This early in the season, fantasy owners scanning the waiver wire might have a tougher time figuring out which players to cut than they do which players to pick up. Two games isn't a great sample size and there's a fine line between players with upside and those who just haven't had a chance to produce.

We'll attempt to make some of those distinctions as we scan some potential waiver wire adds for Week 3.

Recommended bids based on a free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) of $100 for the season.

BEST BETS

RB Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals ($19). After suffering a knee injury Thursday night, starter Joe Mixon will be out for at least a couple weeks. Bernard steps into the lead role after rushing for 27 yards on six carries and catching four passes for 15 more against the Ravens. Bernard has more value in PPR leagues because of his pass-catching ability -- and he has shown he's able to be a workhorse back when Mixon is out. You can milk a few good games out of him, but he'll go back to being a third-down specialist once Mixon returns.

RB Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles ($18). Clement quietly had a top-10 performance among running backs in Week 2, rushing for 30 yards and a touchdown, and catching five of six targets for 55 yards. Now, it looks like starter Jay Ajayi's back injury might keep him out of Sunday's game against the Colts. With one of the NFL's best offensive lines paving the way, Clement has tremendous upside for Week 3 and possibly beyond if Ajayi's health issues persist and Darren Sproles remains limited.

Week 3 rankings: How players stack up at each position

WR John Brown, Baltimore Ravens ($16). Brown showed his big-play capability against the Bengals with 92 yards and a score on four receptions. However, QB Joe Flacco targeted him 10 times and has looked for him over Michael Crabtree when the Ravens have been in the red zone. Health has been a constant issue for "Smokey," but he looks fine so far.

WR Antonio Callaway, Cleveland Browns ($13). No more Josh Gordon in Cleveland permanently opens up targets for this talented rookie. He caught a miracle fourth-down TD bomb against the Saints in Week 2 and also had a couple of rushing attempts. The Browns figure to be throwing the ball often this season, so Callaway's value should only increase as he adjusts to the pro game.

REPLACEMENTS

WR Josh Gordon, New England Patriots ($11). Speaking of Gordon ... Is there a better possible landing spot for the talented but troubled wideout? The comparisons to Randy Moss instantly dominating upon his arrival in New England are inevitable, but Moss had an entire offseason to learn the playbook.

There inevitably will be at least one owner in every league willing to take a chance on Gordon's upside. Admittedly, it's a low-percentage play because of all the variables that need to fall into place for him to be successful. If you can afford to be patient, the reward might be worth the risk come playoff time.

WR Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals ($9). Another Thursday night breakout, Boyd caught nine passes for 91 yards and a TD. With Mixon out, Boyd could see more targets as the offense looks to pass more often. And he should have more staying power than Bernard as he solidifies his spot as the team's No. 2 receiver.

TE Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers ($8). James is this week's version of Jared Cook -- a tight end coming off a career day. Fantasy owners still looking to replace Greg Olsen or Delanie Walker can feel free to take a flyer on James. However, Vance McDonald might ultimately take over as the Steelers' top pass-catching tight end.

TE Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons ($5). Hooper also fills the bill at the position and might be a better long-term buy than James. He caught all five of his targets Sunday for 59 yards and a touchdown. Take him over Tampa Bay's O.J. Howard, who put up better stats, thanks to a fluke 75-yard TD reception.

SPECULATIVE PICKUPS

WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons. The rookie had a quiet first week, but caught a TD pass and finished with 64 yards in Week 2. He's the Falcons' third receiver for now, but could see more action if RB Devonta Freeman's absence forces the team to throw more.

RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers. Suspended for the first two games of the season, Jones returns this week at Washington. If he was dropped or undrafted in your league, defintiely give him a look. Ty Montgomery has 38 rushing yards and Jamaal Williams 106 in the first two games. Jones averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season.

RB Chris Ivory, Buffalo Bills. Starter LeSean McCoy's cracked ribs could give Ivory the opportunity to be a workhorse back. Even though the Bills offense has been horrible, Ivory could be productive if given a larger role.

K Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings. Week 2 was not a good one for kickers. The Vikes cut rookie Daniel Carlson after he missed a pair of field goals in overtime. Enter the former All-Pro Bailey, who has been one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. Although kickers rarely make a difference in fantasy (and many leagues have eliminated them altogether), Bailey could give his owners an advantage -- if only a small one.

Possibly still available from last week's list: WR Chris Godwin, RB Austin Ekeler, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Phillip Lindsay, WR Brandon Marshall.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner