After three weeks of NFL action, there’s a strong chance that your roster is in need of some serious work. This year has been pretty unpredictable so far, so even if you have weathered the running back epidemic of 2013 well, your roster could likely still use some minor improvements.
The good news is, there are a number of guys just sitting on the waiver wire this week that could immediately improve your team. Let’s take a look at them.
**As always, availability percentages are averaged out across ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS Sports and NFL.com
Brian Hoyer - Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Everyone thought that the Browns were doomed this week, after losing Brandon Weeden to injury and trading Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts. But backup quarterback Brian Hoyer came out and put on a show, to the tune of 321 passing yards and three touchdowns. He finished the day ranked as the 10th best quarterback with 18.64 fantasy points, and would’ve finished higher if it weren’t for three costly interceptions.
Good news here, if you’re in need of help at the quarterback position (I’m looking at you Eli Manning owners), Hoyer is available in 99.3 percent of all leagues, so he shouldn’t be hard to find.
Johnathan Franklin - Running Back, Green Bay Packers
This one is tricky. It appears that in order for Franklin to see field action, all of Green Bay’s running backs need to be injured. That may change given his strong performance on Sunday, finishing eighth with 103 yards on the ground and 23 in the passing game plus one touchdown for 16.60 fantasy points, but there’s no evidence to support that it will.
Eddie Lacy is slated to return after the bye week, and will likely get the bulk of the carries on the field. Now if you’re desperate for help at the running back position, or are a nervous Lacy owner, Lacy might be worth a look. He’s owned in only 1.6 percent of leagues, so he’s still readily available.
Stephen Hill - Wide Receiver, New York Jets
Hill is an athletic freak who had a breakout performance on Sunday, racking up 108 receiving yards and one touchdown on his way to ranking seventh with 16.80 fantasy points. The Jets’ offense appears to be the real deal, led by rookie Geno Smith. If things continue to click for this young offense, Hill will be a legitimate WR2 option for the rest of the season. He’s only owned in 2.8 percent of leagues too, so get that claim in now before it’s too late.
Donnie Avery - Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
Avery has emerged as Alex Smith’s favorite receiver in Kansas City, and we all know how much Smith likes to key-in on his favorite target. Dwayne Bowe owners should seriously consider handcuffing him with Avery, but anyone in need of WR2 or WR3 help could benefit from the presence of Avery on their roster. He finished the week ranked 12th with 141 yards on seven receptions and 14.10 points.
Avery is available in 95.7 percent of all leagues still, so he shouldn’t be too hard to get.
Jason Snelling - Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
Snelling had a big day in place of the injured Steven Jackson, rushing for 53 yards and adding 58 more yards in the passing game, plus one total touchdown, good for sixth best among running backs with 17.10 points.
Jackson owners could definitely benefit from picking up Snelling as long as Jackson is out. Snelling is owned in 15.3 percent of leagues and will be a hot pickup, so it’s now or never if you want to add him.
Kenbrell Thompkins - Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Thompkins has impressed so far this season as an undrafted free agent. He had another big day on Sunday, racking up 41 yards and two touchdowns en route to finishing eighth with 16.10 points.
If you need help at receiver, you can never really go wrong with someone that Tom Brady is throwing the ball to. Thompkins is owned in 34.9 percent of leagues, and will be another guy receiving a lot of attention on the wire, so you’re definitely going to miss out if you don’t put in a claim or bid this week.