Waiver Wire: Week 4
The only thing we know after three weeks is that we don’t know. The 2024 season is off to a wild start. And more injuries and ineffective players are piling up. Our Waiver Wire: Week 4 has the top adds to target ahead of the one-quarter mark.
Along with knowing who to pick up, FullTime Fantasy‘s Matchup Analyzer Tool will help you get the most out of your lineup.
Here are the low-rostered players you should consider adding ahead of the season’s third week.
Roschon Johnson (RB) Chicago Bears – D’Andre Swift ranks 82nd out of 93 running backs graded by PFF in 2024. Swift is averaging a putrid 1.7 yards after contact and has been the third-least elusive back in football. Therefore, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Swift is benched. Johnson got 13 touches in Week 3, just three fewer than Swift. Also, Johnson produced more yards on fewer touches and was far more efficient as a runner and receiver. A proactive bid on Johnson now might secure you the Bears’ starter sooner rather than later. Subsequently, Khalil Herbert also makes sense as a proactive target in deeper leagues.
Bucky Irving (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Irving highlighted last week‘s waiver wire piece. Rachaad White continues to struggle and the rookie out-snapped him in Tampa’s humiliating loss to Denver. If Irving is still available, he’s a primary add this week.
Braelon Allen (RB) New York Jets – The Jets are firmly committed to utilizing both of their outstanding young backs. Allen is still available in about 65% of leagues. However, that will change this week. Allen is among the best handcuffs in football. Additionally, he’s had standalone value in the past two games. Allen is a top-30 fantasy back through three games and needs to be a priority add where he’s un-rostered.
Jauan Jennings (WR) San Francisco 49ers – It’s important to have realistic expectations. Jennings blew up in Week 3 but don’t overbid chasing those points. Kyle Shanahan’s teams typically don’t often feature their WR3 in the offense. However, Jennings fills in as the club’s WR2 while Deebo Samuel is sidelined. Samuel should return in Week 4 or 5, relegating Jennings back to his unreliable role. Add Jennings for depth but I would not spend more than 10% of my FAAB budget chasing last week’s breakout.
Cole Kmet (TE) Chicago Bears– Hello usage! After seeing a paltry six targets in the first two weeks, Kmet exploded to snag 10-of-11 attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. Kmet’s ultimate usage (and value) are likely in the middle. However, with the attrition at tight end, he’s worth a fairly aggressive bid of 12-15% FAAB for TE-needy fantasy managers.
Mike Williams (WR) New York Jets – Williams continues to earn more snaps as he rounds into shape. One of the top wideouts to add where he’s available.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) New York Giants – Robinson is (quietly) tied for 15th with 24 targets. That’s the same number of looks as Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, and DK Metcalf. While everyone else is chasing after Jauan Jennings’s huge outing, throwing out a modest 5-7% FAAB bid on Robinson would be a savvy move.
Jalen Nailor (WR) Minnesota Vikings – Nailor has posted top-25 fantasy stats through three weeks. On Sunday, he ran 32 routes and turned four targets into 31 yards and another score. His third consecutive week with a TD grab. However, Jordan Addison’s looming return could eat into Nailor’s opportunities. Still, He will remain the WR3 for an offense that looks solid.
Cam Akers (RB) Houston Texans – You probably added Akers last week. Joe Mixon didn’t even make the trip to Minnesota, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him miss another game. Akers has passed the injured Dameon Pierce as Mixon’s direct backup and is a better fit in Bobby Slowik’s zone-blocking scheme. If Akers gets another start in Week 4, he’ll be on the RB2 radar against a soft Jacksonville defense.
DeMario Douglas (WR) New England Patriots – Another low-volume offense, Douglas ranks second on the team with a 64.9% snap rate. More importantly, his 16.9% target share leads the club. While Ja’Lynn Polk is trending to develop into the Patriots’ top dog, Douglas’s slot role is a safe source of targets and receptions.
Tyler Conklin (TE) New York Jets – How bad has the TE position been? Conklin is now a top-10 option for the season. And that’s after he scored 1.6 points in Weeks 1-2. Combined. Conklin’s 92% snaps share and 18% target share are excellent.
Tutu Atwell (WR) Los Angeles Rams – In Week 3, Atwell ran a route on 86% of his 28 snaps. What’s interesting is nine of those came from the slot. With Cooper Kupp already ruled out for Week 4, Atwell has some WR4 appeal against the Bears.
Xavier Legette & Jonathan Mingo (WR) Carolina Panthers – Call it the Andy Dalton Effect. Amazing what a competent QB can do. Adam Theilen injured his hamstring on his TD catch. Theilen will miss time, and both of Carolina’s ancillary wideouts will see significant action. Although all of Carolina’s wide receivers rotate from the perimeter to inside, Mingo is the best bet to man the slot regularly.
Calvin Austin III (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers – Austin ran 20 routes in 37 snaps and commanded five targets. The touchdown stands out. However, this is a low-octane Pittsburgh passing attack. Even if Austin retains a top-3 role in Pittsburgh, he’s not going to be a consistent fantasy producer.
Tyler Badie (RB) Denver Broncos – Sean Payton’s Denver backfield remains unpredictable. Badie was involved for the first time and turned 13 snaps into nine touches and 90 yards. However, nine of those snaps came in the fourth quarter. That was after the game had been decided. Proceed with caution.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB) Kansas City Chiefs – Be proactive. CEH will not play this week. However, there is a legitimate chance he will have a role as early as Week 5.
Streaming Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) at Green Bay
Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Justin Fields (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Indianapolis Colts
