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Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 4

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

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Daniel Jones, Giants

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. WAS 16% $3

In addition to leading the Giants to their first victory of the season, Jones posted the second-most fantasy points among quarterbacks this week with 336 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 28 rushing yards, and two rushing scores. He's worth consideration as a Week 4 streamer with a matchup against the Redskins, who gave up nine touchdown passes over the first three games.

Matthew Stafford, Lions

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. KC 51% $1

Outside of Jones, quality options are limited at quarterback this week. Stafford has the talent and the weapons to put up big fantasy days when the coaching staff or game script allow him to air it out. The Chiefs are the kind of opponent who can force teams into catch-up mode, and the contest sports one of the highest projected totals of the week at 54 points. If you're not enticed by Stafford, there are a few other passers with decent matchups in Week 4 listed below.

Other options: Gardner Minshew at DEN (8% owned), Jacoby Brissett vs. OAK (19% owned), Kyle Allen at HOU (2% owned), Case Keenum at NYG (16% owned)

Running backs

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Wayne Gallman Jr., Giants

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. WAS 3% $29

Saquon Barkley is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain and reports indicate he's likely to be on the longer end of that timetable. That thrusts Gallman into the starting role in an offense that's suddenly a little more exciting with Jones under center. Head coach Pat Shurmur acknowledged the possibility the team could bring in a veteran to play behind Gallman, and a free agent like C.J. Anderson could be an immediate threat to his temporary status as the starter. For now, the 24-year-old is the No. 1 waiver wire add this week and will be in the low-end RB2 conversation as long as Barkley remains sidelined.

Barkley's injury also serves as a reminder that the deeper we get into the season, the more your bench spots should be filled with upside backup runners. We've added several of them to the list at the bottom of this section.

Darrel Williams/Darwin Thompson, Chiefs

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at DET 6%/32% $14/$7

While we wait for updates on Damien Williams' knee and LeSean McCoy's ankle, both Darrel Williams and Thompson need to be rostered. With Damien inactive, Darrel (37 snaps) led the backfield in playing time with McCoy (26 snaps) leaving early after reaggravating his injury. Williams compiled 109 yards from scrimmage, but it was McCoy who found the end zone twice in addition to 80 yards of his own. Thompson was a distant third, seeing the field on just five offensive plays. That puts Darrel in line to start if the two veterans are unable to suit up in Week 4. Thompson continues to be a long-term stash.

Rex Burkhead, Patriots

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at BUF 24% $7

Burkhead saw his usage spike with James White ruled out for the birth of his daughter. However, Burkhead has been a consistent producer through three games with at least 68 yards from scrimmage in each outing. Until Sony Michel improves his play - 15 carries for 14 yards in Week 1 and nine carries for 11 yards in Week 3 - Burkhead will be worth owning and potentially starting in the right matchups.

Frank Gore, Bills

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. NE 57% $7

Hamstring injuries vary in severity and can often linger, so until we see Devin Singletary on the practice field, we can't confidently project his return. If the rookie is unavailable, Gore will continue on as the starter - a role he turned into 89 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Ronald Jones, Buccaneers

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at LAR 25% $5

The truth is, you should probably just stay away from the Buccaneers' backfield and avoid the inevitable fantasy headache; Peyton Barber is a steady starter with a very low ceiling, so the possibility of someone unseating him always exists. Jones has flashed on a couple of occasions in his sophomore campaign, including 75 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards in Week 1 and most recently 80 rushing yards and 41 receiving yards in Week 3. If that continues, Bruce Arians will have no choice but to give Jones more run.

Other options: Justin Jackson vs. MIA (29% owned), Brian Hill vs. TEN (0% owned), Raheem Mostert on bye (53% owned), Malcolm Brown vs. TB (54% owned), Alexander Mattison at CHI (20% owned), Tony Pollard at NO (17% owned), Jaylen Samuels vs. CIN (46% owned), Jamaal Williams vs. PHI (9% owned), Chris Thompson at NYG (44% owned), C.J. Prosise at ARI (0% owned), Chase Edmonds vs. SEA (3% owned), Ty Johnson vs. KC (2% owned), Giovani Bernard at PIT (20% owned), Gus Edwards vs. CLE (4% owned), Justice Hill vs. CLE (7% owned), Jordan Wilkins vs. OAK (7% owned), Jeff Wilson Jr. on bye (4% owned)

Wide receivers

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MeCole Hardman, Chiefs

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at DET 49% $29

Hardman went undervalued last week after teammate Demarcus Robinson overshadowed him with a monster performance in Week 2. We warned that Hardman was the more valuable fantasy asset in last week's waiver wire column, noting his 72-yard catch that didn't make it to the box score due to a penalty. In Week 3, it was Hardman's turn to lead the Chiefs' receiving corps with 97 yards and a score. It's time to get his ownership up to 100% as a borderline WR2 while Tyreek Hill is out.

