Fantasy Football Week 4 Late-Week Streamers: Andy Dalton, Roschon Johnson, Michael Wilson and More
Two players at each offensive fantasy position who are widely available in fantasy leagues and have reason to possibly expect good results.
Some people are on top of the fantasy football waiver wire and free agent market, often scoping out available players every day and making frequent moves to keep the strongest roster possible. Others look at their fantasy team for the first time on Saturday and set their lineup with minimal research.
For those in the latter category, it can be hard to find capable players if you’re suffering from injuries or bye weeks (coming soon!). There are always guys available if you’re willing to look hard enough, though their ceilings are usually pretty low. They don’t have to be stars: they just have to get us through one week.
Let’s look at players at each offensive fantasy position who are probably in your free agent market on Saturday or Sunday and can be picked up and put in your lineup if you’re stuck. These guys are mostly owned in under 25% of leagues, so they’re not high-level performers, but they are available and have at least decent matchups.
Quarterback
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
I’m not counting on Dalton to continue playing All-Pro football, but it was kind of amazing how smooth he looked running Carolina’s offense given Bryce Young’s struggles. Daton threw for 319 yards on 8.6 yards per attempt with three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Raiders.
Dalton’s old team, the Bengals, had maybe the worst pass defense in football last season. They held down Jacoby Brissett and the Patriots in Week 1, but that’s no big feat. Cincinnati held Patrick Mahomes to 151 yards and 6.0 yards per attempt in Week 2; they also picked him off twice, though he threw for two touchdowns.
Week 3 was a different story, however, as Jayden Daniels went 21/23 for 254 yards (11.0 per attempt) with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Washington’s passing game had been questionable to start the season but exploded against the Bengals.
Dalton isn’t as dynamic as Daniels, but he’s a veteran who just proved he can succeed in this offense. If you’re desperate at quarterback, Dalton is a decent bet to at least put up OK numbers.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns @ Las Vegas Raiders
How many times are we going to do this, Deshaun? First, I thought he could find his old form; then I thought he could at least be a guy whose running set his fantasy base with inconsistent passing production. Now? Now it’s a question of whether he can hold onto the starting job in Cleveland.
Watson has been under 200 passing yards and 6.0 yards per attempt in each game this season, totaling three touchdowns and two interceptions. He has run for 85 yards and a touchdown, decent output, but not enough to carry his fantasy production.
We just hit on the Raiders’ defensive struggles last week, and the number of missing starters makes it seem like that might continue in Week 4. Pass rusher Maxx Crosby, Vegas’ best player, will miss the game, changing the entire defense. Add in linebacker Divine Deablo and the offense missing multiple starters, and the Raiders are set up to struggle.
Watson is a tough player to trust. His performance isn’t up to standard, but his upside as a runner and the Raiders missing big-time talent give him some fantasy value this week if you’re desperate for a QB.
Running Back
Cam Akers, Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Late-week running backs can be almost impossible to find sometimes. Akers’ fantasy value is tied to the status of Joe Mixon, who missed last week and is questionable for this one.
Akers started in his place, and while he didn’t get many opportunities as the team was blown out by the Vikings, he led the team with nine carries (for just 21 yards) and caught an eight-yard touchdown.
It’s tough to expect big production, but Houston should also be in a much better position in this game against the Jags than they were while being dominated in Minnesota. If Akers is leading the attack again and his team plays better, he should get enough volume to at least be a flex player in Week 4.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams
Chicago’s running game has been putrid. The team has run for 218 yards on 72 attempts, a 3.0 average. That includes Caleb Williams, who has gained 67 yards on 11 carries. Take out Williams’ runs from the quarterback position, and the team is at 61 for 151 (2.5 per attempt).
After not playing in Week 1 then not recording any stats in Week 2, Johnson received eight carries for 30 yards and caught four passes for 32 yards last week. Free agent signing D'Andre Swift has been completely ineffective, averaging less than 2.0 yards per rush. The team has nothing to lose by giving Johnson a bigger role.
The Rams have allowed the third-most rushing yards and yards per attempt this year, and they have given up the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs. This team has struggled against both the rush and the pass; they might soon become one of the most popular teams to target with fantasy players.
Johnson is a lottery ticket who might end up not getting many touches. He should only be considered in super deep leagues if you’re without other options. There is a chance he finds success, though, if Johnson gets enough volume to show what he can do.
Wide Receiver
Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders
This is about the matchup. I mentioned Cincinnati’s poor pass defense last year, but Washington was probably worse. It has been the same story in 2024, as the Commanders have allowed the fifth-most passing yards, fourth-most yards per attempt and the most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Dortch and Wilson have both caught 11 passes, with Wilson gaining 100 yards and a touchdown and Dortch accumulating 93 yards. They are behind just Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride in receiving production on the team, and McBride will miss this one with a concussion, leaving more for the secondary receivers.
This is just a case of guys getting a chance in a great matchup. Dortch and Wilson can both be considered in a WR3/4/flex spot, though it’s 50/50 as to who will play better.
Jahan Dotson, Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dotson’s case is more about opportunity than anything else. DeVonta Smith has already been ruled out, and A.J. Brown has missed the past two games and is questionable for this one. If they are both out, Dotson would be thrust into the WR1 spot and almost become fantasy relevant by default.
Dotson was with Washington for most of the preseason before joining Philly in a trade right before the season; he’s probably still getting comfortable in his new home. More volume while getting better in his role could add up to a good fantasy week.
Tampa Bay has been decent against the pass, but they are missing defensive pieces who are injured, including possibly star defensive tackle Vita Vea. More than the defense, though, Dotson is here because he will maybe get WR1 volume and is available in virtually every fantasy league.
Tight End
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were the worst team against fantasy tight ends last season by a wide margin. They haven’t been as bad in 2024, but Noah Fant, Pat Freiermuth and Cade Otton don’t exactly inspire Gronk-esque expectations.
Conklin was anonymous in the first two games, combining for two catches and 16 yards. He exploded for 93 yards on five receptions last week, showing some of the upside that comes with being a tight end for Aaron Rodgers.
It’s tough to trust Conklin after the first two games, but there are much worse desperation plays given the matchup and Conklin’s quarterback.
Hayden Hurst, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This one is all about the matchup. The Chiefs have been by far the worst team against tight ends this season. It’s been a constant theme:
- Week 1 – Isaiah Likely: 9 catches, 111 yards, 1 touchdown
- Week 2 – Mike Gesicki: 7 catches, 91 yards
- Week 3 – Kyle Pitts: 2 catches, 59 yards
Hurst only has five receptions for 53 yards on the season; there’s a really low floor on this play. If you’re without an option in a super deep league, though, the matchup offers some value in Week 4.
