Woody Marks, RB (HOU)
Rostered: 32%
Rookie running back Woody Marks exploded in Week 4, delivering 25.9 half-PPR points on 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown, plus four receptions for 50 yards and another score. He led the Texans’ backfield in every category over Nick Chubb, outpacing him in snaps, routes, targets, and carries. Marks has been the more efficient runner all season, averaging 2.8 yards after contact per carry compared to Chubb’s 2.2, while also flashing his well-regarded pass-catching ability. Houston’s offensive line showed signs of improvement, and Marks’ versatility makes him a dangerous weapon moving forward.
With Chubb struggling to generate efficiency, it may only be a matter of time before Marks is named the starter. His Week 5 matchup against a Ravens defense giving up the most rushing yards and fantasy points to running backs could cement his role as a weekly fantasy starter. Already a top waiver wire pickup, Marks has legitimate rest-of-season upside as a top-30 running back with the potential to climb higher if he maintains his workload. Fantasy football managers should treat him as one of the premier adds this week and bid aggressively to secure him.
Jaxson Dart, QB (NYG)
Rostered: 25%
Jaxson Dart made a strong fantasy football debut, scoring 19.8 points against a tough Chargers defense. While he only threw for 111 yards and one touchdown, Dart separated himself with his legs, rushing 10 times for 54 yards and a score. The rushing work alone is what makes him such an appealing option off waivers. Dart is one of five quarterbacks in the last two seasons to have 10 or more carries for 50+ yards and a touchdown. Even with rookie Malik Nabers sidelined by a torn ACL, Dart showed poise and confidence running the Giants’ offense against a tough Chargers defense.
The loss of Nabers caps Dart’s ceiling as a passer, but his rushing ability gives him weekly QB2 appeal with QB1 upside in favorable matchups. He gets the Saints next, making him a viable streaming option for fantasy managers who need a quarterback. Dart’s dual-threat skill set ensures that his fantasy production won’t rely solely on passing volume, and his rushing floor makes him one of the better waiver wire adds at quarterback this week.
Elic Ayomanor, WR (TEN)
Rostered: 31%
Elic Ayomanor has quickly emerged as the Titans’ most reliable wide receiver, finishing Weeks 2 and 3 as a top-30 option in PPR formats and posting a 26.9% target share in Week 4. Through four games, the rookie has at least five targets in every contest, with 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns overall. He leads Tennessee in receiving yards and is the only receiver on the roster with a touchdown. With Calvin Ridley fading into the background, Ayomanor has stepped up as Cam Ward’s top target in the passing game.
Although Tennessee’s offense has been sluggish to start the season, the upcoming schedule offers softer matchups against Las Vegas, New England, and Indianapolis. Ayomanor’s combination of steady targets and big-play potential makes him a priority waiver wire pickup in fantasy football, especially in deeper leagues. He should be stashed as a WR4 with Flex upside, and his chemistry with rookie quarterback Cam Ward could pay dividends as the season progresses with a new coaching staff at the helm.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (NYG)
Rostered: 43%
With Malik Nabers lost for the season, Wan’Dale Robinson is poised to take over as Jaxson Dart’s top target in the Giants’ offense. Robinson has already maintained a target share over 20%, while also adding a breakout 142-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 2. While his Week 4 stat line was modest (3 receptions, 14 yards), Robinson still commanded a 25% target share and even dropped what could have been another touchdown. He has now seen at least eight targets in two of four games, solidifying his role as a go-to option.
Robinson profiles as a reliable Flex play moving forward, with volume working in his favor. The Giants’ passing offense should flow primarily through him and Darius Slayton, giving Robinson steady opportunities to produce fantasy points. He’s one of the most appealing waiver wire wide receivers this week and could push into weekly WR3 territory if his chemistry with Dart continues to develop.
Brashard Smith, RB (KC)
Rostered: 3%
Brashard Smith continues to work behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, but Week 4 brought his biggest role yet, playing 19 snaps and leading the Chiefs’ backfield in targets. He caught three passes for 27 yards, showing his ability as a receiver, while adding four carries for nine yards. Kansas City’s running game has struggled all season, with Pacheco and Hunt both ranking near the bottom of the league in missed tackle rate. Smith’s versatility and receiving chops make him the most appealing option of the group. Jerrick McKinnon thrived in a passing game role with the Chiefs three seasons ago, and Smith could fill those shoes.
While his current usage limits him to deep leagues, Smith is a smart stash on the waiver wire in fantasy football. If the Chiefs continue struggling to establish the run, Smith’s role could expand as Andy Reid looks for a bit more explosiveness on the ground. Expect his playing time to increase again in Week 5, but he’s best viewed as a speculative bench add in redraft and a potential upside play in deeper leagues.
Jalen Coker, WR (CAR)
Rostered: 10%
Jalen Coker is currently stashed on injured reserve with a quad injury, but he’s expected to return sometime between Weeks 5 and 7. Before the injury, Coker was locked into a starting role next to Tetairoa McMillan, and Carolina’s coaching staff had expressed confidence in him all offseason. In the last six games of last year, he showed promise with an 18.3% target share, averaging 55.7 receiving yards per game, finishing within the top-18 wide receivers twice.
