Finding the right Fantasy Football Week 4 waiver wire targets can make or break your season. With injuries, breakout performances, and shifting depth charts after Week 3, the waiver wire is packed with must-add players who can give your roster an edge. Whether you’re looking for a running back to replace an injured starter, a wide receiver with breakout potential, or a quarterback stream for Week 4, we’ve got you covered with the top waiver wire pickups you need to prioritize.
The Week 4 waiver wire is shaping up to be a top-heavy group, especially at running back. A couple of clear-cut options stand out as potential league-winners, while the rest of the pool quickly falls off in terms of long-term upside. If you need depth or a spot starter, this is a week where being aggressive with your top claim or FAAB could pay off, as the gap between the top backs available and the rest of the field is significant.
Trey Benson, RB (ARI)
Rostered: 50%
Trey Benson steps into the fantasy spotlight after James Conner went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. Already carving out a role on third downs, Benson out-touched Emari Demercado 13-2 last week after Benson’s injury and is now positioned to be Arizona’s lead back moving forward. The second-year runner has shown early promise, averaging over 8 PPR points per game as a reserve, while flashing his athletic upside. His 4.39 speed and 47th-best RAS score in NFL history were standouts at the combine.
Benson may not have lit up the box score in Week 3 (51 total yards), but opportunity is everything in fantasy, and his path to volume is clear. With Conner headed to injured reserve, Benson projects as a weekly RB2/Flex option who could quickly turn into a household fantasy name. He’s already rostered in around 50% of Yahoo leagues, but in the leagues where he’s still available, Benson should be the top waiver priority. Managers who need running back help should be aggressive with FAAB; he’s the type of mid-season pickup that can change a roster’s trajectory.
Woody Marks, RB (HOU)
Rostered: 9%
Rookie running back Woody Marks is quickly emerging as one of the top names on the Week 4 waiver wire. The Texans shifted their backfield usage in Week 3, phasing out veteran Dare Ogunbowale and giving Marks an expanded role alongside Nick Chubb. Marks not only split passing-down work but also out-snapped Chubb in the second half, while showing more burst in limited opportunities. With Ogunbowale not even appearing in the box score, Marks appears to have leapfrogged him as Houston’s primary receiving back.
Marks’ path to fantasy relevance is clear. He’s a capable pass-catcher with upside in an offense that frequently plays from behind, and he’s already outperformed Chubb in yards per carry for two straight weeks. While he isn’t yet a locked-in starter, Marks offers Flex appeal in deeper leagues and could become an every-down option if Chubb were to miss time. With a favorable Week 4 matchup against Tennessee’s struggling defense, Marks should be a top waiver wire target for managers seeking running back depth and upside.
Elic Ayomanor, WR (TEN)
Rostered: 21%
Elic Ayomanor is quietly putting together a breakout rookie campaign, and he should be near the top of waiver wire lists this week. The fourth-round pick has started every game for the Titans opposite Calvin Ridley, and he’s already scored in back-to-back contests. Ayomanor has also developed early chemistry with rookie quarterback Cam Ward, hauling in 10-of-18 targets while accounting for both of Ward’s touchdown passes this season.
Ayomanor’s role is expanding, and he’s pushing for WR1 status in Tennessee’s offense with Ridley’s early struggles. While the Titans’ passing game has been inconsistent, Ayomanor leads all Titans wideouts in receptions and touchdowns through three games. With the team likely to face plenty of negative game scripts, the volume should remain steady. Ayomanor is rostered in only 21% of leagues, making him one of the best waiver wire pickups for fantasy managers in need of wide receiver help. His growing target share and red-zone involvement make him a strong Flex play moving forward.
Troy Franklin, WR (DEN)
Rostered: 44%
Troy Franklin’s role in Denver’s passing attack has solidified, and that makes him a strong Week 4 waiver wire pickup. After logging a 59% snap share in Week 1, Franklin jumped to over 80% in Weeks 2 and 3, cementing himself as the Broncos’ No. 2 wide receiver alongside Courtland Sutton. Despite a quiet Week 3 against the Chargers, Franklin’s consistent snap share and target involvement point to better days ahead.
Through the first two weeks, Franklin boasted a 21.4% target share and 2.61 yards per route run, elite numbers that help showcase his improved role. Even though Sutton had his breakout game in Week 3, Franklin’s role didn’t diminish, and his deep-threat usage gives him big-play potential every week. With matchups against the Bengals and Eagles secondaries coming up, Franklin is the type of player you can slot into your lineup over the next few weeks if needed. If he’s still on the waiver wire in your league, Franklin should be picked up immediately.
Geno Smith, QB (LV)
Rostered: 28%
Geno Smith is one of the most intriguing quarterback options on the Week 4 waiver wire. Despite a rocky start that included three interceptions in Week 2, Smith bounced back with a big performance in Week 3, throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders’ offense has been forced into pass-heavy scripts, and Smith currently ranks fourth in average depth of target (9.8 yards), showing his willingness to push the ball downfield.
The Raiders now face a favorable Week 4 matchup against the Bears, a defense that has been one of the most generous to opposing quarterbacks. Despite a better performance last week, with Jaylon Johnson sidelined, this Bears secondary is easier to exploit, and Smith has a chance to post another strong outing. While his long-term outlook is volatile, Smith is the type of quarterback worth streaming from the waiver wire when the matchup is right. He’s a priority add in superflex leagues and a sneaky QB2 play in standard formats.
