We've put a bow on Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season and are on to Week 4 — now it's time to gaze into the crystal ball and see which players we should target on the waiver wire now for a big payoff later.
Week 5 Early Waiver Wire Targets
Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers (5% rostered)
Mitch Trubisky has been mediocre at best over the first three games. So far, he has completed 60.2% of his passes for 569 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the 1-2 Steelers.
It feels like a question of when — not if — we will see Pickett take his first NFL regular season snaps, which frankly could come as early as this week against the Jets.
Pickett, who was selected in the first round of this year's draft, represents the future for Pittsburgh and is worth a look in superflex/two-quarterback leagues. He could also have long-term value for those playing in keeper leagues.
Treylon Burks, WR, Titans (42%)
We have seen great things from every healthy first-round rookie receiver this season — except for Burks.
Drake London has been phenomenal and has quickly taken over as the No. 1 option in Atlanta. Garrett Wilson has been a target hog and has shined on an anemic Jets team. Chris Olave has proven he can be fantasy relevant with or without Michael Thomas on the field. Jahan Dotson has flashed greatness as one of Carson Wentz's favorite targets.
Burks, who has eight catches for 115 yards and zero touchdowns through three games, has been mostly unremarkable. He is the WR71 in half PPR, though the team wants to get him more involved.
I believe a breakout is brewing, and it could happen as early as this week in Indianapolis. His snap counts have increased each week, from 24 in Week 1, 25 in Week 2 and 40 in Week 3 — just two shy of Robert Woods' total. Burks has been dropped in a number of leagues and could be available if an impatient manager cut bait.
Isaiah McKenzie, WR, Bills (46%)
McKenzie was a hot preseason sleeper name. He found the end zone in Week 1, tapered off in Week 2 and came back very strong in Week 3. He reeled in 7-of-9 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown and finished as the WR11 in half PPR.
McKenzie was the third-most targeted player on the team against the Dolphins, behind only Stefon Diggs and Devin Singletary, and ahead of Gabriel Davis. McKenzie could end up playing a major role in the high-powered Bills offense, and might even vie with Davis for the No. 2 spot behind Diggs.
Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals (29 and 17%)
We have yet to see Moore all season due to a hamstring injury, though there have been encouraging reports from Arizona. Moore has logged two limited practices this week and head coach Kliff Kingsbury sounds optimistic about his availability for Week 4.
Dortch, on the other hand, has been a nice surprise with Moore out. He has logged double-digit fantasy points in half PPR in every game and is coming off of a monster nine-catch, 80-receiving yard game against the Rams.
I expect both to have value, especially with A.J. Green out indefinitely with a bone bruise and the Cardinals chucking the ball gratuitously.
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Panthers (11%)
Star running back Christian McCaffrey has been a frequent fixture on the Panthers' injury report. He missed back-to-back practices this week with a quad injury, though he was spotted at practice on Friday.
I expect McCaffrey to play, but it would not be the worst idea to pick up his backup just in case. I prefer Foreman over Chuba Hubbard, as he demonstrated his ability to produce last season with the Titans when Derrick Henry was out.
Craig Reynolds, RB, Lions (3%)
Reynolds has had minimal involvement thus far behind the tandem of D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Swift, though, could be out until after the Lions' Week 6 bye with a shoulder injury, which is a massive boost for Williams.
The Lions, more competitive than in previous years, have been running the ball a surprising amount. I expect Reynolds to have a bigger role while Swift is out and could have some nice opportunities against the Seahawks defense, which has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to running backs this year. Reynolds is worth a stash in deeper leagues for now.
Justice Hill, RB, Ravens (2%)
Even with J.K. Dobbins' return, Hill had his best game of the year in Week 3. He rushed six times for 60 yards, while Dobbins rushed seven times for 23 yards and caught two passes for 17 yards.
There was definitely optimism for Dobbins — who had not played since 2020 after suffering a torn ACL in training camp — especially with Kenyan Drake a healthy scratch. We could be looking at some kind of committee in the making, which wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Ravens’ long term given Dobbins’ injury risk. Widely available in most leagues, Hill is a viable backup on a high-powered Ravens offense.
Tyler Conklin, TE, Jets (40%)
Conklin was a popular Week 4 waiver add after posting yet another strong game. He is the TE4 in half PPR through three games behind only Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz.
Conklin has been targeted heavily this season and is averaging eight per game. This makes him an attractive add at a position known for volatility and touchdown dependence. I expect his target share to remain high, even with quarterback Zach Wilson returning.
He could be a nice streaming option for managers who drafted an underperforming tight end like Dawson Knox, Dalton Schultz, Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki or Albert Okwuegbunam.
Taysom Hill, QB/TE, Saints (25%)
I low-key hate myself for even bringing up Hill again, but here we are. He missed the Saints' last game with a rib injury but has been practicing with the second team this week.
Hill may be called upon for Week 4's London game with Jameis Winston doubtful to play. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton took first team reps, so Hill is unlikely to start, but I can definitely envision a universe where Hill sees more snaps than usual with Winston out.
