Fantasy: Top waiver wire pickups for Week 4

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

Jump to: RB | WR | TE | DEF

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Seahawks

Darnold returned from his hip injury and put up a huge stat line against the Commanders. Darnold, who threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns, finished as the QB2 for the week. The Seahawks trailed for a large portion of the game, forcing him to throw 45 passes, which is more than Seattle prefers.

Regardless, any quarterback who has Jaxon Smith-Njigba as their top option must be considered if you need an emergency starter. In Week 4, the Seahawks host the Chargers, whose defense has taken a major step backward since last season. Darnold is a great option for anyone who drafted Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, or Jaxson Dart.

Other QBs to consider:

• Geno Smith, Jets (9%): The Jets quarterback has played some great football in his second stint in New York. Smith is 10th in EPA/play among QBs who've taken at least 50 snaps, according to SumerSports. After finishing Week 3 as QB3, he gets to take on a shoddy Bears defense in Week 4.

• Marcus Mariota, Commanders (3%): As Daniels' replacement, Mariota led the Commanders to a massive upset victory over the Seahawks. He threw three touchdown passes against one of the league's best defenses and scored a respectable 20.42 fantasy points. Mariota should be under center for at least one more week, which puts him in line to face the Colts in London. He's not the best available option at quarterback, but you could certainly do worse.

Running backs

Braelon Allen, Jets

Breece Hall is week-to-week with a quad injury. If he's on your roster in a deep league or even a 10-team league that has deep benches, I wouldn't talk you out of spending your entire remaining budget to secure Allen, who will become a weekly starter with Hall sidelined. And even if Hall only misses a few games, at least you've secured the clear handcuff to your usual starter.

Allen handled all of New York's running-back touches after Hall left Sunday's matchup versus the Lions. He's previously shown flashes in limited work, offering optimism about his prospects as a lead back. The Jets' offense also looks more competent than many expected, so you can feel confident adding Allen and starting him in Week 4 against the Bears.

Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins

De'Von Achane's torn ACL was the other major running back injury in Week 3. His absence opens the door for Gordon to take on a majority of the snaps in Miami's backfield. However, the Dolphins' offense has shown no signs of life this season, so it's hard to get too excited. After going early in Round 2 in most fantasy drafts, Achane had begun looking like one of this year's biggest busts before getting hurt.

Gordon and Jaylen Wright, neither of whom are as talented as Achane, will likely split work moving forward. You may be better off letting one of your league-mates spend their FAB in an attempt to find Achane's fill-in.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (32%): Usage in the Chargers' backfield has changed since Week 1, and Mitchell has benefited. Omarion Hampton had snap shares of 57% and 65% in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. He also earned 75% and 81% of the running-back touches. In Week 3, his snap share dropped to 42%, and he handled only 54% of the touches. Meanwhile, Mitchell played 36% of Los Angeles' snaps in Week 3 and leads all Chargers running backs in routes run over the past two weeks. He should be rostered in way more than 32% of leagues, considering he may soon be the team's most fantasy-relevant back.

• Jaylen Wright, Dolphins (2%): Gordon will likely be discussed as the next man up in Miami, but Wright has a shot to be more valuable in fantasy and will be a fraction of the price on the waiver wire. Wright missed Week 3 with a foot injury, but if he can return soon, he should earn the passing-down work for the Dolphins. His combination of size and speed is much closer to Achane's than that of Gordon, who's more of a between-the-tackles bruiser.

• Alvin Kamara, Saints (43%): Travis Etienne Jr. left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, and Kamara took over as the Saints' lead back. At 31 years old, Kamara has little left in the tank, but he can still catch passes. Plus, New Orleans plays at such a high pace (league-leading 74 plays per game) that there will be opportunities for him to score fantasy points.

• Kendre Miller, Saints (1%): If Kamara is gone in your league, Miller is worth taking a flier on. He split work with Etienne in Week 1 while Kamara was sidelined, scoring a touchdown on nine carries. However, Miller profiles as a deep-league flex option at best.

Wide receivers

Mack Hollins

It's not the best week to be looking for receivers on the waiver wire, so Hollins could be your best option. A.J. Brown isn't expected back anytime soon, and the Patriots don't have many other receiving options. On Sunday, Hollins turned nine targets into six catches and 87 yards (in addition to dropping a touchdown). He could be a flex option next week versus Buffalo - a game in which New England will likely be forced to throw.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Konata Mumpfield, Rams (1%): With Puka Nacua missing Sunday Night Football in Week 3, Mumpfield filled the void to the tune of 93 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. If Nacua continues to sit out, getting a cheap piece of L.A.'s offense isn't a bad idea.

• Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (44%): If Meyers happens to be available in your league, pick him up. He's the second option in Jacksonville with Brian Thomas Jr. no longer being fantasy-relevant. Meyers' ceiling is capped, but he'll prove to be a valuable starter once bye weeks arrive.

• Malik Washington, Dolphins (20%): The Dolphins may be forced to get creative on offense in the absence of Achane. Washington should see an increased role going forward, especially in short-yardage situations and screen plays. He may be the Dolphins' most talented active player. That's not saying much, but Washington still has some fantasy value.

Tight ends

Kenyon Sadiq

We've already highlighted Sadiq twice this season, so hopefully he's already stashed on your bench. If not, it's probably a good time to spend a little on perhaps the most athletic tight end in the league.

The Jets rookie, who had a breakout game Sunday with Adonai Mitchell sidelined, is becoming more involved in New York's passing attack. Sadiq totaled 105 receiving yards and hauled in seven of eight targets, including a beautiful diving catch for a touchdown, versus Detroit.

Other TEs to consider:

• Darren Waller, Panthers (14%): The veteran emerged as a key target in the Panthers' offense Sunday after beginning the season as merely a red-zone option. Jalen Coker's injury was likely the main reason for Waller's increased production, but the 34-year-old was up for the task regardless. He caught five of eight targets for 51 yards and could serve as Bryce Young's second option if Coker misses time.

• T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (28%): Justin Jefferson left Sunday's game with an ankle injury. If Jefferson misses Week 4, Hockenson would move up the pecking order in Minnesota, and the Vikings have a juicy matchup against the Dolphins on deck.

• Tyler Higbee, Rams (0%): Higbee's path to fantasy relevance came to fruition Sunday night. Nacua and Terrance Ferguson were banged up and the Rams trailed the Broncos, allowing Higbee to earn 12 targets, which he turned into eight catches for 62 yards and a score. If the stars align again in Week 4, he could be worth a deep-league flex start.

Defenses

Week 4 streamers

• Bills (24%) vs. Patriots
• Packers (32%) @ Buccaneers
• Browns (2%) vs. Steelers