With the Week Four Waiver Wire Pickups coming your way, lets have a looksee at some guys who made their way into our fantasy football hearts after their Week Three performance. We have a Lion, a Titan and a Steeler who seems to have finally found an offensive role this year.
Please remember that this is not the complete list. The list will be updated throughout the day Monday and Tuesday.
QUARTERBACKS
Jake Locker - Titans (ESPN Owned - 7.1%)
After much hype coming into the season, Locker finally had that one game we were all hoping for. Locker was a bit up and down in the overtime win against the Lions, but his 378 passing yards and 2 touchdowns has earned him a spot on your roster. While he isn't a QB1 yet, he could be if the matchup is right. Unfortunately, the Titans play the Texans this week, who have been rock solid against the pass this year. Locker is, at best, a QB2 for now.
Andy Dalton - Bengals (ESPN Owned - 87.4%)
Even though Dalton's owned average is fairly high, I'm shocked that he isn't owned in 100% of all leagues. After 3 games, he's averaged 289 passing yards, 2 300-yard games, with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Dalton has a great matchup in Week Four against a Jaguars Defense that got shredded by Colts QB Andrew Luck.
Shaun Hill - Lions (ESPN Owned - .2%)
As usual, Hill proved to be one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league after Matthew Stafford went down with a leg injury against the Titans. Hill went 10-for-13 passing for 172 yards and 2 scores. Of course, this was against a Titans Defense that ranked close to the bottom against fantasy quarterbacks. There is now a chance that Stafford could sit in Week Four. Because Hill can man the troops, the coaching staff might err on the side of caution and keep Stafford out. The Vikings are much better against fantasy quarterbacks, but not the best. So Hill could be a solid bye-week fillin if you need help this week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Bills (ESPN Owned - 41.3%)
While the other Fitz doesn't throw for many yards, he has now totaled 8 touchdown passes in 3 games, including 3 in the win over the Browns. Fitz could be a sneaky play this week against the Patriots, who Ravens Joe Flacco torched for 382 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception Sunday night.
Christian Ponder - Vikings (ESPN Owned - 5.6%)
I doubt anyone will start Ponder on a weekly basis, but the fact that his owned percentage is so low is a shame. In an upset win over the 49ers Sunday at home, Ponder totaled 231 total yards and 3 total touchdowns (1 rush). He now has 5 total scores, with zero interceptions. The Vikings face a Lions Defense who made Jake Locker look like a Pro Bowler.
Nick Foles - Eagles (ESPN Owned - .4%)
No I'm not kidding. After the unexpected loss to the Cardinals, Andy Reid said he will evaluate everything before making a quarterback change. Michael Vick has been a turnover machine through three games, throwing 6 picks and fumbling the ball away 3 times. Some of Vick's problems aren't all his fault as the loss of OT Jason Peters has really hurt the left side of the line. In a big NFC East game against the Giants Sunday night coming up, Vick is going to have to put up an A game in order for the "Bench Vick" rumors to subside. Foles really looked good in the preseason. If the Eagles continue a downward spiral, they could have no other choice than to throw Foles to the fire. Vick owners should keep Foles in the back of their minds.
RUNNING BACKS
Mikel Leshoure (ESPN Owned - 35.9%)
I wasn't surprised Leshoure got work right out of the gate after missing two games from a suspension. What shocked me was Kevin Smith was phased out completely, not even touching the ball at all. In fact, Joique Bell came in as the No. 2 back. Acting as the team's workhorse, Leshoure tallied his first 100-yard rushing game (1TD) and also showed his pass-catching ability, catching 4 passes for another 34 yards. He will be the No. 1 waiver wire pickup this week, but has a tough test coming up against the Vikings, who now rank No. 1 against fantasy backs.
