Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 4

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud's fantasy production has been solid over the last two weeks. He's taken advantage of easier matchups, throwing for 664 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another 15 yards.

More importantly, the first-round rookie looks comfortable and willing to push the ball downfield.

The Steelers' defense will present a tougher test, but you're not adding Stroud just to be a one-week streamer. The 21-year-old's promising start makes him worthy of rostering to see if he can continue to build off it.

Matthew Stafford and Russell Wilson are just above the 50% rostered mark, but they should be considered as streamers this week if available.

Risky streaming options: Sam Howell at PHI (21% rostered), Jameis Winston vs. TB (0% rostered), Ryan Tannehill vs. CIN (7% rostered), Baker Mayfield at NO (22% rostered), Kenny Pickett at HOU (27% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if starter is out): Andy Dalton vs. MIN (2% rostered), Gardner Minshew vs. LAR (2% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if healthy): Bryce Young vs. MIN (12% rostered), Jimmy Garoppolo at LAC (15% rostered)

Desperation streaming options: Desmond Ridder at JAX (6% rostered), Josh Dobbs at SF (3% rostered), Mac Jones at DAL (19% rostered), Zach Wilson vs. KC (4% rostered),

Desperation streaming options (if starter is out): Brian Hoyer/Aidan O'Connell at LAC (0%/0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Kyler Murray (24% rostered)

Long-term stashes: Taylor Heinicke (0% rostered)

Running backs

De'Von Achane, Dolphins

It took Jeff Wilson being placed on injured reserve and Salvon Ahmed suffering a groin injury before De'Von Achane got a real chance to prove himself.

But he made up for lost time by running for 203 yards and catching four passes for another 30 yards in a dominant 70-20 victory over the Broncos. He also found the end zone four times. Not to be outdone, starter Raheem Mostert posted 142 yards from scrimmage, seven receptions, and four touchdowns of his own.

The two lightning-quick backs are perfect for Mike McDaniel's scheme. They'll continue to terrorize defenses, making both players fantasy RB2s with week-winning upside. And if the 31-year-old Mostert's durability issues resurface, Achane could blaze a path right to your fantasy championships.

Matt Breida, Giants

While some reports suggest Saquon Barkley could return in Week 4, it's unlikely due to his high ankle sprain.

Most injury analysts believe he could miss a couple more weeks, which leaves Breida as the starter until he returns.

Breida was fortunate to score a touchdown against a tough 49ers defense last week, especially since he only had seven touches. The good news is that he played 82% of the Giants' snaps in that contest and gets a much better matchup this week.

You can consider Breida an upside RB3/flex versus the Seahawks.

Jaylen Warren, Zach Charbonnet, and Roschon Johnson are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

High-upside backups like Tyjae Spears (24% rostered), Elijah Mitchell (39% rostered), Kendre Miller (34% rostered), Tank Bigsby (29% rostered), Sean Tucker (3% rostered), and Rico Dowdle (3% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options (if healthy): Justice Hill at CLE (36% rostered)

Risky flex options: Ezekiel Elliott at DAL (43% rostered), Jerick McKinnon at NYJ (46% rostered), Latavius Murray vs. MIA (6% rostered),

Risky flex options (if starter is out): Melvin Gordon at CLE (1% rostered), Kenyan Drake at CLE (1% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Devin Singletary vs. PIT (15% rostered), Chuba Hubbard vs. MIN (28% rostered), Damien Harris vs. MIA (36% rostered), Gary Brightwell vs. SEA (0% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Zamir White (5% rostered), Trey Sermon vs. LAR (1% rostered), Keaontay Ingram (1% rostered), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (15% rostered), Trayveon Williams (0% rostered), Ronnie Rivers (0% rostered), Craig Reynolds (3% rostered)

Deep stashes: Leonard Fournette (3% rostered), Cordarrelle Patterson (7% rostered), D'Onta Foreman (11% rostered), Jaleel McLaughlin (1% rostered), Jordan Mason (0% rostered), Isaiah Spiller (0% rostered), Ty Chandler (4% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson (0% rostered), Zonovan Knight (0% rostered), Michael Carter (2% rostered), Pierre Strong Jr. (3% rostered), Chris Brooks (0% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Jeff Wilson (25% rostered)

Wide receivers

Tank Dell, Texans

Dell followed up his breakout 7-72-0 stat line in Week 2 with a 5-142-1 performance over the weekend. He now appears poised to handle a significant role in the Texans' offense moving forward.

