Week 3 always creates some of the most aggressive waiver-wire decisions of the fantasy football season. One big performance can send a player’s roster status skyrocketing, but I’m much more interested in what happened underneath the box score. Snap shares, routes, touches, and changes to the depth chart can tell us considerably more about which Week 3 performances are actually sustainable.
These are my top waiver-wire targets entering Week 4.
Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright, RBs (MIA)
Rostered: 2.1% and 1.4%
The De’Von Achane injury completely changes Miami’s backfield for the rest of the season. Achane suffered a torn ACL against Kansas City and will miss the remainder of the year, leaving behind one of the largest running back roles in football. Gordon got the first opportunity to show us what Miami could look like without him because Wright was inactive while dealing with a foot injury/stinger. Gordon handled 17 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for another 14 yards. The efficiency wasn’t anything special, but the 20 total opportunities are what matter. Gordon briefly left because of cramping, received an IV, and returned, and Miami continued giving him the football. For a rookie who entered Week 3 with only three carries all season, that’s a massive change in opportunity.
Gordon is my preferred immediate waiver claim because we just watched him handle that workload, but I’m not assuming he has already won this backfield. Wright should have an opportunity to carve out a significant role once he’s healthy. Miami barely needed either backup through the first two games because Achane played more than 80% of the offensive snaps, so we don’t have much evidence showing how the Dolphins want to divide the backfield between Gordon and Wright. That’s what makes this situation so interesting. Gordon has the size to handle early-down and goal-line work and just showed Miami he can survive significant volume, while Wright brings the explosiveness that could make him particularly dangerous in this offense. Achane’s injury creates enough available work for both backs to potentially matter, but we’re going to need at least one game with Gordon and Wright healthy together before we know exactly where the valuable touches are going.
If I have to choose one today, I’m prioritizing Gordon because he’s healthy and has already shown us a 20-opportunity path. Wright is the higher-variance stash because we’re waiting on both his health and his eventual role. I don’t want that uncertainty to stop me from adding him, though. Achane was the centerpiece of this backfield, and Miami now has an entire season of carries, targets, and red-zone opportunities to redistribute. There’s a realistic scenario where Gordon handles the heavier rushing and goal-line workload while Wright earns enough explosive and receiving opportunities for both to have fantasy value. There’s also a chance one eventually separates and becomes significantly more valuable than the other. Until Miami shows us the answer, I want both rostered.
Kenyon Sadiq, TE (NYJ)
Rostered: 25.8%
Kenyon Sadiq is exactly the type of rookie breakout I’m willing to chase at tight end. With Mason Taylor unavailable because of a thumb injury, Sadiq caught seven of eight targets for 105 yards and a touchdown against Detroit. The Jets entered the game using a frustrating four-man tight end rotation, but Taylor’s absence created an opportunity for their first-round rookie to show why New York selected him 16th overall. According to PFF, Sadiq became the Jets’ primary tight end in 11 personnel and was targeted on an enormous 32% of his routes. The combination of athleticism and target-earning ability was obvious once New York finally gave him a larger opportunity.
There is still some risk underneath the breakout. PFF charted Sadiq with only a 58.1% route participation rate, which means seven catches and 105 yards aren’t sustainable if he continues running routes on barely more than half of the Jets’ passing plays. His 32% target rate will inevitably come down as well. What I’m betting on is the possibility that Week 3 forces New York to increase his playing time. The Jets are dealing with significant injuries at wide receiver, Sadiq just produced 105 yards the first time his role expanded, and first-round tight ends don’t normally stay buried in rotations when they start making plays like this. At a position where consistent receiving volume is extremely difficult to find, Sadiq has enough upside to be one of my favorite overall waiver additions this week.
Braelon Allen, RB (NYJ)
Rostered: 16.5%
Braelon Allen was already one of the better pure handcuffs in fantasy football, and Breece Hall’s thigh injury gives him a chance to become much more than that. Hall clearly controlled the backfield before leaving against Detroit, playing 24 snaps to Allen’s 14 through the first three quarters and holding a 10-to-one advantage in carries. Once Hall exited early in the fourth quarter, however, Allen played every remaining Jets backfield snap. New York has essentially used only Hall and Allen at running back this season, so there isn’t a crowded three- or four-player committee standing between Allen and significant volume if Hall is forced to miss time.
We still need Hall’s injury updates before assuming Allen will start in Week 4, and that’s important because I’m not adding him under the assumption that Hall is definitely missing games. I’m adding Allen because the upside if Hall does miss time is enormous, and he already had standalone involvement before the injury. Isaiah Davis could take some receiving work if Hall is unavailable, but Allen would be positioned to handle the majority of the rushing workload. This is exactly the type of player I want to add before we know Hall’s final status rather than waiting until a potential absence is confirmed and competing with the rest of the league for him.