With Ja’Tavion Sanders banged up, Xavier Legette’s question marks with his role on the team, and Hunter Renfrow being cut before the season, Coker should immediately step back into a major role once healthy. Carolina desperately needs a reliable option for Bryce Young, and slot receivers in Dave Canales’ system have historically thrived. Fantasy football managers should consider Coker a strong waiver wire stash in fantasy football ahead of his return, with Flex upside once he hits the field.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB (PIT)
Rostered: 33%
Kenneth Gainwell stepped up in a big way with Jaylen Warren sidelined in Week 4, logging 41 of the Steelers’ 53 snaps. He carried the ball 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns while catching all six of his targets for 35 yards. The result was a massive 28.4 half-PPR points against a tough Minnesota defense. Gainwell showcased a level of effectiveness the Steelers have yet to see from Jaylen Warren over the course of a full game, even despite the tough matchup.
While Warren is expected to return after the Steelers’ Week 5 bye, Gainwell’s performance was strong enough to earn consideration for a larger role. He should be rostered as a high-value handcuff who carries some upside if Warren misses additional time. Fantasy football managers in 12-team leagues should look to the waiver wire and add Gainwell as an insurance policy with spot-start potential.
Kendre Miller, RB (NO)
Rostered: 6%
Kendre Miller saw his most meaningful action of the season in Week 4, handling 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. He played over 30% of the Saints’ snaps and nearly matched Alvin Kamara’s workload on the ground. Miller has been the more efficient runner so far this year, averaging better yards per carry, more avoided tackles, and a higher explosive run rate than Kamara. At just 23 years old, he brings more juice to the Saints’ backfield than his 30-year-old counterpart.
Although Kamara remains heavily involved, especially in passing downs, Miller’s role appears to be growing. With New Orleans sitting at 0–4, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the coaching staff give the younger back a longer look. Miller is an appealing waiver wire stash in fantasy football, with the potential of Kamara being a midseason trade candidate.
Romeo Doubs, WR (GB)
Rostered: 31%
Romeo Doubs erupted for three touchdowns against Dallas in Week 4, finishing with six catches for 58 yards. He continues to play the most snaps and run the most routes among Packers receivers, and he remains a favorite target in the red zone. Doubs has already scored four touchdowns this season, tying him with the league’s top scorers at the position.
Despite the scoring surge, Doubs remains a volatile fantasy option. He’s topped 60 yards just once this season, and his weekly target share has hovered around 16–20%. Fantasy football managers looking to add him from the waiver wire should view him as a touchdown-dependent Flex option. If you’re chasing upside, Doubs offers it, but be prepared for boom-or-bust weeks when the touchdowns don’t come.
Arizona Cardinals, DEF
Rostered: 38%
The Arizona Cardinals’ defense has been quietly solid through four weeks, posting 13 sacks and forcing four turnovers. Their Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans makes them one of the top streaming waiver wire defenses in fantasy football. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has already taken 17 sacks and turned the ball over four times, while Tennessee is coming off a shutout last week against the Texans.
They should be able to generate pressure, force turnovers, and keep the score low against a struggling offense. Fantasy managers in need of a streaming defense should make Arizona a top waiver wire target this week, with a high probability of posting a 10+ point performance in Week 5.
Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions
- Sam Darnold QB (SEA) – 18% rostered
- Tyjae Spears RB (TEN) – 39% rostered
- Rachaad White RB (TB) – 48% rostered
- Kyle Monangai RB (CHI) – 11% rostered
- Blake Corum RB (LAR) – 25% rostered
- Chris Rodgriuez RB (WAS) – 17% rostered
- Ollie Gordon RB (MIA) – 34% rostered
- Kareem Hunt RB (KC) – 35% rostered
- Troy Franklin WR (DEN) – 40% rostered
- Darius Slayton WR (NYG) – 3% rostered
- Luther Burden WR (CHI) – 20% rostered
- Darren Waller TE (MIA) – 8% rostered
- Brenton Strange TE (JAC) – 28% rostered
- Oronde Gadsen II TE (LAC) – 2% rostered
- Indianapolis Colts DEF – 27% rostered
- Cleveland Browns DEF – 5% rostered
- Spencer Shrader K (IND) – 29% rostered
- Chad Ryland K (ARI) – 4% rostered
Droppable Players
- Malik Nabers WR (NYG)
- Dylan Sampson RB (CLE)
- Jonnu Smith TE (PIT)
- Calvin Ridley WR (TEN)
- Kaleb Johnson RB (PIT)
- Cedric Tillman WR (CLE)
Don’t Drop these Guys Just Yet
- Isiah Pacheco RB (KC)
- Jerry Jeudy WR (CLE)
- David Njoku TE (CLE)
- Brock Purdy QB (SF)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB (WAS)
- Travis Hunter WR (JAC)
