Looking for the best players to target on the waiver wire this week? Well, the Fantasy Ticker is just the place for that. Here are the top five pickups you should be looking to add to your roster in Week Three.
HOT PURCHASES
These players should be free agents in many leagues. Pounce on them if you can.
Chargers RB Mike Tolbert (owned in 9 percent of Yahoo! leagues)
With an ankle injury knocking prized rookie Ryan Mathews out of Sunday's game, Tolbert came in and ripped up the Jaguars, rushing for 82 yards and two TDs on 16 carries. A bulldozer who also can catch passes out of the backfield, Tolbert would have serious value if Mathews were to miss time. He's a must-add for all Mathews owners and wouldn't be a bad pickup for anyone looking for backfield help, especially with San Diego's favorable upcoming schedule.
Colts RB Donald Brown (35 percent owned)
After getting zero carries in the Colts' season opener, Brown was a significant part of the offense Sunday night, carrying the ball 16 times for 69 yards and a TD and catching a 19-yard pass against the Giants. Indy talked before the season about wanting Joseph Addai to share the workload with Brown, and that's the direction this backfield is likely headed. Brown is going to be inconsistent, but he's a perfect guy to stash on the bench as a bye-week replacement.
Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas (28 percent owned)
After an offseason that was almost completely lost due to injury, it didn't appear that the rookie Thomas would have much value early on. But he proved that theory wrong in his first game as a pro Sunday, burning the Seahawks for eight catches, 97 yards and a TD. The supremely talented wideout already looks like the No. 1 target for QB Kyle Orton — who is playing very well himself — and only figures to get better with experience. He has a ton of upside and is worth snagging in most leagues.
Giants WR Mario Manningham (40 percent owned)
Quick, who has led the Giants in receiving in each of the first two games? Manningham, that's who. Just as he did early in '09, the Michigan product has been a trusted target for QB Eli Manning in the season's opening weeks, combining for eight receptions for 160 yards and a TD. Keeping Manning's attention could be tough considering he also has Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith on his receiving corps, but at least for now, there should be enough production to go around.
Texans WR Kevin Walter (33 percent owned)
A sharp faller on draft boards this preseason thanks to the rise of Jacoby Jones, Walter was a house of fire in Sunday's win at Washington, catching all 11 passes targeted for him for 144 yards and a TD. With TE Owen Daniels playing at less than full strength, Walter is second only to Andre Johnson on Matt Schaub's totem pole, which is a great place to be in this offense. He won't keep it up all year, but the eighth-year vet should be a fantasy asset for at least a few more outings.