Best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 4

Welcome to the Week 4 waiver wire watch!

We had a wild weekend of action across the NFL and it was special teams that ended up being the deciding factor in several games around the league. Whether you won your fantasy league matchup or got absolutely smoked, you’re probably looking for ways to fortify your rosters ahead of next week. That’s where we come in.

We’ll go over some Week 3 performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 4. We’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at maximum. Something to note that this is the last week where all teams will be in action before byes start going into effect, so keep that in mind.

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts (29.7%)

The Daniel Jones thing in Indianapolis appears to be legit as he has the Colts sitting atop the AFC South at 3-0 following their 41-20 thrashing of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The veteran QB put together a solid performance on the road, going 18-25 for 228 yards and a touchdown for the afternoon. It was kind of an ideal game for the Colts offense as Jonathan Taylor’s three-touchdown performance eased the pressure off the QB.

Jones was slotted as the No. 2 fantasy QB at the end of the Sunday afternoon slate with 68.1 total points through three weeks and not even the biggest Jones supporters could predict that level of early-season success. He remains a readily available waiver wire option and should be on the radar of anyone that finds themselves in a QB jam.

Week 4 matchup: @ Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET

Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (19.9%)

Las Vegas was dominated in its 41-24 road loss at the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but it still proved to be a solid showing for Geno Smith. The veteran QB bounced back from a rough three-interception performance the week prior by throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, earning 26.1 fantasy points for the week.

The Raiders may still be figuring things out and the offensive line looks like it’s going to remain a huge problem moving forward. But Smith at least looks like he can still be a viable option for whoever decides to add him to their roster.

Week 4 matchup: vs. Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET

Jeremy McNichols, RB, Washington Commanders (1.4%)

Back to that Raiders-Commanders game, Austin Ekeler’s Achilles tear opened the door for Jeremy McNichols to get some more touches out of Washington’s backfield and he certainly delivered. The veteran was explosive and led the team in rushing on Sunday, taking just four carries for 78 yards and a touchdown in the big victory at home.

McNichols will be splitting carries with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez moving forward and these types of running back committees can frustrate fantasy managers. But if he’s as explosive as he was on Sunday, he could emerge as a consistent weapon for the ‘Manders.

Week 4 matchup: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (53.8%)

Trey Benson got plenty of touches in Arizona’s 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, taking 10 carries for 42 yards and catching three targets for nine yards in the contest. But the story of the game was starting running back James Conner having to be carted off after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in the third quarter.

As of now, it is unclear of the severity of Conner’s injury and from the looks of it, he will most likely miss a bunch of time. That will promptly thrust Benson into the role of Arizona’s starting running back and he was already one of the top handcuff options on the board. He’s already rostered roughly 54% of fantasy leagues, so if you’re interested, you better put your waiver wire bid in this week.

Week 4 matchup: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)

Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (2.9%)

Sunday’s top fantasy performer was Tre Tucker, who went off in the Raiders’ aforementioned loss to the Commanders on the road. The third-year wideout caught eight of nine targets for 145 yards and three touchdowns, earning a whopping 40.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues.

A rapport is being to form between Tucker and Geno Smith as the veteran QB has targeted him 17 times over the past two weeks. That’s certainly something to keep in mind as he can emerge as a top pass-catching option for the offense moving forward.

Week 4 matchup: vs. Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (28.7%)

The Quentin Johnston breakout season is legit as he posted yet another solid outing in L.A.‘s 23-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The third-year wideout grabbed six passes for 89 yards in the win and was top-five in receiving yards in the NFL by the end of the Sunday afternoon slate.

Justin Herbert is letting it rip through the air and that has allowed Johnston to put up solid numbers despite the presence of other pass-catching targets like Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey in the offense. Still being rostered in less than 30% of leagues, whoever snags him off the waiver wire could be getting an absolute steal and they could plug Johnston into their starting lineup almost immediately.

Week 4 matchup: @ New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (48.5%)

The turnover bug ultimately doomed New England in its 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but Hunter did his part in keeping the team in the game. The veteran led all tight ends in receiving this week and was responsible for both of the Pats’ scores on the afternoon, catching eight of 11 targets for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

Henry has been the top target for Drake Maye through three weeks and he showed off his skills as a red-zone threat with both TD’s on the afternoon. Look no further than the big target for the Pats if you’re looking for tight end depth this week.

Week 4 matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans (22.2%)

Tennessee got roasted by Indianapolis on Sunday and there were still a few bright spots in the blowout loss. Namely the play of tight end Chig Okonkwo, who led the team in receiving with five receptions for 66 yards on the day. The receiving numbers for the fourth-year tight end has gone up with each passing week this season and the key to No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward getting comfortable is having receiving options that he can trust.

That’s something to keep in mind as the Titans search for their first win of the season and he could very well be a solid depth piece to have on hand for your roster.

Week 4 matchup: @ Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET