Last Monday night's doubleheader saw two starting RBs suffer serious injuries. This Monday night doubleheader saw a whole lot of nothing, at least in terms of things that will affect the top Week 4 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. De'Von Achane and Tank Dell remain the top targets on waivers, but there are plenty of players who will be picked up after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Our full waiver wire list features a bunch of useful WRs (Romeo Doubs, Adam Thielen, Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston) and some worthwhile RB stashes (Justice Hill, Kendre Miller, Matt Breida) who can have value in the short- and long-term. We even have a few potential TE sleepers (Luke Musgrave, Cole Turner) and our usual selection of potential Week 4 D/ST streams, which can be found at the end of the list.
Achane is worth a No. 1 waiver claim, though you can make a case for holding it back if you're loaded at RB. Either way, he'll require a high claim. The same goes for Dell and Palmer, while Doubs, Hill, and Breida will also likely be claimed depending on the size of your league. We're not quite as high on the last three, but Dell and Palmer are worth at least mid-level waiver claims, especially if you need help at WR.
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If you don't have one of the top claims or the need for Achane, Dell, or another WR, then it's wise to let waivers pass without any action this week. Outside of the top few pickups, the majority of this week's most-added players are best suited for the free-agent pool. There will be more big injuries and breakouts next week, so save your spot in the waiver order and continue that slow crawl back to the top.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner | Trade advice
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 4
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers. Johnston has caught five-of-eight targets for 27 yards while playing just 48 snaps this year, but the first-round rookie is about to get a lot more playing time with Mike Williams (knee) out for the season. Johnston (6-4, 215 pounds) is almost a carbon copy of Williams (6-4, 218 pounds) in terms of size, and you can expect Justin Herbert will look for him in the red zone and throw him plenty of 50-50 balls. Johnston might not be worth starting in Week 4 against the Raiders, but he's a great stash who can pay off big-time down the road.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Josh Palmer, WR, Chargers. Palmer figures to see an immediate bump in snaps and targets with Mike Williams (knee) out. He played well last year when either Williams or Keenan Allen were sidelined, and he came through with four catches (seven targets), 66 yards, and a TD in Week 3. He has WR3/flex upside this week against the Raiders, and he'll be a must-start going forward if something were to happen to Allen, who missed seven games last year.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Justice Hill, RB, Ravens. Hill (toe) missed Week 3, but with Gus Edwards in concussion protocol, Hill would be in line for a relatively big role in Week 4 against Cleveland. Even if Edwards is back, Hill is worth adding in 12-team leagues considering he saw more carries than Edwards in Week 2 when both were healthy.
Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers. After a quiet Week 1, Thielen has turned back the clock with his new team, posting 18 catches (23 targets), 199 yards, and two TDs over the past two games. He was especially effective with Andy Dalton in Week 3 against Seattle (11-145-1), and he should be able to carry that into a Week 4 matchup against his old team, the defensively challenged Vikings.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups De'Von Achane, Tank Dell, and more, check out our full Week 4 list.
