Waivering: Week 4

Tue Sep 27 8:32am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Doubs is emerging as top target


The last week was a bit of a rough one, seeing some key players get hurt. That is why it is always good to plan ahead, especially with injury prone guys on your roster. Get the backups of these players, especially if they are quality players that can produce in an expanded role. Jamaal Williams, Khalil Herbert and Alexander Mattison are three players that are nearly on all rosters, so kudos to those owners for having them. You will see some waiver wire article, advocating grabbing these players, but there are nearly no leagues on this site where they are available. Getting key backups on your rosters is always a good strategy come draft day, especially when you start getting late in drafts and taking dart throws at players. Just something to keep in mind when drafting in 2023. 

QUARTERBACK

Marcus Mariota, Falcons. Mariota seems to make this list every week, but he deserves it. He keeps making plays in this offense. He has multiple touchdowns two of three games. He also has at least 18 fantasy points all three games. He is getting picked up more in leagues, but still out there in 58 percent of leagues. Mariota is worth a look as a streamer for fantasy teams.

Geno Smith, Seahawks. Smith scored a season-high 23.3 fantasy points last week. He hit the 300-yard passing mark and scored multiple touchdowns. He actually has multiple touchdowns two of three games. The Seahawks claimed to have taking the reigns off of Smith last week and it showed, seeing him take more chances down the field. He can help fantasy teams in the right matchup, like he has this week against the Lions. 

Zach Wilson, Jets. Wilson is expected to return from his knee injury this week. While he carries risk, there is some upside with Wilson, mainly because of the volume. Joe Flacco attempted 50-plus passes two of three games and attempted 44 in the other game he started for the Jets this year. Flacco averaged 51.7 passes per game. If Wilson can get that much work, he can help fantasy teams. He might be worth a pickup for quarterback needy teams. 

RUNNING BACK

Samaje Perine, Bengals. Joe Mixon struggled last week and also was banged up in the game. This could open the door for Perine to get a few more chances in the coming week. He played well last week, rushing nine times for 47 yards. He also caught two passes for 14 yards and a touchdown, scoring 14.1 fantasy points. He probably isn’t worth grabbing in all formats, but worth a look in deeper leagues and if you are a Mixon owner. Perine is available in 84 percent of leagues. 

Craig Reynolds, Lions. With D’Andre Swift possibly out, Reynolds moves to the backup role behind Jamaal Williams. And with the way the Lions rotate backs, Reynolds will have a role as long as Swift is out. He is wroth grabbing in deeper formats and using as a possible flex play. He has some potential in this offense, showing well in the preseason with his chances. 

RECEIVER

DeVante Parker, Dolphins. Parker had just a catch going into the Week 3 game, but an injury to Jakobi Meyers opened the door for Parker to play more. He took advantage with a huge game, catching five passes for 156 yards. He probably earned more playing time going forward - even with Meyers returns to the lineup. Parker has a solid track record and is available in 72 percent of leagues. 

Romeo Doubs, Packers. Doubs seems to be gaining the confidence of Aaron Rodgers every week. He had a breakout game in Week 3, finishing with eight receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. This could just be the start of things for Doubs in this offense. He is available in 48 percent of leagues. 

Mack Hollins, Raiders. Hollins got a chance for an expanded role in the offense with Hunter Renfrow out. He responded with his best game as a pro, catching eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. He has been getting more work lately, though, having at least five receptions two straight. Hollins could be a factor in this offense going forward - even when Renfrow is back. He might be worth a grab for fantasy teams, being available in 99 percent of leagues. 

Zay Jones, Jaguars. Jones had a huge game for the Jaguars last week, catching 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. This gives him double-digit fantasy points two of three games. He is producing in an offense that is coming to life in Jacksonville. Jones is available in 81 percent of leagues. 

Greg Dortch, Cardinals. Dortch just keeps making plays in the Cardinals offense. He has at least 13 fantasy points all three games this season. He had season highs in receptions (nine) and yards (80) last week. He has value to fantasy teams as long as DeAndre Hopkins remains suspended. This might be the last week to grab him, being available in 73 percent of leagues.

