Some weeks, we have a tough time projecting the top pickup; other weeks, De'Von Achane runs for over 200 yards and scores four TDs. There's no doubt who headlines the top Week 4 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, but Achane wasn't the only under-the-radar player to have a big day. Tank Dell, Romeo Doubs, and Joshua Palmer also made their cases for "must-own" status and will likely be highly sought after this week.
Our full waivers list below is lighter than usual, but there are still some potential impact adds for next week and beyond. Matt Breida, Melvin Gordon, and Kendre Miller are your typical injury fill-ins at RB, while Marvin Mims and Josh Downs are classic high-upside rookie WRs. We also have a few intriguing TE stashes (Luke Musgrave, Logan Thomas/Cole Turner, Taysom Hill) if you're hurting at the position. As always, we also have some potential Week 4 D/ST streams, which can be found at the end of the list.
It's inevitable that someone will use a high waiver claim on Achane if he's available in your league, and given what we saw on Sunday, it's probably justified. He has league-winner upside in one of the NFL's best offenses, but he still has at least one veteran (Raheem Mostert) standing in his way and another (Jeff Wilson Jr.) eligible to return in Week 5. If you're set at RB, you can hold back your high waiver claim this week, but you run the risk of kicking yourself if Achane takes over the Dolphins' backfield soon.
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Dell, Doubs, Palmer, and possibly Breida could command relatively high waiver claims, too. Dell is likely worth it, especially if you're thin at WR, and you can make a strong case for Palmer, too. The rest of this week's pickups profile as lower-claim guys or free agents.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: 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.
De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins. Achane showed why he was a popular preseason sleeper in Week 3, breaking out for 233 total yards and four TDs on 22 touches (team-high 18 carries, four catches). The speedy rookie took full advantage of Salvon Ahmed's groin injury and likely established himself as 1B to Raheem Mostert's 1A -- at least until Jeff Wilson Jr. (midsection, finger) returns and further complicates the situation. Achane has the speed and versatility to hold onto a key role even after JWJ returns, though, and given Mostert's injury history, he could find himself leading the way soon. Grab him wherever he's available, and consider him a high-upside flex next week against Buffalo.
Tank Dell, WR, Texans. Dell broke out in Week 2 and kept the good times rolling in Week 3, hauling in five-of-seven targets for 145 yards and a score. The versatile rookie will likely have consistency issues, but he's always a potential flex given his big-play ability and frequent targets. He's a high-ceiling WR3 next week against Pittsburgh.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Joshua Palmer, WR, Chargers. Palmer had a nice game in Week 3, catching four-of-seven targets for 66 yards and a TD, but the main reason he's on this list is because of the serious-looking knee injury Mike Williams suffered. Palmer filled in admirably last year when one of L.A.'s top two receivers was out, and we expect more of the same this year. Rookie Quentin Johnston is also worth adding in deep leagues, but Palmer should be the immediate beneficiary next week against the Raiders.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers. It will be tough to evaluate the Packers' receivers until Christian Watson (hamstring) returns, but Doubs has seen steady targets and produced starting-caliber numbers in two of three games. He showed out again in Week 3, catching five-of-12 targets for 73 yards and a score. Even when Watson comes back, Doubs should continue to be involved, making him a potential flex on Thursday against Detroit.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers. Yes, Thielen is old and plays for a middling offense, but he's also a No. 1 receiver who's seen at least nine targets and had at least 15 PPR points in two straight games. With a "revenge game" against the defensively challenged Vikings coming up, Thielen has WR3 upside.
Matt Breida, RB, Giants. Breida had just four carries, three catches, and 18 total yards last week, but he managed to get in the end zone and played on 82 percent of snaps. He's clearly the Giants' "lead back" when Saquon Barkley (ankle) is out, and with Barkley likely on the wrong side of questionable for Week 4's Monday night matchup against Seattle, Breida needs to be rostered, especially if you own Barkley. He'll be a solid flex against Seattle's iffy run defense.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys. Elliott looked washed through the first two weeks, but he was more effective than Rhamondre Stevenson (19 carries, 59 yards) in Week 3, rushing for 80 yards on 16 carries. It's too early to say that Elliott will "replace" Stevenson as New England's lead back, but we all know Bill Belichick is capable of anything. At the very least, Elliott deserves to be owned in more than 43 percent of Yahoo leagues, but he's not a high-ceiling play next week in Dallas.
