Whether you're thinking about just this week or upcoming weeks, how should you prioritize the pickups, either through the running of the waiver wire or allocation of your near-full free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB)? Let's break down how to allocate your budget for this week's crop of potential waiver additions.
Week 4 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (available in 84% of Yahoo leagues)
Fields is feeling it in the Arthur Smith offense in which everyone thought he could thrive had he been traded to the Falcons last season. He got going rushing the ball and is feeling the flow in the passing game. He has a great matchup ahead with the Colts, who give up plenty on the ground to QBs and also have issues in downfield coverage.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
WEEK 4 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (available in 71% of Yahoo leagues)
Darnold is doing plenty of damage with Justin Jefferson and a bunch of other supporting receivers in a pass-happy offense of which he seems to have a great grasp under Kevin O'Connell and Josh McCown's coaching. Let's hope the knee checks out because there could be a high-scoring affair up next with Jordan Love (maybe) and the Packers.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (available in 66% of Yahoo leagues)
Jones came through with his job on the line as Brian Daboll made it simple for his QB by throwing a lot to Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. He's had two multiple-TD games in a row and is doing a little running again to pad his stats. The Cowboys come to New York on Thursday, which isn't as scary as expected, but at worst, he's a backup to be rostered in deeper leagues.
Recommendation: Bid 0-1% of FAAB
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers (available in 96% of Yahoo leagues)
Dalton went nuts letting the ball loose to every Carolina receiving weapon, taking full advantage of replacing a benched Bryce Young. That comes just in time to be motivated for a classic revenge game against the Bengals at home in Week 4.
Recommendation: Bid 0-1% of FAAB
Tyler Huntley, Miami Dolphins (available in 99% of Yahoo leagues)
Huntley should be the next man up if Skylar Thompson has to miss time right along with Tua Tagovailoa. He has an extra day to prepare with Miami playing on Monday night. The matchup is good for a running QB as Lamar Jackson's former backup is at home against the Titans.
Recommendation: Bid 0-1% of FAAB
Week 4 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (available in 65% of Yahoo leagues)
After the rookie scored twice behind Breece Hall in Week 2, he led the Jets with 55 yards rushing on 11 carries in Week 3. This is the last call for the thunder in a developing strong 1-2 punch who can FLEX some good standalone value going forward as a bonus premium handcuff for Hall.
Recommendation: Bid 10-12% of FAAB
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (available in 65% of Yahoo leagues)
Rachaad White has been struggling a bit in the running game and Irving got nine effective carries for the second time in three weeks. This rookie isn't quite getting the volume over White yet, but he's making a case for more early-down work while White handles more of the receiving role. Irving also doubles as a must-have handcuff.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
Cam Akers, Houston Texans (available in 54% of Yahoo leagues)
Should Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce remain out for Week 4's matchup against the Jaguars, Akers should find some more running room. The Texans used several backs looking for answers vs. the Vikings, but Akers did end up getting the touchdown, and he will likely retain that red zone scoring role.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (available in 58% of Yahoo leagues)
Dowdle has gotten nine, 12, and 13 opportunities the first three weeks. He has the key receiving role over Ezekiel Elliott with seven catches for 53 yards combined the past two games. He is also looking like the more effective runner for a team that needs a more reliable rushing attack.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
WEEK 4 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Top Players to Target
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (available in 95% of Yahoo leagues)
CEH is nearing a return, and the Chiefs are looking at Week 5. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele was an uninspiring committee, and it's unlikely the team is ready to thrust Kareem Hunt back into a throwback role soon. Edwards-Helaire can be a good upside stash with Isiah Pacheco on the shelf to fix this backfield.
Recommendation: Bid 4-5% of FAAB
Roschon Johnson,Chicago Bears (available in 98% of Yahoo leagues)
The Bears finally used Johnson more with D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert letting down with overall production against the Titans with 12 touches for 60 yards, taking full advantage of playing for the injured Travis Homer. Johnson should be more involved going forward, so this is speculative if he can provide the team with a more reliable answer.
Recommendation: Bid 2-3% of FAAB
Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (available in 97% of Yahoo leagues)
Wilson racked up 14 touches for 85 scrimmage yards and a TD in the Packers' ground domination of the Titans on the road led by Malik Willis. He's still the top backup now for Josh Jacobs, but he might not have preferred handcuff value over injured MarShawn Lloyd longer-term.