Devin Duvernay, Ravens. Duvernay keeps finding the end zone. He scored his third receiving touchdown of the season last week. He has yet to top 55 yards in a game but as long as he keeps scoring in this high-powered offense, he has fantasy value. Duvernay is not out there in many leagues, but available in 37 percent on our site. 

Isaiah McKenzie, Broncos. McKenzie has found the end zone two of the last three games. He got his most work of the season last week, catching seven passes for 76 yards on nine targets. He is emerging as a consistent target in the Bills explosive offense. McKenzie is still available in 67 percent of leagues. 

Russell Gage, Bucs. Gage was the go-to target for the Bucs in Week 3, catching 12 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. He got a monster workload. He also had five receptions the previous week, giving him 17 receptions his last two games. With the Bucs hurting at receiver, Gage should continue to have a big role in the offense in the coming weeks. Gage is still out there in 47 percent of leagues. 

TIGHT END

Will Dissly, Seahawks. Most thought Noah Fant was going to be guy at tight end for the Seahawks, but that hasn’t been the case. Dissly has been the better play. He has touchdowns two of three games and multiple receptions every game. He is probably a touchdown dependent play, but as long as he is scoring, fantasy teams can take a chance on him as a streaming play. 

Jelani Woods, Colts. Woods played just eight snaps the first two games of the season and didn’t catch a pass. This wasn’t the case last week, catching two touchdown passes. He is a huge target that could be getting more chances in the offense going forward. He is a huge target that could be a factor in the red zone. Woods might be a touchdown dependent play, but he has some potential because of his skill set, making him a potential waiver wire grab at a thin position.  

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Jayden Daniels Apr 26 10:40pm CT
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The Washington Commanders have selected Rice University wide receiver Luke McCaffrey with the 100th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The pick marked the end of Round 3 and Day 2 of the draft. McCaffrey is a converted quarterback who transferred from Nebraska to Rice during the middle of his collegiate career. He truly broke out during his final season with the Owls, catching 71 passes for 992 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for an additional 117 yards on the ground. The brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey and son of three-time Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey, Luke demonstrated extreme leadership, football IQ, physicality, athleticism, and route running skills at Rice. He excelled in contested catch scenarios and should be a very reliable weapon for the Commanders and new quarterback Jayden Daniels. He figures to enter training camp as Washington's No. 3 wide receiver behind Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

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Jalen McMillan Apr 26 10:10pm CT
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan with the 92nd overall pick in the NFL draft. McMillan totaled 559 yards on 45 catches with five scores in 11 games last season. He plays mostly from the slot and did have a nagging knee injury that limited his catches considerably compared to 2022, where he caught 79 passes. The 22-year-old does well in changing speeds in a route to put defensive backs on their heels. McMillan joins a veteran-led wide receiver room with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. McMillan should be in contention to serve as the number three option with Trey Palmer, who Tampa selected last season. McMillan should be a popular pick in rookie drafts and could carve out a role in redraft as well.

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MarShawn Lloyd Apr 26 10:00pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

The Green Bay Packers selected USC running back MarShawn Lloyd with the 88th pick in the NFL draft. Lloyd is credited for having great acceleration and the ability to bounce outside the tackles. He averaged over seven yards per carry last season, which showcases his big-play ability. The 23-year-old ran for 820 yards and nine scores last season. Lloyd joins a running back room that just welcomed Josh Jacobs, which will limit his fantasy value early on, but he could grow into a part-time contributor over the course of his rookie season.

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J.J. McCarthy Apr 26 9:50pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected University of Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson with the No. 84 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old was one of J.J. McCarthy's favorite targets on the national champion Wolverines. He caught 49 passes for 789 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, showcasing his speed, hands, and route running skills on a national stage. The Steelers have been looking for wide receiver help ever since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Wilson could immediately slot into the Steelers' No. 2 wide receiver role alongside George Pickens, giving him appeal in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

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Tip Reiman Apr 26 9:50pm CT
Tip Reiman

The Cardinals selected University of Illinois tight end Tip Reiman with the No. 82 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He played four years at Illinois, totaling 420 yards and five touchdowns off 41 catches. While the 22-year-old has plenty of positive attributes, he wasn't as productive at the collegiate level as others in his class. With that said, Reiman will have a chance to carve out playing time in Arizona, a team in a transition phase. However, he'll need to compete for snaps with Trey McBride, one of the league's emerging tight ends.

