Welcome back, fantasy football enthusiasts, to another exhilarating week of the best waiver wire pickups for week 4. This week, Judy and Lauren from “Fan Girl Football” are here to provide you with expert insights on strengthening your roster with strategic player additions. Week 4 provides unique opportunities, especially with bye weeks looming. The upcoming Week 5 will see the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, and Titans on BYE Week, so now’s the perfect time to make your moves. Let’s dive into the top players you should consider adding to your lineup.
Quarterbacks: Fill the Gap
Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks)
Judy starts off with Geno Smith. Smith had an impressive win over the Miami Dolphins, scoring 24 to 3. He is owned in 43% of Yahoo leagues and 28% of ESPN leagues and ranks as the ninth highest quarterback this season. Advantages:
Higher completion rate than the top eight quarterbacks
Anticipated high-scoring games, especially next week against Detroit
Drawbacks:
Recent game saw two interceptions
Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers)
Another strong candidate is Andy Dalton, who secured a win against the Raiders, making it the Panthers’ first win of the season. Currently, Dalton is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues and 1% of ESPN leagues. Advantages:
Zero interceptions and a high 70% completion rate
319 yards thrown with three touchdowns
Dalton faces the Cincinnati Bengals next week, presenting a favorable matchup.
Comparison and Strategy:
Between Geno and Dalton, Judy leans towards Dalton for the short-term due to the Bengals’ less intimidating defense compared to the Lions’. However, Geno Smith could be a better long-term pick if you need consistency throughout the season.
Running Backs: Rookie Potential
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Irving, a rookie, was a bright spot in Tampa’s loss to Denver. He’s owned in about 35% of leagues. Advantages:
Versatile with 9 carries for 70 yards, and three catches for 14 yards
Increasing involvement in both running and passing plays
Tampa will face the Eagles next, who recently displayed a strong defense against Kamara, but Irving’s explosive potential remains high.
Braelon Allen (New York Jets)
Another rookie making waves is Braelon Allen. With increasing involvement, he had 55 yards on eleven attempts, and three receptions for 13 yards last week. Advantages:
Jets face a struggling Denver defense next week
Steadily carving out a role behind Breece Hall
Cam Akers (Houston Texans)
Though Lauren points out that Akers could be a temporary solution, Judy believes rookies like Irving and Allen offer better long-term value. Akers’ performance has been fair, but his time might be running out with Mixon and Pierce expected to return.
Wide Receivers: Injuries Bring New Faces
Juan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers)
A new name to many, Jennings performed exceptionally well, especially given the team’s loss against the Rams. He’s owned in 33% of leagues. Advantages:
11 out of 12 targets completed, with three touchdowns
Filling in due to injuries in the 49ers receiver lineup
Jaylen Nailor (Minnesota Vikings)
With Jordan Addison out, Nailor is stepping up. In the first three games, he and Justin Jefferson both scored a touchdown each. Advantages:
Consistent touchdowns alongside Justin Jefferson
Vikings face Green Bay next, offering a challenging but not impossible matchup
Carolina Panthers’ Receivers:
Injury to Adam Thielen opens the door for rookies Xavier Leggette and Jonathan Mingo. With Andy Dalton at the helm, they could see increased targets in the upcoming games against Cincinnati.
Tight Ends: Finding Stability
Cole Kmet (Chicago Bears)
Kmet showed promise despite the Bears’ loss to Indianapolis, catching ten receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Advantages:
Increasing usage in the Bears’ offense likely focusing on shorter, more reliable passes
Mike Gesicki (Cincinnati Bengals)
Lauren mentions Gesicki’s utility, especially with short passes that could keep him valuable even with T. Higgins’ pending return.
Injuries Create Opportunities:
Brock Wright (Detroit Lions)
: With Sam LaPorta out with a low ankle sprain, Wright could be a good streaming option.
Elijah Higgins (Arizona Cardinals)
: Trey McBride’s concussion opens the door for Higgins to take over temporarily.
Streaming Defenses: A Challenging Week
Finding a streaming defense this week is tough, but Judy suggests the Tennessee Titans, who are set to face the Miami Dolphins. With Miami’s quarterback issues, the Titans have a shot to capitalize on the situation.
Injuries to Monitor:
Miami Dolphins:
Skylar Thompson
: Suffered a rib injury during the last game.
Tim Boyle
: Next man up but the Dolphins might seek trade options for stability.
Los Angeles Chargers:
Justin Herbert
: Potentially out for a week or two due to an aggravated ankle injury. Taylor Heinecke to fill in.
Philadelphia Eagles:
Devonta Smith
: Sidelined with a concussion.
Britain Covey
: Expected to miss six weeks with a shoulder injury.
AJ Brown
: Possibly returning soon, but monitor closely.
Best Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4 Conclusion:
Navigating the waiver wire can be daunting, but Judy and Lauren have mapped out some solid picks that could be game-changers for your team. Whether you’re looking for a temporary fix or a potential breakout star, this week’s pickups offer a range of options.
Quarterbacks like Andy Dalton and Geno Smith can help steady your lineup. Running backs Bucky Irving and Braelon Allen are poised for standout games. Wide Receivers Juan Jennings and Jaylen Nailor, alongside Panthers options due to Thielen’s injury, present exciting additions. For tight ends, Cole Kmet and potential short-term fills like Brock Wright offer promise.
And while finding a streaming defense is challenging, identifying injury news and monitoring player statuses can help shape your lineup for success.
Remember, fantasy football success hinges on staying informed and making strategic decisions. So keep an eye on those injury reports, make your waiver wire claims, and here’s to a victorious Week 4!