Tashard Choice (ESPN Owned - .3%)
Against the Browns, CJ Spiller was off to a hot start after tallying 58 total yards and a receiving touchdown. But a hit by Browns FS Usama Young after a catch knocked Spiller out with what is being called a shoulder sprain. It doesn't sound serious, but Spiller is now expected to miss the next 1-2 games, leaving Choice as the lone back with Fred Jackson out for a couple more games as well. Choice hit rock bottom in Dallas, but looked much better in Chan Gailey's offense, rushing 21 times for 90 yards. Choice figures to draw the start and could have some low-end RB2 value against the Patriots in Week Four.
Jacquizz Rodgers - Falcons (ESPN Owned - 9.1%)
For the first time this season, Rodgers actually got some solid work, rushing for 32 yards and catching 5 passes for 35 yards and a score against the Chargers. Rodgers even started rotating with Michael Turner on early downs. The running game has been abysmal with Turner, who padded his 80 yards with a 25 yard run against a porous Chargers run D. And even though he didn't get suspended, the DUI arrest may have been the last straw. While I am sure you have better options on your team, it's going to be pretty hard to bench Rodgers against the Panthers, who ranked third-to-last against fantasy running backs. Still, Rodgers is a very low-end flex option until we start seeing week-to-week performances.
Daniel Thomas - Dolphins (ESPN Owned - 57.8%)
After taking a helmet to the knee that had given him problems in the past, a source says Reggie Bush may have to take a few games off to recover after leaving early against the Jets. Coming off the bench, Thomas ran 19 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. Hold reservations on Thomas being a breakout stud however. He lost a fumble and didn't show much game-changing ability. Think of Shonn Greene lite.
Lamar Miller - Dolphins (ESPN Owned - 2.9%)
Unlike Thomas, Miller does have speed and can make plays. Through 3 games, Miller has 19 carries for 113 (5.9 ypc) and a score. After Bush went down, Miller took his outstanding training camp to the field, rushing 9 times for 38 yards. If Thomas winds up being taken before you get a chance to get him, I'd have no problems picking Miller up as a consolation prize. He's much more versatile. Only thing that is standing in his way is a timeshare with Thomas going into Week Four. Miller still doesn't know the playbook well and is a raw pass blocker.
Bilal Powell - Jets (ESPN Owned - 1.0%)
With Shonn Greene clearly not the answer at running back, the Jets have been giving Powell more opportunities. Powell rushed 10 times for 45 yards against a stout Miami run D and caught two balls for 24 more, but how many more opportunities will he get going forward? Rex Ryan said Monday that Greene could start ceding touches to Powell and McKnight, so Powell could be worth a sleeper option. It's about time Rexy realized Greene just doesn't have it.
Andre Brown - Giants (ESPN Owned - 41.7%)
Even though Brown had a strong outing against the Panthers, I have him ranked low on the waiver list simply because this could be a one-week thing. However, we have yet to hear if Ahmad Bradshaw will be back from a neck sprain in time to play the Eagles. If you have Brown, hold onto him for now. If you are a Bradshaw owner and didn't pick Brown up last week, it might behoove you to snatch him up just in case. Just keep in mind that the Eagles run D is no picnic.
Ryan Williams - Cardinals (ESPN Owned - 77.6%)
With the belief that Beanie Wells could be suffering from turf toe, we now might see a change in the backfield. After Wells left early against the Eagles, Williams played clock killer, rushing 13 times for a career-high 83 yards. Unlike Wells, Williams showed good burst, converting a third-and-long play along with a few more big runs. I had Williams pegged as a sleeper option in the offseason. We could start seeing that prediction come to fruition if Wells misses time.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Andrew Hawkins - Bengals (ESPN Owned - 6.1%)
With 2 catches for 66 yards and a score against the Redskins, looks like I will have to add Hawkins on the list yet again. Through 3 games, Hawkins is now averaging 69.3 yards a game and has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games. Even though Hawkins doesn't get much time on the field, the coaching staff clearly likes using the speedster. He is worth a PPR depth spot on your roster.
