Fantasy Football 2014: Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups, Add/Drop

Week 2 of the 2014 fantasy football season will likely be remembered for the barrage of injuries to hit rosters around the NFL.

Several top players went down on Sunday, like Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and receiver Desean Jackson, along with Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green, Miami Dolphins running back Knowshown Moreno and Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.

Though Griffin wasn’t hit on the play, it appeared like he rolled his ankle while attempting a pass in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Griffin was writhing in pain on the field and eventually carted off, with back-up Kirk Cousins stepping into throw a touchdown on the very next play.

Jackson would later go down with what some reports have called a bruised shoulder, putting his future production and health in doubt for owners; and Green was pulled after suffering a toe injury; Bryant also injured his shoulder but returned to the game and was sensational, while Moreno banged up his elbow.

For now we don’t know the long term status of each player’s injury, but fantasy owners will need plans to replace them for a short or long stretch of the season.

Several players could emerge in the handful of games remaining in Week Two , but let’s take a look at a few of the players owners may consider for Week 3‘s waiver wire claims. Remember, always drop and add at your own discretion.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Cousins has more than his fair share of detractors, but he is next in line on the Redskins depth chart. If RG3 is out, Cousins will likely get the start in Week 3 at Philadelphia. He looked very sharp for the rest of the Jacksonville game, going 22-for-33 for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and the Eagles matchup figures to be a shoot out with lots of opportunities for Cousins.

Niles Paul, TE, Washington Redskins

When Jackson went down, Cousins turned to Paul, who was already supposed to have an expanded role with Jordan Reed out. Now in his fourth season out of Nebraska, Paul excelled against the Jags with 8 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown off 11 targets. We had him as sleeper earlier this week, and he could continue to breakout over the next few weeks.

Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Catching five balls for 28 yards and two touchdowns, Daniels made his first big impact for the Ravens after eights seasons with Houston. But Daniels typically has one good game, and follows it up with a clunker. He will get picked up, but Daniels should be your second or third option with Kansas City’s Travis Kelce a better long-term choice.

John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

With Carson Palmer hurt, and Drew Stanton stepping in, Arizona receivers might lose favor with owners. But in very deep leagues Brown could be a long-term diamond in the rough, especially when bye weeks start. He’s loaded with speed and athleticism, and showed some flashes with 3 receptions for 28 yards against the Giants talented secondary.

Buffalo Bills DST

Four sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and only 10 points allowed against division rival Miami to take the early AFC East lead. They’ve got another home game in Week 3 against San Diego, an offense that hasn't look as solid as last year’s.

Others to watch: Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota; Bobby Rainey, RB, Tampa Bay; Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Panthers; Jason Avant, WR, Panthers; Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals; Miles Austin, WR, Cleveland