Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 4
Each week, theScore's fantasy editors will run down the top waiver-wire pickups with a focus on the coming week and the rest of the season.
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor, Bills
Recommended FAAB allocation in 12-team leagues: 20 percent
Taylor's probably not available in your league, but if he is, this is the week to change that. He's for real. Week after week, Taylor proves he can get it done not only with his legs but also with his arm. Four of the Bills' next five opponents are soft defenses, making Taylor an ideal replacement for Ben Roethlisberger during the latter's injury absence.
Andy Dalton, Bengals
FAAB: 20 percent
Dalton is firmly on the radar as a high-variance QB1 who should turn in more high-end performances than stinkers. It's not necessarily that Dalton is a better player than in years past, it's that he finally has a full complement of healthy weapons to throw to. Rewind one year and A.J. Green was hobbled and Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert were both out with injuries. With fellow AFC North passer Roethlisberger out at least a month, Dalton will be a popular add.
Derek Carr, Raiders
FAAB: 5 percent
Either get on the bandwagon or prepare to be left in the dust - this Raiders' offense is actually pretty potent. Carr isn't a starting option in shallow leagues, but he's a smart stash - especially considering how brutal this season has been for quarterback injuries. As Carr continues to develop chemistry with rookie Amari Cooper, he could become a low-end QB1 and a valuable trade chip.
Running Back
Devonta Freeman, Falcons
FAAB: 20 percent
With Tevin Coleman out with a rib injury, Freeman exploded for a three-touchdown performance against one of the NFL's most stout defenses. Freeman is owned in more than half of fantasy leagues, but will shoot up to nearly 100 percent this week. Be sure to consider that Coleman will likely return to a 50-50 timeshare in a few weeks when making your bid for Freeman.
Karlos Williams, Bills
FAAB: 10 percent
Williams continues to make the Bills look wise for cutting ties with Fred Jackson. The dynamic rookie has outproduced hobbled starter LeSean McCoy on far fewer touches and could see his fantasy value skyrocket (temporarily, at least) if the Bills decide to shut down McCoy for a few weeks to let him heal.
Ronnie Hillman, Broncos
FAAB: 5 percent
C.J. Anderson is hurt (again) and Hillman will get the chance to show his stuff as a feature back (again). Is there any reason to believe this will be the time fourth-year pro Hillman seizes his opportunity and carves out a significant role for himself in this potent offense? Don't get your hopes up, but add Hillman just in case the fourth (or is it sixth or seventh?) time is the charm.
Lance Dunbar, Cowboys
FAAB: 5 percent
The Cowboys' strategy in Tony Romo's absence is clear: They plan to lean hard on their elite offensive line and trio of running backs. While Joseph Randle has by far the most fantasy value here, Dunbar is a sneaky play in PPR leagues. He's entrenched as the Cowboys' third-down back and has averaged seven receptions per game through three weeks of play.
Thomas Rawls, Seahawks
FAAB: 1 percent
If Marshawn Lynch misses time (and we actually know about it before the game starts this time), Rawls appears to be the player to own.
Wide Receiver
Rishard Matthews, Dolphins
FAAB: 10 percent
It's now clear: It's Matthews and not DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, or Greg Jennings who is the Dolphins receiver to own opposite Jarvis Landry. Matthews has led his team in receiving over the past two weeks, topping 200 yards with two touchdowns along the way. At least until Parker integrates into the offense, Matthews is a viable WR3.
Michael Crabtree, Raiders
FAAB: 10 percent
Crabtree has been heavily targeted this season and has been fairly productive, though somewhat inconsistent, for an offense on the rise. As teammate Amari Cooper continues his ascension and draws double-coverage, Crabtree could post some decent stat lines.
FAAB: 10 percent
Marvin Jones, Bengals
Jones, who missed all of last season with ankle and foot injuries, is fully healthy and ready to make good on the promise he showed in his 10-touchdown 2013 campaign. Jones caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and is a decent bet to see a high volume of targets moving forward.
Leonard Hankerson, Falcons
FAAB: 5 percent
Hankerson remains behind Roddy White in the Falcons' pecking order, but his stats over the previous two weeks are impossible to ignore. Hankerson has nine catches for 122 yards and a touchdown over the span, while White doesn't have a single catch. We could be witnessing a changing of the guard. Whoever plays opposite Julio Jones will always see favorable coverage.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans
FAAB: 5 percent
Green-Beckham still isn't playing starters' snaps for the Titans (Kendall Wright and Harry Douglas each played at least 59 snaps in Week 3 to Green-Beckham's 14), but it's apparent that Green-Beckham is the team's best red-zone weapon. After touchdowns in back-to-back weeks, Green-Beckham's snap count is sure to rise. Snatch him up before it's too late.
Tight End
Charles Clay, Bills
FAAB: 3 percent
Pickings are slim for owners in need of a bye-week replacement for Rob Gronkowski. Clay is coming off an 82-yard performance and has scored in two straight weeks. The Bills get the porous New York Giants' defense next.
Coby Fleener, Colts
FAAB: 3 percent
Dwayne Allen was hurt for Week 3, opening the door for Fleener's 51-yard performance. The Colts get the Jaguars next.