Fantasy Football Week 4 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
If available: Matthew Stafford (53%)
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
*Roster Percentage: 20%
Rookie C.J. Stroud continues to impress as a top 12 QB in fantasy so far this season. In Week 3 he went 20–30 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. While the Texans have their struggles on the offensive line Stroud has shown great composure at keeping the ball alive without throwing a single interception this season. He might not be your best streaming option this week going up against the Steelers defense but he is worth rostering in most leagues.
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 2%
Dalton got the start with rookie Bryce Young out with an ankle injury and his play was more than serviceable completing 34-of-58 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns. It looks like he is in-line for another start this week and gets a delicious match-up against a Vikings secondary which continues to be picked apart on a weekly basis. If you are looking to streaming QB in Week 4 Dalton could be your best bet.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 21%
Howell has been a weekly pickup in this column although we did tell you to sit him last week going up against the Bills defense. That call turned out to be correct as Howell struggled to get things going completing 19-of-29 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns and to make things worse he was picked off four times. The Commanders travel to Philly this week with a more fantasy friendly match-up vs the Eagles. Expect Howell to come out firing to keep up with the Eagles high-powered offense. Stream appeal is there is you are looking for an option in Week 4.
Others to Consider:
Baker Mayfield (22% @ NO), Joshua Dobbs (3% @ SF), Jameis Winston (0% vs TB)
RUNNING BACK
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 49%
Its hard to recommend any Bears skill-player for fantasy purposes these days but I still like the upside Johnson posses if the team ever gets things together. Johnson appeared to get the start in Week 3 over teammate Khalil Herbert. While it is still a fairly evenly split backfield, Roschon did carry the rock eight times for 38 yards while hauling in two balls for 11 yards. Not eye-popping numbers but the Bears get the Broncos in Week 4 who were just DESTROYED by the Dolphins running backs. I’d recommend grabbing Johnson now and see if the lowly Bears can find some sort of rhythm and I don’t hate gambling on him in a Flex position this week.
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 42%
Now we get to the talk of the town De’Von Achane who went BANANAS in Week 3 rushing 18 times for a WHOPPING 203 yards and TWO TUDDIES. If that wasn’t enough he was a perfect 4-of-4 though the air for 30 yards and anotha TWO TUDDIES! And no this was not all garbage time work, the Dolphins got him involved as a compliment to starter Raheem Mostert who had four touchdowns of his own. So why do I not have this man first on the waiver list this week? While I love the talent, Achane is a bit undersized albeit very speedy. Jeff Wilson could return in Week 5 which could muddy this whole backfield into a timeshare that could prove to be a headache. But you can’t deny the creative ways the Dolphins schemed Achane into their explosive offense so by all means make sure to pick him up wherever available.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 24%
The Titans are struggling to get anything going on the ground behind what could be the worst OLine in the NFL right now. Yes Derrick Henry is still the starter but rookie Tyjae Spears once again out-snapped the veteran. While it didn’t amount to much, 6 yards on four attempts with an additional 6 yards through the air, the opportunity is there for the young back. If you have spot on your bench to stash Spears I think it’s a smart move.
Others to Consider:
Jerick McKinnon (46%), Elijah Mitchell (39%), Kendre Miller (34%), Matt Breida (29%), Tank Bigsby (29%),
WIDE RECEIVER
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 31%
THE TANK keeps it rollin’ in Week 3 hauling in five of seven balls for a whopping 145 yards and a TD. He is still the number two behind Nico Collins but this electric rookie has the ability to bust things wide open. He takes on a Steelers defense that could slow the Tank down but he deserves to be rostered in most leagues moving forward.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 47%
The term oldies but goodies came to mind when the duo of Dalton & Thielen caught fire in Week 3. Thielen was peppered with 14 targets and he reeled in 11 of them for 145 yards and a touchdown. Expect this dusty duo to keep things rolling in a tasty match-up vs the Vikings whose secondary which has been getting torched on a weekly basis.
Joshua Palmer/Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Roster Percentage: 2%/32%
Starting wideout Mike Williams ended his season after being diagnosed with a ACL tear. This opens up opportunities for both Josh Palmer and first-round pick Quentin Johnston behind alpha Keenan Allen. I see Palmer as the short term add, while I expect the more talented Johnston to see more usage as the season progresses. Both are worthy of grabbing off the wire this week.
Others to Consider:
Romeo Doubs (41%), Marvin Mims Jr. (27%), Rashee Rice (26%), Jayden Reed (21%), DJ Chark Jr.(10%), Michael Wilson (1%)
TIGHT END
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 38%
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 18%
Others to Consider:
Gerald Everett (31%), Taysom Hill (20%), Jake Ferguson (11%), Logan Thomas (4% concussion protocol), Tyler Conklin (3%), Noah Fant (2%)
DEFENSE
Cincinnati @ TEN
Tampa Bay @ NO
Denver @ CHI
Jacksonville vs ATL
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
