I hope you didn’t burn too much FAAB in Week 3. The waiver landscape felt pretty barren last week, but we’re back in full force as we look ahead to Week 4. With injuries to key players and the return to action for others, there’s both risk and opportunity for this week’s recommended pickups.
Before we get to the list, it has to be mentioned that D’Andre Swift looks like he might miss multiple weeks with a shoulder sprain. Jamaal Williams doesn’t qualify for this article, but he’s still available in 40% of leagues. Grab him if he’s available.
Hear more of the conversation with me and Callen Elslager every week on the Waiver Wire podcast on the QBList Fantasy Football Podcast.
*Roster % is based on Yahoo! league data unless specified.
Khalil Herbert- no surprises here. Herbert tops this list with David Montgomery (ankle/knee) almost certain to miss time. With Montgomery out, Chicago handed the keys over to Herbert. He made the most of the opportunity, reeling off 20 carries for 157 yards and 2 TDs. If Tuesday’s updates include a stint on the IR for Monty, Herbert is a plug-and-play RB2 even on a bad Bears offense.
Bid: 25-50%, depending on Montgomery’s status
Greg Dortch– I’m not saying Greg Dortch is the greatest 5’7″ receiver we’ve ever seen. But no one else comes to mind. With Rondale Moore continuing to miss time, Greg “Torch” has delivered double-digit fantasy scores every week this season. It’s nothing special, but the Torch reminds me of Tim Patrick last season, silently delivering WR3 weeks without any fanfare. As long as the depth chart remains this thin in Arizona, Dortch is a good flex option and someone I’d expect to show up on this article a few more times this season.
Bid: 3-5%
Romeo Doubs–Did someone say upside? Doubs was one of the darlings of the preseason, and it looks like he has a legitimate chance to earn his spot as one of Aaron Rodgers’ top-2 receivers. Fellow rookie Christian Watson has failed to make an impact or stay healthy, and Randall Cobb seems to be behind Doubs in the pecking order. Doubs stepped up in a big way in Week 2, hauling in all eight of his targets for 73 yards and a score. He should have every opportunity to build on this week, and we may end up talking about Week 3 as the starting point of a breakout season.
Bid: 7%
Isaiah McKenzie –Several players could go in this spot. Mack Hollins had a career game, but Hunter Renfrow should be back sooner rather than later. George Pickens submitted his catch-of-the-season entry, but there’s not a lot to like about the situation in Pittsburgh. McKenzie is my top pick here for a stash. I don’t plan to start McKenzie, but if he continues to take the slot work in Buffalo over Jamison Crowder, there are plenty of targets to make McKenzie a solid weekly play.
Bid: 3%
David Njoku– I’m slightly cheating here; Njoku is rostered in 51% of Yahoo leagues but only 38% of leagues in Sleeper. Either way, he’s one of the safer bets at tight end moving forward. Jacoby Brissett might not throw 30+ times every game, but has a history of checking down to the TE position. I’m happy with the touchdown against Pittsburgh in Week 3, but it’s the 10 targets that make me feel warm and cozy looking forward. Atlanta is giving up the 5th-most points to the tight end, making Njoku an easy start in Week 4.
Bid: 5%
Tyler Conklin- The New York Jets have averaged 52 pass attempts per game in 2022, making Joe Flacco the pass-happiest QB in the league. Conklin, for his part, has had seven or more targets in every game this season, giving him a very high floor for a tight end. The Jets play a Pittsburgh team who just gave up 9-89-1 to the aforementioned David Njoku, so the opportunity for a big week is there. The big question surrounding Conklin and the entire Jets offense is what the team will look like when Zach Wilson takes over at quarterback. If I need a Week 4 streamer at tight end, I’m willing to grab Conklin and hope he can keep this up.
Bid: 5%
Other Adds:
At quarterback, Marcus Mariota’s mobility is making him a decent option week-to-week, and Jared Goff leads a Lions offense with plenty of weapons.
For streaming defenses, I like how the New York Giants stack up against the putrid Bears offense. Tennessee’s defense has not been a strong streaming option so far, but Matt Ryan looks bad in Indy. Unless the Colts right the ship, there should be scoring opportunities for the Titans DST.
Droppable Players: I still don’t want to drop Darnell Mooney, but I’m letting him go for one of the higher-priority names mentioned above. With the quarterback change imminent in New Jersey, I’m still holding out hope for Elijah Moore. Allen Robinson is still safe from waivers, but he’s getting closer to the bubble.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)