Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire FantasySP Expert Tips: How to Handle Jauan Jennings, Bucky Irving, Quentin Johnston and More
The experts at FantasySP answer a handful of questions related to the waiver wire as we prepare to head into Week 4.
The waiver wire can be a fantasy owner’s best friend if things fall right. Some years, the draft goes your way, and you don’t have to worry about making major moves. Other times, you might need to save your season with multiple changes in-season.
For those scrambling after three weeks, the experts at FantasySP are here to help you find your next waiver pickup. Ted Chmyz, Daniel Hepner, Mark Morales-Smith and Morgan Rode convened to answer five questions related to player acquisition heading into Week 4.
Who is your favorite waiver pickup heading into Week 4?
Ted: The fact that Bucky Irving is still available in two-thirds of leagues is insane. He is easily outperforming Rachaad White and should eventually take over as the Buccaneers' lead back.
Daniel: Irving is the guy. Running back is the hardest position to fill, and the team has every reason to increase his workload as he outperforms White.
Mark: It’s hard to argue with Irving. He’s a guy you can pick up who will give value for the rest of the season without any kind of injury or change.
Morgan: It’s Irving, but I’ll give you another name: Jauan Jennings. He’s going to be involved offensively until the Niners are back at full health, and that might be a while. I think Jennings gives you the most bang for your buck among waiver wire targets for Week 4.
Name a guy who will be popular on the waiver wire but will fail to live up to expectations.
Ted: Jennings. He’s a great real-life player, and his performance on Sunday was amazing. But, even in previous games with the 49ers’ missing weapons, he’s never produced anything near what he just did. Especially with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. hopefully returning soon, Jennings will likely just end up back on the waiver wire in a few weeks' time.
Daniel: Braelon Allen is being seen as a rotational player with Breece Hall, but the veteran back is entrenched as the starting option, and Allen won’t carry the ball as much when his team isn’t dominating the Patriots.
Mark: Any player on the Bears. Whether you’re looking to grab Cole Kmet, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Gerald Everett etc. Any of these guys who have a good game on any given week. That offense is an unpredictable mess, and none of them can be trusted.
Morgan: Andrei Iosivas. He scored again in Week 3, but as Tee Higgins gets ramped up, there will be less and less work for Iosivas, whose touchdown streak won’t last forever.
How about a player who is worth grabbing just for one week (or so) because of the matchup?
Ted: Michael Wilson. He is available in 90% of leagues, as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride are projected to dominate targets in the Cardinals’ offense. But Wilson saw nine targets on Sunday, catching eight for 64 yards. Heading into a matchup with the Commanders, who bring a juicy combination of terrible secondary play and fast-paced offense, he could have another solid day. This is especially true if McBride misses time in the concussion protocol.
Daniel: Tyler Conklin combined for two catches and 16 yards over the first two weeks before going off for 93 yards on five receptions. There’s a history of tight ends excelling with Aaron Rodgers, and if nothing else, he has a good matchup against Denver in Week 4.
Mark: It’s got to be Cordarrelle Patterson this week. You have Jaylen Warren limping off the field, Najee Harris in a sling, and Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator. If you are searching for a running back who you need to play in a spot start situation, then Patterson could be a sneaky good option if those other two guys are out or limited.
Morgan: I’ll go with Khalil Shakir. He’s had a solid start to the season, is coming off his best game and is facing a Baltimore defense that’s been shredded by opposing wideouts so far.
Is there a defense that is worthy of a waiver claim this week?
Ted: The Titans just got beat down by Malik Willis … surely they can’t lose to Skylar Thompson/Tim Boyle?
Daniel: Cleveland hasn’t gotten any better with Deshaun Watson under center. The Giants sacked Watson eight times, and now he goes up against Maxx Crosby. The Raiders D/ST could come up with a few takeaways and multiple sacks.
Mark: The Titans. Tyler Huntley will be an upgrade over the abominations Miami had under center last week, but that team can’t do anything when Tua Tagovailoa misses time.
Morgan: I’ll say the Bengals. They are desperate for a win and facing the Panthers in Week 4. Andy Dalton helped the Carolina offense look good in Week 3, but I think a focused Cincy defense dominates here.
Which player who is likely a free agent has the most mystique around him, making it hard to get a read on his current and future value?
Ted: I’m going to go with Xavier Legette. Will Adam Thielen miss extended time with his hamstring? Will Legette take his place if he does? Was Andy Dalton’s success a one-week wonder? Will Bryce Young ever come back? Is Legette even any good? I don’t know the answer to any of these questions, but I do know that a first-round rookie WR on what is suddenly a potentially solid offense is worth considering.
Daniel: Roschon Johnson was drafted in the fourth round last year with thoughts he could take over the lead role in Chicago. He was buried when the Bears signed D'Andre Swift to a sizable contract this offseason, but Chicago has maybe been the worst running team in the league through three weeks. Johnson received eight carries in Week 3, greatly outperforming Swift, and he could feasibly grab a role if he plays like the best back.
Mark: For me it’s Quentin Johnston. He’s a second-year first-round pick who has a legitimate shot to stake his claim as the top threat in an offense led by a big-armed Pro Bowl QB. On the other hand, he’s been a disaster up until the past two weeks and has to deal with an overrated, injury prone QB in a run-first offense. All of these things are true, and it makes it tough to trust him or ignore him.
Morgan: I’ll say Zach Ertz. He’s turned in three solid performances, but also has a rookie quarterback throwing to him and a rookie tight end waiting for his chance to shine. I thought Ertz might be faded out of the offensive plan as the season progressed and Washington fell out of the playoff picture, but now I’m wondering if they stick with the veteran tight end as they chase a playoff spot.
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