Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Stafford has yet to play his Monday Night Football game as of
this writing, but through the first two games he’s thrown
for at least 300 yards on a total of 93 attempts. Indianapolis
is ranked fourth worst against QBs, and the following weeks (Eagles,
Cardinals) are also bottom 10. If you have an open spot to pick
him up before tonight’s game, do so.
Dalton stepped in for an injured Bryce Young to deliver 361-2-0
passing (chipping in 2-11-0 rushing) on the back of 58 passing
attempts. Up next are the Vikings, who have allowed multiple TDs
to every QB they’ve faced this year, and just gave up 405-3-0
to Justin Herbert in Week 3. If Bryce Young sits again, Dalton
would be a solid play for Week 4.
Russell
Wilson, DEN @ MIA: Russ put up another
300 yards against the Dolphins amidst a 306-1-1 line. He’s thrown
for 30+ attempts in every game and it appears Denver’s defensive
issues will have them playing from behind quite a bit this year.
Next week he plays the Bears (a bottom-10 defense against QBs)
so if you picked him up last week, you can use him again this
week.
C.J.
Stroud, HOU @ JAX: Stroud put together
another solid week, going 280–2-0 passing and 3-14-0 rushing in
a win over the Jaguars. He gets a tough matchup against the Steelers
pass defense this week, but they have allowed a TD pass from every
signal caller in 2023.
Achane went nuclear against the Broncos, going 18-203-2 on the
ground and 4-4-30-2 through the air. Mostert still appears to
be the starter, but his injury issues are well documented. Achane
looked explosive, and while the Bills are a tough matchup (62
rushing yards per game, 0 TDs), they have allowed 12 receptions
to RBs so Achane may have some opportunities on 3rd downs.
Johnson is splitting backfield work with Kahlil Herbert, but
he drew 8-38-0 rushing and 2-2-11-0 receiving in the blowout loss
to the Chiefs in Week 3. Roschon may be taking over this backfield,
as he was the starter against the Chiefs and saw the most touches.
Week 4 sees Johnson facing the Broncos at home, who just allowed
8 TDs to Dolphins running backs.
Matt
Breida, NYG @ SF: Breida punched
in a TD to save his fantasy day against the tough 49ers defense,
putting up 4-17-1 rushing and 3-3-1-0 receiving. If Saquon Barkley
(potential high ankle sprain) is out again for Week 4, Breida
could be in line for a solid stat line against the Seahawks.
Zack Moss,
IND @ BAL: Moss delivered again for fantasy managers
by going 30-122-0 on the ground and 3-2-23-1 through the air against
a tough Ravens defense. In certainly seems like the Colts have
no problems giving Moss workhorse back volume for as long as Jonathan
Taylor is out.
Jerome
Ford, CLE vs TEN: Ford commanded
the most touches against the Titans and spiked two touchdowns,
although the newly-signed Kareem Hunt was also involved. Next
up is another tough rush defense when the Browns face the Ravens.
Tony Jones,
NO @ GB: Jones saw 12 touches against the Packers in
Week 3. With Alvin Kamara coming back for Week 4, Jones appears
to be relegated to relieving Kamara when needed.
Jaylen
Warren, PIT @ LV: Warren has maintained
a pass-catching back role in the Steelers offense, going 4-3-23-0
receiving to go along with 8-29-0 rushing. There are some rumblings
that Najee Harris will have his workload cut due to his inefficiency
(19-65-0 rushing and missed his only target), so Warren may be
one to stash for his future upside.
With Bryce Young sitting, Andy Dalton threw 58 times for 361
yards and two scores. Thielen was the prime target, with 14-11-145-1
against the Seahawks. Chark also 10+ targets while catching 4
for 86 yards and Dalton’s other TD. Next up is a burnable Vikings
secondary that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to WRs.
Thielen was on this list last week but likely won’t be again after
this week.
With Mike Williams is out due to a season-ending knee injury,
Palmer and Johnston vie for next-man-up behind Keenan Allen. Palmer
figures to get the first crack at it after going 7-4-66-1 against
the Viking in Week 3. Johnston is the Chargers 2023 first round
rookie, but so far he hasn’t garnered more than 3 targets in a
game. That will most likely rise going forward, but the next few
weeks should belong to Palmer. Palmer had several solid games
in 2022 when Allen and Williams battled injuries, and has received
13 targets the last two weeks to Johnston’s 5. In Week 4, the
Chargers face the Raiders, who have given up 5 TDs in three games
to WRs.
Doubs got a whopping 12 targets from Jordan Love and converted
5 into 73 yards and a score. If Christian Watson (hamstring) sits
again on a short week, Doubs should be the primary beneficiary
against a Lions pass defense that did a good job containing the
Falcons in Week 3 but got lit up by the Seahawks WRs in Week 2.
Musgrave went 8-6-49-0 against the Falcons and draws a Lions defense
that is second-worst against TEs.
Tank Dell,
Robert Woods,
and Nico Collins
HOU @ JAX: Dell had the better day against the Jaguars
with a 7-5-145-1 line. Woods and Collins each had 34 yards on
a combined 5 receptions in a blowout win where Stroud only had
30 attempts and connected with 8 different receivers. Collins
is now on most rosters but Dell and Woods are still available
in most leagues.
Update:Tutu
Atwell, LAR @ CIN: Atwell led the
team in targets on Monday Night Football, putting up a 9-4-50-1
line and adding 1-22-0 rushing. Atwell is the clear WR2 for the
Rams for as long as Cooper Kupp is sidelined. The Rams play the
weak Indianapolis secondary in Week 4.
Josh
Reynolds, DET vs ATL: Reynolds received
a 77% snap rate against the Falcons but didn’t draw a single target.
With Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown vacuuming up 23 of Jared
Goff’s 33 attempts and only four Lions catching passes, there
was little else available for Reynolds. Better days should be
ahead but maybe not against the Packers in Week 4.
Zach Ertz,
ARI vs DAL: Joshua Dobbs spread the ball around to seven
different pass catchers as the Cardinals pulled off the upset
over the heavily favored Cowboys. Ertz should stay involved as
the clear No.2 option after Marquise Brown, but Week 4 against
the 49ers may be another underwhelming performance.
Defense/ Special Teams
Steelers @ HOU
Pittsburgh generated 4 sacks and 3 interceptions in a win over
the Raiders in Week 3. In Week 4 they face rookie C.J. Stroud
who hasn’t thrown an interception but gave up 11 sacks in
his first two games.
Buccaneers @ Saints
Tampa Bay has produced 7 turnovers and a defensive touchdown
in the first 3 weeks. In Week 4 they’ll likely face Jameis
Winston as Derek Carr recovers from a shoulder injury sustained
Week 3. Winston’s risky play style has translated to multiple
turnovers in past games.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Jaguars vs HOU: Jacksonville forgot to show
up in their upset loss to the Texans. The Jags-D didn’t
get a single turnover or sack while allowing 31 points.
Chiefs vs CHI: Kansas City forced 2 turnovers
and generated 3 sacks while holding the struggling Bears to 10
points.
Patriots @ NYJ: New England sacked Zach Wilson
3 times while only allowing 10 points.
Seahawks vs CAR: Seattle got 3 sacks but faced
a surprisingly spry Andy Dalton in place of rookie Bryce Young.
