Fantasy: Waiver Wire – Week 4

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Every Monday throughout the season, theScore’s Justin Bone Runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players represented in less than 50% of the leagues are considered.

quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Lions

next up	listed	Fabulous
against SEA	45%	$1

Goff emerges as the top quarterback streamer for a second straight season after getting off to a strong start on a buoyant Lions offense.

While he owes much of his production to the talent around him, Goff is so far the QB11 in average fantasy points per contest.

Detroit’s weak defenses continue to get the team into high-scoring affairs, and the Week 4 matchup against the Seahawks should be no different. The game has one of the highest predicted scores of the week at 50, with the Lions favored at home.

It’s still early in the season, but Seattle sits bottom of the league in the Football Outsiders’ pass defense DVOA. Expect Goff to take advantage and release another streamer-worthy fantasy outing.

Zach Wilson, Jets

next up	listed	Fabulous
at PIT	6%	$1

Wilson is about to return from the knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for the first few weeks of the season. Stepping back under center, the 23-year-old finds himself surrounded by an increasingly dangerous group of players in the skill positions.

Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Corey Davis form a strong and rising reception corps. Tyler Conklin has the third most fantasy points among tight ends for two weeks. And backfield duo Michael Carter and Breece Hall are both competent pass catchers.

While we still don’t know if Wilson deserved to be a second pick in last year’s NFL draft, it might not matter to the imagination. Joe Flacco has provided big numbers at times with this group, although he tends to dunk and dunk in the short game. Wilson will push the ball down more, giving his playmakers a chance to excel.

Stick him on your bench and see how he fares when he finally gets dressed.

Trevor Lawrence is just above the 50% list mark but would be the top pick at quarterback if available.

Risky streaming options: Jameis Winston vs. MIN (42% of squad), Marcus Mariota vs. CLE (22% of squad)

Dart throw streaming options: Geno Smith at DET (9% in roster), Jacoby Brissett at ATL (4% in roster), Matt Ryan vs. TEN (33% in roster), Jimmy Garoppolo vs. LAR (36% in roster), Daniel Jones vs .CHI (23% roster), Ryan Tannehill at IND (16% roster)

2QB/Superflex considerations only: Mitch Trubisky vs NYJ (6% roster), Baker Mayfield vs ARI (15% roster), Davis Mills vs LAC (5% roster), Cooper Rush vs WAS (3% roster), Brian Hoyer at GB ( 0% roster)

Long term stock: Kenny Pickett (4% in squad)

run back

Khalil Herbert, Bears

next up	listed	Fabulous
at NYG	49%	$39

Herbert being available in more than half of the fantasy leagues is surprising given what we’ve seen of him in his short pro career and how the Bears’ new coaching staff has appealed to him all summer.

The former sixth-round pick is one of the best backup running backs in the NFL — something proven in the four games he played more than 50% of snaps in 2021. In these appearances, Herbert averaged 97 yards from scrimmage per match.

We also heard rumors that people in the organization felt Herbert would be a better fit for the team’s new offense.

When David Montgomery retired from this week’s game with knee and ankle injuries, Herbert’s dominance against a soft Texan running defense shouldn’t have surprised anyone. He finished the contest with 169 total yards and two touchdowns.

Herbert’s next three opponents are all in midfield or plus matchups for the Bears’ quick attack. And while Chicago head coach Matt Eberlus calls Montgomery daily, it seems far more likely he could miss at least a game or two.

This could be an audition for Herbert to take on a bigger role and perhaps emerge as the Bears’ long-term option for the position. Consider Herbert a top 15 fantasy back no matter how long Montgomery is out.

Samaje Perine, Bengal

next up	listed	Fabulous
against MIA	6%	$5

Joe Mixon left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and Perine did well as his backup in the fourth quarter. Head coach Zac Taylor said Mixon could have returned to the competition and would be ready when the Bengals take on the Dolphins on Thursday night.

Teams often ease the strain on starting running backs when they are on a short week. It’s hard to imagine Cincinnati not taking that approach after Mixon suffered a minor injury just four days earlier.

Perine is one of the few No. 2 running backs to remain available to the vast majority of Fantasy Waiver wires. He’s one injury away from making the Bengals starting lineup but should also offer some flex value while he sees a slightly increased workload this week.

Alexander Mattson, Kenneth Walkerand brian robinson Are just over the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

High upside backups like Rachaad Weiss (30% roster) and Isiah Pacheco (23% in squad) Should be in the squad in most leagues.

Risky Flex Options: Mark Ingram vs. MIN (26% of players), Jerick McKinnon at TB (7% of players), JD McKissic at DAL (26% of players)

Dart Throw Flex Options: Sony Michel at HOU (4% of lists), Rex Burkhead vs. LAC (26% of lists), Dontrell Hilliard at IND (19% of lists), Tyler Allgeier vs. CLE (15% of lists), Brandon Bolden vs. DEN (1% roster), Craig Reynolds vs. SEA (0% roster), Kenneth Gainwell vs. JAX (40% roster)

Other fuses to consider: Jaylen Warren vs. NYJ (9% of players), Jordan Mason vs. LAR (6% of players), James Cook at BAL (40% of players), Darrel Williams at CAR (24% of players), Zack Moss at BAL (12% of players). ), Zamir White vs. DEN (10% roster), D’Onta Foreman vs. ARI (6% roster), Marlon Mack vs. LAR (5% roster)

Long Shot Hides: Boston Scott vs. JAX (3% list), Justice Hill vs. BUF (0% list), Chris Evans vs. MIA (1% list), Matt Breida vs. CHI (1% list), Hassan Haskins at IND (1st % rosters), Trestan Ebner at NYG (0% rosters), DeeJay Dallas at DET (0% rosters)

Injured Reserve Hides: Gus Edwards (12% in squad), Damien Williams (1% in squad)

wide receiver

Treylon Burks, Titans

next up	listed	Fabulous
at IND	45%	$14

Rookie receivers were routinely featured in this section during the early weeks of the season, and that trend continues.

