Week three of the 2023 NFL season is over and our saviors have become our destroyers. Our souls are being bombarded by the agents of oblivion. PUKA NACAU WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN US!!!! There is yet a bastion of salvation that awaits those with the fortitude to keep striving toward victory, even knowing that your fantasy roster is dying a little more every day. That deliverance can only be found on the waiver wire. I’m going to provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, just know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad I don’t even consider them. Maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here looking for waiver wire advice. So let us examine our best week four waiver wire players for your championship run…
Week Four Waiver Wire QBs
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (13% rostered)
We are three weeks into the season and it is time to take notice of C.J. Stroud. The QB11 in week three, C.J. Stroud is starting to show some flashes. Through 3 games, Stroud has dropped back to pass 138 times, the second most of any quarterback in football. Stroud also has 121 pass attempts, tied for third among quarterbacks. In week three, Stroud had 280 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Every week, he looks better and better. If you need to take a flyer at quarterback, take the guy who might be good, rather than the guy on your wire who you already know in your heart of hearts that you hate.
Week Four Waiver Wire RBs
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (25% rostered)
I do not even know where to begin when it comes to De’Von Achane. Well, yeah I do know where to begin. I start by screaming at you to burn your waiver and whatever FAAB it takes to get him on your roster. In week three, De’Von Achane had 18 carries for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is an RB1 overall performance on its own. When you add on his 4 catches for 30 yards and 2 touchdowns, you have one of the all-time great fantasy performances in history. When you do grab him, understand that it is highly unlikely you will get that kind of performance from him again. What you will get is a running back the Dolphins invested high draft capital in, who has electric speed, and will get opportunities in one of the best offenses in football. Even as a third-down back, Achane has tremendous value. And if Mostert gets hurt, he has RB1 upside. Get De’Von Achane.
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (46% rostered)
After Achane, the running back options become a lot more murky. It is worth drawing attention to Football Absurdity preseason darling Jerick McKinnon. In week three, he had 3 catches for 19 yards and 2 touchdowns. You may be asking yourself, ” But didn’t he do that against the Bears?” and you would be right for asking that. However, it is worth noting that McKinnon’s value comes as a receiver, and three of his next five opponents in fantasy give up top-five receiving production to opposing running backs. While I wouldn’t burn a waiver on him, I would snag him if he clears waivers and stash for plus match-ups.
Latavius Murray, Buffalo Bills (3% rostered)
Latavius Murray is the only running back option I’d look at, and he is a pure TD upside play. In week three, Murray had 5 carries for 15 yards and 1 touchdown. The thing that makes him appealing is twofold. First, he plays for the Buffalo Bills and therefore one of the best scoring offenses in football Second, Murray is currently tied for second in rush attempts in goal-to-go situations. Inside the 10-yard line, Murray is getting 43.5% of the snaps at running back. If you are desperate for points, Murray is a lottery ticket that can help get some points in your running back slot.
Week Four Waiver Wire WRs
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (42% rostered)
Time is a flat circle and Adam Thielen is fantasy football relevant. In week three, Thielen had 11 catches for 145 yards and 1 touchdown. Through three weeks, Adam Thielen is the WR* on the season. In his last two games, Thielen has 23 targets and 18 catches. The reason Adam Thielen was brought to Carolina was to be a security blanket for his rookie quarterback. With the absolute lack of talent, the offense is leaning on the veteran receiver. While his upside is limited, Thielen should be a solid floor play just based on opportunity.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans (22% rostered)
Last week, I commented on the opportunities Tank Dell was receiving. This week, we have to start considering that Tank Dell isn’t just a waiver wire player, but someone who should be regularly starting in lineups. In week three, Dell had 5 catches for 145 yards and 1 touchdown. On the season, Dell has 17 targets and 12 catches. He is also currently the WR9 on the season in half PPR leagues. With the rate the Texans are throwing the football, Tank Dell has a great combination of high floor and high ceiling and should be the number one waiver wire add at wide receiver.
Josh Palmer/Quentin Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers (42%/2% rostered)
With Mike Williams out for the season, the question becomes who will be the number two targets in Los Angeles. While people are going to look toward the first-round rookie Quentin Johnson, the player who is more likely to have an immediate impact is Josh Palmer. Palmer was on the field for 61% of team snaps in week three, whereas Johnson was only on the field for 24%. Palmer is running a route on 59.7% of team dropbacks, compared to QJ’s 26.9% routes on target. If you need immediate help at receiver, Palmer is the play. However, if you are looking for a long-term investment and have the bench space for it, Quentin Johnson might be the stronger player once the fantasy playoffs come around.
Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos (14% rostered)
Last week, I referred to Marvin Mims as a potential home run hitter down the stretch. In week three, Mims had 3 catches for 73 yards. Mims also had two kickoff returns for 121 yards and 1 touchdown. Scott Barrett posted the top 10 longest gains for the Broncos in 2023. 8 of them were Marvin Mims. The craziest part is he only has 7 catches and 5 kick returns this entire season, which means that 66% of his opportunities this season were explosive plays for the Broncos. If that isn’t enough for you to want him, know that he plays the Bears in week four.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (27% rostered)
In week three, Romeo Doubs had 12 catches for 73 yards and 1 touchdown. On the season, Doubs has 20 targets, 11 catches, 129 yards, and 3 touchdowns, making him the WR21. At this point, he is the number one receiver on the Packers. How that is affected when Christian Watson returns remains to be seen, but for now, he is getting a ton of action and should be rostered everywhere.
Week Four Waiver Wire TEs
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (12% rostered)
Tight ends are terrible. I told you two weeks in a row that Hunter Henry was fool’s gold and was the product of two great matchups in a row. Week three has proven me right. If you need a tight end, at least go for the upside of Luke Musgrave. In week three, Musgrave had 6 catches for 49 yards. Musgrave is on the field for 86% of the Packers’ offensive snaps. Musgrave has also run 80 routes this year and is running a route on 76.2% of his snaps. The Packers drafted him early to use him. I would wait for him to clear waivers if I needed a tight end and grab him.
