Week three of the 2023 NFL season is over and nothing makes sense. Andy Dalton was actually what the Carolina Panthers needed to succeed! The Sam Darnold-led Minnesota Vikings are the best team in the NFC. David Montgomery floated for ten yards! Perhaps the craziest thing of all is that people don’t actively hunt the waiver wire to salvage their terrible rosters. Before you give up on your fantasy season, remember that the waiver wire exists to save you from the cruel and unforgiving fantasy football gods. 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. Or maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here. So let us examine who our best week four waiver wire players for your championship run…
Week Four Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (23% rostered)
Let’s talk a bit about the QB2 on the season – Sam Darnold. Last week, I mentioned he was a sneaky option to be the guy who sits a month on the waiver wire and finishes the year as a QB1. After his 181 passing yards and 4 touchdowns against the Texans, Darnold won’t be on waiver wires next week. Nor should he. In the last two weeks, Darnold has torched the Texans and 49ers. Most of us had them among the best defenses in football. Kevin O’Connell is proving he is a miracle worker at the quarterback position and Sam Darnold needs to be rostered in every league.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (20% rostered)
If you can’t get Sam Darnold, Justin Fields is a great alternative at quarterback. Fields is currently the QB18 on the season, but he has had one of the toughest opening schedules of any quarterback for the first three weeks. And his schedule is about to get nice. In week 3, Fields had 245 passing yards and 1 touchdown, 6 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown. Fields can be a cheat code at quarterback when he is running well and through three weeks, he has been quietly efficient. If you need quarterback help and can’t get Darnold, get Justin Fields.
Week Four Waiver Wire Running Backs
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34% rostered)
In week four, Bucky Irving had 84 all-purpose yards for the Buccaneers. Rachaad White had 35 all-purpose yards on an equal amount of touches. At this point, it feels like a matter of when, not if, Bucky Irving becomes the starter in Tampa Bay. Bucky Irving should be the number one waiver wire addition of the week. If you have FAAB, use it all.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (32% rostered)
In week four, Braelon Allen had 68 all-purpose yards against the Patriots. More importantly, Allen is seeing over 30% of the team’s running back shares. Braelon Allen will have flex potential and is going to see a bunch of looks. If you don’t grab Allen now, you will regret it later.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears (1% rostered)
In week 4, Roschon Johnson cut into D’Andre Swift’s carries with a 37% snap share. With that opportunity, Roschon had 63 all-purpose yards against one of the worst run defenses in football. You want zero shares of the Chicago Bears rushing attack. As a Bears fan, I know. It will only lead to pain and heartache.
Week Four Waiver Wire Waiver Wires
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (34% rostered)
I am bringing up Jauan Jennings first, not because of how impressive his week three performance was, but because of how crazy it has made everyone. There are a bunch of experts saying Jauan Jennings is the top waiver pick of week three and I just don’t understand their thought process. Sure, Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns in week three. Jennings was also playing one of the worst pass defenses in football with his team down three of their top offensive weapons. Jauan Jennings is a year-four wide receiver who has cracked 400 receiving yards in a single season once. Taking an outlier performance and hoping it is repeataba le is just bad process and anyone who burns FAAB or waiver priority on him deserves what they get.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (45% rostered)
In week four, Darnell Mooney had 8 catches for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. In his last two games, Mooney has been targeted 15 times. As the Falcons offense slowly improves, Mooney looks like he will be a major player on the team, so you probably should have him rostered.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (18% rostered)
In week four, Demario Douglas had 7 catches for 69 yards. (Nice) Douglas leads the Patriots in routes run and is second in targets to Hunter Henry. If you need a volume play, Demario Douglas is it.
Quentin Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers (44% rostered)
Quentin Johnson had 2 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown in week four. He got most of those yards and the touchdown on a horribly blown coverage. Once again, I do not believe Quentin Johnson has suddenly become good at football. If you want to take the chance, go for it. History will prove me right.
Week Four Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (33% rostered)
In week four, Cole Kmet had 10 catches for 97 yards and 1 touchdown. Nobody loves Cole Kmet more than I do, but that doesn’t mean I am burning a waiver wire on him here. Kmet is good for a few good games a year, but history shows he is not a set-and-forget tight end. Also, Shane Waldron is a terrible offensive coordinator who wants to force-feed Gerald Everett for some unknown reason. Cole Kmet is probably a trap, but I hope I’m wrong.
