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Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 4

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Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

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

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

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Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. SEA 7% $1

It's not a great week for streaming options at quarterback, but there are a few intriguing names available in most leagues.

Even coming off a big fantasy performance against the Jaguars, Fitzpatrick is impossible to trust as a streamer, since we've witnessed him crumble into a crater of turnovers in the past. Still, the veteran gets a Seahawks defense that's allowed 397 passing yards or more in every outing so far, including eight total touchdowns to quarterbacks. If you're willing to gamble in search of upside in Week 4, Fitzpatrick is your guy.

Nick Foles, Bears

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. IND 3% $1

Foles took over for a struggling Mitch Trubisky on Sunday and orchestrated yet another script-worthy comeback with 188 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. The 31-year-old isn't going to sustain that kind of production, but he can be a stabilizing force for an offense that's dealt with erratic quarterback play for a long time. With a solid supporting cast, Foles is back in the QB2 streamer mix.

Long-term options (don't start in Week 4): Jimmy Garoppolo vs. PHI (36% rostered), Justin Herbert at TB (21% rostered)

Streamer options: Teddy Bridgewater vs. ARI (17% rostered), Gardner Minshew at CIN (59% rostered), Kirk Cousins at HOU (26% rostered), Baker Mayfield at DAL (43% rostered)

Running backs

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Carlos Hyde, Seahawks

Next Up Rostered FAB
at MIA 18% $24

It sounds like the Seahawks caught a break with Chris Carson's knee injury, which appears to be on the minor side. Pete Carroll wouldn't rule out his starting running back for Week 4, but with the Seattle's bye approaching in Week 6, it would make sense for the team to play it safe and hold him out for a couple of games. That would temporarily propel Hyde to the top of the depth chart - a role he's served in multiple times before with other clubs. Though he's not much of a threat in the receiving game, Hyde rushed for 1,070 yards with the Texans in 2019 and is more than capable of taking advantage of favorable matchups against the Dolphins and Vikings. Consider him an RB2 for as long as Carson is sidelined.

Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. PHI 22% $19

There's a reason why we recommend rostering running backs on the 49ers' depth chart. At any moment, someone can be thrust into action, and regardless of who that is, we know they'll deliver thanks to Kyle Shanahan's rushing attack. Wilson popped on the fantasy radar last year when injuries struck, and he was called upon again on Sunday. Playing alongside Jerick McKinnon, Wilson turned in 69 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the win over the Giants. With McKinnon's status up in the air due to a rib injury and starter Raheem Mostert still working his way back from a knee issue, Wilson could be in line for an even bigger workload this week. If one is ruled out, Wilson would be a flex play. However, if both backs are inactive then Wilson can be fired up as a top-20 fantasy option.

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. SEA 47% $19

Gaskin passes the eye test as the Dolphins' best running back in 2020 - a surprising scenario since the team signed Jordan Howard and traded for Matt Breida. Seeing lead back volume, Gaskin has been solid through three games with at least 66 yards from scrimmage and four receptions in every contest. The problem is Howard's involvement as the goal-line back, which has robbed Gaskin of those high-value carries. And though Breida isn't getting much work, he continues to siphon off a handful of touches every week. When you add it all up, it caps Gaskin's fantasy value as an RB3/flex unless something changes. He can be a serviceable option on your roster, but don't expect week-winning performances.

Rex Burkhead, Patriots

Next Up Rostered FAB
at KC 11% $5

Pay close attention to the FAB bid here because it's important. Don't be fooled by the fact Burkhead amassed 49 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards, and three touchdowns this week. The Patriots' backfield remains in a state of constant change as they create specific game plans for every opponent. Burkhead has also benefitted from the absence of James White, who'll likely return to the team soon. Acquiring Burkhead off the waiver wire is a fine move as long as you understand you're getting a flex option with a floor that could return zero fantasy points in a given week.

Joshua Kelley and Latavius Murray are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (40% rostered), Tony Pollard (27% rostered), Chase Edmonds (37% rostered), and Darrel Williams (15% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Adrian Peterson vs. NO (52% rostered), Brian Hill at GB (2% rostered)

Desperation flex options: Frank Gore vs. DEN (17% rostered), J.D. McKissic vs. BAL (2% rostered), Jordan Howard vs. SEA (55% rostered)

Deeper upside backups: Boston Scott at SF (27% rostered), Giovani Bernard vs. JAX (4% rostered), Jamaal Williams vs. ATL (11% rostered), Duke Johnson Jr. vs. MIN (20% rostered), Devontae Booker vs. BUF (1% rostered), Anthony McFarland Jr. at TEN (1% rostered), Benny Snell Jr. at TEN (31% rostered)

Long shot bench stashes: JaMycal Hasty vs. PHI (1% rostered), La'Mical Perine vs. DEN (6% rostered), Travis Homer at MIA (1% rostered), Darrynton Evans vs. PIT (3% rostered), Jordan Wilkins at CHI (0% rostered), Gus Edwards at WAS (3% rostered), J.J. Taylor at KC (0% rostered), Bryce Love vs. BAL (2% rostered)

Wide receivers

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Justin Jefferson, Vikings

Next Up Rostered FAB
at HOU 30% $29

Jefferson's NFL career got off to a slow start when he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. Since then, he's been playing catch-up and making impressive strides each week. He exploded with a seven-catch, 175-yard, one-touchdown afternoon in Week 3. The Vikings are in the process of realizing they can no longer grind out games by relying on their rushing attack and defense. Minnesota will be forced to take to the air more, and with opponents focused on containing Adam Thielen, Jefferson is now on the map as a potential WR3 the rest of the way.

