Right now, Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline is owned in about 26 percent of ESPN leagues. In a day or two, that number will jump up dramatically. That’s what 12 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown in one game will do for you.

But you have to be wary of the breakout fantasy performance. That’s not to say you should ignore it or write it off as a one-week wonder, but at the same time, you don’t want to jump in head first. The likelihood this was merely a flash in the pan far outweighs the likelihood this was Hartline’s coming-out party.

So, when a game like Hartline’s happens, the first question we should ask is, how? How did this happen? This man had more than 100 yards receiving in a game only once in his four-year career prior to Sunday. What changed? This man had caught more than five passes in a game only once before Sunday’s 12-catch effort. Did he suddenly learn how to get open? Who’s to say he didn’t just get lucky?

But it cannot simply be luck. The numbers are too big. It’d be one thing to write Hartline off if he had nine receptions for 150 yards or even 10 for 195, but the magnitude of Hartline’s stat line is remarkable. He had 253 yards!! That number finds its way into the record books — the 18th-best single-game receiving performance all-time and the highest total since Lee Evans tallied 265 yards in a game in 2006.

Historically, at least in recent fantasy play, Hartline may compare best to Miles Austin. Fantasy-wise, the Cowboys receiver was worthless in his first three NFL seasons as he had only one 100-yard game.

But then he exploded for a 10-catch, 250-yard performance early in his fourth year, and it’s been all gravy from there. Now he’s a solid fantasy option week in and week out. But he needed that one breakout game to get it all started. Perhaps this past week was that game for Hartline.

So, regardless of the past, if the waiver wire works in your favor, you have to grab Hartline. Even if it’s just to hoard him on your bench, you have to do it. It’d be negligent not to.

But at the same time, if you want to say “screw it” because he’s a former Buckeye, I completely endorse that as well.

Two other free agent receivers are also worth a look this week:

Andre Roberts (Cardinals) — Roberts has a knack for the end zone. He scored his third and fourth touchdown of the season this Sunday for an Arizona team that might actually be good. Expect him to keep up the production as long as quarterback Kevin Kolb continues to play well, which is probably not that long.

Andrew Hawkins (Bengals) — Hawkins is the Darren Sproles of the Bengals. He’s a lightning-fast, little-jumping bean who gets plenty of touches. He’s scored on two plays of over 50 yards already this season, and in a passing offense like Cincinnati’s, he is bound for more. If Hawkins is still available, jump on it.

Jack is a senior in LAS. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JCassidy10.