The 2012 NFL Season is just about to kick off, what better way to celebrate than with our first installment of the Waiver Wire Wonders!! This week, a special "pre-season" edition where we talk about players that did not get any love on draft day. Many leagues do offer a free agency period prior to the first regular season game, check your league rules and even if not, keep an eye on some of these players once the season begins. As in year's past, this column will do its best to mention players that are available in most leagues. The players are ranked in four categories, with the Smokin' Hot category the most desirable, 'Solid Pickups' next, and so on down the list. Individual league rules and specific team needs are also a factor in determining which player(s) are best suited for addition to your team. Just as important as the player being added is the player to be released to make room. Be careful not to give up too early on a player, but in general, any time you can improve your roster, even the last player on your team, you do it. Thanks to all those that have been faithful readers of the column, and a warm welcome to those seeing it for the first time. On to this week's Waiver Wire Wonders.... Smokin' Hot RB Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh With Rashard Mendenhall at least a month or two away and Isaac Redman nursing an ankle injury, the starting job by default to open the season falls to Dwyer. In the past, the Steelers have shown that they will have confidence in their starting back, look for Dwyer to get a significant amount of action to open up the season. RB Evan Royster, Washington Even prior to the release of the Redskins depth charts, which coming from a Mike Shanahan team we consider to be next to useless, Royster was going to end up making this list. In an uncertain backfield where Roy Helu hasn't set the world on fire, Tim Hightower was released, and Alfred Morris didn't play in the final pre-season game, we see Royster as getting the first opportunity to run with the starter's job in Washington. WR Jerome Simpson, Minnesota He'll be sitting out the first three games of the season, but come week four he will have an immediate impact as a starter for the Vikings. The speedster will be a welcome addition to the Minnesota passing attack, grab and stash him now. Solid Pickups WR Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Most leagues are listing him as a wide out, and he has certainly performed like one this pre-season. The Chiefs will need to find a way ...

Dallas 3, Oakland 0 Dallas Cowboys This game was ugly and it began with the Dallas pass blocking. Cowboys' starting quarterback Tony Romo was under constant duress, being sacked twice as the first-team offense only produced one first down. Most alarming was Oakland's ability to generate constant pressure up the middle. Poor offensive line play will kill an entire team's fantasy production, as the Dallas offensive line troubles are a situation worth monitoring. DeMarco Murray remains the Dallas starting tailback, but had two carries for zero yards while being stuffed by Oakland's front five (also bad offensive line play). Felix Jones came in to relieve Murray, but only managed two carries for four yards along with a terrible dropped pass. Jones is nothing more than a handcuff/late-round flier. Dez Bryant is considered the Cowboys highlight reel, making a nice snag for a 24-yard gain. Bryant has passed Miles Austin as the preferred wide receiver to own from the Cowboys roster. Oakland Raiders Carson Palmer struggled mightily, throwing a bad interception into double coverage on the Raiders' first possession. Many have speculated that Palmer will develop into a viable fantasy starter, but I'm not ready to drink the Kool-Aid. Denarius Moore did not play in this game, giving way to fellow wide receiver Jacoby Ford. Ford showed terrible alligator arms on two targets, obviously afraid of getting hit over the middle. I'm not sure which Oakland wide receiver to recommend as rookie wide receiver Rod Streater led the Raiders with six catches for 66 yards. Streater has been getting rave reviews in camp and clearly has caught the attention of the coaching staff. The most exciting news to come out of this game was Darren McFadden's play, gaining 38 yards on three touches. Run DMC dazzled the crowd with his usual shifty maneuvers and downhill burst. There has never been any doubt of his raw talent. However, we must remind ourselves that McFadden has never played more than 13 games in a single season. He remains an injury-prone player of the highest regard as I only need to remind everyone that Ryan Mathews is also loaded with talent.

Jacoby Ford returned to practice Wednesday, a sign that the Oakland Raiders wide receiver should be in the lineup Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

The Oakland Raiders will be without running back Darren McFadden, as well as receiver Jacoby Ford, when they face the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford missed practice Thursday and is questionable to return Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Jacoby Ford missed Wednesday's practice while wideout Denarius Moore participated on a limited basis.

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Jacoby Ford both missed practice Wednesday and are longshots to suit up for Sunday's game against the host Minnesota Vikings.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford suffered a foot injury and is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the San Diego Chargers.

A trio of players top this week's list of players to target on the waiver wire. All are players that can contribute as fantasy starters right away. Well, let's clarify and mention that one of them is a running back for Washington, so that carries some automatic question marks about the long-term value. This week's list was put together while wondering why the NFL can't simply have the teams that are on a bye week play each other the following week. Doing so would eliminate any advantage one team might have, and while we're at it, why don't we have it be division games so the rivalry can have a couple of weeks to build up the hype?! And what about having the teams that are playing Thursday be on the bye the week prior? I know, makes too much sense. A single list again this week, though we'd like to point out that the Top 3 on this list are head and shoulders above the others that are in this week's story. On to this week's waiver wire wonders ... WR Laurent Robinson, Dallas We talked about Robinson in this space last week, and since he's still only owned in 35 percent of online leagues, he makes a repeat appearance. Reports out of Dallas are that Miles Austin will be out for 2-4 weeks, and that opens up a spot in the starting lineup for Robinson. Tony Romo has already shown a likeness for him, as Robinson has caught five passes and a touchdown in each of the last two games. He's worth owning in all leagues and worth considering in your starting lineup as a WR2/WR3. RB Roy Helu, Washington Here we go again with the Redskins, coach Mike Shanahan, and a running back. Last week's running back-du-jour in Washington was Helu, and he didn't disappoint, going for nearly 150 yards in total offense, including 14 catches out of the backfield. He was on the field for nearly every offensive play, and Shanahan is at least saying that he'll ride Helu as long as he can. Though many will shy away from Helu due to past performance of Shanahan backs, Helu is worth owning and starting in all formats. At least until Shanny changes his mind. WR Earl Bennett, Chicago After finally getting clearance to play, Bennett didn't waste any time becoming Jay Cutler's favorite target on Monday night in Philadelphia. He caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, with Cutler looking to him on almost every third down passing play. The Bears offense has been crying out for a go-to guy in the passing game, and a healthy Bennett appears to be that player. He should...