Another week of NFL football is in the books. In Week 3, we saw lower scores and lower yardage totals than we have in the past. This translated to lower fantasy football scores, as well. That’s okay, though. The NFL season is a marathon, not a race. Fantasy football is a marathon, too. In order to be successful in season-long leagues, dropping underperforming players from your roster to adding overperforming players from the waiver wire is highly recommended.
Week 4 waivers might seem a little lackluster in comparison to others, but that just means players will be easier to attain. Whether your league does waiver order or FAAB budget, here are high-performing, highly available players.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 4: Running backs
1. Khalil Hebert, Bears
After the Bears’ lead back David Montgomery sustained a knee injury in the 1st quarter vs. the Texans, backup running back Khalil Herbert found himself in a prominent role for the rest of the game. He made the most of his opportunity, gaining 157 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 20 carries. He also added another 12 yards through the air on two targets and two receptions.
David Montgomery’s top handcuff is only rostered in roughly 5% of NFL.com fantasy leagues. The 2-1 Bears have the least amount of pass attempts in the league, which has been keeping the running backs rushing. While Montgomery is out, Herbert is a must-add and must-start in all formats.
2. Craig Reynolds, Lions
In Week 3, the Lions’ playmaking back D’Andre Swift sustained a shoulder injury and re-aggravated his ankle injury against the Vikings. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams usually split time every week. In limited action, Williams has 43 carries, 168 yards, and 4 touchdowns on the ground and 5 targets, 5 receptions, and 29 yards through the air. With Swift out, Williams will serve as the lead back but will split time with Craig Reynolds.
Available in virtually 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Reynolds performed well in limited action last year. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and 46 yards per game. Reynolds could be serviceable for at least two weeks while Swift is out, so he is worth adding as a flyer and rostering in all formats while Swift is out.
3. Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs
The veteran back has had a bigger role than expected. He has been on the field for an average of 46% of snaps through 3 weeks. In Week 3, he was on the field for 52% of snaps. He received 8 total touches. Starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was on the field for 40% of snaps, less than McKinnon. However, he received 12 total touches, more than McKinnon.
Only rostered in 7.6% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, McKinnon has been getting valuable snaps, too. His snaps in the red zone have helped him score three total touchdowns this year. He is the Chiefs’ apparent change-of-pace back and fantasy football’s apparent handcuff to CEH. He is worth rostering in deep PPR leagues.
If he’s available, Nyheim Hines, Colts
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 4: Wide Receivers
1. Romeo Doubs, Packers
The preseason darling Romeo Doubs stepped up in Week 3 with starter Sammy Watkins now out on IR. He hauled in all 8 of his targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in a game where the Packers edged out the Buccaneers 14-12. Doubs has taken advantage of his opportunities and has put himself of others in this struggling wide receiver room.
Only rostered in 4.6% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Doubs has cemented a role in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. With Watkins out for at least three more weeks, and easier matchups upcoming, he has short-term and season-long value. He is a priority add in all formats.
2. Mack Hollins, Raiders
Through three weeks, the Raiders’ receiving yards leader isn’t Davante Adams… it isn’t Darren Waller… and it isn’t Hunter Renfrow… it’s Mack Hollins. The journeyman wide receiver’s 240 yards leads in an offense still trying to find its identity under new head coach Josh McDaniels. He has also added 1 receiving touchdown, this season.
Available in virtually 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Hollins has been commanding a lot of targets from Derek Carr, despite the addition of Adams. His 10 targets in Week 3 were hauled in for 8 receptions, 158 yards, and 1 touchdown. Never being on the field for less than 88% of snaps in a game through 3 weeks, Hollins is worth rostering in PPR formats.
3. Isaiah McKenzie, Bills
Another journeyman, and another preseason darling, Isaiah McKenzie has made some big plays in an explosive offense. The Bills have been in some high-scoring games, and they will be in more. There are plenty of touchdowns to go around, and McKenzie has two of them through three weeks.
Still available in 68.9% of NFL.com fantasy football leagues, McKenzie is coming off a game where he saw 9 targets on only 51% of snaps. He turned this into 7 yards, 7 yards, and 1 touchdown. He is worth stashing in PPR formats.
If he’s available, Zay Jones, Jaguars
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 4: Quarterbacks
1. Zach Wilson, Jets (QB)
After suffering a knee injury in the preseason, Zach Wilson is trending towards returning to the field and starting in Week 4. Backup Joe Flacco, who is serving as the interim starting quarterback, has been averaging nearly 50 pass attempts a game under the helm of the Jets. The negative game script surely continues, as the Jets aren’t favored in many games.
Flacco is rostered in 5.8% of NFL.com fantasy leagues. Wilson is only rostered in 1.3% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, but that is sure to change. With the passing attempt upside, Wilson has the most upside of any QB on waivers. He is worth rostering in one-QB leagues and worth rostering and starting in two-QB leagues.
2. Geno Smith, Seahawks (QB)
“They wrote me off, I ain’t write back” – Geno Smith (Week 1, 2022). So here I am, writing about him. Smith has the highest completion percentage through 3 weeks. Similar to Zach Wilson and the Jets, Geno Smith and the Seahawks will find themselves attempting to come back late in games. Smith threw for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 27-23 loss to the Falcons.
Available in nearly 95% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, is a fine streaming option if your starter has a tough matchup or has an upcoming bye week. With that being said, he is worth stashing in one-QB leagues and worth rostering and streaming in two-QB leagues.
If he’s still available, Ryan Tannehill
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 4: Tight Ends
1. David Njoku, Browns (TE)
If you did not draft David Njoku, who was primed to breakout in fantasy football in 2022, you should add him off the waiver wire. Never being on the field for less than 88% of snaps in a game through three weeks, Njoku came out during Thursday Night Football vs. the Steelers. He secured 9 of his 10 targets for 89 yards and 1 touchdown.
Only rostered in 16.7% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Njoku is currently a top 10 tight end in PPR formats. He is an athletic tight end who will be featured in the Browns’ offense, especially with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. He is a priority add in PPR formats.
If he’s still available, Tyler Conklin