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Joe Burrow Apr 26 9:40pm CT
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The Bengals selected Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton with the No. 80 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The 22-year-old began his collegiate career at Georgia. However, he played at Alabama in the last two seasons. During his time with the Crimson Tide, he totaled 79 catches for 1,479 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also averaged 20.5 yards per catch as a senior. It will be tough for anyone to get consistently involved offensively with Ja'Marr Chase and potentially Tee Higgins in the equation. However, If Burton gets snaps, he could flourish catching passes from Joe Burrow, one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League.

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Blake Corum Apr 26 9:40pm CT
Blake Corum

The Los Angeles Rams have selected University of Michigan running back Blake Corum with the No. 83 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The national champion is the third running back off the board following Texas' Jonathon Brooks and Florida State's Trey Benson. He totaled 2,905 scrimmage yards and a whopping 47 touchdowns over his last two seasons. He's not a major contributor in the passing game but clearly carves out plenty of work on the ground and near the goal line. Kyren Williams is still Los Angeles' top running back, but Corum should carve out a role and could even have immediate fantasy appeal given his nose for the end zone.

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Trey Benson Apr 26 8:50pm CT
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The Arizona Cardinals selected Florida State running back Trey Benson with the 66th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Benson could be the most complete running back in the draft class. He excelled at breaking tackles, setting the single-season FBS record by forcing 0.51 missed tackles per run. The 21-year-old also possesses great breakaway speed with 14 runs of 20 or more yards (ninth in FBS). Last season, Benson ran for 906 yards on the ground and 227 through the air and 15 total scores. He will join veteran James Connor, who could limit his fantasy value early on, but he should be an early second-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

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Malachi Corley Apr 26 8:40pm CT
Malachi Corley

The New York Jets traded up with the Carolina Panthers to select Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. Corley led the nation in yards after catch over the past two seasons, has great elusiveness, and had the most receptions in the FBS over the past three seasons with 253. The 22-year-old can threaten vertically as well and should be a strong deep threat option for Aaron Rodgers. Corley joins a wide receiver room with star Garrett Wilson and newly acquired Mike Williams. Corley could be a sleeper pick in fantasy this season as he could slot in as the number two option with the injury-prone Mike Williams.

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Jayden Daniels Apr 26 8:00pm CT
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The Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott with the No. 53 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old is coming off the best collegiate season of his career, totaling 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns. While he's still young, he has the tools needed to be a potent pass-catcher moving ahead. Of course, Sinnott will have to contend with Zach Ertz for playing time. It could also take Jayden Daniels some time to find his rhythm in Washington, meaning Sinnott might not be productive immediately.

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Kool-Aid McKinstry Apr 26 7:50pm CT
Kool-Aid McKinstry

With the No. 41 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. New Orleans traded with Green Bay for this pick, so the 21-year-old will fill a void on the defensive side of the ball. McKinstry, a 2023 All-American, played three seasons at Alabama. He totaled 93 tackles (62 solo), adding two picks, two sacks, and 23 passes defensed. With the Saints looking to finish atop the NFC South in 2024-25, McKinstry should play a pivotal role right out of the gate.

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Adonai Mitchell Apr 26 7:40pm CT
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The Indianapolis Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the No. 52 overall pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft. Mitchell was rumored to be taken as high as the middle of Round 1, but he ultimately fell a bit and landed with quarterback Anthony Richarson. Mitchell spent two seasons at Georgia before transferring to the Longhorns, where he racked up 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing alongside Xavier Worthy and J'Tavion Sanders. With Michael Pittman Jr. in town, Mitchell might be capped in the WR2 role, but the development of Richardson will dictate how much upside he may have.

