Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

Like week two, there were a lot of injuries that occurred this past week. Notable fantasy players include: Chris Carson, Tarik Cohen, Russell Gage, Diontae Johnson, John Brown, Michael Pittman Jr., Chris Godwin, Mike Williams, Jordan Reed and Dallas Goedert. Below are eight players that could be worthy of a waiver wire pickup for this week to help your fantasy team(s). Not included on this list: Carlos Hyde, Jeff Wilson Jr., Cedrick Wilson, Greg Ward, Chase Claypool, Tee Higgins, Dontrelle Inman, Keelan Cole, etc. are also some names you should consider taking a look at. Percent owned are based off Yahoo Fantasy Leagues. 

Mo Alie-Cox (TE) – Indianapolis Colts (10 percent owned)

Analysis: Even the return of Jack Doyle didn’t slow Alie-Cox down this past week. After a five reception day two weeks ago that turned into 111 receiving yards, the big tight end caught all three of his targets in week three for an even 50 yards and a touchdown. He has also scored at least 14 PPR Fantasy Points two weeks in a row now. The former college basketball star has carved out a nice role with this Indianapolis offense. He ranks tenth among all tight ends in fantasy so far this season. Go out and pick Alie-Cox up if you lack talent at your tight end spot. At worst, he is a very reliable TE2 to have stashed on your bench. 

Prediction: Alie-Cox and the Colts go to Soldier Field this weekend to take on the (3-0) Chicago Bears. Although the Bears have allowed just the 15th most fantasy points to tight ends this season, an opposing tight end has scored a touchdown in two of their first three games (TJ Hockenson and Hayden Hurst). The Giants didn’t have a tight end score in their matchup with the Bears, but Evan Engram caught six passes for 65 yards. With Michael Pittman Jr. out for a few weeks, expect Philip Rivers to rely on his big tight end even more than before. 

Jimmy Graham (TE) – Chicago Bears (10 percent owned)

Analysis: Graham has looked like a solid free agent acquisition so far for the Chicago Bears. He is second on the team in targets, and he leads the team with three receiving touchdowns so far. This tops the total amount of touchdowns scored by all tight ends last season for the Bears (2). The veteran saw 10 targets thrown his way against the Atlanta Falcons, and he caught six of them for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He also ranks seventh so far in total fantasy points scored by tight ends. It’s safe to say that Graham is worth being on most fantasy teams now. 

Prediction: Nick Foles took over for Mitchell Trubisky in the second half in Sunday’s game. When Foles was lining up under center, Graham caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. This exceeds his two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown he produced with Trubisky as his quarterback. Expect more targets and receptions with Foles as his new signal-caller. This week will be a true test as Indianapolis has allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. 

Rex Burkhead (RB) – New England Patriots (12 percent owned)

Analysis: Through three weeks, Burkhead has produced 46.9 PPR Fantasy Points (16th Ranked RB). He is coming off a monster performance against the Las Vegas Raiders where he produced 49 rushing yards, seven catches, 49 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. The veteran back took advantage of his opportunities with both James White and Damien Harris out. In a loaded backfield full of promising talent, Burkhead has been the most consistent, and he should have a large role from here on out. 

Prediction: It’s difficult to predict Burkhead having success like he did in week three once James White and Damien Harris come back to the field. White predominately does most of his damage as a receiver out of the backfield, and Harris was on his way to battling Sony Michel for the starting running back position before his injury. The Patriots also have rookie JJ Taylor, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent before the start of the season. For now, Burkhead has a great role on the team, and he will have a good opportunity to prove himself this week against an underrated Chiefs defense. Expect at least 15 touches for the man who finished second in fantasy points scored by a running back in week three. 

Brandon Aiyuk (WR) – San Francisco 49ers (29 percent owned)

Analysis: FINALLY. The rookie receiver for San Francisco put together a solid fantasy performance. It seems like the whole 49ers team is hurt, and Aiyuk took advantage this past week against the New York Giants. He caught five of his eight targets for 70 yards, and he also had a 31-yard rushing touchdown (21.1 PPR Points). Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, was impressed as he watched his first-round talent lead the team in all receiving categories on Sunday. His performance was good enough to place him as a nominee for rookie of the week. If you have a spot to fill, Aiyuk would be a smart waiver wire addition. 