Tre Tucker, WR (LV)
Rostered: 4%
Tre Tucker was one of the biggest surprises of Week 3, exploding for eight catches, 145 yards, and three touchdowns in a blowout loss. That monster performance pushed him into the top three among fantasy wideouts in scoring, making him one of the hottest names on the waiver wire heading into Week 4. Tucker has evolved from a low-volume deep threat into a full-time starter, seeing a target on over 20% of routes run this season.
While volatility will remain a concern, Tucker is worth adding from the waiver wire thanks to his role and upcoming schedule. The Raiders face the Bears in Week 4, a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. With quarterback Geno Smith throwing the ball at a high volume, Tucker has a real chance to produce again in the short term. He’s a boom-or-bust option, but one that could pay off as bye weeks begin.
Ollie Gordon, RB (MIA)
Rostered: 19%
Ollie Gordon has quickly emerged as a name to watch on the Week 4 waiver wire after finding the end zone against the Bills and seeing an increased workload. The rookie handled nine touches, including three red-zone opportunities, while operating as the clear backup to De’Von Achane. With Jaylen Wright fading out of the picture, Gordon now looks like Miami’s primary power back and goal-line option.
While his standalone value is limited, Gordon carries significant contingent upside if Achane were to miss time. Miami’s offense is built to heavily utilize RBs, and Gordon’s role near the goal line could result in sneaky touchdown production. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should prioritize Gordon as a stash from the waiver wire, while Achane managers should consider him a must-add handcuff. He’s not an immediate starter, but he’s the type of bench piece that could become a Flex option as the season progresses.
Tyquan Thornton, WR (KC)
Rostered: 3%
Tyquan Thornton is another wide receiver to circle on the Week 4 waiver wire after leading the Chiefs in targets, receptions, and yards in Week 3. He hauled in five of nine targets for 71 yards and a touchdown, giving him back-to-back games with scores. With Xavier Worthy sidelined and Rashee Rice suspended, Thornton has stepped into the most consistent and explosive receiver in Kansas City’s offense.
The return of Worthy could cut into Thornton’s workload, but he has likely earned a larger role than veteran Marquise Brown going forward. Even if his usage dips in the coming weeks, Thornton should still have opportunities in an offense that lacks explosives, which is something Thornton has excelled at through three weeks. He’s widely available in fantasy leagues, rostered in fewer than 5% of ESPN formats, making him a solid waiver wire pickup for managers in need of wide receiver depth.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE (CLE)
Rostered: 47%
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. continues to be one of the more overlooked waiver wire options, despite carving out a consistent role in the Browns’ passing attack. Through three weeks, Fannin has drawn 18 targets and recorded at least three receptions in every game. His snap share and route participation are trending upward, nearly matching David Njoku’s workload in Week 3.
While Fannin has yet to score a touchdown, his consistent usage makes him a valuable streaming option at tight end. He currently sits inside the top-12 at the position in fantasy points per game and has a 15% target share in Cleveland’s offense. With bye weeks approaching, Fannin should be one of the first tight ends considered from the waiver wire. He’s best viewed as a high-end TE2 with borderline TE1 upside if his role continues to expand with a potential David Njoku trade looming.
San Francisco 49ers, DEF
Rostered: 38%
The 49ers are a sneaky-good defensive pickup on the Week 4 waiver wire. After holding their first three opponents under 200 passing yards, San Francisco now faces a Jaguars offense that has struggled to find consistency. Trevor Lawrence has thrown four interceptions, completed just 55.8% of his passes, and is averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, making him a prime target for defensive streamers.
With Robert Saleh’s unit flying around the field and Jacksonville prone to mistakes, the 49ers are set up as one of the top waiver wire streaming defenses of Week 4. If you need a defense that can produce immediate results, San Francisco should be one of your first adds.
Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions
- Matthew Stafford QB (LAR) – 31% rostered
- Sam Darnold QB (SEA) – 19% rostered
- Tyler Allgeier RB (ATL) – 39% rostered
- Tyjae Spears RB (TEN) – 30% rostered
- Blake Corum RB (LAR) – 17% rostered
- Kyle Monangai RB (CHI) – 13% rostered
- Chris Rodgriguez RB (WAS) – 3% rostered
- Jeremey McNichols RB (WAS) – 5% rostered
- Darnell Mooney WR (ATL) – 45% rostered
- Christian Kirk WR (HOU) – 34% rostered
- Calvin Austin WR (PIT) – 17% rostered
- Luther Burden WR (CHI) – 11% rostered
- Jalen Coker WR (CAR) – 8% rostered
- Brenton Strange TE (JAC) – 25% rostered
- Cole Kmet TE (CHI) – 2% rostered
- Los Angeles Chargers DEF – 49% rostered
- New England Patriots DEF – 14% rostered
- Matt Prater K (BUF) – 36% rostered
- Spencer Shrader K (IND) – 27% rostered
Droppable Players
- James Conner RB (ARI)
- Dylan Sampson RB (CLE)
- Jake Browning QB (CIN)
- Trevor Lawrence QB (JAC)
- Josh Downs WR (IND)
- Evan Engram TE (DEN)
Don’t Drop these Guys Just Yet
- Stefon Diggs WR (NE)
- RJ Harvey RB (DEN)
- Romeo Doubs WR (GB)
- Keon Coleman WR (BUF)
- Kyle Pitts TE (ATL)
