Andre Brown should be top waiver wire pickup for week 3 (Fantasy Football 2012)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Andre Brown #35 of the New York Giants is tackled by Israel Idonije #71 of the Chicago Bears during a preseason game on August 24, 2012 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Initial reports on Sunday were that Ahmad Bradshaw’s “neck stinger” wasn’t so bad, and all signs pointed to him possibly returning for the Thursday night game against the Carolina Panthers.  Now that Bradshaw has missed practice on Monday and Tuesday it is exceedingly unlikely that he will be ready for the Thursday night game against a team that is susceptible to the run.

While other owners are running out to pick up the fumble prone David Wilson, you will want to make the smart add of Andre Brown for the week 3 matchup.  In week 2 Brown totaled 13 rushes for 71 yards, 1 TD, and a 2 pt conversion.  That was after missing most of the first quarter as Bradshaw was the feature back.  In week 3 Brown could easily go for over 100 yards against the Panthers as he will see the majority of carries, and he becomes a must-start in deeper fantasy formats.

When Bradshaw first went down to injury, it seemed that fantasy owners who had drafted rookie RB David Wilson were going to be rewarded as he was one of the more popular fantasy sleeper picks entering the season.  In 2 games with the NYG in 2012, Wilson has 5 rushes for 10 yards, 1 fumble, and 1 big dropped pass.  Perhaps the biggest alarm for Wilson owners?  The fact that he saw action in just 6 of 84 snaps for the Giants on Sunday, as they relied heavily on Andre Brown throughout the game.

When waivers open up in most fantasy leagues on Wednesday, September 19th, the hottest sleeper off waivers should be Andre Brown, followed closely by Daryl Richardson of the St. Louis Rams.  If you are in need of RB depth (and guys like Michael Bush and Reggie Bush are rostered as they should be) make sure you put in a claim for Brown #1, and Richardson #2.  With Bradshaw’s injury history, Brown could turn into the Fred Jackson of 2012.  A guy who works his way off the practice squad into big game action.

Expect Wilson to be the change-of-pace back in this Thursday night matchup, with Brown receiving approximately 75% of the carries, and Wilson 25%.  If Wilson fumbles again, that ratio could go as high as 90%/10% as the Giants coaching staff goes with the steadier hands of Brown.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 16: Andre Brown #35 of the New York Giants holds off Mark Barron #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

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