Nate Burleson - Lions (ESPN Owned - 52.8%)
With Titus Young's head in his ass, Burleson has quietly strung solid fantasy performance in 2 out of the last 3 games (PPR) for the Lions. Against the Titans, Burleson racked up 10 passes (11 targets) for 69 yards and a touchdown. Only problem with Burleson is games like this won't come every week. So while he is worth an add until Young comes around, it's going to be hard to figure out just which weeks Burleson will be worth starting.
Leonard Hankerson - Redskins (ESPN Owned - 60.5%)
With 6 catches in the last two games, Hankerson has been promoted to the starting lineup. He'll line up at the X while Pierre Garcon is out and then the Z spot, taking over for Josh Morgan. Someone who probably shouldn't have been starting in the first place. Hankerson is someone to own in all leagues, but don't count on many receptions.
Donny Avery - Colts (ESPN Owned - 15.6%)
Now that Austin Collie is officially out for the season after being diagnosed with a ruptured right patellar tendon. This could also be the end of Avery as a Colt. But with Collie out of the way, Avery should continue to be a strong option as he and Andrew Luck continue to play together. Look for the Colts to figure out a way to get Avery the ball more going forward. Just keep in mind that the Colts have a Week Four bye.
Ramses Barden - Giants (ESPN Owned - .7%)
Barden was huge in place of Hakeem Nicks (foot), catching 9 passes for 138 yards against a Panthers team that seemed to have no clue what the hell they were doing on both sides of the ball. With Nicks' likely return for Week Four, Barden doesn't have a ton of value. But Nicks' foot could cause problems down the road. So if you have room to keep Barden until he gets another shot to start, I would stash him away.
Davone Bess - Dolphins (ESPN Owned - 7.9%)
Bess now has 5 receptions in 2 out of the last 3 games. Playing as Ryan Tannehill's safety net, Bess is still worth a look in PPR leagues only.
Mohamed Massaquoi - Browns (ESPN Owned - 1.5%)
With Greg Little's cement hands, Pat Shurmur hinted that Little could eventually be benched. That will leave double M as the No. 1 receiver for Brandon Weeden. Massaquoi has had an up and down year so far, but he's worth rostering in larger leagues. He is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but it's not known the extent.
T.J. Graham - Bills (ESPN Owned - .1%)
Right after David Nelson was lost for the year, Ray wrote a piece regarding the Bills' receiving corps. One player he was high on was T.J. Graham. Graham was quiet in the first two games, but notched his first touchdown in Week Three. While I don't advise using Graham yet, this game could be a sign of things to come. He'd be worth an add in 14-team leagues and higher. He definitely has Dynasty value.
TIGHT ENDS
Martellus Bennett - Giants (ESPN Owned - 65.9%)
For the first time since Jeremy Shockey, the Giants finally have a legitimate weapon at tight end. After catching another touchdown Thursday night against the Panthers, Bennett became the first player in franchise history to catch a touchdown in his first three games. Bennett has now moved up to TE1 material.
Dennis Pitta - Ravens (ESPN Owned - 43.2%)
I'm shocked that Pitta is on very few fantasy squads through the first three weeks of the season. After putting him on the WW list last week, Pitta followed it up with 5 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots. So far, Pitta leads the Ravens in receptions with 18 and is second in receiving yards (188) to only Torrey Smith (235). I would hope Pitta % value jumps by the weekend.
Heath Miller - Steelers (ESPN Owned - 27.5%)
After years of being just a blocker, it's starting to look like we're going to have to take Miller seriously as a fantasy consideration. His two touchdowns against the Raiders have pushed Miller's count to 4, while he has scored in every game this year. He will never be a TE1, but he has now moved into the class of the TE2s. Looks like Todd Haley was the best thing for Miller's value.
Jared Cook - Titans (ESPN Owned - 85.5%)
Even though Cook's play has been somewhat up and down this year, there is no reason why he should still be on the waiver wire. Through 3 games, Cook has averaged 3.5 receptions and 54.7 receiving yards a game, good enough to make him a TE2 with upside once Jake Locker gets it together.