Week 3 pickups

Todd Haley, here we go again. Clearly, I did not learn my lesson last year when you tortured me with Larry Johnson 2-yard gains while the talented Jamaal Charles sat the bench.

I thought my problems were over when Johnson was dumped. So this year I drafted Charles with confidence. He did boast 5.9 yards per carry and was a second-half fantasy stud.

I will never learn. Never ever.

If you too suffer from Todd Haley Syndrome, keep Charles. But here are a few good pickups to help you cope.

Mike Tolbert – It didn’t take long for Tolbert to emerge into relevance. With Ryan Matthews sidelined during the week two contest, the undrafted RB compiled an impressive 95 yards and two touchdowns. Matthews’ flip-floppy ankle may hold up week three, but can it hold up all season? At a minimum, Tolbert is poised to get cheap touchdowns. Claim Tolbert and stash him. Available in 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Jason Snelling – The other obvious running back who is just one Michael Turner achy groin away from assuming the starting role. On Sunday, he rushed for 186 yards and three scores. No one started him, of course, so it could have been 100 touchdowns. Keep your eye on Turner’s groin… or rather his status. Turner’s expected to play Sunday, but Snelling is a great benchwarmer just waiting for his turn. And who knows, maybe it’s this week. In the meantime, his workload will increase. Available in 33 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Demaryius Thomas – This is the guy the Broncos drafted over Dez Bryant. This is the same guy who caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown last week. Likely not a one-week wonder. Josh Daniels will want to prove he was the smart choice. Available in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Louis Murphy – Don’t let the black and silver deter you. Murphy is a strong offensive threat, especially with Bruce Gradkowski at the helm. With 119 yards and a TD last weekend, he’s work a look at your third wide receiver slot, possible the second. This week’s matchup vs. the Cardinals is enticing. Start him. Available in 76 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Donald Brown – This is a “just in case” pickup. He filled in nicely for Joseph Addai on Sunday with 69 yards and a touchdown. Addai was limited in practice on Thursday. Available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Aaron Hernandez – Good luck catching the hot tight end at just the right moment. New England ’s Hernandez has back-to-back games with big catches. He’s averaging 20.6 yards per catch. And even better than his abilities, is the Buffalo matchup this weekend. Available in 75 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Mark Clayton – Sam Bradford’s favorite wide receiver is poised for a big game against Washington. For all of DeAngelo Hall’s yapping, the Redskins yield the most fantasy points to wide receivers. Available in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Have a question for Erin Skelley? E-mail her at erskelley@yahoo.com. Also, tune in to Erin 's fantasy advice on Sports Radio 610 every Friday morning, or during the Texans pre-game show every Sunday at 9:30.