RADIO
- I will try keep these waiver selections fresh every week and not repeat anyone.
- I will only recommend players that are lower than 25% ownership in Yahoo! or ESPN leagues.
With that said lets get to the recommendations.
Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3 - 2013 Fantasy Football
Wide Receivers (WR) & Defense (DEF)
Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers
BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (10+ teams PPR & Standard)
ANALYSIS: In 2008 when Eddie Royal was a rookie in Denver he finished with nearly 1,000 receiving yards (980 yards, 5 TDs). Since then Royal has battled injuries throughout his career. So far this year, Royal is realizing that potential once again - he's tied his career high in TDs with 5, and in only two games! In the first game of the season Royal had 24 yards and 2 TDs, resulting in mixed reviews. In week two however he showed he can do even better than that with 90 yards receiving and 3 TDs. It's highly unlikely that Royal will keep this up, but its hard to say that the Chargers won't continue to utilize him as a red zone option. At minimum I see him as a nice bench stash and bye week/flex player. Pick him up with caution as he has a long history of injuries in his career.
Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (12+ teams Standard)
ANALYSIS: This is the third week in a row that I'm mentioning a rookie WR to pickup and this week I'm recommending Robert Woods. Why? Buffalo is running a no huddle offense and is needing a #2 punch after Stevie Johnson, and Woods has taken that spot. So far he's produced one TD a week. Keep in mind he's a rookie and will have up and down weeks but his value will increase through the year which should make him a nice pickup for deeper leagues.
Buffalo, DEF
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (12+ teams Standard)
ANALYSIS: This is a matchup play recommendation only. The Jets are not a good offensive team and defenses will thrive against them. If you are looking for a defensive matchup pick this is my recommendation.
New Orleans, DEF
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (12+ teams Standard)
ANALYSIS: Who dat? Surprisingly New Orleans has a seemingly solid defense this year and they have their new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan for that. So far they have 4 turnovers on the year and face the Cardinals who may be without Fitzgerald. If Fitzgerald does play he may be limited, which would make the Cardinals offense less dynamic and a nice DEF waiver pickup option.
Other DEF immediate recommendation adds if available in your league: Seattle (vs Jaguars - duh!), Broncos (vs Raiders), Houston (vs Ravens - who may be without Ray Rice.)
Special IDP Leagues Waiver Wire Addition
Zack Brown, IDP - LB, Tennessee Titans
BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (8+ teams IDP Leagues)
ANALYSIS: Zack Brown so far is having an amazing start to the season with 19 tackles and 2 sacks in two games. If you play in league with IDP players or even a LB spot, look for Brown as an option. It's hard to ignore his production. One word of caution is that Brown had 68 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks last year and I'm not sure he's so much better than that. At minimum, place Brown on your watch list as he faces SD and NYJ in the next two weeks.
I'm breaking my rules here but these players are MUST ADDS if they are available in your leagues:
Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns
BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (8+ teams PPR & Standard)
ANALYSIS: Last year Gordon burst onto the NFL season posting a strong season with 805 yards and 5 TDs. Unfortunately for Gordon during the offseason he was suspended 2 games for violating the substance abuse policy. Surprisingly, many fantasy owners who drafted him saw his eligibility as 'NA' and dropped him. If you happen to be a league where someone did that, pick him up immediately! Why? Cleveland WRs have obviously struggled and Gordon is just what the doctor ordered. Its very possible that Gordon will out produce last years numbers and that is a very valuable WR.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
BALLER MOVE: Add Immediately (10+ teams PPR& Standard)
ANALYSIS: For many years Houston has been lacking a #2 punch to Andre Johnson in the receiving corps. This year, Houston drafted 'Nuke' to be that guy and in week 2 we saw what he's capable of (117 yards, 1 TD). There are people within the organization that believe Hopkins will be better than Andre Johnson...I don't know about that but what I do know is that he will be a valuable player this year in fantasy football. Johnson experienced a concussion in week 2 and may be limited this week. If Hopkins is on the waiver wire look to pick him up.
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Don’t forget to check back at RotoBaller.com this for up-to-date waiver wire pickups and fantasy football analysis. Good luck with your decisions in Week Three!