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 load in Week 4 against Cleveland. Even if Edwards is back, Hill is worth adding in 12-team leagues given his role when healthy.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Ravens. We know -- it's 2023, but with Justice Hill (toe) out and Gus Edwards suffering a concussion, Gordon is the "next man up" in the Ravens' backfield. He managed 55 total yards on 12 touches in Week 3, showing he still has a little bit of juice left. If both Hill and Edwards miss Week 4's matchup against Cleveland, Gordon would have some TD-or-bust flex value in standard leagues.
Kendre Miller, RB, Saints. Miller operated as New Orleans' de facto starter early in Week 3, finishing with 34 yards on nine carries. With Alvin Kamara due back next week, Miller will function as the Saints' primary handcuff, at least until Jamaal Williams (hamstring) comes off the IR after Week 6. Miller is worth adding in deep leagues, but he's not worth using next week against Tampa.
Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos. Mims isn't Denver's No. 1 or even No. 2 receiver, but he's made big plays and scored in each of the past two games. Week 3 was his busiest yet, as the talented rookie caught three-of-five targets for 73 yards and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Denver's offense looks like a mess right now, but Mims is still worth stashing ahead of a favorable matchup against Chicago next week.
Josh Downs, WR, Colts. Downs got an OT period to pad his stats, but it was still notable that the rookie received a team-high 12 targets against Baltimore. He caught eight for 57 yards, showcasing his PPR potential in deep leagues.
Taysom Hill, QB/TE, Saints. Hill had a quiet Week 3 after a big Week 2, but he was still involved with a handful of carries (4) and a catch. With Jamaal Williams (hamstring) out until Week 7 and Derek Carr (shoulder) hurting, Hill should continue working as New Orleans' "goal-line back." That role helped him finish as the TE3 in standard leagues and TE9 in PPR leagues last year, so Hill is worth adding in all formats if you're a TE-needy team.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys. Ferguson caught five-of-seven targets for 48 yards against the Cardinals, marking the second time this year he's posted at least seven targets. In the other game, he caught a touchdown. He has a TE1 upside most weeks, including next week against New England.
Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers. Musgrave has been overshadowed by some of his fellow rookie TEs, but he's quietly been seeing consistent looks. He had his busiest game yet in Week 3, catching six-of-eight targets for 49. In PPR leagues, that has value. Musgrave is worth grabbing in deep leagues ahead of next week's favorable matchup against Detroit.
Cole Turner/Logan Thomas, TE, Commanders. Thomas (concussion) missed Week 3, but Turner picked up the slack, catching four-of-seven targets for 35 yards. The Eagles have been the worst TE defense in the early going, so whichever of these TEs starts in Week 4 has deep-league streamer appeal thanks to the frequent targets.
Top fantasy defense streamers for Week 4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ NO). Did somebody say Jameis Winston? New Orleans' offense hasn't been clicking all year, and now the turnover-prone Winston appears set to take over for an injured Derek Carr (shoulder). We'll gladly stream the Bucs in that situation.
Denver Broncos (@ CHI). The Broncos have disappointed mightily so far (seriously, don't look at their Week 3 box score against Miami), but the Bears have been an absolute gift for fantasy D/STs this season. We expect more of the same in Week 4, so give the Broncos one more chance.
Seattle Seahawks (@ NYG). The Seahawks haven't looked good this year, but a Week 4 Monday night matchup against a turnover-prone, possibly Saquon-less Giants' team is a recipe for success, even on the road.
Houston Texans (vs. PIT). Houston showed its talent and big-play ability on defense/special teams last week, and a home matchup against a sloppy Pittsburgh offense could pave the way for more points in Week 4.
Los Angeles Rams (@ IND). Regardless of whether Gardner Minshew or Anthony Richardson (concussion) is under center in Week 4, the Rams have a nice ceiling in this potentially favorable matchup.
Minnesota Vikings (@ CAR). The Vikings aren't known for defense, but facing either a gimpy Bryce Young (ankle) or Andy Dalton gives them a high ceiling. You could do worse if you're hunting for a boom-or-bust sleeper in Week 4.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. LV). The Chargers have given up plenty of points, but they've shown an ability to generate sacks and turnovers. The Raiders aren't exactly clicking on all cylinders on offense, giving the Chargers a solid floor in Week 4.
