Grading 8 Low-Owned Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3

Sep 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) lands on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Romo was injured on the play and left the game. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Alright, well, week two probably didn’t go at all like you expected. Unless you predicted that Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, and Drew Brees would all be 0-2 and the latter two would look much worse than Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Fitzpatrick. And you knew that the Cowboys would end up being without both Romo and Bryant and possibly Witten for week 3 and beyond, while the Eagles line would look like a bunch of training dummies. But that’s how the NFL goes. Now you’re probably scrambling to the waiver wire for some of the players that broke out in week two or gave more confirmation that their week one greatness might not have been a fluke. Here’s 8 player grades to help you figure out who you should add from the waiver wire this week, and who you should pass on. Like last week, the ownership percentages are from NFL.com.

Next: Tyrod (aka Tygod) Taylor

Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) throws a pass under pressure by the New England Patriots defense during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrod Taylor (7.7% owned): B+

I was tepid on his matchup against the Patriots, and that looked like a smart prognostication early on in the game, but while in catch-up mode Taylor flipped a switch and looked incredible. The Bills aren’t always going to be pushed to turn into a gun-slinging offense, but this is two games with two different game scripts where Tyrod has come out looking like a start-worthy QB in fantasy. He’ll be tested again away from Buffalo, but Miami isn’t exactly scary after losing to the Jaguars. I still can’t go all-in on Taylor because it’s so hard to believe this is legit, but he is looking great. And if he’s still on the waiver wire in your leagues, get him. As Romo owners can attest, you never know when you will need a good backup.

Next: Matt Jones

Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball as St. Louis Rams free safety Rodney McLeod (23) attempts the tackle in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Jones (1.4%): B

Matt Jones looked incredible during the preseason, but then was quiet in week one while Alfred Morris took over and dominated the run game. But week two was Matt Jones’ time to shine, scoring two touchdowns and looking as pro-ready as he did in the preseason. He would get an A if it wasn’t for the fact that any game could be an Alfred Morris game and you end up getting a 0 from starting Jones. But Jones is good enough that you should do your best to get him as a bench stash with serious upside. Especially if you’re in a keeper league. I have a feeling Morris won’t be there next year.

Next: Crockett Gillmore

September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) is tackled by Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson (24) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Crockett Gillmore (1.6%): B

Getting Joe Flacco’s tight end is usually a good move. Even with Gary Kubiak gone, Gillmore proved that adage to be true. Especially when there’s only one other player to throw it to, and he’s a few years away from getting his AARP membership. The Ravens desperately needed something on offense for Flacco to rely on, and even the running backs are struggling to shine like they did last year (losing to the Raiders? Really?). It sucks dealing with tight ends because they’re so inconsistent, but you could definitely do worse than Gillmore. And really, why would you not want to own a guy named Crockett?

Next: Leonard Hankerson

Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (85) runs with the ball while New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard (59) looks to make a tackle during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Hankerson (.2%): B

Good bye Roddy White, hello Leonard Hankerson. While this could be an overstatement, it really seems like White’s age has completely caught up to him. And Matt Ryan seems to be gaining a good relationship with Hankerson on the field. He’s not that great of a player, but he’s getting passes from Matt Ryan and no one is guarding him when Julio Jones is catching everything that comes his way. I want part of great offenses, and the Falcons are a great offense and play the Saints and Bucs two times each this year. Pick him up off the waiver wire.

Next: Christine Michael

Aug 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback R.J. Archer (6) hands off to running back Christine Michael (33) during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Christine Michael (2.9%): B

Michael’s stock went up a ton even in a game when he didn’t play a snap. Randle and McFadden continue to prove that they aren’t start worthy options, and Dunbar would never hold up as anything more than a passing-downs back. Michael has the talent and the opportunity; the Cowboys are going to need something to light a fire under that depleted offense. Make room for him at the bottom of your bench, he could be a waiver wire pickup that turns into a season changer.

Next: Travis Benjamin

Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) jumps over Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) on a punt return for a touchdown during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Benjamin (6.2%): C

Wow. Just wow. Benjamin has been on fire this season so far. But will it really continue? Can he possibly blow by the defense for so many open deep passes? I think he’s worth a speculative add, but it’s hard for me to trust. He’s been in the league since 2012 and he hasn’t had more than 18 receptions in a season. Can he really become a reliable fantasy option in his fourth year on the Browns? I can’t wait to find out, but I probably won’t be keeping him on any of my rosters.

Next: James Starks

Sep 20, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

James Starks (1.3%): D

Eddie Lacy goes down, James Starks’ fantasy value goes up. And surprisingly it seems like a very low amount of Lacy owners actually had him hand cuffed. Hopefully this will motivate the Lacy owners to do so. With Lacy a big question mark for week 3, it may seem like a good idea to scoop him up and plug him in, but I don’t think it’s worth it for many reasons. First, it’s a Monday night game, meaning that if Eddie Lacy is still a game-time decision, you don’t want to play Starks anyway because he could get you a 0 if Lacy ends up playing. And the matchup against the Chiefs is a bad one for the run game in general. He’ll be tempting, but I suggest passing on him. Unless you own Lacy, and in that case you need him.

Next: Johnny Manziel

Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel (2.1%): D

If you’re disappointed in your starting quarterback, don’t look to Johnny Football to give some relief. I love him, but the Browns simply don’t seem to, at least not yet. There’s somehow still questions as to whether McCown or Manziel will start, and by betting on Manziel to repeat his success in week 2, you’re also betting on Travis Benjamin, and as I mentioned on the last slide, I can’t do that just yet. Look towards some higher owned potential waiver wire choices like Andy Dalton or Taylor before going for Manziel.