For this week’s last-minute waiver adds to start for fantasy football Week 4, while there are plenty of adds, some are more stashes and not worth it to fully trust as starters.
Wide receivers like Tre Tucker, Rashod Bateman, and Tyquan Thornton are worth talking about and adding as genuine flex options if you are desperate, but they are slightly higher rostered players league-wide. Elic Ayomanor, Calvin Austin III, and Hunter Renfrow have been on this list previously for different weeks. Rookie receivers like Luther Burden and Tory Holton could be good stashes, but I wouldn’t start them right away.
At running back, it is more repeats of names, and it is barren after the injuries to the position. Already, it seems like it is handcuff season, as running backs from previous weeks’ lists are still potential adds in a pinch to start, but besides that, it’s just backups not worth starting.
At quarterback and tight end, it’s mostly a wasteland besides one or two names per position.
Again, any name from a previous list is the priority, but if you need just a floor play, Matthew Stafford could be a target besides the names mentioned below. With Jaxson Dart starting this weekend, he is a good stash, but otherwise, I wouldn’t really target a backup quarterback, besides maybe Carson Wentz or Marcus Mariota (only if Jayden Daniels is out again).
The tight end position is worse, as Brenton Strange should be rostered with his name mentioned previously. Isaiah Likely is a stash again, with him likely playing this weekend, while Chig Okonkwo could be a decent streamer if you don’t have other options to start. Had to go deep for some hidden gems to beat the waiver wire for the following weeks.
With kickoff looming, it’s time to make those final roster tweaks. Whether you’re dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just looking for upside, here are some last-minute waiver wire adds who could make a difference in Week 4.
Running Backs to Add for Week 4
With Jacory Croskey-Merritt not practicing, but even with him in, it was Jeremy McNichols taking the Austin Ekeler role in Washington. Chris Rodriguez isn’t a bad stash either for the Commanders, but McNichols is the preferred PPR option, especially if JCM is out against Atlanta.
Devin Singletary is relevant again, but mostly as a handcuff, as Tyrone Tracy Jr. will be out a few weeks due to injury. With Cam Skattebo as the starter, the Giants brass have shown that they like to use dual-backs to spell each other, as the Skatt man saw a lot of usage in primetime on Sunday Night against the Chiefs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Singletary ended up with a touchdown and increased usage compared to previously.
Jeremy McNichols (@ Atlanta Falcons ): ESPN- 6.6%, Sleeper- 17%, Yahoo- 7%
Honorable Mention: Devin Singletary- New York Giants (vs. Los Angeles Chargers) ESPN- 3.5%, Sleeper- 6%, Yahoo- 1%
Wide Receivers to Add for Week 4
Hear me out, for whatever reason, once Dynami Brown left due to an injury, Parker Washington saw 11 targets last week. If he is out again, Washington could be a sneaky play against a 49ers defense that will likely have the lead, and Lawrence will have to air it out to play catch-up. But this is a deep dart throw; I would potentially start the other receivers mentioned in the intro.
Although it isn’t a great matchup against a tough Packers secondary, if Green Bay has an early lead, both Jalen Tolbert and George Pickens could get way more fantasy usage (replacing CeeDee Lamb) if the game script flows to be more pass-heavy in a trailing scenario. Even though Dallas will try to run the ball, the Packers have been pretty stout against the run.
Parker Washington (@ San Francisco 49ers): ESPN- 0.6%, Sleeper- 5%, Yahoo- 1%
Honorable Mention: Jalen Tolbert (vs. Green Bay Packers ): ESPN- 1.8%, Sleeper- 9%, Yahoo- %
Tight Ends to Stream for Week 4
As long as you can catch a few passes, maybe a touchdown or two if you are lucky, that is all you are looking for to stream at tight end off waivers.
Despite many targets to go around with the Chargers, rookie Oronde Gadsden could emerge as a starter and repeat his performance from Week 3 vs. the Giants. Although Cade Otton had a big fat zero last week in the stat sheet, due to injuries to Mike Evans/ Chris Godwin, he could get a few targets for Tampa Bay against Philly.
Oronde Gadsden II (@ New York Giants): ESPN- 1%, Sleeper- 7%, Yahoo- 1%
Honorable Mention: Cade Otton (vs. Philadelphia Eagles): ESPN- 11.3%, Sleeper- 11%, Yahoo- 6%
Quarterbacks to Stream for Week 4
Against a Bears secondary that is missing a few starters, Geno Smith, while turnover-prone, can be a good fantasy quarterback in favorable matchups like Week 1 and Week 3. Week 4 is one to fire him up in a potential high-scoring game.
The Patriots’ defense has had injuries and hasn’t looked that much better since last season, despite Mike Vrabel as the head coach. This could be a back-to-back good showcase for Bryce Young, who has looked good in garbage time in Week 2 but followed it up with an impressive Week 3.
Geno Smith (vs. Chicago Bears): ESPN-25.87%, Sleeper- 35%, Yahoo- 45%
Honorable Mention: Bryce Young (@ New England Patriots): ESPN- 9.9%, Sleeper- 20%, Yahoo- 18%
Defenses to Stream for Week 4
While the Panthers’ run defense has been their weakness, their secondary has shown up this season. It was a big reason for them blowing out the division rival Atlanta Falcons. They are a sneaky play against a turnover-prone Drake Maye and a backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson/ Antonio Gibson that fumbled three times in Week 3.
Even though the Jaguars have won two games, Trevor Lawrence is still not the main reason why, as he’s had a few turnovers already this year. Although the 49ers lost Nick Bosa for the season due to injury, they will still get after Lawrence, who still isn’t on the page with Liam Coen’s offense and could throw a few balls up for grabs.
Carolina Panthers (@ New England Patriots): ESPN- 2.4%, Sleeper-2%, Yahoo- 2%
San Francisco 49ers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars): ESPN- 29%, Sleeper- 52%, Yahoo- 33%