Burks is about to have a massive breakout, and you’re running out of time to put him on your list before he takes the spotlight.

While his stat line plummeted from 55 yards in Week 1 to 47 yards in Week 2 on just one catch for 13 yards this week, the underlying metrics are far more promising.

The first round player’s snap percentage has increased with every game, going from 37% in the opener to 45% in week 2 and 69% on Sunday. Burks also ran the most distances of any Titans receiver in Week 3, according to Pro Football Focus.

His time is coming. Whether it’s still available on your waiver or you need to make a trade to get it, you should actively try to do so over the next few days.

Romeo Doubs/Christian Watson, Packers

next up	listed	Fabulous
against NE	25%/9%	$12/$3

With Sammy Watkins and Watson both out in Week 3, Doubs took a leading role, playing 89% of the Packers’ snaps. He caught all eight of his goals in the game for 73 yards and a score.

Such a feat can go a long way in gaining the confidence of your future Hall of Famer quarterback.

With Watkins on injured reserve and Watson dealing with a hamstring problem, Doubs will continue to start and establish himself as a playing threat Aaron Rodgers badly needs.

That makes the Doubs a priority this week. But savvy fantasy managers will also look to tuck away Watson as a longer-term investment for the second half of the season.

Jakobi Meyers and Tyler Boyd Are just over the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

Flex Options: Zay Jones at PHI (10% of lists), Isaiah McKenzie at BAL (41% of lists), Russell Gage vs. KC (42% of lists), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at TB (34% of lists), DeVante Parker at UK (25% of lists). roster), Greg Dortch at CAR (17% roster)

Risky Flex Options: Marquez Callaway vs. MIN (0% roster), KJ Osborn at NO (6% roster), Josh Palmer at HOU (27% roster, Nico Collins vs. LAC (24% roster), Robbie Anderson vs. ARI (28% roster ).), Nelson Agholor at GB (13% roster), Donovan Peoples-Jones at ATL (11% roster)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Michael Gallup vs. WAS (36% of players), Rondale Moore at CAR (17% of players)

Dart Throw Flex Options: Josh Reynolds vs SEA (0% list), DJ Chark vs SEA (44% list), Corey Davis at PIT (30% list), Marvin Jones at PHI (5% list), Breshad Perriman vs KC (3% list) roster), Noah Brown vs. WAS (19% roster), Mack Hollins vs. DEN (2% roster), Ben Skowronek at SF (0% roster), Richie James Jr. vs. CHI (3% roster), DeAndre Carter at HOU (5% roster)

Dart throw flex options (when healthy): Tre’Quan Smith vs. MIN (0% List)

Long term rookie hideouts: George Pickens vs. NYJ (40% of roster), Alec Pierce vs. TEN (4% of roster), Wan’Dale Robinson vs. CHI (4% of roster)

Long Shot Hides: Ashton Dulin vs. TEN (1% squad), KJ Hamler at LV (2% squad), Laviska Shenault Jr. vs. ARI (1% squad)

Injured Reserve Hides: Jameson Williams (25% roster), Tyquan Thornton (1% roster), Odell Beckham Jr. (8% roster)

tight ends

Robert Tonyan, Packer

next up	listed	Fabulous
against NE	29%	$4

While his return from a cruciate ligament rupture continues, Tonyan’s playing time started to increase this week. After seeing the field a little over 35% of snaps in the first two games, the Packers came into play 58% of the time in Week 3.

It was also his busiest day in the air, with seven goals thrown to him en route for six receptions and 37 yards.

Tonyan has yet to find the end zone, but we know he can pose a major red zone threat after his 11-touchdown campaign in 2020.

If things continue on this path and he stays healthy, Tonyan will be in the low-end TE1 talk for the rest of the season.

David Njoku and Irv Smith Jr. Are just over the 50% mark in the roster but should be in the roster in most leagues.

Risky Streamer Options: Logan Thomas at DAL (37% roster), Tyler Conklin at PIT (21% roster)

Dart Throw Streamer Options: Hayden Hurst vs. MIA (22% list), Evan Engram at PHI (26% list), Cameron Brate vs. KC (4% list), Juwan Johnson vs. MIN (2% list)

Long term rookie hideouts: Isaiah Likely at NE (5% roster)

defense

Week 4 streamers

team	next up	listed
foal	about ten	35%
Giants	against CHI	11%
Brown	at ATL	49%
viking	at NO	19%
Titans	at IND	10%

Favorable upcoming schedules: Vikings (19% list), Dolphins (15% list)