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Roschon Johnson Apr 26 7:30pm CT
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The Carolina Panthers traded with the Indianapolis Colts to move up to the 46th spot to select Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (knee). He was behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson on the Texas depth chart for two seasons. However, he broke out in 2023 with 1,139 yards and 10 rushing scores and was named second-team All-Big 12. The 20-year-old tore his ACL late in the season but should be ready for training camp. Brooks joins a crowded running back room with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, which could limit his fantasy value early in the season, but he should be a late first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

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Trevor Lawrence Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | The 23rd overall pick in the draft, Brian Thomas, Jr., gives Trevor Lawrence a premier downfield threat. Dynasty Analysis: After losing Calvin Ridley to free agency, Lawrence was facing a dearth of receiving options like he hadn't seen in his three year career. Bringing in Brian Thomas, Jr. may even prove to be an upgrade for Lawrence as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing season. Lawrence was able to maintain a top 10 ranking among DLF rankers, but has been closer to dropping below his QB9 rank than rising back into the top five. The selection of Thomas might not move the needle for Lawrence's immediate dynasty value, but should give him every opportunity to outperform his projections.

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Keon Coleman Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | The Buffalo Bills drafted FSU wide receiver Keon Coleman with the first pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Coleman was shut out of the first round but landed in a great spot, taken with the first pick of the second round by the Buffalo Bills. It's a dream scenario for Coleman, who lands with an elite quarterback in dire need of new weapons after losing so many this off-season. Coleman has work to do for sure but his landing spot is going to place him in the first round of virtually every rookie draft.

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Ladd McConkey Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | Ladd McConkey was drafted by the Chargers with the second pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: McConkey was taken early in the second round by the suddenly receiver-needy Chargers. A precise route runner with serious quickness, McConkey is going to be thrown into action early and often this season. He had a meteoric rise after the NFL Draft Combine and that, combined with a great landing spot, should keep him right around the turn of rounds one and two in rookie drafts.

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Xavier Worthy Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | Kelce is the sneaky winner of the defending champs' first round selection of WR Xavier Worthy. Dynasty Analysis: Adding another burner opposite Marquise "Hollywood" Brown gives the Chiefs the fastest receiving corps in the league. While neither WR expects to command an overwhelming target share, the biggest benefactor will be TE Travis Kelce as he operates in the wide open spaces of the middle of the field. Kelce's dynasty value has been creeping downward due to his age (34), dropping from his long time throne as QB1 all the way to QB6 in DLF's dynasty rankings. With the field-stretching speedsters on the perimeter opening up the field, Kelce is a virtual lock to outperform most of the tight ends currently ranked ahead of him.

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Justin Herbert Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | After getting a new left tackle in round one, Justin Herbert's stock continues to rise as the Chargers trade up for Ladd McConkey. Dynasty Analysis: Even after the team used it's fifth overall pick to protect Herbert's blindside, skepticism remained due to a lack of weaponry. But the Chargers moved up three spots to acquire a new top pass catcher (and Keenan Allen replacement in the slot), Ladd McConkey. The Chargers likely aren't done building the offense around Herbert, but with just those two draft picks, the franchise has made their quarterback a dynasty value. DLF's QB6 has QB1 overall upside with his own skillset and a little help from his supporting cast.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Drake Maye Apr 26 7:13pm CT
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Dynasty | The Patriots drafted Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: As expected, Polk was drafted right in the middle of a big receiver run in the NFL Draft, going to the Patriots early in round two. He was the tenth receiver taken but amazingly the 37th overall pick, which just shows the depth of this draft. Polk lands in a desirable spot as the Patriots depth chart at receiver is a mess. He'll need to grow together with Drake Maye but some patience could be rewarded here. Polk looks like a pretty solid pick in round two of conventional rookie drafts.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Ja'Lynn Polk Apr 26 6:50pm CT
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The New England Patriots selected Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. New England has often been predicted to pick a wide receiver in Round 2 after landing their QB of the future in Round 1, and that's exactly what they did. Despite sharing the field with stud wide receiver Rome Odunze in 2023, Polk caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns during Washington's run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Given the weak wide receiver room in New England, he's another rookie wideout who could become his team's No. 1 wide receiver in short order. He has the ability to start at X-receiver immediately.

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