Alvin Kamara, RB (NO)
Rostered: 47.7%
It’s strange seeing Alvin Kamara on a waiver-wire list, but his role entering the season caused him to be dropped in enough leagues that he needs to be mentioned after Travis Etienne Jr.’s hamstring injury. Etienne had actually started taking control of New Orleans’ backfield before going down against Las Vegas. He handled 13 carries for 57 yards and caught two passes for another 13, while PFF had him on the field for 22 of New Orleans’ 30 first-half offensive snaps. Kamara was barely involved during that stretch, playing only four first-half snaps. Once Etienne left in the third quarter, everything changed. Kamara moved into the lead role and finished with nine carries for 36 yards while adding one reception for five yards.
I’m not expecting the old version of Kamara to suddenly return if Etienne misses time, and this probably wouldn’t become a true three-down role. Kendre Miller remained involved after Etienne exited, and CJ Donaldson has handled passing-down and situational work. The important part is that Kamara would immediately move from a secondary piece into a back capable of handling double-digit opportunities. New Orleans faces Atlanta in Week 4, and any starting running back with Kamara’s receiving history deserves to be rostered in essentially every league. We need to monitor Etienne’s hamstring throughout the week, but Kamara is exactly the type of player I’d rather add before we know the final injury designation than wait until Etienne is officially ruled out.
Sam Darnold, QB (SEA)
Rostered: 35.5%
Sam Darnold is my favorite quarterback addition for managers who need immediate help at the position. After barely playing in Week 1 and missing Week 2, Darnold returned against Washington and completed 31-of-45 passes for a career-high 379 yards and four touchdowns. He threw two interceptions, so it wasn’t a flawless performance, but that’s largely irrelevant for what I’m looking for on the waiver wire. Seattle allowed him to attempt 45 passes, and he responded with nearly 400 yards and four scores. We already know Darnold can support fantasy production when he’s playing efficiently; Week 3 reminded us that his ceiling can become considerably higher when Seattle actually needs volume from the passing game.
I’m not expecting 45 attempts or four touchdowns every week because Seattle still wants to run the football, but the passing environment is considerably more interesting when Jaxon Smith-Njigba is playing like one of the best receivers in football. Darnold’s Week 3 performance also reminds us that his ceiling is much higher than the low-end QB2 label his situation sometimes receives. He’s going to be somewhat matchup-dependent because Seattle can still win games without asking him to throw 40 times, but that’s perfectly fine for a waiver-wire quarterback. If you’re streaming the position or dealing with poor production from your current starter, Darnold has already shown us the type of weekly ceiling we’re looking for.
Keenan Allen, WR (IND)
Rostered: 22.4%
Keenan Allen isn’t the type of waiver addition that’s going to give you the same unknown ceiling as a rookie breakout, but his Week 3 role makes him extremely useful right now. Allen caught six of nine targets for 63 yards and a touchdown against Houston, giving him his best fantasy performance since joining Indianapolis. The timing is particularly important because Alec Pierce is now on injured reserve with a heel injury, removing one of Indianapolis’ primary receivers from the offense. The Colts have since added Darius Slayton, but Allen immediately responded to Pierce’s absence by drawing nine targets against Houston.
I’m not expecting Allen to suddenly become a 1,200-yard receiver again, but that’s also not what we need from him. He’s spent his entire career winning with route running, separation and volume rather than relying on elite speed, which gives him a path toward remaining useful even at this stage of his career. Indianapolis gets Washington in Week 4, and Allen should continue seeing opportunities while Pierce is sidelined. Josh Downs will remain heavily involved and Slayton adds another receiver to the rotation, but nine-target games don’t belong on fantasy waiver wires. In PPR formats especially, Allen gives managers a relatively safe floor with enough touchdown upside to become a weekly flex option.
Brenton Strange, TE (JAX)
Rostered: 23%
Brenton Strange is much more of a Week 4 streaming option than someone I’m aggressively adding for the rest of the season. He caught three passes for 32 yards against New England in Week 3, bringing him to only seven receptions for 72 yards and one touchdown through three games. Entering Sunday, Strange had only a 9.6% target share with a 10.5% first-read share and 1.03 yards per route run. Trevor Lawrence has understandably prioritized Jacksonville’s wide receivers, leaving Strange fighting for whatever volume remains underneath. That’s not enough involvement for me to view him anywhere near the same tier as Sadiq as a long-term waiver addition.
The reason Strange makes the article is Cincinnati. Jacksonville travels to Cincinnati in Week 4, giving us a spot where I’m much more comfortable chasing Strange as a one-week tight end streamer. The important distinction here is that I’m not betting on Strange suddenly becoming a major part of Jacksonville’s offense. His season-long production, seven catches for 72 yards through three games, tells us that would be aggressive. I’m looking at him for managers who need a short-term answer at a position where matchups can dramatically change the available streaming pool. Sadiq is someone I’m adding because I think his role could fundamentally grow. Strange is someone I’m adding because his existing role becomes more interesting in the right matchup.
