Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 4.
Injuries continue to be a big story in 2026. Newsflash to those who are new to fantasy football: This is how it goes almost every season. The cold reality is that the show must go on and fielding a healthy and productive lineup only gets harder once the Bye weeks hit (which starts in Week 5). The Waiver Wire can be a lifeline when the injury bug bites your squad.
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate
the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during bye weeks). Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the Week 3 Monday night game (PHI @ CHI).
Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list Tyler Shough, Bryce Young, Jordan Addison, or Woody Marks this week, among others who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues.
One quick strategy point: There are no byes this week, but four teams have a bye in Week 5. If you have the roster space, it’s always a good idea to look ahead and grab what you need a week early (this is most relevant for the “onesie” positions – QB, TE, PK and D/ST).
One quick reminder: People overreact to early season failure and make mistakes. Keep an eye on who gets dropped this week. You might find a player who can make a difference for you later in the season if/when they revert to form.
WEEK 4 BYES: NONE
Week 4 Waiver Wire
Quarterback:
If you need a second quarterback in a Superflex format, or a streamer in a 1-QB format, three old veterans who might be able to help you are Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins (who I recommended last week), and Aaron Rodgers. Laugh all you want, and yeah, I know their combined age is well over 100. But all three of these guys are producing and are capable of big games in the right matchups. Fun fact: Cousins has three TD passes in all three of his starts. The schedule is about to get harder, but with Brock Bowers back in the fold he’s worth considering if you need help. Smith’s next two games are against the Bears and Browns, which is a continuation of favorable matchups. Pittsburgh’s schedule is mouth-watering for the next six games: Browns, Colts, Bucs, Saints, Browns again, Bengals (who Rodgers just carved up on Sunday).
I’m not a big believer in Michael Penix, Jr., but he looked good in his return to action and has an elite receiver and running back to help him along. He’s another to consider if you need a second QB or a streamer.
Marcus Mariota is a highly capable backup who can be a useful fantasy plug-in, and unlike all the guys mentioned above, he adds points with his legs. But he might only get one or two more starts before Jayden Daniels returns.
Running Back: Here is where you might want to spend some FAAB, if you need help at running back.
Miami lost star running back De’Von Achane on Sunday to a torn ACL. His season is done. The NFL’s weakest and most inexperienced roster just got significantly worse with the loss of its most talented player.
Ollie Gordon got the first shot at first-string reps, and while he wasn’t particularly effective, he did score a TD (a rarity for the Dolphins). But note that presumptive backup Jaylen Wright was inactive on Sunday due to some minor injuries.
Neither Miami back is a home run. The team has a good chance to be historically bad and has yet to break 13 points in a game. Still, it’s hard to find RBs mid-season who get significant volume opportunities, and with Achane done for the year, both Wright and Gordon figure to see plenty of touches. But who will “start” and what will the split be? It’s worth noting that neither back was drafted by the current regime.
Of the two, I’d prioritize Wright, who was the better and more explosive college talent and has one more year of NFL experience. The team traded up to get him in the third round a few years ago, and I’m sure they’d like to see what he can do as the lead back. I think more fantasy players will target Gordon, because he got the reps against the Chiefs on Sunday, so it might be easier to grab Wright.
Braelon Allen is also in line to see a major boost in opportunity, if Breece Hall’s quad injury causes him to miss a few games as expected. The Jets have a good offensive line and their offense is playing decently. Allen is a priority add if he’s available, as he should command a pretty good share of the work in a split with third stringer Isaiah Davis for as long as Hall is out.
Alvin Kamara is probably not available in the vast majority of leagues, but he’s a must-add if available and especially with Travis Etienne, Jr. re-aggravating a hamstring injury on Sunday. It’s an excellent offense and Kamara was getting a good chunk of the touches even before Etienne got hurt. You can also consider Kendre Miller if you’re really stuck.
Keaton Mitchell continues to see plenty of snaps, in an annoying three-man backfield. He’s decent bench depth.
Wide Receiver
There are always multiple names to consider at receiver, and the challenge is figuring out which big performances, and high usage rates, are sustainable after a spike week.
I’ll repeat a bunch of names I’ve listed in recent weeks: Rashad Bateman, Denzel Boston, Malik Washington, Tre Tucker, Khalif Raymond, and Dontayvion Wicks. I’ll add a few more if you need to dig down or have bench space for deeper stashes: Keenan Allen, Makai Lemon, Chris Bell, Tre Harris, Konata Mumpfield, and Mack Hollins.
If Mike Evans misses time, the 49ers will be down a total of four receivers from what they started with when training camp opened, including the Top-3 on their first July depth chart. The challenge is figuring out who might step up if that’s the case. I haven’t got a clue.
Tight End:
Kenyon Sadiq is the top name this week, and the rookie has done enough in his first three games to warrant a priority claim if you need help at tight end. It won’t be great every week, but outside of a few players it never is at this position.
The injury to Breece Hall could open the door for more quick, easy-button throws and maybe even a few carries for Sadiq, who scored a rushing TD in Week 1. His usage and target share in Week 3, where he recorded his first career 100 yard game, is encouraging. Rookie tight ends usually don’t hit, but Sadiq has a pretty rare athletic profile and the Jets are giving him a chance to step up early.
Three more players to consider if you need help: Darren Waller (who has a penchant for scoring TDs), Mike Gesicki, and Brenton Strange.
I still like Terrance Ferguson the most among the Rams’ tight ends, but he injured his ankle on Sunday night, and Tyler Higbee stepped up and had a big game. Chasing the performance of L.A.’s tight ends might end up being one of the most frustrating and futile activities for fantasy managers this season as they deploy a lot of them, and once Puka Nacua is healthy it’ll be even more of a crapshoot.
That’s all I’ve got. Good luck with your waiver claims!
***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***
