Kickers rule and running backs drool. I usually don’t include kickers in my fantasy football waiver piece for two reasons:
- They’re almost impossible to predict
- They should not be in your leagues
I personally do not play with kickers in most of my leagues. They have been replaced by an extra flex and I couldn’t recommend it more. But I understand a lot of people like kickers, especially in redraft leagues. I will be adding a ‘Kicker of the Week’ section at the end of each piece. This will be a half-gag, half-prediction for who the best kicker of the week will be. With that, here are your waiver picks for week four. All roster percentages are via ESPN Fantasy Football.
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold CAR (9% Rostered) – Sam Darnold was in my week one waiver article right before the season started. If you don’t believe me, click here to see my accurate prediction. Sam Darnold has averaged 21.7 fantasy points through the first three weeks of the season, making him the QB11. His next five match-ups are as follows:
- Cowboys
- Eagles
- Vikings
- Giants
- Falcons
Darnold has every opportunity to be a top-10 option at quarterback for the next five weeks. Grab him and start him!
Baker Mayfield CLE (59.3% Rostered) – With a match-up against the Vikings in week four, Baker Mayfield is going to have to show up for a potential shootout. At the time of writing, the O/U is 54 for this game; with the Browns being responsible for 27.5 of those points. Look for Mayfield to light up this bottom half defense.
Joe Burrow CIN (66.3% Rostered) – Joe Burrow has played okay since returning from his gruesome knee injury. After facing two straight top-12 defenses in the Bears and Steelers, Burrow goes up against the league-worst Jaguars. His connection with Ja’Marr Chase has shown to be lethal, so I expect the pair to once again have a huge impact on the game.
Taylor Heinicke WFT (3.5% Rostered) – Taylor Heinicki is a player no one expects anything from, yet has it all. With back-to-back 20+ point weeks against two tough defenses, Heinicke gets to visit the lowly Falcons. Look for him to not only zip the ball down the field, but to use his legs to garner more points as well. He is a fine play this week, especially in superflex leagues.
Honorable Mentions – Quarterbacks
Justin Fields CHI (52.9% Rostered) – vs Lions
- First start nerves gone; Facing bad defense
Trevor Lawrence JAX (53.7% Rostered) – at Bengals
- May cause turnovers, but puts up points versus bad defenses
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard CAR (11.3% Rostered) – The clear number one waiver option going into week four is Chuba Hubbard, who is now inheriting the Christian McCaffrey role. The Panthers have not placed CMC on IR, meaning they expect to have him back in within the next three weeks. Hubbard had 4.73 yards per carry on 11 attempts and added three catches on five targets. He should be a top-15 fantasy option even if McCaffrey is only out for a couple of weeks.
Nyheim Hines IND (68% Rostered) – Through three games, Nyheim Hines has scored more fantasy football points than Jonathan Taylor. Averaging five targets a game, Hines is almost a must-start every game until further notice. With Carson Wentz struggling, he should be checking down to the running back more often than not. Pickup Hines and trade him at his peak in a few weeks before Taylor has his second half breakout once again.
Zack Moss BUF (57.1% Rostered) – With a second straight week finding the end zone, Zack Moss is currently ‘heating up’ according to NBA Jam standards. With a match-up against the Texans in week four, Moss has a very good chance to be ‘on fire’.
Honorable Mentions – Running Backs
Peyton Barber LV (11.3% Rostered) – at Chargers
- As long as Josh Jacobs is OUT
Sony Michel LAR (68.1% Rostered) – vs Cardinals
- As long as Darrell Henderson is OUT
Wide Receivers
Hunter Renfrow LV (11.3% Rostered) – Hunter Renfrow has seen 22 targets through three games. That is the second most on the team behind Darren Waller. Derek Carr doesn’t necessarily love throwing a deep ball (even though he can) so Renfrow continues to rack up points in PPR leagues. He is a safe flex/WR3 option for your fantasy football team.
Christian Kirk ARI (22.4% Rostered) – A pick from my week two waivers, which you can find here, Christian Kirk is on fire! Averaging 17 points a game, this high flying offense isn’t coming down anytime soon. With a tough match-up against the Rams, Kirk is most likely to see the CB3 on the defense. The O/U is 54.5, with the Cardinals accounting for 23.5 points. I expect it to be a closer game, so expect Kirk to have 6+ targets once again.
Cole Beasley BUF (67.7% Rostered) – Another PPR machine, Cole Beasley is somehow rostered in less than 70% of ESPN fantasy football leagues. The second favorite target for Josh Allen, Beasley is an easy flex week in, week out. Beasley has every opportunity to finish as a WR2 this year with his current target share of 24%.
Honorable Mentions – Wide Receivers
Curtis Samuel WFT (57.1% Rostered) – at Falcons
- Eligible to return from IR
Collin Johnson NYG (0.1% Rostered) – at Saints
- Injuries bump him up the depth chart; PPR role
Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth PIT (4.5% Rostered) – Five targets and a touchdown is all you need to be a tight end waiver pickup. With multiple injuries to Steelers pass-catchers, look for Pat Freiermuth to see more targets over the next couple weeks.
Mike Gesicki MIA (64.4% Rostered) – Finally getting his fair share, Mike Gesicki showed up with 10 catches for 86 yards in week three. Maybe it was the change at quarterback to Jacoby Brissett, but Gesicki is worth keeping around with Tua Tagovailoa out until at least week six. All he needs is to get into the end zone.
Dawson Knox BUF (4.4% Rostered) – With two touchdowns in the last two games, another Bills pass-catcher ends up on this list. Dawson Knox is in line to be a viable tight end almost every week with the high passing volume this offense works with. He may not be your first option, but with injuries creeping up look to Knox as a spot start if needed.
Honorable Mentions – Tight Ends
Gerald Everett SEA (10.8% Rostered) – at 49ers
- Short pass target. Touchdown dependent.
Tyler Higbee LAR (74.3% Rostered) – vs Cardinals
- May not be available; A must roster if available
D/ST
Chicago Bears (14.1% Rostered) – vs Lions
- Lions are an overall bad team. Bear’s defense should eat them up.
Tennessee Titans (8.1% Rostered) – at Jets
- Face the Jets… and Jaguars. Enough said.
Cincinnati Bengals (5% Rostered) – vs Jaguars
- Played well against the Steelers. Should cause turnovers against a rookie QB.
Kicker of the Week
Battle of the Matts
Matt Gay LAR vs Matt Prater ARI
- Highest O/U of the week at 54.5, so points will be scored. Matt and Matt should both have good games. If you can grab them off waivers or already have them, you should be set.
