Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 3: Demaryius Thomas Has Landed
Demaryius Thomas, WR – Denver Broncos (Owned in 34 percent of leagues)
Plagued by foot injuries that kept him off the field during the preseason, the first receiver taken in the 2010 draft had an impressive pro debut pulling in eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Orton found a similarly built receiver (Brandon Marshall) over 100 times for ten scores. With a WR corps primarily of role players, the Broncos will give Thomas every opportunity to get on the field and establish himself as Orton’s new go-to receiver. If his foot problems are behind him, and they appear to be, Thomas should be a solid WR3 with tremendous upside as he develops a rapport with Orton.
Plagued by foot injuries that kept him off the field during the preseason, the first receiver taken in the 2010 draft had an impressive pro debut pulling in eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Orton found a similarly built receiver (Brandon Marshall) over 100 times for ten scores. With a WR corps primarily of role players, the Broncos will give Thomas every opportunity to get on the field and establish himself as Orton’s new go-to receiver. If his foot problems are behind him, and they appear to be, Thomas should be a solid WR3 with tremendous upside as he develops a rapport with Orton.
Jason Snelling, RB – Atlanta Falcons (Owned in 27 percent of leagues)
Snelling will no doubt be the hot waiver pickup this week after ably filling in for Michael Turner. But all reports indicate that the Burner will be back next week so don’t expect to get immediate production with this add. However, he is a crucial handcuff for all Turner owners and could be a great stash if you have the bench space to hold onto him in case Turner’s injury turns out to be less “mild” than reported.
Snelling will no doubt be the hot waiver pickup this week after ably filling in for Michael Turner. But all reports indicate that the Burner will be back next week so don’t expect to get immediate production with this add. However, he is a crucial handcuff for all Turner owners and could be a great stash if you have the bench space to hold onto him in case Turner’s injury turns out to be less “mild” than reported.
Marshawn Lynch, RB – Buffalo Bills (Owned in 20 percent of leagues)
After spending all offseason as the forgotten man in Buffalo, Marshawn Lynch got the start against Green Bay and tallied 17 carries (compared to just one for CJ Spiller and nine for Fred Jackson). Is Marshawn now the clear starting back for the Bills? Absolutely not. This backfield is as much as a mess as it has been all summer, a problem amplified by the train wreck at QB. This pickup is more a speculative add based on the possibility that Lynch’s time in Buffalo is limited. While the front office has been reluctant to move him, injuries throughout the league (most notably to Ryan Grant in Green Bay and, to a lesser extent, Reggie Bush in New Orleans) could provide the team with options. While not impressive so far, Lynch could absolutely return to form on a team with a semi-competent offense.
After spending all offseason as the forgotten man in Buffalo, Marshawn Lynch got the start against Green Bay and tallied 17 carries (compared to just one for CJ Spiller and nine for Fred Jackson). Is Marshawn now the clear starting back for the Bills? Absolutely not. This backfield is as much as a mess as it has been all summer, a problem amplified by the train wreck at QB. This pickup is more a speculative add based on the possibility that Lynch’s time in Buffalo is limited. While the front office has been reluctant to move him, injuries throughout the league (most notably to Ryan Grant in Green Bay and, to a lesser extent, Reggie Bush in New Orleans) could provide the team with options. While not impressive so far, Lynch could absolutely return to form on a team with a semi-competent offense.
Louis Murphy, WR – Oakland Raiders (Owned in 10 percent of leagues)
Murphy, the most consistent WR on the Raiders the past 16 games, may be on the verge of becoming a consistent fantasy threat as well. Bruce Gradkowski replaced Jason Campbell at halftime and immediately got Murphy involved in the game. If coach Tom Cable can convince Al Davis to let him keep Gradkowski under center, Murphy needs to be on your team. He is a physical player who has earned Gradkowski’s trust, and the Raiders next two games are against secondaries that have been violated recently in Arizona and Houston.
Murphy, the most consistent WR on the Raiders the past 16 games, may be on the verge of becoming a consistent fantasy threat as well. Bruce Gradkowski replaced Jason Campbell at halftime and immediately got Murphy involved in the game. If coach Tom Cable can convince Al Davis to let him keep Gradkowski under center, Murphy needs to be on your team. He is a physical player who has earned Gradkowski’s trust, and the Raiders next two games are against secondaries that have been violated recently in Arizona and Houston.
Kevin Walter, WR – Houston Texans (Owned in 41 percent of leagues)
With all the offseason hype about Jacoby Jones being the breakout playmaker alongside Andre Johnson in Houston, Walter was largely forgotten this offseason. After his 11 catch, 144 yard performance against Washington, he is back on the fantasy radar. The Texans rode their running game in Week One, but took to the air in Week Two; the latter will be a much more common occurrence throughout the season. With Owen Daniels still recovering from a torn ACL in 2009, there are plenty of balls to feed the rest of the Texans offense. Still owned in less than half of all leagues, Walter is a solid WR3 who will explode a few times when the Texans go aerial, and a terrific bye week replacement.
With all the offseason hype about Jacoby Jones being the breakout playmaker alongside Andre Johnson in Houston, Walter was largely forgotten this offseason. After his 11 catch, 144 yard performance against Washington, he is back on the fantasy radar. The Texans rode their running game in Week One, but took to the air in Week Two; the latter will be a much more common occurrence throughout the season. With Owen Daniels still recovering from a torn ACL in 2009, there are plenty of balls to feed the rest of the Texans offense. Still owned in less than half of all leagues, Walter is a solid WR3 who will explode a few times when the Texans go aerial, and a terrific bye week replacement.
Note: Ownership percentages are from Yahoo!
Got any other Waiver Wire Gems?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 3, Demaryius Thomas, Jason Snelling, Marshawn Lynch, Louis Murphy, Kevin Walter, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly. Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 3, Demaryius Thomas, Jason Snelling, Marshawn Lynch, Louis Murphy, Kevin Walter, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans
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