throughout the day Monday and Tuesday.
QUARTERBACKS
San Bradford - Rams (ESPN Owned - 50.5%)
Bradford has his breakout game early after passing for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns over the Redskins Sunday. Unfortunately, Bradford isn't going to be consistent enough to start every week after tossing up a mere 198 yards in Week One against the Lions. Still, Bradford is worth picking up as a reserve and could be playable in the right matchup. Just don't expect 300+ yards every week.
Matt Cassel - Chiefs (ESPN Owned - 32%)
The Chiefs as a whole might be stinking it up after losing to the Bills Sunday, but Cassel has inched his way up into a low-end QB2 role. Through two games, he's averaged 279.5 passing yards, with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Cassel will never break into QB1 territory. But as long as the Chiefs are playing behind, Cassel is going to have to throw a lot.
Andy Dalton - Bengals (ESPN Owned - 85.6%)
While some thought Dalton would have a sophomore slump, he hasn't looked too shabby in his second year. In a win against the Browns, Dalton completed 24-of-31 passes for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 pick. So far in two games, Dalton has averaged 269.5 passing yards, with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The Bengals face the Redskins passing defense this week who got torched in Bradford's catch-up role. Dalton should continue to be either a QB2 or a No. 2 guy in two-quarterback leagues.
Brandon Weeden - Browns (ESPN Owned - 1.9%)
After a dysmal debut against the Eagles in Week One, Weeden came around in a losing effort to the Bengals after tossing up 322 yards and two touchdowns. Still, do you really want to count on Weeden every week? I don't. Pick him up as a QB2 only if your other guy has major question marks.
Ryan Tannehill - Dolphins (ESPN Owned - 2.2%)
Tannehill displayed solid athleticism against the Raiders, passing for 200 yards and a score, while also running for another touchdown. Still, do you really want Tannehill on your squad if you aren't in a larger 16 team league? Not me. I might keep him on the wire for now.
RUNNING BACKS
Pierre Thomas - Saints (ESPN Owned - 81.1%)
After a quiet Week One, Thomas ran like a man possessed against the Panthers, rushing 9 times for 110 yards. He also caught 4 passes for another 33. With Darren Sproles locked in as the main receiving threat out of the backfield, Thomas could find himself as more of the workhorse moving forward. He could be a quality flex option.
Andre Brown - Giants (ESPN Owned - .4%)
Once Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a neck injury against the Buccaneers, it was Brown, not David Wilson, who saw most of the action. Brown ran 13 times for 71 yards and a score, while also catching 2 passes for 19. Bradshaw is expected to undergo an MRI on Monday, but it could be Brown who leads the team in rushing if he has to start against the Panthers this week. David Wilson touched the ball just 3 times.
Daryl Richardson - Rams (ESPN Owned - .6%)
Steven Jackson was originally reported to have been benched against the Redskins after getting flagged, but it turned out to be a groin injury. With Jackson on the bench, Richardson looked solid in relief, rushing 15 times for 83 yards, while also catching 2 passes. Isaiah Pead, who many thought would be the backup and heir to Jackson's job, has yet to touch the ball through two games. Richardson is the clear handcuff should Jackson miss any time this year.
Mike Goodson - Raiders (ESPN Owned - .3.3%)
Goodson was the only shining spot in two games for Oakland this year. With Darren McFadden averaging an awful 2.0 ypc average, Goodson reeled in 3 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Dolphins. This backfield is a mess right now, with many OC Gregg Knapp's system. Goodson's value is as McFadden's handcuff at best. And even that is questionable with Taiwan Jones also in the backfield. Goodson ran once for -6 yards. Ouch.
Lamar Miller- Dolphins (ESPN Owned - 2.4%)
Acting as the backup to Reggie Bush, Miller rushed 10 times for a healthy 65 yards and a score against the Raiders. While Miller isn't a stand-alone fantasy option, this game could prove himself as a serviceable filler option should Reggie Bush go down.
Mikell Leshoure - Lions (ESPN Owned - 19.7%)
The Detroit Free Press threw out some speculation that Leshoure is "expected to take over as the starter before long." I don't know how true this is considering Kevin Smith has really done nothing to lose the job. Yes he had a bad game against the 49ers, but that was to be expected against the league's top run defense. Although it did seem strange that the Lions went with Joique Bell in the first half. Smith wound up rushing 17 times for 53 yards, which is better than I thought he would do. But owners who are hurting at running back might want to look Leshoure's way. The Lions want to use him, but a running back coming off an Achilles' tear is a bit scary.
