In-season management can be the difference between a fantasy championship and … not.
So who are the top waiver wire pickups heading into Week 4, with the first set of teams (Jets and 49ers) on bye?
Let’s take a closer look at three running backs, five wide receivers and three tight ends worth consideration as well as quarterbacks to stream.
Note: We’ve limited their recommendations to players owned in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues. All data as of Monday.
Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups
Running Backs
Wayne Gallman, Giants
Ownership: 9%
Opportunity trumps all in fantasy, and that’s exactly what New York’s Wayne Gallman now has. With Saquon Barkley’s high-ankle sprain likely to sideline him for four to eight weeks, Gallman ascends to the lead running back on the shallowest of depth charts.
Against Tampa Bay, Gallman totaled only five attempts for 13 rushing yards, but should receive a much larger workload moving forward. Even if the Giants sign an additional running back, Gallman holds at least low-end RB2/Flex appeal in Barkley’s absence.
Rex Burkhead, Patriots
Ownership: 24%
Burkhead greatly benefitted from James White's absence (birth of his child), but is a significant part of this Patriots offense and should be considered a weekly Flex play.
He had six receptions on seven targets and led the team with 11 rush attempts, 47 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Alexander Mattison, Vikings
Ownership: 20%
Mattison needs to be on every fantasy owner's "watch" list. If the league's rushing leader Dalvin Cook gets hurt, Mattison immediately becomes an RB1.
In the Vikings' 34-14 blowout win, Mattison stood out in garbage time with 58 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Tony Pollard, Cowboys
Ownership: 17%
Similar to Mattison, Pollard has minimal value unless Ezekiel Elliott gets hurt. However, it is worth noting his 13/103/1 rushing stat line in the Cowboys' 31-6 blowout of Miami.
Wide Receivers
DJ Chark, Jaguars
Ownership: 41%
Chark has established rapport with Minshew and is the current WR1 in Jacksonville. He's caught a touchdown in each of the first three weeks and has season totals of 18 targets, 15 receptions and 277 receiving yards.
While Chark faces a tough matchup next week at Denver, he's a must-add in all formats as a locked-in WR2 moving forward.
Philip Dorsett, Patriots
Ownership: 32%
With Friday's news of Antonio Brown's release, Dorsett again became fantasy viable. In New England's 30-14 win over the Jets, he caught six of seven targets for 53 yards and a touchdown.
With both Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon leaving the game with injuries, Dorsett merits strong consideration as the overall top waiver wire target regardless of position.
Cole Beasley, Bills
Ownership: 8%
With 23 targets in three games, Beasley is on pace for more than 122 targets on the season. He produced another double-digit fantasy performance with eight receptions, 48 yards and a two-point conversion.
With teammate John Brown receiving most of the defensive attention, Beasley remains a solid WR3/Flex option in 12-team PPR leagues.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers
Ownership: 4%
Pittsburgh deactivated the struggling Donte Moncrief, and the biggest beneficiary was the third-round rookie from Toledo. Johnson was second on the team with six targets and caught three receptions for 52 yards including a 39-yards touchdown catch.
Johnson is an interesting Flex play as Pittsburgh plays two consecutive upcoming home games against Cincinnati and Baltimore.
Preston Williams, Dolphins
Ownership: 2%
The undrafted Colorado State product is the clear WR1 in Miami.
Williams tallied 12 targets and six receptions in Miami's 31-6 loss at Dallas. He finished with 68 receiving yards while dropping a first-half touchdown. If you are desperate, Williams is worth Flex/WR3 consideration at home against the Chargers before Miami's Week 5 bye.
Tight End
Will Dissly, Seahawks
Ownership: 3%
Dissly continued his TE1 ways with a seven-target, six-reception, 62-receiving yard, one-touchdown performance against the Saints. While his touchdown came on the last play of regulation, he's a clear tight end waiver target for teams in need.
At the shallowest fantasy position, Dissly's totals of 12 receptions and three touchdowns make him an ideal replacement for teams with George Kittle on bye or looking to replace David Njoku.
Chris Herndon, Jets
Ownership: 12%
If you want to stash a tight end long term, consider Herndon.
Herndon is suspended one more game (after New York's Week 4 bye) for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Last season, he totaled four TE1 performances after Week 9, including the overall TE3 performance (six receptions, 82 yards and one touchdown) against Green Bay.
He has automatic TE1 upside upon his return in Week 6 at home against Dallas.
Quarterbacks to Stream
Jacoby Brissett, Colts
Ownership: 19%
Brissett should be a top waiver wire target in two quarterback leagues.
The Colts' signal-caller was 28-of-37 for 310 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brissett is benefitting from fantastic offensive line play and has five touchdowns and only one interception on the year.
Indianapolis faces two weak pass defenses with Oakland (home) and Kansas City (away) over the next two weeks. If you are a struggling Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Jimmy Garoppolo or Sam Darnold owner, give serious consideration to adding Brissett.
Daniel Jones, Giants
Ownership: 16%
Can you feel the Dave Gettleman joy? The New York general manager was widely criticized for selecting the Duke quarterback sixth overall in the draft, but his first NFL start was simply outstanding. Jones led the Giants to a come-from-behind 32-31 win at Tampa Bay.
The rookie was 23-of-36 for 336 yards, with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.
Jones should be given serious consideration for teams looking for a quarterback, with three of the Giants' next four games at home. With legit rushing ability, Jones is a great QB2 with weekly QB1 upside.
Gardner Minshew II, Jaguars
Ownership: 8%
Another solid rookie quarterback, Minshew produced a quality fantasy day under poor weather conditions on Thursday night. With 204 passing yards, two touchdowns and an additional 18 rushing yards, Minshew is in the streaming conversation and viable in two-quarterback leagues.
