Each week during the season, I’ll give some insights on players that should/could be available on your league’s waiver wire.

Working the wire week in, week out is what the best owners do to improve their rosters.

To simplify things a bit, I’ll give each player my personal star rating from 1 to 5 as follows:

5 stars – fantasy starter
4 stars – fantasy flex option
3 stars – borderline flex option, questions about consistency
2 stars – bench player with upside
1 star – deep reach/handcuff

Quarterback

2.5 stars
- Mark Sanchez (NYJ) faced a tough Steelers defense in week two and came nowhere near his breakout performance of week 1, but he’s still a better than average QB2 option.
- Christian Ponder (MIN) has had a couple of steady weeks in a row, and was finally able to find the endzone against the Colts on Sunday. I’ve moved him up a tad from last week’s from 2 stars. A good QB2 option for those who need one.

2 stars
- Matt Cassel (KC) has 559 yards and 3 touchdowns in two weeks, a good majority of that in garbage time in both games. As far as QB2 types go, you could do better, but you could also do worse.

1.5 stars
- Kevin Kolb (ARZ) is not a great option as a fantasy backup, but he has a starting job. Once Skelton is back, Kolb will be back on shaky ground with the way this coaching staff rotates guys around. If you can trade up to a better QB2 option, do it.
- Russell Wilson (SEA) had another steady week, but his fantasy numbers (151 yards and a touchdown) are just not there yet. Good guy to stash as a QB3 with upside, but I wouldn’t want him as my primary backup just yet.
- Brandon Weeden (CLE) makes my list this week after a 322-yard performance in which he also threw for three scores. This will be the exception and not the rule with him, so look elsewhere for QB depth.

Running Back

4 stars
- Alfred Morris (WAS) should not be on your waiver wire this week, but if he happens to be there you need to add him because it looks like Mike Shanahan is comfortable with Morris as his feature back. That’s a bit of a surprise, but it will only stay that way if he keeps producing.

2.5 stars
- Jacquizz Rodgers (ATL) is a Michael Turner injury away from having a starting job on a top flight offense. He gets a 1/2 star bump this week with the news that Turner was arrested for DUI following the Falcons Monday night win.
- Jonathan Dwyer (PIT) is part of a backfield that is still very muddled, so it’s hard to give him a better number. Bottom line is that he is playing well enough to be in the mix moving forward and that gives him some upside.
- Daryl Richardson (STL) was on my list in week two as a 2-star add based on the fact he looked like the guy to handcuff to Jackson. In week 2 that hunch was right as he picked up 83 yards after filling for the Rams star; that total included a 53-yard run. He’ll be a hot pickup for more than just Jackson owners this week.

2 stars
- Andre Brown (NYG) gets a nod this week due to the neck injury suffered by Ahmad Bradshaw. Not a whole lot to go on yet, but if Bradshaw does sit for a few weeks, Brown is worth an add simply because the job won’t be handed to rookie David Wilson. I still believe Wilson is the long-term guy, but he has to play better on the field before he sees a majority of touches.
- Lamar Millier (MIA) had a great game against Oakland (10/65/1) and has a similar skill set to Reggie Bush. Anyone think Reggie will last an entire 16-game season without getting hurt? Thought so.

Wide Receiver

4 stars
- Danny Amendola (STL) had a run-of-the-mill day in week 2 – 15 catches, 160 yards and a score. OK, so maybe it was a crazy good day. That’s 20 catches in two games and we know he is capable of WR2 numbers based on the 85 passes he caught in 2010. Grab him if you can.

3.5 stars
- Jerome Simpson (MIN) is currently suspended and can’t play until week 4, but when he comes back he should be an instant starter for the Vikings opposite Percy Harvin and be a decent flex option for fantasy teams. He’s likely still off everyone’s radar, but it won’t stay that way for long.

3 stars
- Donnie Avery (IND) blew up in week 2 with 9 catches for 111 yards playing in place of Austin Collie, which is something that could happen quite often this season. Solid pickup if you need a flex player for your team, but just remember he is playing with a rookie QB so the consistency won’t be there.
- Julian Edelman (NE) has been a hot topic as many wonder if Wes Welker is being phased out. I don’t believe it for a minute, but with TE Aaron Hernandez out for a month or more, I do think Edelman could be the main beneficiary of those looks.

2 stars
- Andrew Hawkins (CIN) had only two catches, but one was a 50-yard touchdown that was a thing of beauty. Playing opposite AJ Green every week means he’ll get plenty of chances to produce, but he’s not capable of being an every week fantasy starter just yet. Fine for your bench though.
- Brian Hartline (MIA) pulled of a 9-catch, 111-yard game against Oakland, but he’s only a 40/550/1 player over his first three seasons.

Tight End

3.5 Stars
- Dennis Pitta (BAL) had and 8-for-65 day on 15 targets Sunday. If those targets don’t get your attention, he’s had 24 in two weeks which is fifth best over the first two weeks. Got your attention now? A perfect add for those who need to replace Aaron Hernandez.

3 stars
- Martellus Bennett (NYG) has scored two weeks in a row and has 16 targets over those two games. You can expect the Giants to keep throwing… a lot… so those targets are not likely to go down.

1.5 Stars
- Kellen Winslow (NE) has to be mentioned after being added by the Patriots in response to Aaron Hernandez suffering an ankle injury that will keep him out for 4-6 weeks. The Pats can replace those looks with the guys they already have on their roster, so Winslow is little more than depth and insurance.