The NFL and fantasy football seasons are nearly a month in. Fantasy managers are now adjusting and tweaking their rosters based on what we’ve seen through the league’s first three weeks. Working the waiver wire is the best way to better your team and find a weekly advantage. To aid in that, here are some of the top Week 4 waiver wire claims fantasy football managers should consider.
Top waiver wire pickups in Week 4 | Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars at PHI (50% rostered)
If we are being honest, this has not been a great year for waiver wire quarterbacks. You either have one you trust every week, or they all sit in one big middle-of-the-pack group that is tough to decipher and brings limited upside.
But with bye weeks quickly approaching (yes, we are already at that time of the year), it’s worth planning ahead. That’s why I would take a look at Trevor Lawrence as a waiver wire target in Week 4.
Lawrence had arguably one of the best games of his career on Sunday against the Chargers, completing 28 of 39 attempts for 262 yards while matching his career-high with three touchdown passes. Lawrence now sits eighth in the NFL with six passing touchdowns and is averaging 19.0 points per game, the 10th highest in 2022.
This won’t be an easy week. The Eagles are a legit NFC contender, but it might be worth snagging him for the road ahead with matchups against the Texans, Colts, and Giants from Weeks 5-7. I would add Lawrence now off the Week 4 waiver wire before the incoming wave of bye week frenzy begins when managers realize the soft upcoming schedule.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs. SEA (30.7% rostered)
Jared Goff did come back down to Earth a bit Sunday, throwing only one touchdown instead of four the week prior, but did have over 250 yards for the second straight week (277) against Minnesota to finish as the QB19 on the week.
It is worth noting that Amon-Ra St. Brown was injured for the second half of the game, as was D’Andre Swift. Where Swift has a legitimate chance to miss multiple weeks, St. Brown is not in danger of missing time as far as we know. Goff has seven touchdowns to only two interceptions this year and faces a middle-of-the-pack Seattle defense that sits 17th in points allowed to the position (17.5).
Top waiver wire pickups in Week 4 | Running backs
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears at NYG (25.2% rostered)
I can make this really simple. Khalil Herbert is the No. 1 fantasy football waiver wire priority for Week 4. Spend whatever amount of FAAB it takes to get him. Use your No. 1 rolling waiver priority on him. I won’t judge you. I’ll be doing the same in leagues where I didn’t have him on my roster already.
Thrust into action following the injury to David Montgomery, Herbert rushed 20 times against the Texans, rushing for 157 yards with two touchdowns, ending as the RB1 in PPR formats with 30.9 PPR points.
Between Weeks 5 and 8 of last year, when in a similar situation, Herbert recorded 78 carries, 344 yards, and 22 opportunities a game. The only concern is the potential impact of Hurricane Ian as it traverses its way up the eastern seaboard. That is something I will be tracking as it’s too far out to make any concrete predictions.
Given how run-heavy the Bears are offensively (72%), Herbert could quickly see in excess of 25 carries. Volume alone pushed Herbert into a legitimate RB2 in Week 4.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions vs. SEA (44.3% rostered)
The only reason I am listing Herbert as the top claim is while I see the 44% roster percentage for Jamaal Williams, odds are that is not accurate for most competitive leagues with 10 or more players. But if Williams is indeed out there, run, don’t walk to the waiver wire.
The potential absence of Swift is massive. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported early on Monday that Swift suffered a shoulder sprain in Sunday’s loss but that it is not expected to require surgery.
However, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell alluded to the fact Swift could benefit from having a couple of weeks off to heal up until after the bye. Detroit has the earliest bye of the season, coming in Week 6, placing a possible return for Swift in Week 7 on Oct. 23 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Wheels up for Williams, who is already off to a solid start to the season. Williams carried the ball 20 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings, adding two receptions for 20 yards. Williams gashed the defense with four rushes of ten or more yards and is tied with Nick Chubb for the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. He’s a must-add off the Week 4 waiver wire.
Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions vs. SEA (0.2% rostered)
Yes, I am going to mention both Lions RBs, but only to cover a wider range of leagues as Craig Reynolds deserves attention, too.
Williams will see the most significant boost, having already been a factor in game plans and splitting reps with Swift before his injury. But the Lions like to use multiple RBs to lighten the load.
Reynolds would be the next man up and did see some work in Week 3, playing on 11 snaps with four of those in short-yardage situations. With Williams set to take the No. 1 role, look for Reynolds to see in the neighborhood of 10 to 12 rushes, with some even in the red zone. Reynolds is an intriguing waiver wire option worth adding to rosters in deeper leagues.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings at NO (37.1% rostered)
This is another one of those “don’t make fantasy football harder than it needs to be” moments. If Alexander Mattison is on your waiver wire for Week 4, just grab the dude and move on. Mattison carried the ball seven times for 28 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 yards on his lone reception.
Like most game scripts, Mattison was in his typical change of pace role for the first three quarters but served as the lead when Davin Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder. That’s nothing new, as Cook has dealt with this since his time in high school and likely plays in Week 4 with a brace on, just like we saw last season.
Although it sounds like Cook will play in Week 4 against New Orleans, it’s worth grabbing Mattison for the increased potential workload. If Cook misses time, Mattison has a reliable track record as a low-end RB1 or higher-end RB2, depending on matchups.
Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders (36.8% rostered)
This is my contractually obligated weekly reminder telling you to add Brian Robinson to your team. In a ton of leagues, you can add him straight to your IR and not even drop a player. How cool is that? Do you know what is even cooler? He’s a freaking starting RB on an offense that’s looking surprisingly explosive.