Recommendation: Bid 2-3% of FAAB
Week 4 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (available in 69% of Yahoo leagues)
Jennings went nuts filling in opposite Brandon Aiyuk with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle not playing in a smash spot against the Rams. Brock Purdy helped him go overboard with 12 targets, which Jennings flipped into 11 catches for 175 yards and 3 TDs. That's the ceiling for just about any wideout, but should Samuel and Kittle continue to sit, the Patriots and Cardinals come calling at home the next two games.
Recommendation: Bid 8-10% of FAAB
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (available in 55% of Yahoo leagues)
Johnston has caught 7-of-8 targets for 95 yards and 3 TDs combined the past two weeks. He's looking good and just needs more chances, whether it's Justin Herbert, Taylor Heinicke, or Easton Stick throwing him the ball in the red zone and other key situations.
Recommendation: Bid 8-10% of FAAB
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (available in 74% of Yahoo leagues)
Mooney followed up his big-play TD night against the Eagles with catching all eight of his targets for 66 yards against the Chiefs. He's lining up in the right spots, playing off Drake London and Kyle Pitts for Kirk Cousins, and he's also the one getting the best one-on-ones in the red zone. He should be rostered in regular-to-deep leagues right along with Jennings and Johnston.
Recommendation: Bid 6-8% of FAAB
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams (available in 98% of Yahoo leagues)
Atwell is being used again like he was early in 2023 with Cooper Kupp out and making some big plays early with Puka Nacua. With both out, he jumped past Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Jordan Whittington to lead the team with four catches for 93 yards on five targets vs. the 49ers. The Bears are a tough matchup, however, in Week 4.
Recommendation: Bid 5-5% of FAAB
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants (available in 80% of Yahoo leagues)
With Malik Nabers balling out, Robinson has had fun with the favorable coverage trickling down to him. He scored in Week 2 and caught 7-of-8 targets for 61 yards in Week 3. He is the second option in the passing game; he just needs Jones to execute better with fair volume.
Recommendation: Bid 4-5% of FAAB
Jalen Nailor, Minnesota Vikings (available in 89% of Yahoo leagues)
Nailor has scored a touchdown in each of the first three games. He went 3-31-1 on four targets in Week 3 after going 3-54-1 on four targets in Week 2. He's a TD-dependent play at the moment, but Sam Darnold is giving the good paydirt looks, and Nailor could keep playing more should Jordan Addison need a lot more time to get back.
Recommendation: Bid 2-3% of FAAB
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (available in 100% of Yahoo leagues)
Austin emerged as a quick big-play threat for Fields with four catches for 91 yards and a TD on five targets against the Chargers. He's getting revved up with George Pickens as rookie Roman Wilson was a healthy inactive. He's not a bad deep-league stash given how Fields is getting used to him.
Recommendation: Bid 1-2% of FAAB
Week 4 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (available in 60% of Yahoo leagues)
With Keenan Allen missing another game, the Bears unlocked Kmet a lot more to help Caleb Williams as an intermediate security blanket playing off Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore. The result was Williams targeting Kmet 11 times for 10 catches, 97 yards and a TD. Williams and Kmet are reheating some offseason chemistry to the point Kmet needs more key work with the rookie QB.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Brock Wright, Detroit Lions (available in 100% of Yahoo leagues)
Sam LaPorta (ankle) got hurt against the Cardinals and may need to miss time. Wright would be the proper handcuffing there to take advantage of a fair spot against the Seahawks in Week 4.
Recommendation: Bid 5-6% of FAAB
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (available in 84% of Yahoo leagues)
Unfortunately, Otton needed some struggles for the downfield passing game against the Broncos to get going, but he responded with seven catches for 47 yards on eight targets. The Bucs have manageable spots coming up with the Eagles and Falcons next.
Recommendation: Bid 2-3% of FAAB
Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (available in 71% of Yahoo leagues)
It's a mystery why Seattle has been reluctant to use his athletic skill set as a receiver, but he did catch all six of his targets for 60 yards on the Dolphins and could be busy vs. the Lions.
Recommendation: Bid 2-3% of FAAB
Week 4 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire D/ST pickups, streamers
(Note: Do not spend any of your FAAB budget on D/ST! Get them for $0 after waivers run!)
Miami Dolphins (available in 53% of Yahoo leagues)
They are the next team to grab the Titans on the schedule, and there's the bonus of the emotional prime-time boost. They can tee off with their offense having better success.
Las Vegas Raiders (available in 56% of Yahoo leagues)
Let's try this again this time with the Browns at home. The Panthers' performance ripped into their value, but the Browns' offense has struggled early to the point Deshaun Watson can be sloppy again.