Wide Receivers
Danny Amendola - Rams (ESPN Owned - 17.3%)
Through two weeks, Amendola has amassed 20 receptions (15 Sunday), 230 receiving yards and a score. PPR leaguers should have Amendola as their first waiver pickup this week. There is no doubt in my mind that he will lead the team in receptions by the end of the year.
Brandon LaFell - Panthers (ESPN Owned - 25.4%)
I'm not shocked that LaFell is still on the wire, but surprised that his owned percentage is still so low. He followed up his 3 catches for 65 yards and a score from Week One with 6 catches for 90 yards in Week Two against the Saints. I'm not saying LaFell is a bonafide WR2, but he is certainly in line as a WR3.
Andrew Hawkins - Bengals (ESPN Owned - 2.3%)
I'm actually surprised Hawkins percentage-owned number is still so low. Even if last week was a fluke, that number should be higher. Hawkins followed up his breakout week one with 2 catches off 3 targets for 56 yards and a score. Playing as the team's slot receiver, Hawkins only played 32 snaps. So while these last two weeks have been strong, Hawkins' consistency will be up-and-down all year unless someone gets hurt. Temper your enthusiasm if you pick him up.
Donnie Avery - Colts (ESPN Owned - .5%)
With Austin Collie continuing to sit due to concussion problems, Avery has slowly crept into the waiver wire. After putting up a touchdown in Week One, he kicked off Week Two with a team-high 10 targets for 9 catches for 110 yards in the win against the Vikings. However, Collie figures to be back some time this year, so temper your enthusiasm. Avery's stock could plummet once he is kicked back into the slot.
Brian Hartline - Dolphins (ESPN Owned - .4%)
With Raiders DB Ronald Bartell on injured reserve, Hartline came up big with nine receptions for 111 yards. I worry about the Dolphins' receiving core as a whole due to Ryan Tannehill, but Hartline could be worth a pickup as a WR4/WR5.
Brandon Tate - Bengals (ESPN Owned - .1%)
After a quiet Week One, Tate caught 3 passes for 71 yards and a score. The big problem with Tate and the No. 2 receiver job as a whole is that no one is separating themselves from the pack. Armon Binns caught 5 for 66. If you can, I'd leave Tate on the bench until we see him put up consistent numbers.
Tight Ends
Brent Celek - Eagles (ESPN Owned - 63.2%)
Unlike other iffy options on this list, it's now looking like Celek is creeping back into TE1 territory. Celek was the star of the offense against the Ravens, catching 8 passes for 157. He has a nice matchup against the Cardinals next weekend.
Scott Chandler - Bills (ESPN Owned - 17.5%)
Chandler popped up on the waiver wire last year to. Chandler has scored in back-to-back weeks. Plus he has totaled 6 catches for 91 yards. Buyer beware. Once you think Chandler has fantasy value, he will fall back into obscurity. He is a TE2 at best with very little upside.
Martellus Bennett - Giants (ESPN Owned - 35.4%)
After a disappointing career in Dallas, Bennett may have found himself a new home in New York. Through two games, Bennett has averaged 4-5 catches, 56 receiving yards and has scored in each game this year. He was also targeted 10 times against the Bucs. While I don' think he will have as much value as Celek, he could wind up being a very nice low-end TE1 going forward.
Dennis Pitta - Ravens (ESPN Owned - 24.3%)
I had my doubts about Pitta's value after he caught 5 passes for 73 yards and a score against the Bengals in Week One. But after he followed that up with 8 catches for 65 yards against the Eagles, it appears Pitta has proved me wrong. He is another one who could be flirting with TE1 status.
Brandon Myers - Oakland (ESPN Owned - .1%)
If I can say one thing about Myers is he has been the trademark of consistency. Through two games, he's totaled 11 catches for 151 yards. I don't think he's ready for TE1 territory just yet, but he should be a solid TE2. Hopefully, these last two weeks aren't a mirage.
Kellen Winslow - Patriots (ESPN Owned - .2%)
With Aaron Hernandez on the shelf for the next few weeks with an ankle injury, the Patriots wasted no time in signing, or will sign, Kellen Winslow. Winslow recently caught 75 passes while with the Buccaneers, so he should have a role in the Patriots two tight end sets right away. While Winslow is an intriguing option, I'd like to see him actually put up numbers before using him.