The rookie's 17 targets over the last two weeks lead the team and carry even more value now that C.J. Stroud is emerging as a quality young quarterback.

Whether Dell can hold up at his size has yet to be determined, but he can be started in fantasy as an upside WR3.

Josh Palmer/Quentin Johnston, Chargers

With Mike Williams ruled out for the year due to a torn ACL, the Chargers will be desperate for someone to step up alongside Keenan Allen.

Palmer appears most likely to take on a bigger target share based on what we've seen over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old has a strong history of production when called upon, averaging six receptions and 70 yards per game in the eight contests where he played over 80% of the snaps in 2022. He's also been playing ahead of Johnston in the opening weeks.

Johnston offers a higher ceiling if he can take over Williams' spot, but the first-round pick hasn't yet shown he's deserving of more playing time.

Fantasy managers should approach Palmer as an immediate WR3/flex, with Johnston being a stash with breakout potential if he can earn a full-time role.

Flex options: Jayden Reed vs. DET (21% rostered), Adam Thielen vs. MIN (47% rostered), Romeo Doubs vs. DET (41% rostered), DJ Chark vs. MIN (10% rostered)

Risky flex options: Rashid Shaheed vs. TB (48% rostered), Marvin Mims at CHI (27% rostered), Rashee Rice at NYJ (26% rostered), Josh Downs vs. LAR (2% rostered), Kadarius Toney at NYJ (44% rostered), DeVante Parker at DAL (4% rostered), Kendrick Bourne at DAL (33% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Zay Jones vs. ATL (37% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. at CLE (47% rostered), Jonathan Mingo vs. MIN (11% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Darius Slayton vs. SEA (3% rostered), Isaiah Hodgins vs. SEA (4% rostered), Tyler Boyd at TEN (38% rostered), KJ Osborn at CAR (10% rostered), Michael Gallup vs. NE (18% rostered), Rondale Moore at SF (8% rostered), Michael Wilson at SF (1% rostered), Calvin Austin III at HOU (2% rostered), Robert Woods vs. PIT (24% rostered), Nelson Agholor at CLE (2% rostered), Allen Lazard vs. KC (27% rostered), Terrace Marshall Jr. vs. MIN (0% rostered), Curtis Samuel at PHI (9% rostered), Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. BAL (8% rostered), Kalif Raymond at GB (1% rostered)

Other receivers to roster: Jalin Hyatt (11% rostered), Jameson Williams (29% rostered)

Deep stashes: Trey Palmer (1% rostered), Ronnie Bell (0% rostered)

Tight ends

Luke Musgrave, Packers

Musgrave hasn't had a massive performance yet, but he could've had much bigger fantasy days if Jordan Love had been able to connect with him downfield.

The rookie's lack of touchdowns so far is the only thing holding his fantasy numbers down. He ranked seventh in yards and ninth in receptions at his position.

The breakout is coming, and it might happen this Thursday against a Lions defense that's one of the top-five easiest matchups for tight ends.

Streamer options: Jake Ferguson vs. NE (41% rostered), Gerald Everett vs. LV (31% rostered)

Streamer options (if healthy): Logan Thomas at PHI (4% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Zach Ertz vs. SF (38% rostered), Taysom Hill vs. TB (19% rostered), Juwan Johnson vs. TB (26% rostered), Hayden Hurst vs. MIN (25% rostered), Dawson Knox vs. MIA (21% rostered), Noah Fant at NYG (2% rostered), Cade Otton at NO (4% rostered), Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. CIN (47% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Tyler Conklin vs. KC (3% rostered), Kylen Granson vs. LAR (1% rostered), Donald Parham vs. LV (1% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options (if starter is out): Cole Turner (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 4 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Bengals DEF (37% rostered), Broncos DEF (38% rostered), Commanders DEF (30% rostered), Lions (6% rostered)