Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 4 (Fantasy Football)
The waiver wire is like rummaging through the back of your fridge in the middle of the night. You grab an unlabeled container with no expiration date, knowing it is either going to hit the spot or send you running to the bathroom. When you are desperate, even mystery lasagna starts to look tempting.
You can’t let the fear of a stomachache stop you from taking a bite. The waiver wire is unpredictable, but sometimes that forgotten container holds exactly what you need. It is about focusing on the upside, trusting your gut, and accepting that a little risk is part of the recipe. So grab a fork, trust your gut, and dive into the mysterious pickups that could be the missing ingredient in your next win.
Without further ado, here are the top waiver adds to ensure you score in Week 4.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
3
4
4
3
11
5
5
6
8
6
6
5
9
7
7
9
5
8
10
7
6
9
11
8
7
10
9
13
4
11
8
14
12
12
13
10
13
13
14
11
14
14
12
15
15
15
15
12
16
16
17
16
10
17
16
17
17
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Back in the season’s first waiver article, we noted Trey Benson’s league-winning upside if James Conner were to miss time. That scenario has arrived, as Conner’s season-ending ankle/foot injury opens the door for Benson to take over as Arizona’s clear RB1. Benson has already carved out the third-down role and has been more efficient with his touches this season, making him this week’s unquestioned top pickup and a viable starting option moving forward. Emari Demercado is worth a look in deeper leagues as the complementary back, but Benson out-touched him 13–2 in Week 3, leaving little doubt about the pecking order. All eyes now shift to Benson as he makes his first start in a tough Thursday night matchup against Seattle’s stingy defense.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Somehow, Bhayshul Tuten is still rostered in just over 60% of leagues. Seriously, ladies and gents, what are we waiting for? He broke out in Week 2 following the surprising Tank Bigsby trade and flashed again on Sunday, running six times for 21 yards and a TD. Tuten has now scored in consecutive weeks and is carving out a growing role alongside Travis Etienne in Jacksonville’s backfield. He may not be a starter in the majority of leagues yet, but his path to a full breakout is clear. If he is available in your league, do not be the team that overlooks his upside. He gets another chance to shine in Week 4 against the 49ers.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders – With Austin Ekeler sidelined by a season-ending Achilles injury, Washington rolled out a three-headed backfield of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez, and Jermey McNichols in Week 3. While many expected Croskey-Merritt to lead the charge, it was Rodriguez who paced the team in carries, logging 11 rushes for 39 yards. Both Croskey-Merritt and McNichols salvaged their days with TDs, leaving the backfield picture murky heading into Week 4. Rodriguez and McNichols are worth speculative adds (in that order), but until the pecking order becomes clearer, this committee will be tough to trust in a matchup with Atlanta.
Ollie Gordon, RB, Miami Dolphins – Ollie? Isn’t that a dog’s name? It most certainly was in Week 3. Despite a slow start to the season, on Thursday night Gordon looked every bit like the dawg we expected. In Miami’s loss to the Bills, he turned a season-high nine carries into 38 yards and a TD, running with the same ferocity he flashed in the preseason. His physical style adds a power element the Dolphins have lacked in recent years. While De’Von Achane remains the lead back, Gordon is carving out a change-of-pace role and could claim goal-line duties if his efficiency continues. That upside makes him a priority add ahead of a favorable matchup with the Jets.
Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – In fantasy football, any player who even remotely resembles a starting RB deserves a roster spot. Kansas City’s usually high-powered offense has been slow to start the year, and their running game has been especially disappointing. Isaiah Pacheco has yet to return to form, leaving the backfield thin on production. Kareem Hunt, however, became the first back to reach double-digit fantasy points this season, scoring a TD and totaling 34 yards on ten carries in Sunday’s win over the Giants, matching Pacheco’s carries despite 11 fewer yards. The workload appears close to a 50-50 split, but Hunt’s apparent edge in goal-line opportunities is encouraging. He is an intriguing depth add as we continue to monitor this unsettled backfield ahead of a crucial Week 4 matchup with the Ravens.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans – Few offenses in the NFL have been as disappointing as the Houston Texans this season. With one of the league’s worst offensive lines, both the running game and CJ Stroud’s ability to move the ball downfield have struggled. While Nick Chubb remains the lead back, rookie Woody Marks saw an expanded role in Week 3, finishing with six carries for 27 yards and one reception for nine yards. The raw numbers may not impress, but Marks was only three carries and two targets behind Chubb, suggesting his role could continue to grow. If you have bench space, Marks is at least worth a speculative stash.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
4
2
2
2
1
8
3
3
5
6
4
4
3
7
5
7
2
5
6
5
12
1
7
11
8
4
8
9
7
11
9
16
10
3
10
8
9
12
11
10
6
15
12
6
11
13
13
12
14
9
14
14
15
10
15
13
13
16
16
17
16
14
17
15
17
17
Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders – Mr. Tucker, you have our attention. On Sunday, Tre Tucker erupted for 145 yards and three TDs on eight catches, torching defenders with his lightning-quick speed. Undersized but electric, Tucker has quickly emerged as Geno Smith’s go-to deep threat, already finding the end zone four times this season. While he will usually slot behind Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers in the target hierarchy, Tucker looks poised for a surprise breakout in Las Vegas. With the Raiders often playing from behind, he profiles as a volatile but dangerous flex play. He will look to keep the fireworks going in Week 4 against a vulnerable Chicago Bears defense.
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Last week, Tyquan Thornton was highlighted as an intriguing pickup for his potential to deliver big-play fantasy production. On Sunday night against the Giants, he showed he can contribute even in a more featured role. Leading Kansas City’s receiver room, Thornton caught five of nine targets for 71 yards and a TD. He has now scored in back-to-back weeks while stepping up in a depleted offense that has struggled for consistency. His skill set is somewhat similar to Xavier Worthy, who is nearing a return, but Thornton looks likely to remain part of the game plan regardless. With the running game largely absent, he is a high-upside flex option for Week 4 against the Ravens, a matchup that should be high-scoring and full of opportunities for fantasy production.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans – If a player shows up in every waiver article to start the season, two things are certain: he is producing at a high level and too many managers are not taking our advice. Ayomanor, available in roughly half of leagues, delivered again in Week 3 with four catches on five targets for 38 yards and a TD. He has now scored in back-to-back games and posted double-digit fantasy points in both. With at least five targets in every game so far, Ayomanor has clearly earned Cam Ward’s trust and should be rostered in the majority of leagues. He will look to make another statement in Week 4 as the Titans chase their first win of the year against Houston.
Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Remember the name Tory Horton. Beyond sounding like a certain Canadian coffee and donut chain, Horton has consistently shown he belongs in this league despite being a fifth-round pick. After turning heads in the preseason, he caught three of four targets for 32 yards and a TD on Sunday, and electrified with a 95-yard punt return TD in the first quarter. Horton now has scored in consecutive games, showcasing his game-breaking speed. While his current role is too limited to be a reliable fantasy option, he has the potential to emerge as the secondary target behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the season progresses. All eyes will be on the rookie Thursday night as he faces the Cardinals in prime time.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears – Once viewed as a top prospect, Luther Burden III got off to a slow start to his rookie season, but that changed in a big way in Week 3. In Sunday’s decisive win over the Cowboys, Burden caught all three of his targets for 101 yards, including a 65-yard TD on a flea-flicker from Caleb Williams. Chicago’s offense finally looked sharp, and Ben Johnson’s creativity was on full display. While Burden is not playing enough snaps yet to be a reliable weekly fantasy option, his role could grow quickly after this explosive performance. He will look to build on it in Week 4 against the Raiders before the team’s Week 5 bye.