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. PHI 28% $24

Aiyuk is another first-round wideout who made his presence known in Week 3. His stat line wasn't as impressive as Jefferson's, but Aiyuk hauled in five passes for 70 yards while gaining another 31 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Though his outlook is muddied by the uncertain injury timelines of George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, the rookie is - for now - the top receiving option on an offense that schemes to the talent it has. Even when the 49ers are at full strength, they'll have big plans for Aiyuk, and fantasy managers should, too, as a WR4 with upside.

Allen Lazard/Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. ATL 48%/44% $14/$9

With the Packers' elite receiver out of the lineup, Lazard did his best Davante Adams impression on Sunday night with six catches, 146 yards, and a score. Unfortunately for him, Adams isn't expected to be out long. Yet, even with Adams healthy, both Lazard and Valdes-Scantling possess WR3/flex upside in a passing attack that's found its groove again.

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. JAX 5% $14

If you don't want to pay up for Jefferson or Aiyuk this week, take the discount your league will surely give you on another rookie: Higgins. His yardage total may have been more pedestrian (40) by comparison, but he caught two touchdowns and saw nine targets while leading all Bengals receivers in snaps this week. Perhaps you believe A.J. Green can knock off the rust and turn things around in some better matchups. However, I'm of the opinion that Green's best days are behind him and we're witnessing Higgins overtake him on the depth chart far sooner than anyone expected. Either way, you should be trying to get Higgins on your roster until we find out.

Corey Davis is around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Sneaky Stash: Alshon Jeffery at SF (14% rostered)

Flex options: Preston Williams vs. SEA (30% rostered), Tre'Quan Smith at DET (30% rostered), Laviska Shenault Jr. at CIN (29% rostered), N'Keal Harry at KC (44% rostered)

Injury opportunity flex options: Greg Ward at SF (0% rostered), Chase Claypool at TEN (14% rostered), James Washington at TEN (11% rostered), Andy Isabella at CAR (1% rostered), Hunter Renfrow vs. BUF (10% rostered), Zach Pascal at CHI (4% rostered), Cole Beasley at LV (9% rostered),

Risky flex options: Damiere Byrd at KC (1% rostered), Keelan Cole at CIN (42% rostered), Randall Cobb vs. MIN (6% rostered), Anthony Miller vs. IND (46% rostered), Scotty Miller vs. LAC (16% rostered), Golden Tate at LAR (39% rostered), Adam Humphries vs. PIT (5% rostered), Miles Boykin at WAS (4% rostered)

Promising rookies: Gabriel Davis at LV (0% rostered), KJ Hamler at NYJ (12% rostered), Darnell Mooney vs. IND (1% rostered), Van Jefferson Jr. vs. NYG (4% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: MeCole Hardman vs. NE (31% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. NE (1% rostered), Curtis Samuel vs. ARI (25% rostered), Kalif Raymond vs. PIT (0% rostered), Tim Patrick at NYJ (0% rostered), Cedrick Wilson vs. CLE (0% rostered), Jalen Guyton at TB (0% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus at GB (0% rostered)

Tight ends

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Jimmy Graham, Bears

Next Up Rostered FAB
vs. IND 9% $1

Once again, let us direct you to the FAB numbers in this section to make sure you're not overpaying to stream tight ends. Graham has returned to fantasy relevance in a Bears offense determined to feature him. His 10 targets on Sunday were second only to Allen Robinson's 13. With that kind of volume coupled with his red-zone work (three touchdowns in three games), Graham is a TE2 streamer who carries a bit more upside with Foles at the helm in Chicago.

Eric Ebron, Steelers

Next Up Rostered FAB
at TEN 27% $1

It's taking Ebron a little while to build chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger, but the duo are getting there, and the tight end's targets have risen each week from two to five to seven this past Sunday. Ebron came through with five receptions, 52 yards, and a touchdown. If starting wideout Diontae Johnson misses time with a concussion, Ebron will be one of the beneficiaries as a high-end TE2 streamer.

If you're playing the long game, Logan Thomas continues to draw at least seven targets per game. Unfortunately, he might need a quarterback change in Washington to improve his efficiency. Mo Alie-Cox followed up his 100-yard outing in Week 2 with 50 yards and a score this Sunday. We just need to see how the team deploys him once Jack Doyle and Trey Burton are completely healthy, which might be this week.

Other options: Logan Thomas vs. BAL (33% rostered), Mo Alie-Cox at CHI (9% rostered), Robert Tonyan vs. ATL (0% rostered), Dalton Schultz vs. CLE (31% rostered), Jordan Akins vs. MIN (6% rostered), Greg Olsen at MIA (22% rostered), Harrison Bryant at DAL (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 4 streamers

Team Next Up Rostered
Broncos at NYJ 36%
Packers vs. ATL 15%
Cowboys vs. CLE 22%
Cardinals at CAR 43%
Seahawks at MIA 30%

Favorable upcoming schedules: Cowboys DEF (22% rostered), Texans DEF (3% rostered), Bengals DEF (2% rostered)

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