Tashard Choice, Daniel Thomas + More — NFL Hero or Zero? [FANTASY FOOTBALL]

There is a always a waiver wire frenzy the first couple weeks of the season. The hopes are you get to drop a couple of bums that you had no business drafting and replenish your team with a couple of players that are destined to lead you to the championship.

Then comes Week 3 -- the lull. Free agency has taken the back burner, although injuries have made this week especially interesting.

For instance: The Buffalo Bills running back situation.

Week 1: Freddie Jackson goes down, CJ Spiller owners rejoice.

Week 2:  Spiller goes off! Leads the league in rushing. Spiller owners rejoice, Jackson owners cry!

Week 3: Spiller gets injured, Tashard Choice fills in. Spiller owners cry, Tashard Choice’s family rejoices.

Now what to do in Week 4? Keep reading, and I'll tell you!

Carson Palmer -- HERO! He’s the no. 5 point-getter among quarterbacks through three games. That’s higher than Brees, Brady, Stafford and Rodgers, and he’s being started in 5 percent of the leagues! Five percent? Losing Darrius Heyward-Bey hurts, but he will be back in two weeks. I would give serious thought to picking Palmer up as a potential starter and bye-week pickup, especially since Oakland has an early Week 5 bye!

Tashard Choice -- ZERO! With Spiller and Jackson going down with injuries, the only guy left is Tashard Choice. Choice isn’t a complete bum and put together a few good weeks back in Dallas a few years ago. But with Freddie Jackson most likely back and an outside chance Spiller will be back, Choice won’t see much of the field. You always have a choice, so don’t choose Tashard Choice!

Christian Ponder -- HERO! He has arrived. Christian Ponder does not look like a first-year full-time starter out there. He’s done it through the air and on the ground. Not only that, but it looks like he cured Percy Harvin’s migraines! Harvin has been migraine-free since Ponder was anointed the starter. With weapons like Harvin, Kyle Rudolph and Adrian Peterson, Ponder is only going to get better with every start!

Daniel Thomas -- ZERO! When Thomas was drafted, he was handed the keys to the Dolphins backfield. Thomas fell on his face, and Reggie Bush took control of the backfield and never looked back. Now Bush tweaked his knee, but it’s not as serious as first thought. If you own Bush, it’s a good idea to pick him up as a handcuff. You may get a spot start out of him this week, but he is not a long-term answer.

It’s a pretty weak week on the waiver wire. There are not any heroes sitting out there to save your season. If you’re 0-3 and in serious trouble, my advice would be to trade away your highly touted quarterback, get a stud running back or wide receiver and pick up Ponder, Palmer or even Locker.

Until next week!

Contributed by Dennis Mazur