Sean Koerner — the No. 1 in-season fantasy football ranker in three of the past five seasons according to FantasyPros — outlines his thoughts on 16 of the top waiver wire candidates heading into Week 4.
Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups
Click on a position to skip to those players.
Justin Herbert Nick Foles | |
Jeff Wilson Patriots RBs | |
Alshon Jeffery Tee Higgins Cedrick Wilson Hunter Renfrow Zach Pascal | |
Mo Alie-Cox |
QUARTERBACKS
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins
Fitzpatrick is my top streamer play this week, but I consider him only a one-week rental as he carries the risk of an in-game benching for the first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa rest of the season. I happen to think the odds are relatively low this week, but they will increase going forward.
Justin Herbert, Chargers
It's unclear if Tyrod Taylor will be the team's starter this week if he's healthy enough to play. What is clear is that Herbert could provide low-end QB2 value if and when he starts.
He could struggle with a Week 4 matchup at Tampa Bay then a Week 5 matchup at New Orleans. However, he has a juicy four-game stretch after that: vs. the Jets, @ the Dolphins, vs. the Jaguars then vs. the Raiders from Weeks 6-9.
Nick Foles, Bears
It goes without saying that if you're in a 2QB/Superflex league and need a starting quarterback, you should target Foles. He'll likely be the Bears starter rest of the season, as long as he's healthy.
RUNNING BACKS
Carlos Hyde, Seahawks
Chris Carson suffered a minor knee sprain in Week 3 and could miss some time. We might not know by the waiver wire deadline if he will miss Week 4 or beyond. If you're 3-0 and already have solid RB depth, there's no reason to be spending any of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) to obtain Hyde. However, if you're desperate, you can take a swing here.
Even if Carson can suit up, Hyde could see an increased workload and provide RB2/Flex value against the Dolphins. I would expect the Seahawks to play it safe with Carson and have him return in Week 7 (following their Week 6 bye).
Jeff Wilson, 49ers
I was not surprised to see Wilson thrive in Week 3, scoring a pair of touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving), although he's playing on borrowed time until Raheem Mostert can return, who is questionable this week.
Considering Jerick McKinnon is also questionable with a rib injury, Wilson could provide at least one more week of RB2/Flex value. Given how volatile the 49ers' RB rotation is every season and how much value it provides, he's worth holding onto for the next few weeks.
Remember that Mostert was the dark horse to emerge as the fantasy back to own in 2019. It could be Wilson's turn this season.
Rex Burkhead/Damien Harris/Sony Michel, Patriots
I'm lumping all three Patriots backs here. You can take a flier on any of the three in deeper leagues, but this backfield will be challenging to project going forward.
James White is away from the team while he deals with the tragic death of his father, though he should return at some point over the next couple weeks and take over his usual passing down role. Michel erupted for 140 scrimmage yards while Burkhead scored three total touchdowns in Week 3. Harris could return soon, further muddying the waters.
Cam Newton will dominate much of the goal-line work, making it challenging for me to be excited about any specific Pats back.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
I wish Jefferson didn't post such eye-popping numbers in Week 3. It'll make it difficult to get him cheap, but he should provide WR3 value with upside.
He was in a battle with Olabisi Johnson for No. 2 WR duties for the first two games.
Player Routes Run Per Dropback Targets
- Justin Jefferson: 75% (6)
- Olabisi Johnson: 72% (8)
Jefferson then blew Olabisi out of the water in Week 3, out-snapping him on pass plays 90% to 3% then out-targeting him 9 to 0. Jefferson's 7/175/1 line is far from misleading, and he should be the No. 2 option in this offense from now on.
The Vikings may have to become a heavy pass team as we advance due to their defense giving up an average of 34 points a game this year.
Alshon Jeffery, Eagles
Jeffery is nearing a return, and the Eagles are desperate for healthy pass catchers. He's a decent stash in deeper leagues and should be reasonably cheap.
Tee Higgins, Bengals
John Ross appeared to be a healthy scratch in Week 3, and I viewed this as a sign the team was ready to anoint Higgins as the No. 3 WR. Higgins is the long-term replacement for A.J. Green. Considering how poor Green has looked this season, the team may give Higgins increased late-season looks if they're out of the playoff picture.
[Get Real-Time Week 4 Fantasy Rankings Until Kickoff]
Cedrick Wilson, Cowboys
Cedrick Wilson's 5/107/2 performance last week will go down as one of the season's flukiest performances. You shouldn't use a waiver claim or FAAB to obtain him. However, in deeper leagues, he's a decent bench stash.
He would need an injury to either Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup or CeeDee Lamb to even consider putting in your lineup. Wilson is a cheap way to invest in this Cowboys offense that will be involved in shootouts nearly every week.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders
He could be a one-week rental if both Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards end up missing Week 4. Renfrow a sneaky flier if you're desperate in a deeper PPR league.
Zach Pascal, Colts
Parris Campbell and Michael Pittman are both expected to miss extended time. Pascal should be the Colts' unquestioned No. 2 WR until further notice. He could end up becoming one of Philip Rivers' favorite red-zone weapons, and I like the idea of adding Pascal in deeper leagues as a WR4/5 who could be a bye-week fill in.
TIGHT ENDS
Eric Ebron, Steelers
It was only a matter of time until Ebron had a breakout game to generate waiver wire buzz. If Diontae Johnson ends up missing Week 4, it'll help boost Ebron's expected target share, and we'd be able to trust him as a potential streamer. However, there are too many mouths to feed in this offense to expect stable production from Ebron.
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts
I have been a low key Mo Alie-Cox fan for a couple of years now.
He has the potential to be a red-zone force with his massive 6-foot-6, 267-pound frame. I was high on him in Week 3 once Jack Doyle was ruled out. However, last week Doyle returned to the lineup, and it snapped Cox's usage. You wouldn't know just by looking at the box score as Doyle finished with zero catches while Cox put up 3/50/1 receiving line, but a deeper look at playing time tells a different story: Doyle dominated playing time, running a route on 60% of the pass plays compared to Cox's 28%.
Until we see the Colts let Cox run a route on 50% or more of pass plays, he is a touchdown-or-bust option.