DJ Chark Jr., Jaguars

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at DEN 41% $29

When Chark opened the year with a four-catch, 146-yard, one-touchdown performance, it seemed fluky. Although he recorded only 55 yards in Week 2, he ultimately saved his fantasy owners with a trip to the end zone. After adding another 76 yards and his third touchdown of the year last week, we can safely say Chark has taken his game to another level. The rookie who looked lost at times in 2018 has morphed into a confident sophomore and is using a more technically sound approach to get the best of defenders. Chark is top-10 in fantasy points among receivers in 2019 and needs to be rostered everywhere as an upside WR3.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. PHI 54% $14

Two tough matchups against the Bears and Vikings caused MVS to stumble out of the blocks in fantasy. He quickly corrected that in Week 3 with six grabs, 99 yards, and a touchdown on a team-high 10 targets. Next up is a Thursday night date with a generous Eagles secondary that's already allowed four receivers to eclipse 100 yards in just three games. Valdes-Scantling's field-stretcher role comes with a lower floor than most fantasy managers would like, but he should be treated as a WR4 with tremendous upside playing with Aaron Rodgers.

Phillip Dorsett II, Patriots

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at BUF 32% $9

Fantasy expectations for Dorsett need to be readjusted with Antonio Brown no longer on the team. In two games without AB, Dorsett has stat lines of 4-95-2 and 6-53-1. Playing in three-receiver sets alongside Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman, Dorsett is a high-ceiling WR4, though you might not want to use him this week against a stingy defense in Buffalo.

Nelson Agholor/Mack Hollins, Eagles

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at GB 54%/1% $7/$5

After missing Week 3, DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery are facing an uphill battle to be ready for Thursday Night Football. Agholor took advantage of their absence, hauling in eight balls for 50 yards and two scores on Sunday. He would be the main beneficiary if one or both wideouts are sidelined again. Hollins, who's the direct backup to D-Jax, has caught nine of his 15 targets for 112 yards over the last two games and is a sneaky flex play in deeper leagues.

Other options: Golden Tate returns from suspension Week 5 (37% owned), Courtland Sutton vs. JAX (52% owned), Diontae Johnson vs. CIN (4% owned), Preston Williams vs. LAC (3% owned), Kenny Stills vs. CAR (18% owned), Deebo Samuel on bye (39% owned), Marquise Goodwin on bye (23% owned), Devin Smith at NO (11% owned), Cole Beasley vs. NE (8% owned), James Washington vs. CIN (26% owned), Auden Tate at PIT (0% owned), Parris Campbell vs. OAK (4% owned), Zach Pascal vs. OAK (0% owned), Deon Cain vs. OAK (0% owned), JJ Arcega-Whiteside at GB (5% owned), Darius Slayton vs. WAS (0% owned)

Tight ends

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Will Dissly, Seahawks

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
at ARI 44% $3

Dissly is generating a ton of buzz this week as the perfect storm for fantasy production. The Cardinals have been rocked by opposing tight ends, permitting stat lines of 6-131-1, 8-112-1, and 6-75-2 over the first three weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Dissly has racked up three touchdowns over his last two outings. Don't expect big yardage in a game the Seahawks should control, but another end zone appearance seems likely, putting Dissly in the low-end TE1/streamer mix.

Chris Herndon, Jets

Next Up Ownership FAAB bid
vs. DAL (Week 6) 12% $1

With the situation at tight end pretty dire, it's time to start thinking about a preemptive bid on Herndon, a breakout candidate serving a four-game suspension. As a rookie, he was a top-seven fantasy tight end over a 10-game stretch from Week 6 to Week 16. The Jets' new coaching staff gushed about him in the offseason and he should produce another strong fantasy finish once he returns from suspension.

Other options: Vernon Davis at NYG (20% owned), Trey Burton vs. MIN (42% owned), Noah Fant vs. JAX (11% owned), Dawson Knox vs. NE (0% owned), Jordan Akins vs. CAR (0% owned)

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