Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 4 (Fantasy Football)

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a young lad named Owen Three. Ah, poor Owen, as popular as a leaf blower in a library. He had very few companions, and most avoided him at all costs. The agony of starting your season 0-3 (Owen Three) often feels like a death sentence on your championship aspirations. Nevertheless, it remains paramount not to lose hope following a discouraging start to the year. You never know when the next Puka Nacua or Kyren Williams might emerge as a savior for your team. It is vital to redirect focus from dwelling on losses toward embracing the prospect of discovering unexpected gains. What avenue could be more promising than exploring the depths of the waiver wire for these hidden gems?

Approach Week 4 with a perspective that sees the glass as half full, not half empty. The upcoming matchup represents a golden opportunity for redemption. A chance to clinch that first victory and begin refilling your glass, one win at a time. While being Owen Three is undeniably challenging, his distant cousin Owen Four is even more unenviable. Count on this week’s waiver wire article to act as your shield, warding off an unwanted encounter with Owen Four.

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• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Running Backs

De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins – We have all eagerly anticipated De’Von Achane‘s breakout performance. In only the third game of the season, Achane dazzled with 203 rushing yards on 18 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by catching all four of his targets for 30 yards and two more touchdowns. Despite previous criticisms about his size, Achane demonstrated that his performance outshines any physical limitations. A standout moment in this game was when Achane, with his lightning-fast 4.32 40-speed, dashed for a remarkable 67-yard touchdown, setting a new franchise record of 70 points for the Miami Dolphins. However, it is worth noting that Raheem Mostert also had an outstanding performance, scoring four touchdowns of his own. Nevertheless, given the explosiveness of Miami’s offense and Achane’s electrifying presence, both running backs have ample opportunity to shine moving forward. In the event that Mostert faces any future absence, Achane stands poised to become a potential league-winner. It is advisable to make him a top priority in this week’s additions, and if he is already on your roster, it might be time to take him off of your bench. With that said, expectations should be tempered a bit in a Week 4 matchup against the formidable Buffalo Bills’ defense. Recommended FAAB: 20-55%.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin hinted that Jaylen Warren would see an increased snap count and expanded role, following his impressive start to the season. In Week 3, he achieved his highest snap share percentage (45%), carries (eight), and rushing yards (29) of the season. While these improvements are not dramatic, it is notable that Najee Harris was only on the field for 50% of the snaps, despite his 19 carries for 65 yards. Throughout this season, it has become evident that Warren brings a dynamic and creative edge to the backfield that Harris lacks. His 125 yards gained after the catch surpass all other running backs in the NFL and ranks fifth among all NFL players. Currently, Warren’s statistics might not immediately jump off the page, but his talent and impact on the game are undeniable. The hope is that the coaching staff will acknowledge this and make the necessary adjustments going forward. Recommended FAAB: 10-15%.

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints – Rookie running back Kendre Miller garnered attention as a potential addition heading into Week 3. This buzz followed the team’s announcement of Jamaal Williams heading to the IR. In his professional debut, the third-round pick from TCU turned nine carries into 34 rushing yards. While these numbers were not remarkably impressive, they were at least better than those of Tony Jones Jr. and Taysom Hill. Looking ahead to Week 4, the New Orleans Saints‘ running back room is set to improve significantly with Alvin Kamara‘s return. With that said, the team historically operates with two effective backs whenever feasible. With Williams sidelined, Miller stands as the current favorite to assume this role, potentially offering fantasy benefits if he capitalizes on the opportunity. However, at this point, adding Miller remains a speculative move until he demonstrates that his untapped talent is ready to seize the forthcoming opportunity. Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Wide Receivers

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans – In last week’s article, we highlighted reasons to consider adding Tank Dell as a speculative pickup from the waiver wire. His performance this week has only solidified this recommendation, although acquiring him now will be considerably more challenging. Dell capitalized on his opportunities in the previous week, securing an impressive seven receptions out of ten targets, resulting in 72 yards and a touchdown. In Week 3, the emerging rookie sent a strong message by catching five of seven targets for 145 yards and another touchdown. The evident rapport he is building with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud suggests a promising and lasting connection. Dell seems to embody the type of player who can inject volatility into your lineups each week, thanks to his potential for big plays. Moreover, his consistently high target average over the last two games provides a reassuring floor. Undoubtedly, adding Dell is a priority, and he is someone you should strongly consider starting moving forward. Recommended FAAB: 10-20%.

Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers – Enough with the grandpa jokes! Following an already impressive performance a week earlier, the 33-year-old wide receiver delivered an explosive performance in Week 3. Teaming up with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, Thielen made 11 receptions on 14 targets, amassing an impressive 145 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps this remarkable performance was fueled by the combined experience of Thielen and Dalton, who boast a total of 68 years of age. This exceptional display garnered admiration, especially from individuals residing in nursing homes nationwide. Regardless of his future quarterback, Thielen is demonstrating that he still possesses fantasy relevance in his tenth professional season. His potential may be further maximized with Dalton as his quarterback, considering Bryce Young‘s challenges during the start of his rookie season. Thielen stands as a worthy addition, providing stability to your flex spot with enticing matchups on the horizon. Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders – In Week 1, Jakobi Meyers made a surprisingly impressive debut in the 2023 season. In a win over the Denver Broncos, he demonstrated his uncanny ability to get open, catching nine out of 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion toward the end of that game, forcing him to sit out the following week. Upon his return in Week 3, Meyers solidified that his Week 1 performance was no fluke, showcasing his abilities under the spotlight of Sunday Night Football. In this game, he hauled in seven catches on 12 targets for 85 yards. Clearly establishing himself as the team’s WR2 alongside Davante Adams, Meyers has already made a notable impact on the offense. The Raiders’ deliberate move to acquire Meyers this offseason indicates their recognition of his potential as a favored target for Jimmy Garoppolo going forward. Assuming Garoppolo passes concussion protocol for the upcoming week, Meyers is poised to maintain his impressive numbers in a promising matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Joshua Palmer/ Quentin Johnston, WRs, Los Angeles Chargers – Injuries often pave the way for other players to step up and seize additional opportunities. Unfortunately, due to a torn ACL, Mike Williams will be sidelined for the rest of the 2023 season. While undoubtedly a significant loss for the offense, this setback opens the door for both Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to take on larger roles. Palmer has already been playing a notable role and has experience stepping into a similar position for the team. In Week 3, he demonstrated his potential by securing four receptions out of seven targets, amassing 66 yards and scoring a touchdown. On the other hand, Johnston had a quieter game with only two catches on three targets for 10 yards. He played a far lesser role in this outing, playing 16 snaps compared to Palmer’s 40. For immediate production, adding Palmer seems the better choice given his current involvement and experience in this offense. However, if you are looking for a longer-term prospect with a potentially higher ceiling, stashing Johnston is a savvy move. Johnston boasts elite athleticism and was drafted with high capital, suggesting he has the ability to step into Williams’ role admirably. This may well be the opportunity he needs to showcase his breakout potential. Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Tight Ends

Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys – The tight end landscape in this year’s fantasy football season is undeniably chaotic and unpredictable. Nevertheless, there are certain teams and offensive systems that consistently target the tight end position, regardless of the ability of the player currently filling the role. Enter Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys. This second-year tight end has garnered 18 targets in the offense and seems to be growing more comfortable in his evolving role. Amidst a discouraging Week 3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Ferguson stood out as a bright spot. Securing five receptions out of seven targets, he accumulated 48 yards in the game. Notably, he appears to be a reliable target for Dak Prescott, serving as a safety blanket for the veteran quarterback. Given the challenging landscape of finding a reliable tight end, Ferguson proves to be a promising option. If you are in need of a tight end, consider adding Ferguson to your roster. However, it is important to be mindful that his upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots could potentially limit his ceiling in Week 4. Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers – Sam LaPorta is currently dominating the spotlight among rookie tight ends, and rightfully so. If, by some chance, he is still available in your league, drop everything and grab him immediately. If not, there is no need to fret. Luke Musgrave is quietly emerging as an exciting prospect, and it seems only a matter of time before his fantasy production aligns with his talent and opportunity. In the Packers’ exhilarating victory against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Musgrave showcased his potential, hauling in six receptions out of eight targets for 49 yards. While these numbers are impressive, he could have had an even better day if not for an overthrown deep ball down the middle from Jordan Love. Sadly, this has become a recurring theme, with Love struggling to connect with the rookie despite Musgrave consistently outpacing his defenders due to his exceptional speed for the position. However, it is safe to say that with such consistent openings, they will eventually sync up, resulting in some marvelous plays. Musgrave has already caught 11 of 15 targets this season, solidifying his potential as a valuable addition to your fantasy rosters moving forward. Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Donald Parham, TE, Los Angeles Chargers – Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Donald Parham! This young, towering tight end is an unmistakable presence on the football field. Parham has quickly become one of Justin Herbert‘s go-to targets, particularly in the red zone. In the team’s victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Parham made his mark by catching both of his targets for touchdowns, covering a total of four yards. Remarkably, out of the seven targets he has seen this season, Parham has found the end zone on three of them. While he may not contribute significantly in other aspects of the game and will likely continue to share playing time with Gerald Everett, the team is on the lookout for a player to help fill the void left by Mike Williams. Consequently, both tight ends could potentially see expanded roles in the near future. In fantasy football, touchdowns are what we chase, and Parham is establishing a notable connection with the current QB1 on the season. It is essential to keep a close eye on Parham’s usage moving forward and he can be an intriguing speculative addition this week, particularly in deeper leagues. Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Final Thoughts

It is truly remarkable that we have already progressed about a quarter of the way through the season. With that said, there is a significant journey still ahead. In my several years of playing fantasy football, I have witnessed numerous teams flaunt an early 3-0 record only to fall short of the playoffs. Conversely, I have marveled at teams starting the season winless, only to orchestrate an awe-inspiring win streak and ultimately seize the championship. At this point of the season, what is most important is the relentless pursuit of enhancing your team through strategic trades and savvy waiver wire additions. The key lies in meticulously assembling the strongest roster possible and positioning yourself to win. Maintain your drive, whether in victory or amidst a challenging beginning to the season. Keep stacking your wins, one brick at a time. By year’s end, you might be amazed with what you have built.