Malik Washington, WR (MIA)
Rostered: 16.7%
Malik Washington is the more speculative Miami addition, but his role was already significant before De’Von Achane went down. Washington led Miami with eight targets in Week 1, catching three passes for 53 yards while playing 55 of 56 offensive snaps. He followed that with four receptions for 43 yards on five targets in Week 2, giving us evidence that this isn’t simply an Achane-injury waiver recommendation. Now Achane’s season-ending torn ACL creates another opening for a player Miami has already shown a willingness to manufacture touches for. The Dolphins even used Washington out of the backfield after Achane went down against Kansas City with Jaylen Wright unavailable, which makes his versatility particularly interesting as Miami figures out how to replace one of the most heavily utilized players in its offense.
I’m not expecting Washington to suddenly inherit Achane’s receiving role, and Ollie Gordon II and Wright should absorb the majority of the traditional running back opportunities. What interests me is everything around those touches. Miami can use Washington on screens, motion, underneath targets and occasional backfield snaps, and he was already earning targets before any of this happened. That’s enough for me to view him as more than a desperation stash, particularly in PPR formats. I still want to see whether the Achane injury actually leads to increased routes, targets and designed opportunities in Week 4, but Washington has a legitimate path toward becoming a useful fantasy receiver if it does. I’d rather add him now while we’re projecting that role increase than wait until another seven-or-eight-target performance makes the breakout obvious.
Marcus Mariota, QB (WAS)
Rostered: 3.2%
Marcus Mariota belongs on the Week 4 waiver radar with Jayden Daniels reportedly unlikely to return against Indianapolis. Mariota just showed why his rushing ability makes him an intriguing fantasy streamer while filling in against Seattle. He doesn’t necessarily need to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns to give us a usable fantasy week because his legs create another source of production, and that’s particularly valuable when we’re streaming quarterback. Even 30-to-40 rushing yards can essentially function like another passing touchdown, giving Mariota a considerably better floor than most quarterbacks available on waivers. Washington also has enough talent around him that we’re not asking Mariota to completely carry the offense himself.
The limitation is that this remains a short-term opportunity. Daniels dislocated his left elbow in Week 2, but he avoided a fracture and current reporting suggests Washington doesn’t expect this to become a long-term absence. That makes Mariota much more appealing as a Week 4 streamer than a quarterback I’m expecting to hold for the next two months. Indianapolis gives him another opportunity to start, and the rushing production gives him multiple paths toward a useful fantasy performance even if the passing volume isn’t enormous. In one-quarterback leagues, Mariota is one of my preferred short-term streaming options for managers who need help this week. In Superflex leagues, he should already be rostered anywhere he’s available.
New Orleans Saints DEF
Rostered: 27.9%
The Saints are one of the defenses I’m looking at for managers who stream the position. New Orleans hasn’t suddenly become a defense I want to hold regardless of opponent, but that’s not what we’re looking for on the waiver wire. Defensive fantasy scoring is heavily dependent on the opponent, game script, sacks and turnovers, and I’m much more interested in identifying defenses with a realistic path toward creating those splash plays than simply chasing whichever unit scored the most fantasy points the previous week.
New Orleans gets Atlanta at home on Monday night in Week 4, and that’s what makes the Saints worth considering. Atlanta’s offense has enough talent with Bijan Robinson and Drake London that I’m not expecting New Orleans to completely shut it down, but Michael Penix Jr. is still settling back into the starting role after returning from ACL surgery. That’s the type of situation where pressure and turnovers can matter considerably more than raw yards allowed. This isn’t a defense I’d prioritize over the running backs or position-player breakouts on this list, but if you’re streaming D/ST every week, New Orleans belongs on the Week 4 radar.
Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions
- Kirk Cousins QB (LV) – 12.1% rostered
- Emanuel Wilson RB (SEA) – 29.3% rostered
- Mike Washington Jr. RB (LV) – 28.1% rosrered
- Keaton Mitchell RB (LAC) – 23.8% rostered
- Rashod Bateman WR (BAL) – 22% rostered
- Dontayvion Wicks WR (PHI) – 49.7% rostered
- Rashod Bateman WR (BAL) – 40.4% rostered
- Mack Hollisn WR (NE) – 4.2% rostered
- Tre Harris WR (LAC) – 3.7% rostered
- AJ Barner TE (SEA) – 9% rostered
- Cleveland Browns DEF – 26.5% rostered
- Chris Boswell K (PIT) – 23.5%% rostered
Droppable Players
- Bo Nix QB (DEN)
- Brian Thomas Jr WR (JAX)
- Marvin Harrison Jr WR (ARI)
- Jonah Coleman RB (DEN)
- Wan’Dale Robinson WR (TEN)
Hold on for a bit Longer
- Drake Maye QB (NE)
- Jadarian Price RB (SEA)
- Kyle Pitts TE (ATL)
- Oronde Gadsden II TE (LAC)
