Week 3: Pickups of the Week

QB Sam Bradford, ---

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Despite a glaring lack of support from anyone not named Danny Amendola, Sam Bradford put up solid numbers leading his team to victory over the Redskins last weekend. It was a Bradford's first 3-TD performance since his rookie season and the first time this year he's eclipsed 300 yards passing. Pass protection issues will continue to plague him, but it is promising to see an apparent step forward from a player who showed such promise back in 2010. The St. Louis pivot is probably best suited as a QB2 or bye week replacement in most fantasy leagues, at least until he strings together a few solid games in a row. However, long-term planners might consider scooping him up just for his Week 16 matchup against Tampa Bay. A secondary that gave up more than 500 passing yards in a single game would be an ideal foil for fantasy championship week.

QB Matt Cassel, ---

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Cassel didn't surpass 300 yards once last season, but squeaked past that milestone against Buffalo on Sunday. He played a much stronger game against the Bills than he did in Week 1 versus the swarming Falcons, though he did raise his turnover count to five on the season. The picks and fumbles are uncharacteristic for a professed game manager who is working hard to put his mediocre 2011 season behind him. The early 2012 schedule should help: he next faces a floundering Saints team that has just allowed back-to-back 300-yard passing games to rookie quarterbacks.

RB Andre Brown, ---

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When Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a neck injury during the second quarter on Sunday, Brown assumed the lead role and put up a workmanlike showing that included two receptions for 19 yards, 71 rushing yards on 13 carries, a touchdown, a two-point convert, a tackle and a fumble recovery. The highly-touted David Wilson hardly saw the field, likely due to last week's fumblitis. Bradhaw is scheduled for a MRI on Monday. Even if the news is good, it seems unlikely he'll be cleared to play in time for New York's Thursday evening tilt with Carolina. We fully expect Brown to get the bulk of the running back work in Week 3.

RB Mikel Leshoure, ---

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The window on Mikel Leshoure's availability is closing fast. A marijuana-related suspension kept him out of action for the first two weeks of the season, but the second-year back is set to return to active duty in Week 3. Kevin Smith has underwhelmed in the lead role, sparking calls for his replacement. Leshoure offers a valuable power dimension -- or rather, he did in college. After missing his rookie season due to achilles surgery, it remains to be seen how explosive he'll be. For now, consider him a high upside roster stash. He'll have to unseat Kevin Smith, at least for goal-line duties, before he can become a viable fantasy play.

WR Donnie Avery, ---

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The speedy Avery followed an opening week touchdown with a well rounded 9-catch, 111-yard performance against the Vikings last weekend. His success is tied to Andrew Luck's -- and the rookie QB has so far shown he can put up big passing numbers regardless of his struggles with ball security. Stuck in St. Louis for his first two pro seasons, Avery knows what it means to play on a rebuilding team with a young quarterback. And unlike his stint with the Rams, he now benefits from playing opposite an established veteran star in Reggie Wayne. The biggest threat to Avery's production going forward could be Austin Collie, though the oft-concussed receiver is no safe bet to stay healthy. Even if Collie returns, we like Avery as an occasional game-breaker out of the slot.

WR Brian Hartline, ---

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Following Brandon Marshall's offseason departure, the Dolphins seeemed in dire need of help at WR. The situation remains unchanged after Week 2 -- the only difference is that we now know Brian Hartline is getting the majority of looks in the passing game. He leads the team with 20 targets through the first two games. Hartline's not flashy, not exciting, but could help owners in PPR leagues. Just don't count on many touchdowns; he only has four TD catches over his 46-game NFL career.

WR Greg Little, ---

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Even with dismal QB play from Colt McCoy last year, Little offered some value in deeper PPR leagues. He's a big-bodied receiver with a nose for open the field who can bully his way to the football when needed. Those qualities alone should have been enough to make him Brandon Wheeden's outlet man, but a Week 1 case of the dropsies sullied the formula. Little showed better chemistry with his rookie QB in Week 2, catching five passes including a virtually uncontested 24-yard TD. Despite his suspect hands, he remains Cleveland's top receiver and should find success against Buffalo's equally suspect secondary this week.

TE Martellus Bennett, ---

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With touchdowns in consecutive games, Martellus Bennett is living up to his (largely self-created) hype. He figures to be in high demand this week as the only widely available member of the Giants receiving complement. Though he's third on the team in overall targets, he monopolizes most of the red zone looks and should continue to be an Eli Manning's favourite close to the goal line. Look for Bennett to be busy again this week against Carolina. Last season the Panthers were one of only six NFL teams that gave up five or more catches and 60 or more yards per game to opposing tight ends.

TE Dennis Pitta, ---

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Through the first two weeks of the season, Joe Flacco's safety valve has more receptions than both starting Ravens wideouts combined. Pitta abused the Eagles last week with an 8-catch effort. Like the Bengals before them, Philadelphia simply had no answer for the bruising tight end that continues to put distance between himself and fellow third-year TE Ed Dickson. Including playoffs, Pitta now has five touchdowns over his last ten games dating back to October 2011.

PK Justin Tucker, ---

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Baltimore's decision to move on from Billy Cundiff this offseason has paid dividends so far as they've found excellent production from rookie Justin Tucker. After going 3-for-3 on field goals and hitting on all five extra point attempts in Week 1, Tucker stayed perfect last week, knocking in both PATs and showcasing his leg strength with successful kicks of 56, 51 and 48 yards. He currently holds the league scoring lead and could stay near the top by season's end. Despite nine missed field goals, Cundiff tied for 10th in NFL scoring last year with an average 8.1 points per game. With the Ravens offense clicking this season, and considering Tucker's apparent advantages in accuracy and distance, that mark should be easy for the youngster to surpass.