Welcome to the Week 4 waiver wire, where I will be highlighting players that are available in less than 50-percent of leagues. These are the players you want to get on your team. There are mentions of radar guys as well. You shouldn’t pull the trigger now, but keep an eye on them. Percentages are based on ESPN leagues.
Week 4 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, LV (50-percent)
Derek Carr once again had a great day. Against the Miami Dolphins, he threw for 386 yards and two touchdowns on 26 for 43 passing with an interception. Carr has more than 380 yards passing in three straight to coincide with a 6:2 TD:INT. Carr is now the QB5 on the season with 28.5 points. The Raiders will take on the Chargers on Monday Night Football next week.
Sam Darnold, CAR (9-percent)
Sam Darnold demonstrated that he can run when needing to. He rushed eight times for 11-yards and scored two touchdowns. Darnold also completed 67-percent of his passes as he connected on 23 of 34 for 304 yards on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans. Carolina may be forced to throw more as they will be without Christian McCaffrey for several weeks. Darnold will need to keep himself from fumbling as he lost two balls but was lucky enough to recover them. He has a 6:2 TD:INT, and Carolina is 3-0 on the season on his way to the QB9 overall. If the offensive line can keep the Cowboys out of Darnold’s face in Week 4, we could see a massive output in a potential shootout.
Trey Lance, SF (21.4-percent)
It will come a time for the rookie quarterback to show off his skills. The most important thing to do in waiver wires is to be proactive. Lance has demonstrated Lamar Jackson-type running skills as he has rushed for a touchdown and has thrown for one. He hasn’t seen the field much but has been doing well with his opportunities.
Others:
Teddy Bridgewater (DEN), Kirk Cousins (MIN), Jameis Winston (NO). Daniel Jones (NYG)
Week 4 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard, CAR (11.3-percent)
With the unfortunate injury to McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard has flex appeal in PPR leagues. McCaffrey will be out a few weeks with his hamstring healing, and Hubbard took over most of the duty when he went down. Hubbard logged 40 of 73 snaps (55 percent), while Royce Freeman received just 15 percent. He ran for 52-yards on 11 carries and caught three of five targets. Hubbard should continue to get the heavy lifting, but Freeman will be in the mix. The Panthers face the Cowboys next week.
Peyton Barber, LV (11.3-percent)
Once a season, I put Peyton Barber on my waiver wire article. Here he is again. Barber carried the ball 23 times for 111-yards and a touchdown. He also caught three of five passes for 31-yards in a busy day against the Dolphins defense. Barber finished as the RB5 on the week. John Gruden has confirmed that Barber is his guy as long as Josh Jacobs is out with injury. Las Vegas will play the Chargers on Monday Night Football. They are allowing 170 yards and a touchdown per game to the position.
Alexander Mattison, MIN (40.7-percent)
Dalvin Cook may return for Week 4, but expect Mattison to continue success on the ground if he doesn’t. Mattison carried the ball 26 times and had 112 yards while adding six receptions for 59-yards on eight targets. He finished as the RB6, and Mattison should be owned in each league. The Vikings play the Browns next week.
Others:
Royce Freeman (CAR), Mark Ingram (HOU), Tony Jones (NO), Rhamondre Stevenson (NE)
Week 4 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders, BUF (23.3-percent)
Emmanuel Sanders caught five of his six targets for 94 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Football Team. Sanders finished as the WR5 on the week. Josh Allen had his best week of the season thus far, and Sanders was the one who benefitted. Sanders has only scored 11 fantasy points before last week, but he has been an excellent addition to the Bills offense. The Bills face the Texans next week who are allowing the second-highest explosive play rate.
Hunter Renfrow, LV (11.3-percent)
Hunter Renfrow was targeted six times, and he brought in five for 77 yards and a touchdown in the overtime win against the Dolphins. His score was his first, and it came from 12-yards out. Renfrow finished as the WR15 and has caught five or more passes in three straight weeks. The Raiders will face the Chargers on Monday Night Football. The Chargers have been great on the outside against the wide receiver, but have shown vulnerability against the slot.
Christian Kirk, ARI (22.4-percent)
Another excellent week for Christian Kirk as he caught seven of his eight targets for 104-yards. Kirk finished as the WR20 and is establishing himself as a steady performer. He has five or more receptions in two of his three weeks. Overall, he is the WR15 and will face the Rams next week in a tough divisional contest.
Others:
Tim Patrick (DEN), Marquez Callaway (NO), AJ Green (ARI), Anthony Miller (HOU), Josh Gordon (KC), Rashod Bateman (BAL)
Week 4 Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Evan Engram, NYG (45.7-percent)
Evan Engram had a disappointing performance but can be more involved with the offense now that injuries hit Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Kenny Golladay has also been dealing with injuries. Engram may not be explosive in points, but he should be steady, and that’s all you can ask for from your tight end that isn’t named Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Darren Waller, or T.J. Hockenson. The Giants face the Saints next week.
Pat Freiermuth, PIT (4.5-percent)
Pat Freiermuth has overcome Eric Ebron on the depth chart and caught three of five targets for 22-yards and a touchdown. Last week, he caught four passes for 36 yards. Freiermuth has been on the field for at least 50 percent of plays in the first two weeks but was reduced to 36-percent in Week 3. Overall, he has performed as a TE15 which is just two spots behind fellow rookie Kyle Pitts.
Others:
Dalton Schultz (DAL), Tyler Conklin (MIN), Jared Cook (LAC), Austin Hooper (CLE), Zach Ertz (PHI)
Make sure to check out Mike on Twitter @RFLRedZone
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