Prediction: For now, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel are still out, but they both have a chance to play in week four. Whether his quarterback is Jimmy G or Nick Mullens, Aiyuk has a great opportunity to keep things rolling this week against a disappointing Philadelphia Eagles defense. On Sunday, Tyler Boyd torched Philly’s secondary as he caught ten passes for 125 yards. The Eagles have given up the tenth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and Aiyuk will look to take advantage of that. Expect the rookie receiver to be the team’s leading receiver in all categories until Kittle and Samuel come back to the field. 

Mecole Hardman (WR) – Kansas City Chiefs (32 percent owned)

Analysis: The electrifying receiver balled out for the Chiefs in their Monday Night win over the Baltimore Ravens. Hardman caught four of his six targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. With Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Clyde-Edwards Helaire as other receiving threats on the team, Hardman stood out with his big playmaking skills. Mahomes connected with him on a 49-yard heave that turned into a score right before halftime. His 18.1 PPR Fantasy Points in week three should be enough to convince fantasy owners to pick him up.  

Prediction: Although there is a ton of speed and talent on this offensive unit, Hardman could turn into a star. New England will be a true test to see if he can play like he did in week three consistently. The second-year-pro is a boom-or-bust receiver that is worthy of sitting on your bench until he proves he can be a consistent fantasy option. He’s a solid WR3 option if one of your more promising receivers hits a bye week. Expect at least four-to-six targets this week.

Justin Jefferson (WR) – Minnesota Vikings (32 percent owned)

Analysis: The rookie led all wide receivers in receiving yards this past week (175). Kirk Cousins finally started to look his way more as he targeted him nine times. Jefferson caught seven of those targets, and he also scored a touchdown. In his first two weeks of his young career, Jefferson only produced a combined 12 PPR Fantasy Points. In week three, he produced a whopping 30.5. He also outplayed Adam Thielen (5 targets, 3 catches, 29 yards and a touchdown) and Olabisi Johnson (1 catch for 24 yards), who were listed above him on Minnesota’s week one depth chart. His week three performance and high upside potential are good reasons why he is worth using a waiver wire for. 

Prediction: From here on out, expect Jefferson and Thielen to be Cousins’ top two receiving targets in this offense. As a rookie receiver, you are going to play inconsistent at times, so expect that from Jefferson. He will line up against a decent Houston Texans secondary that played a good game against a lethal Steelers receiving unit. This could be a down week for Jefferson, but he is worth sitting on your bench until he proves he’s a consistent/reliable receiver option. 

Myles Gaskin (RB) – Miami Dolphins (47 percent owned)

Analysis: Going into the season, the thought was that Jordan Howard and Matt Breida were going to split carries, and Gaskin was going to sit back and learn from the veteran backs. Things changed in a hurry as Gaskin has clearly taken over the lead running back spot on the team. In Miami’s Thursday night win over the Jaguars, the rookie back out touched (27) both Howard (3) and Brieda (3) by a long shot. Gaskin carried the ball 22 times for 66 yards while also catching five passes for another 29 yards. He has yet to score less than 10 PPR Fantasy Points in a game this season. A consistent running back stashed on your bench is a good feeling to have when one of your better backs takes a seat on their bye week. 

Prediction: Gaskin should out touch and outplay both Breida and Howard the rest of the season. Do not expect him to receive a ton of goal-line touches as that seems to be Howard’s only role on the team now. Expect the rookie to be a pivotal piece to Miami’s future and current offense from here on out. It won’t be surprising to see Gaskin touch the ball at least 20 times a game for the rest of the season. Seattle will be a good test for the young back as they have only allowed the seventh fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. 

Allen Lazard (WR) – Green Bay Packers (50 percent owned)

Analysis: Lazard finished week three with the second most receiving yards in the league with 146. He also caught six of his eight targets and scored a touchdown. With Davante Adams missing the contest, Lazard stepped up in a big way and proved to be a solid deep threat option. He caught two deep passes (48 yards and 72 yards) down the field where he burnt the opposing secondary. Unfortunately for him, Adams will more than likely return soon. His recent play should be good enough for him to earn more trust from Rodgers. Through three weeks, Lazard has produced the tenth most fantasy points (52.1) among wide receivers. 

Prediction: Although Adams is returning soon, Lazard should still serve as a viable receiving option for Rodgers in this offense. Adams was on the field in week one when Lazard caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Expect the third-year-pro receiver to serve as a good sidekick to Adams the rest of the season. With or without Adams on the field next week, Lazard should be productive against a weak Atlanta secondary. The Falcons have allowed six receivers to top 85 receiving yards in a game this year. They have also given up the third most fantasy points to wide receivers through three weeks.