Benson, Gordon, Smith among top add/drops for Week 4

MIAMI, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Running back Trey Benson and quarterback Geno Smith are among my fantasy football waiver wire priorities for Week 4.

Ollie Gordon II, Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions defense/special teams are among my other targets.

Injuries are already wrecking havoc on fantasy football team lineups. Running backs James Conner and Najee Harris each sustained season-ending injuries in Week 3 and can be dropped.

Tyrone Tracy, Jr., Terry McLaurin, CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans and Graham Gano were among the other players injured in Week 3. Their statuses should be monitored, but those injuries also should open doors for other players on their teams.

Check out my full list of waiver wire targets below if you need replacement options for injured starters. Injuries, breakout performances and other factors have cleared the way for several players to warrant a spot on fantasy football team benches or maybe even in starting lineups.

My waiver wire priorities each carry an ownership percentage of 60% or less.

Here are my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 4:

ALL-ADD TEAM

QB | Geno Smith, Matthew Stafford; RB | Trey Benson, Ollie Gordon II, Chris Rodriguez; WR | Romeo Doubs, Sterling Shepard; TE | Brenton Strange, Dalton Schultz; D/ST | Detroit Lions; K | Brandon McManus

HONORABLE MENTIONS

QB | Tua Tagovailoa, Sam Darnold; RB | Tyler Allgeier, Kareem Hunt, Ray Davis, Brian Robinson Jr.; WR | Marquise Brown, Cedric Tillman; TE | Pat Freiermuth, Cade Otton; D/ST | Los Angeles Chargers; K | Josh Karty

TOP DROPS

QB | Russell Wilson; RB | James Conner, Najee Harris; WR | Adam Thielen; TE | Colston Loveland; D/ST | Atlanta Falcons; K | Graham Gano

QUARTERBACK

Geno Smith is my top quarterback target for Week 4. The Las Vegas Raiders veteran was the No. 4 quarterback in fantasy football in Week 3, when he threw for 289 yards and three scores in a loss to the Washington Commanders.

This week, Smith and the Raiders will face a Chicago Bears defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks through three weeks. They surrendered nine total touchdowns and 739 passing yards to the position over that span.

Smith eclipsed 280 passing yards in two of his three starts this season. He should easily reach that total again in Week 4. Smith will be a fringe QB1 play in this great matchup.

RUNNING BACK

Trey Benson is easily my top waiver wire priority. The Arizona Cardinals running back was already seeing an increase in usage through the first two weeks of the season, but is now set to take over as a workhorse after a season-ending injury to starter James Conner.

Benson has yet to find the end zone this season, but totaled 170 yards from scrimmage through the first three weeks. I expect the second-year ball-carrier to provide low-end RB1/high-end RB2 value down the stretch.

This week, Benson will face a Seattle Seahawks defense that allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to running backs so far this season. Like most running backs, Benson would likely need a touchdown to provide high-end RB1 value, but he should remain in lineups going forward, unless he has a frightening matchup and you roster a better option.

Ollie Gordon II is another player to target off this week's waiver wire, but can't be trusted yet as a starter. The Miami Dolphins rookie was used sparingly over his first two games, when he received just five touches. Gordon was in for about 18% of the teams snaps over that span.

He received nine carries and logged 38 yards and his first touchdown in Week 3, when the Dolphins put up a fight, but ultimately lost to the Buffalo Bills.

I expect the Dolphins to give more work to the rookie going forward in an effort to spell starter De'Vone Achane, who played 81.3% of their offensive snaps so far this season. Gordon also could have standalone value if Achane is injured and could become a solid goal line option. He is a great addition for your bench.

WIDE RECEIVER

Romeo Doubs was on my waiver wire target list in recent weeks and remains under-owned in most fantasy leagues. The Green Bay Packers wide receiver scored once through his first three games, but drew 11 targets over that span.

This week, Doubs and the Packers will face a Dallas Cowboys defense that just allowed three Chicago Bears wide receivers to score touchdowns in Week 3. They also surrendered nearly 400 yards and three scores to New York Giants wide receivers in Week 2.

Look for Doubs to reach a season-high -- up to this point -- in receiving yards in Week 4. He should be on your WR3 radar if you are in a league with at least 14 teams.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard is another player to consider if you need help at the wide receiver position. Shepard. The Buccaneers' wide receivers room has been decimated by injuries and top pass catcher Mike Evans is now expected to miss multiple games.

But look for this high-volume passing attack to continue, with quarterback Baker Mayfield looking to Shepard, tight end Cade Otton and other playmakers for assistance. Shepard should only be started if you are desperate and likely needs to score to provide streaming value, but I would risk it this week, when the Buccaneers will face the Philadelphia Eagles in a game I expect to be high-scoring.

TIGHT END

The tight end position is primarily a touchdown-or-bust situation as far as fantasy football outlook is concerned. My favorite pick this week is Brenton Strange.

The Jacksonville Jaguars pass catcher drew 16 targets over the first three weeks of the season. He logged a season-high seven looks, six catches and 61 yards in Week 3. This week, the Jaguars will take on a San Francisco 49ers defense that allowed five catches, more than 40 yards and a touchdown to the position over each of their last two appearances.

Look for Strange see a healthy target total and earn a few chances for his first touchdown of 2025.