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Sterling Shepard, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sterling Shepard had some strong seasons with the Giants early in his career, but at 32, he is clearly in the twilight of his playing days. That did not stop him from stepping up when his team needed him most. In Sunday’s thrilling win over the Jets, Shepard caught four of five targets for 80 yards, proving to be a reliable option for Baker Mayfield in crucial moments. With Mike Evans expected to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, Shepard becomes a prime candidate to contribute alongside Emeka Egbuka and help keep this offense moving. Chris Godwin’s impending return limits the long-term upside, but Shepard still offers some flex appeal in a challenging Week 4 matchup against the Eagles.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens – After a quiet start to the year despite signing a lucrative contract extension this offseason, Rashod Bateman finally broke through in Week 3. In Monday night’s loss to the Lions, he caught five of seven targets for 63 yards and a TD, reestablishing himself as one of Lamar Jackson’s trusted options. Bateman will never be a steady fantasy asset, but he has shown enough flashes to provide boom-or-bust upside in the right matchup. Zay Flowers should remain the focal point in the passing attack of this run-heavy offense, yet Bateman has a chance to build momentum heading into Week 4 against the Chiefs.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
4
4
4
5
2
5
8
4
5
6
5
6
8
7
6
7
7
8
7
8
6
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots – Hunter Henry may be volatile as a fantasy option, but his Week 3 explosion is impossible to overlook. In Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, he became Drake Maye’s go-to target, catching eight of 11 passes for 90 yards and two TDs. It marked his second game this season with eight or more targets and at least 65 yards, underscoring his role in an offense desperate for steady playmakers. The floor can be low, as shown by his one-catch outing in Week 2, but Henry’s ceiling and usage make him a strong starter for those in need at TE. He is the clear top waiver add at the position heading into a favorable Week 4 matchup against Carolina.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – It is rare to target a waiver pickup coming off a goose egg performance, but Cade Otton has a real chance to rebound. Through three games, he has only three catches for 25 yards. With Mike Evans expected to miss time with a hamstring injury, his target share could grow in what is normally a high-powered offense. We have seen this before. When Tampa’s receivers were banged up last season, Otton delivered three straight top-five fantasy finishes from Weeks 7 to 9. He has the upside to get rolling, but the Eagles present a difficult opening hurdle in Week 4.
Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Even after missing the first three weeks of the season with a foot injury that required surgery in early August, Isaiah Likely remains one of the most intriguing TE pickups. He may need time to regain full form, but his return is approaching, and he has the upside to be a true difference-maker this season.
Oronde Gadsden, TE, Los Angeles Chargers – If you need an immediate starter for Week 4, a veteran like Cole Kmet might make sense if Colston Loveland is out. Still, rookie Oronde Gadsden deserves some spotlight this week. After minimal usage in the first two weeks, Gadsden saw a major opportunity in Sunday’s win over the Broncos, catching five of seven targets for 46 yards. He played just 26% of snaps, but the high target rate when on the field is notable. An elite athlete with strong hands and after-the-catch ability, Gadsden has the potential to become a dynamic weapon in this high-powered offense if he can overtake Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly. Monitor his usage closely in Week 4 against the Giants.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
3
1
5
3
4
4
1
6
5
6
4
1
6
5
6
5
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
3
3
2
3
4
1
3
4
2
2
4
2
1
5
5
5
5
4
6
6
6
6
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
waiver wire wednesday checklist:
1.) set 17 waiver claims even though you only have 1 roster spot to fill
2.) wake up at 3am to find out that you got nobody that you want
3.) lay in bed staring at the ceiling until your alarm clock goes off
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) September 13, 2023
At the end of the day, working the waiver wire is about knowing when to take a chance and when to leave the sketchy stuff alone. Not every add will be a gourmet meal, but every now and then, the leftovers come through in a big way. Trust your gut, keep your lineup fresh, and don’t be afraid to sprinkle in a little risk.
Stay hungry, and good luck in Week 4.