First off, I’d like to say that I am honored that I will be writing my weekly Fantasy Football articles here, and I am more than excited to get started and contribute my Fantasy Football knowledge, starting with the Week 4 Waiver Wire.
This week, we had many new names contributing to their respective teams, whether it be catching TDs or simply just racking up yardage.
Some players are just weekly flukes, others are truly legit. Well, have no fear, because I’m here to tell you which waiver wire targets to scoop up this week.
Week 4 Waiver Wire
We used ownership percentages for CBSSports.com leagues.
Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cleveland
Available in 46% of CBS leagues
Hawkins has proven to be more than just a solid Fantasy option this season, he’s been a reliable source of production. In each of his first three weeks, Hawkins has had at least 70 receiving yards, and continues to be a reliable target for Brian Hoyer.
Hawkins had 10 targets in Week 1, 12 in Week 2, and 10 targets this week. In PPR leagues, Hawkins has been Fantasy gold, as he already has 29 receptions through the first three weeks of the season. Hawkins is still reliable in standard leagues also, and is a great option coming off the bench for Fantasy owners.
The Browns are missing WR Josh Gordon, who is still serving his 10-game suspension, and Hawkins is taking advantage of his opportunities. Hawkins is a guy you can count on for at least 7-8 Fantasy points a week, and that shouldn’t be changing anytime soon. Although, he is on a bye week in Week 4, he should still be a top priority to pick up off the waiver wire this week.
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City
Available in 44% of CBS Leagues
Smith started out the season relatively rough in Week 1, however, he has picked it up in Weeks 2 and 3 and looks like the Alex Smith that we saw last season.
In Week 2, Smith had a solid performance against Denver with 255 yards passing, and 42 rushing yards. In Week 3 against Miami, he was even better. Smith had 186 yards passing, with 3 passing touchdowns.
Smith had a very good season last year, and turned into a solid Fantasy option throughout the season. That trend should continue this season, as Smith looks as if he should repeat his success. Smith is a guy with very favorable matchups in the upcoming weeks, against New England (where the Chiefs should throw the ball a lot), against San Francisco, who has allowed an average of 22 Fantasy points to opposing Fantasy points this season, against San Diego, who has been relatively weak against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this season, and the list goes on.
With bye weeks upcoming, Smith could be a great replacement for guys with upcoming bye weeks such as Andy Dalton, Drew Brees, Nick Foles, Eli Manning, Colin Kaepernick and others.
Alfred Blue, RB, Houston
Available in 57% of CBS Leagues
Blue filled in for the injured Arian Foster this Sunday, who was out due to a hamstring injury. Blue did a solid job in his start on Sunday, with 13 carries for 78 yards, and added in a reception, which went for 10 yards.
Blue was praised by head coach Bill O’Brien after the game, as O’Brien said that Blue was a “tough kid” and “he is only gonna get better.” That being said, one thing I have learned over the years, is that hamstring injuries can be nagging, especially with a injury-prone running back like Foster. Not to mention, Houston is — and will continue to be — a run-first team, which should keep giving Blue a solid amount of touches, if in fact Foster continues to miss time.
Foster has already said that he “unsure” if he’ll be able to play next week. Especially if you’re a Foster owner, Blue is a great Week 4 waiver wire pickup.
Hakeem Nicks, WR, Indianapolis
Available in 35% of CBS Leagues
Nicks was a huge disappointment for many Fantasy owners last season, but a new scenery and system with Colts has looked to have revamped him to Fantasy relevance. Nicks scored his second TD of the season this week, as he caught four balls for 50 yards and a TD in the Colts’ win over the Jaguars.
Nicks also scored in Week 1 and has looked to be a primary target for Andrew Luck when the Colts are in the red zone. Nicks’s 6-foot-1 frame gives him a height advantage over many cornerbacks, which makes Luck instantly look his way when Indianapolis is inside the 10-yard line.
Nicks also racks up yardage, as he has 10 catches over the first three weeks, and that number could increase if WR T.Y. Hilton ends up missing time for the Colts. Nicks could continue to be a very good Fantasy option for the rest of the season, and is certainly worth a grab on the waiver wire.
Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore
Available in 75% of CBS Leagues
The news came out today that Ravens’ TE Dennis Pitta is going to miss the rest of the season, and that instantly opens up the door for Daniels to have a big role in Baltimore’s offense. Daniels came over to the Ravens this offseason from the Texans, and has proven to be a great pass-catching tight end over the course of his career. Now that Pitta is out, Daniels should see an increase in touches and balls caught, and a similar role to what he had in Week 2 against Pittsburgh, where he caught two touchdowns.
Also, Daniels is familiar with the Ravens offense, as Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was Daniels’ coach when he was with Houston, which makes Daniels even more of a reliable target for Baltimore. Joe Flacco has always been a fan of his tight ends, and Pitta’s injury makes Daniels an immediate impact Fantasy player, who should without a doubt be picked up from the waiver wire.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia
Available in 64% of CBS Leagues
The rookie receiver out of Vanderbilt had a game on Sunday which solidified why the Eagles selected him in Roudn 2 of this year’s NFL Draft. Matthews became an instant target for Nick Foles on Sunday, racking up eight receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
Foles targeted Matthews nine times on Sunday, which could be a sign for more upcoming production for Matthews. Matthews showcased plenty of talent coming out of Vanderbilt, and Philadelphia had enough faith in him to let go of star receiver DeSean Jackson.
Philadelphia’s offense is high speed, with high tempo, which also could mean for production for the speedy Matthews, who has a great skill set for the Chip Kelly offense. After his performance on Sunday, Matthews could end up being this year’s Keenan Allen, or in other words, this year’s breakout rookie receiver. With receivers like A.J. Green, Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald on bye weeks this week, Matthews could be a good replacement, and is certainly worth a roster spot.
Donald Brown, RB, San Diego
Available in 44% of CBS Leagues
Brown is filling in for Chargers’ starting RB Ryan Mathews, who is out for 5-6 weeks due to injury. Brown made his first start for San Diego on Sunday, and saw the ball plenty of times. Brown saw an astounding 31 carries, however, couldn’t do much with them, as he only had 62 yards.
The Bills run defense has proven to be tough to start the season, and Brown’s production should definitely increase, as he’ll get that type of work once again next week. To add to that, the Chargers also lost RB Danny Woodhead for the season, which means Brown is the only healthy capable back in the San Diego backfield.
In Fantasy, it is hard to find starting RBs, as you usually have to draft them in the first four rounds of your draft. Well, Brown is going to be the Chargers’ starting back for at least five weeks now, and has he some favorable matchups ahead of him. It starts this week, as the Chargers face off against the brutal Jaguars defense, then later plays the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos, who all have been relatively weak against the run this season.
Brown should be owned in all leagues, and you should definitely grab them from the waiver wire.
Follow me on twitter @Nadelman99 for any Fantasy Football questions, or feedback on my articles or my Week 4 waiver wire picks is always appreciated!
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