Looking back on Week 3, it feels like it was a remarkable slate of games. Mostly for the wrong reasons. The Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 4 is one of the best ways fantasy managers can improve their odds at winning this week and for the remainder of the season.
Here are the top fantasy-relevant, low-rostered free agents to target ahead of Week 4, with FAAB recommendations.
FAAB denotes Free Agent Acquisition Budget
Khalil Herbert (RB) Chicago Bears (65% FAAB) – Without a definite word on the right knee injury to David Montgomery, be prepared to go “all in” for Khalil Herbert. Montgomery appeared to twist his knee awkwardly, which often means MCL or PCL damage. It could also be a severe high-ankle sprain. Regardless, it looks like Chicago’s starter will be sidelined for several games and Herbert flashed his RB1 upside. After Montgomery’s exit, Herbert did something Montgomery has never done in the NFL- rushed for 157 yards and two scores. Chicago’s anemic passing attack is historically bad, which means Herbert could see a significant workload for multiple weeks. Be prepared to make a substantial waiver claim, but you just might land an RB1 for the next month or longer.
Jamaal Williams (RB) Detroit Lions (55% FAAB) – We’ve been on Williams since this summer, so he’s probably not available in your league. However, he is unrostered in over half of ESPN leagues. Williams already has stand-alone weekly value. But, with D’Andre Swift now slated to miss at least two games, Williams is a fringe RB1.
Alexander Mattison (RB) Minnesota Vikings (35% FAAB) – Although word is he’s “day-to-day,” there are still concerns about Dalvin Cook‘s oft-injured shoulder. If Cook is slated to miss a game or two, Mattison slides right into fantasy RB1 territory. He’s a proven producer who has excelled when Cook has missed games. Of course, some aren’t too alarmed by the injury which means caution is in order. If Cook doesn’t in fact miss any time, Mattison is merely a strong hand-cuff option. We’ll update the Fulltime Discord if Cook is slated to miss Week 4.
Romeo Doubs (WR) Green Bay Packers (12% FAAB) – Granted, it was due to injuries, but Doubs moved into the starting lineup. The result were very good, as the rookie snagged all 8 of his targets for 73 yards and a score. Doubs was a deep threat at Nevada, so there is some downfield upside that makes him worth a fairly aggressive bid as a potential weekly WR4.
Michael Gallup (WR) Dallas Cowboys (8% FAAB) – Always be proactive, not reactive. Gallup is now expected to sit Monday night, but that might lead to a better value on the waiver wire. Gallup is getting pretty close to a return. When he does, he’ll immediately slot in as the club’s No. 2 wideout. if Dak Prescott only misses one or two more weeks, Gallup offers weekly WR3 value for the remainder of the season.
Zay Jones (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars (7% FAAB) – What a difference a coach can make. Last year’s Jags had so much potential, only to be destroyed by Urban Meyer’s incompetence. Under Doug Pederson, Jacksonville looks like a legitimate contender. Even though he’s the club’s No. 3 wideout, Zay Jones enters Week 4 with a 19/173/1 line on 24 targets. He’s a top-25 fantasy option in PPR leagues.
Trevor Lawrence (QB) Jacksonville Jaguars (6% FAAB) – Speaking of the Jags, their promising sophomore signal-caller is rosterd in fewer than half of ESPN leagues. Considering how shaky the quarterback position has been in fantasy, Lawrence looks like a potential QB1. Looking ahead, Lawrence has a very fantasy-friendly schedule during the playoff stretch. Starting in Week 14, the Jags play the Titans twice, Cowboys, Jets, and Texans.
Russell Gage (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6% FAAB) – Although Tampa’s offense is off to a disappointing start, there is still some hope things turn around. Once Chris Godwin and Julio Jones are healthy, things could improve quickly. Those injuries led to a whopping 13 targets for Gage on Sunday. Of course, that target share will decline when the receiving corp is reinforced. But it is likely Gage will see higher quality targets when he draws less defensive coverage. Target Gage as a reliable weekly WR3/4.
Greg Dortch (WR) Arizona Cardinals (5% FAAB) – Dortch has drawn 9,4, and 10 targets in Arizona’s three contests. He’s also topped 50 yards in each game and is, very quietly, a top-20 fantasy wideout. With Rondale Moore and now potentially A.J. Green sidelined, Dortch’s role remains safe.
Mack Hollins (WR) Las Vegas Raiders (5% FAAB) – With Hunter Renfrow out, Hollins saw a season-high 10 targets en route to a career game against the Titans. Obviously, we can’t expect that kind of production again but Hollins has 13 grabs over his past two outings and will stay in on 3-wide sets. Currently a top-20 wideout on the season, Hollins should be rostered in most formats.
Tyler Conklin (TE) New York Jets (5% FAAB) – Among all NFL tight ends, Conklin is off to an impressive start. He ranks third in PPR points, targets, and 2nd with 18 receptions. Yet, Conklin is rostered in under 12% of ESPN fantasy leagues. That number should definitely be substantially higher. But, a word of caution. If Zach Wilson reclaims the starting gig in Week 3, that will change the offense. That’s why Conklin is only worth a solid bid instead of a large offer.
Brian Hoyer (QB) New England Patriots (5% FAAB) – From the looks of Mac Jones‘s ankle injury, Hoyer may be making multiple starts for New England. The 36-year-old veteran hasn’t seen regular action since 2017 but knows New England’s system well. He won’t do a ton to help or hurt the Patriots’ offense. Hoyer will average about 14-15 fantasy points per start, which makes him merely a Superflex pick-up or inexpensive DFS streamer.
Trestan Ebner (RB) Chicago Bears (4% FAAB) – Depending on the severity of David Montgomery’s leg injury, Ebner could be next man up. The rookie had 8 opportunities on 15 snaps against Houston. That’s a nice touch rate for a player whose playing time is about to jump.
Josh Reynolds (WR) Detroit Lions (2% FAAB) – As long as Detroit’s defense remains this generous, the Lions will frequently play in shootouts. Reynolds was in on 79.4% of Detroit’s snaps in Week 3. He currently stands as the WR42 in PPR scoring and is almost entirely unrostered.
Cole Beasley (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2% FAAB) – Even though he had little practice reps, Beasley snagged three balls in his Bucs’ debut. Considering the shape of Tampa’s offense, Beasley could work his way into the rotation as a reliable safety valve to Tom Brady. Beasley is worth a minimal bid in deeper leagues.
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