Not only has he started working out, but he was on the field going through a pre-game warm-up routine and could be back as early as Week 5. Stop procrastinating and playing chicken with your fellow league mates, and just add the guy already so I can stop begging you to do it before it is too late. Don’t make me break out the Sarah McLachlan music. Believe me, I am not above stooping that low.
Others to consider:
- Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (4.7%)
- Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (18.7%)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (44.6%)
- Trestan Ebner, Chicago Bears (0.1%)
- Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals (7.5%)
Top waiver wire pickups in Week 4 | Wide receivers
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans at IND (45% rostered)
I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Treylon Burks’ underwhelming day in Week 3. No doubt he did disappoint against the Raiders, catching one pass for 13 yards, but this is all about the big picture.
Burks actually had the busiest game of his young career, playing on a career-high 39 snaps while leading the team in routes, marking the third game in a row where his snaps have increased. Burks is the future of this passing attack, and you can see him getting closer and closer to the eventual breakout. With Derrick Henry looking more like himself and freeing up Ryan Tannehill, Burks’ time is coming. As with all breakouts, you need to be early. Therefore I would recommend snagging Burks off the Week 4 waiver wire before he becomes the next fantasy football darling.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (16.1% rostered)
With Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson sidelined, Romeo Doubs took advantage of his opportunity, catching all eight of his targets for 73 yards, including his first NFL touchdown. Doubs got off to a hot start and clearly was a focal point of the game plan, seeing three passes in the opening drive, which he capped off with the five-yard score.
The only person who loved this more than fantasy managers who banked on his breakout is Aaron Rodgers. And unlike us, he has a say in who gets the ball. Doubs will only increase his volume and opportunities as chemistry develops with Rodgers. While Allen Lazard also had a big game (four of six for 45 and a TD), it’s at least worth wondering if Doubs could be the actual No. 1 moving forward. That’s a bet worth making now and grabbing Doubs off the Week 4 waiver wire before he ascends the fantasy football rankings any quicker than he already has.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills at BAL (14.2% rostered)
Like an old friend, Isaiah McKenzie is back in the good graces of fantasy football managers. McKenzie dominated the snaps and volume, catching seven of his nine targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. He also took his lone carry for six yards. The absence of Jake Kumerow during the game might have helped a touch, but he was featured on two-wide sets before that took place, even though his role is in the slot.
Jamison Crowder was involved once again, but McKenzie was third on the team in snaps, routes, and targets. It’s worth taking the risk with McKenzie as he is the highest upside option Buffalo has in the slot and likely will continue to see more and more playing time. Realistically the Miami heat led to more snaps for others as Buffalo needed to rotate players.
That will not happen this week in Baltimore. With all eyes on Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, watch out for McKenzie to go from the waiver wire to Week 4 starting lineups in deeper leagues.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys at WAS (46.8% rostered)
It was initially believed Michael Gallup would make his return in Week 3 but was ruled inactive for Monday Night Football as he returns from a torn ACL he sustained last season.
I don’t take this to mean he had a setback. Gallup was a full participant leading up to the game, making this appear as the Cowboys taking an uber-cautious approach which is smart given how shallow depth is at the position and potentially losing Dalton Schultz for multiple weeks with a PCL injury. If he is out there, Gallup might be the most essential WR waiver wire target in Week 4 for his rest of season upside.
Others to consider:
- Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders (0.9%)
- Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (36.3%)
- Russell Gage, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (55.4%)
- Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals (7.3%)
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (38.8%)
- Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (8.6%)
- DJ Chark, Detroit Lions (48.1%)
- K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings (3.8%)
Top waiver wire pickups in Week 4 | Tight ends
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (11.5% rostered)
It’s time to pay attention to Tyler Conklin. The TE4 of the week (16.4 PPR), Conklin caught all eight of his targets for 84 yards. Through three weeks, Conklin has 18 receptions for 140 yards with a TD, currently sitting as the TE3 in PPR scoring, averaging 12.7 PPR points per game. He sits tied for third in targets with 24, is second in receptions, and seventh in yards amongst TEs.
The sheer volume of the Jets offense with Joe Flacco under center has allowed so many Jets players to become weekly starting options, something that could flip on its head once Zach Wilson returns as early as this week. I don’t see Conklin being written out of this offense, as he is a QB that utilizes tight ends. While I don’t believe he’ll be the TE3 the rest of the way, Conklin is worth the waiver wire claim, as finding reliable TE production this year is nigh impossible.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns at ATL (32.7% rostered)
If I had to put together a top five from this week’s list of waiver wire targets, it would be Herbert, Mattison, Doubs, Burks, and Davis Njoku. Truth be told, if not for Herbert, I might be able to make a case for Njoku to be the top waiver wire priority of Week 4.
Njoku finished as Cleveland’s second-leading receiver behind only Amari Cooper on Thursday, catching nine of his ten targets for 89 yards and a touchdown over the Steelers. Jacoby Brissett relied on Njoku as we hoped in the preseason due to the lack of a reliable No. 2 option.
I do not think this is a fluke, either. Njoku was one of my top TE breakouts for 2022, and while it might have taken a few games to get here, Njoku looks like a top-ten TE for the rest of the season, which might be selling him short. I would pounce on this opportunity as I am not sure we will see another TE this year emerge off the waiver wire with anywhere near the same upside or opportunity. Even if you have one of the elites in Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, or Kyle Pitts (hopefully), grab Njoku as your insurance policy.
Others to consider:
- Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders (46.6%)
- Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (29%)
- Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers (16%)
- Peyton Hendershot, Dallas Cowboys (0.0%)
- Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (47.7%)