Waiver Wire Watch: Who to Grab for Week 3

ACC

Connor Vernon, WR, Duke

You may be surprised to learn that Vernon leads the FBS in receiving yards after two weeks. Sure, the Blue Devils only played Elon and Wake Forest, but you don't catch 18 passes for 310 yards without being genuinely talented.

Keith Payne, RB, Virginia

Payne seems to be pulling away as Virginia's lead back, and he's been brilliant so far this year. He followed up a 16-carry game against Richmond that produced 114 yards and four touchdowns with a more modest but still impressive game against USC, when he ran for 57 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. His value is spreading even to shallower leagues.

Big 12

Henry Josey, RB, Missouri

Josey is a true freshman who was mostly an obscure recruit, but he had a huge game for Missouri against McNeese State, taking seven carries for 112 yards and three touchdowns. He's only worth a pickup in deep leagues, but if he keeps producing better than De'Vion Moore and Kendial Lawrence, Missouri will have no choice but to get him the ball more.

Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M

Two weeks into the season, Swope leads Texas A&M with 18 receptions. He's the team's short-yardage specialist so he doesn't put up big yardage (just 156 on those catches), but he's very fast and could make some big plays in the upcoming games. He's only worth a pickup in deep leagues, for now, though.

Big East

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Austin hasn't found the end zone yet this season, but he does have 14 catches for 175 yards for the Mountaineers. Touchdowns are hard to predict, but logic does dictate that the more receptions a receiver has, the more likely it is they score.

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Those who follow West Virginia probably knew Smith was expected to be a talented passer for the Mountaineers, but most wouldn't have expected that Smith would lead the Big East in passing yardage, completion percentage and passer rating (among starters) two weeks into this year. He's probably not going to hold that position throughout the year, but it's showing that he has some value in deep leagues.

Big Ten

Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State

While Denard Robinson is hogging just about all the Big Ten attention right now, Baker's big numbers through two weeks have gone a bit under the radar. He has He has 300 yards and three touchdowns with just 32 carries, so he's worth a roster spot in even shallow leagues.

Duane Bennett, RB, Minnesota

Like Baker, Bennett's big numbers through two weeks have mostly gone unnoticed. He might not look as good once Minnesota starts playing against Big Ten competition, but you have to pick up a guy who has 48 carries for 291 yards and two touchdowns through two weeks.

Conference USA

Zach Line, RB, SMU

Two weeks, two big games for Line. He has 28 carries for 194 yards and three touchdowns so far this year, and he looks to have the SMU running game mostly to himself.

Michael Hayes, RB, Houston

Hayes is the back-up to Bryce Beall, but the second running back spot in Houston is still very profitable. Hayes took 17 carries for 77 yards and three touchdowns against UTEP last week, and he should produce similar to how Beall and Charles Sims did last year.

Independents

Armando Allen, RB, Notre Dame

Allen has started the season off with a couple of good games rushing the ball, and considering that he's never caught less than 24 balls in a season, he's a double threat that could thrive in Brian Kelly's offense.

MAC

Kamar Jorden, WR, Bowling Green

Remember Freddie Barnes? While Jorden probably won't put up numbers those good, through two games he has 23 catches for 279 yards, and if you get the ball that often you are bound to have value.

Cody Wilson, WR, Central Michigan

Last week, Wilson caught seven passes for 153 yards against Temple. However, it is his six rushes for 25 yards that make him a bit more intriguing as a potential offensive weapon.

MWC

Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State

On the one hand, Hillman only rushed for 65 yards on 15 carries against Hampton. On the other hand, he ran for 150 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries against New Mexico State. Maybe the latter is a fluke performance, but Hillman's a risk worth taking.

Asher Clark, RB, Air Force

Air Force loves to run the ball, and that can only prove beneficial to Clark. He has 205 yards and a score on 30 carries thus far, and his 865 yards and seven TDs from a season ago are encouraging as well. Watch out for an ankle injury and a tough matchup (Oklahoma) this week, though.

Pac-10

David Paulson, TE, Oregon

Paulson has shown a lot of big-play ability through two weeks, taking his six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He could be one of the nation's top tight ends this year.

Kevin Riley, QB, California

The competition hasn't been stiff, but when you throw for 455 yards and seven touchdowns with no picks, as Riley has through two games, you still deserve to be mentioned with intrigue.

SEC

Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Usually a running back in a Steve Spurrier offense wouldn't have much value, but he must like the freshman Lattimore since he gave him 37 carries against Georgia. He turned those carries into 182 yards and two touchdowns, and Lattimore is oozing with potential.

Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU

Ridley was unimpressive in 2009, but he's been very productive through two weeks this year. He has 36 carries for 240 yards and a touchdown after games against North Carolina and Vanderbilt. His long-term job security is shaky, but he has short-term value.

Sun Belt

Phillip Tanner, RB, Middle Tennessee

Tanner had a 16-touchdown season in 2008 and could be headed in the same direction this year. He has 26 carries for 202 yards and four touchdowns to this point, making him worth a pickup in even shallow leagues.

Allen Muse, WR, Arkansas State

Muse hasn't scored a touchdown yet, but he has 213 yards on nine catches, including 80 yards against Auburn, a much tougher opponent than anything he'll see in conference play.

WAC

Kealoha Pilares, WR, Hawaii

Greg Salas was the preferred Hawaii wide receiver of many entering the season, but thus far Pilares has been the top guy for the Warriors. He has 280 yards and four touchdowns in two games, and Hawaii does love to toss the ball around.

Dontel Watkins, WR, Utah State

Watkins is only worth a look in deep leagues, but he leads Utah State with nine receptions and has 139 yards and a touchdown to this point. The Aggies' offense figures to remain high-powered, so those yards through the air will need to come from someone.