It's never fun when big-name running backs are injured...for the owners of those RBs, that is. For everyone else, it's a major opportunity. There are two such opportunities this week, as David Montgomery (ankle, knee) and Dalvin Cook (shoulder) both exited early, making Khalil Herbert and Alexander Mattison easy calls to headline our top Week 4 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. Of course, this early in the season, there's always more to the waiver wire than just handcuff RBs, as WR breakouts like Mack Hollins, DeVante Parker, Romeo Doubs, and Zay Jones are also sure to catch fantasy football owners' attention.
Our full free agent list features more players who did enough to pique our interests. Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Reynolds, Josh Palmer, Tyler Boyd, Tyler Conklin, David Njoku, K.J. Osborn, and Laviska Shenault are among the players who could help improve your team, if even marginally. If you're looking to marginally (or majorly) improve from week-to-week with your D/ST, we have Week 4 defense streamer recommendations that can be found at the end of the list.
If Montgomery is expected to miss multiple games, Herbert is an easy call for the top pickup and will be worth a high waiver claim. The same goes for Mattison if Cook is going to be out for an extended period. If Montgomery's and Cooks' outlooks are still cloudy by Tuesday night, both Herbert and Mattison are still in play for high claims. They'll be that valuable if starting. (Update: Cook is currently expected to play in Week 4, but he'll likely be "questionable.") Aside from Montgomery and Mattison, there are plenty of other players worth mid-to-lower waiver claims, depending on your positional needs. Doubs, Jones, and Parker headline that group, but Hollins, McKenzie, and maybe even Conklin fall into this group, as well.
MORE WEEK 4: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Overall, this should be a busy week on the wire, which is great because if you don't need/want to use a claim, you should move up considerably. Even if you do use a claim, you probably won't lose many spots in the pecking order. Now's the time to improve your team, especially if you have a few duds who have produced little through three weeks.
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 4
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears. Herbert entered Week 3 averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and he had no problem taking over for an injured David Montgomery (ankle, knee) in the first quarter against the Texans. With Montgomery quickly ruled "doubtful" to return, Herbert finished with 20 carries, 157 rushing yards, and a pair of TDs, which is in line with what he did last year when he started. Even if Montgomery can play in Week 4 against the Giants (which is in serious doubt), Herbert should see around 10 touches and be worth a flex spot. At the very least, he's one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy and should be owned in more than 46 percent of Yahoo leagues. He'll be a virtual must-start if Montgomery is out.
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings. Dalvin Cook exited Sunday's game in the fourth quarter due to a shoulder injury, and Mattison did what he always does when Cook is out. He rushed for 28 yards and a TD on seven carries, and he caught a pass for 16 yards. We've seen Mattison perform at RB1 levels in the past when Cook was out, so he's a must-add in case Cook misses next week's game against the Saints. (Update: Cook is currently expected to play in Week 4, but he'll likely be "questionable" leading up to the game.)
MORE WEEK 4: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Zay Jones, WR, Jaguars. Jones had a quiet Week 2 after a solid Week 1, but he made noise again in Week 3, catching a team-leading 10-of-11 targets for 85 yards and a TD. Jacksonville has the look of a team that will be throwing a lot this year, and despite a cache of similar receiving options, Jones seems to be standing out above everyone except maybe Christian Kirk. That could yield good value going forward, including next week against the Eagles.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers. Doubs scored the first touchdown of his career in Week 3 against the Bucs, but he did much more than that, catching all of his team-leading eight targets for 73 yards. It seems clear that Aaron Rodgers trusts the rookie, and Doubs should only continue to get better as the season goes along. He has another tough matchup against the Patriots next week, but he's still in play as a WR3/flex given his status as Green Bay's 1A or 1B receiver.
Mack Hollins, WR, Raiders. Hollins took advantage of Hunter Renfrow's injury to post his second-straight solid performance. In Week 2, he caught five-of-eight targets for 66 yards, and in Week 3, he went off, catching eight-of-nine targets for 158 yards and a TD. It's tough to say if Hollins is anything more than a boom-or-bust flex in games where the Raiders are trailing late, but given his usage and production lately, he's at least worth a stash in deeper leagues. He likely won't be in lineups in Week 4 against Denver, though.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including more streaming options at every position, check out our full Week 4 list.
