Cardinals running back Trey Benson is a top waiver priority after a season-ending injury to James Conner.
Several wide receivers, including Tre Tucker and Jalen Tolbert, are emerging as valuable pickups.
Fantasy managers should also consider adding promising rookie running backs as insurance policies.
A week ago, many fantasy football managers were scrambling to find a decent fill-in quarterback in the wake of multiple injuries to starters.
This week, the quarterback situations are much more settled … but that’s not the case with some of the other skill positions.
Week 4 feels like a transition week, with some backfield rotations starting to evolve and several wide receivers getting an opportunity to show what they can do. In addition, we may see a few missing wideouts make their season debuts this week, so check you league’s waiver wire carefully to see if the Vikings’ Jordan Addison or the Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin happen to be free agents.
Meanwhile, here are some of the top pickup options for the coming week.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 4
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (52% rostered)
One of the most deflating developments of Week 3 was the season-ending foot injury suffered by James Conner. Benson was already one of the most valuable backup running backs because he and Conner were almost splitting snaps evenly anyway. Benson probably doesn’t have Conner’s upside, but he’s never really had a chance to be a lead back before. Now he does — for the rest of the season. (Recommended FAAB bid: $55)
WR Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders (4%)
The Raiders couldn’t keep up with the Commanders on Sunday, but Tucker stood out in a losing effort. With Geno Smith forced to air it out to mount a comeback, Tucker found himself on the receiving end of eight passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. That performance (40.9 points in PPR scoring) made him the fantasy WR1 on the week. The stars were aligned for Tucker’s big day, but the Raiders could be facing big deficits against the Bears, Colts and Chiefs as well in the next few weeks. (FAAB bid: $10)
WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (0%)
Another big injury Sunday was CeeDee Lamb leaving in the first half with a high ankle sprain. It’s probably going to be at least a month of recovery time for Lamb, which means Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin will need to become more involved in the passing game. Tolbert did have seven TD receptions last season. (FAAB bid: $8)
WR Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs (3%)
Sunday marked Thornton’s second consecutive game with a touchdown reception. (And he almost had another on a call that was overturned by replay.) The fourth-year receiver is finding ways to beat opposing secondaries and Patrick Mahomes is giving him a chance to make the play. Sure, we’re waiting on Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to return, but Thornton’s seeing targets now. (FAAB bid: $7)
RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (17%)
Kyren Williams is still the unquestioned starter, but Corum is seeing consistent snaps, and he tied his career high with eight carries on Sunday. Corum scored a short-yardage touchdown in Week 2 and rushed for 53 yards in Week 3. If anything should happen to Williams, Corum would vault into must-start territory. (FAAB bid: $6)
RB Woody Marks, Houston Texans (9%)
The Texans are still waiting on Joe Mixon’s return, but there’s still no official timetable. The theme continues this week with another player who is seeing more touches and carving out a more defined role. The fourth-round pick most recently had six carries to nine for Nick Chubb. And he’s seeing work in the receiving game. (FAAB bid: $4)
RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (13%)
Feel free to pick your favorite backup running back this week. Monangai had his snap count decrease from Week 2 to Week 3, but this is clearly a two-man backfield with D’Andre Swift. With Swift dealing with a leg injury, the rookie from Rutgers is a great insurance policy. (FAAB bid: $4)
WR Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks (2%)
Another rookie, this time a fifth-rounder, seems to be making his mark in just a few touches each week. Horton caught a TD pass for the second straight week and he added an electrifying 95-yard punt return for a score against the Saints on Sunday. He mostly sees the field in three-WR sets with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, but we may be hearing more from Horton in the future. (FAAB bid: $3)
RB Hassan Haskins, Los Angeles Chargers (0%)
A torn Achilles for Najee Harris pushes Haskins up the depth chart behind starter Omarion Hampton. Haskins vultured a couple of goal-line touchdowns last year and could be the go-to short-yardage back going forward. He hasn’t yet tallied a carry this season, but a full week of practice will tell us a lot more about his role. (FAAB bid: $1)
WR Demarcus Robinson, San Francisco 49ers (0%)
In really deep leagues, Robinson could be a sneaky addition this week — even though he hasn’t yet played a snap with the Niners. The 10-year veteran was suspended for the first three games of the season, but he’s now eligible to return. Wideouts Brandon Aiyuk (PUP, knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) haven’t been healthy and Ricky Piersall needs some help. (FAAB bid: $1)
If you’re in a shallow league and want more waiver wire options, check out last week’s waiver wire targets, many of whom could still be available this week.