NFL Waiver Wire: Week 4 Pickups

Another crazy week in the NFL and we're starting to get an idea of the elite teams in the league. Has a 2-0 team ever switched quarterbacks mid-game (not due to injury) like the Bears did and come back to win? My Bills almost went all Falcons and are one of those 3-0 teams and leading the AFC East for the first time in a long time entering Week 4. Forget that nonsense, let's get to this week's waiver wire.

One point, and I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT overreact to one week. For example, Dontrelle Inman IS NOT going to win your league. If I skip a one-week wonder like that, there's a reason. Please feel free, though, to ask in the comments about any of those type of players if you're considering them.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

PRIMARY TARGETS

Nick Foles, CHI - The Bears traded money and a fourth-round pick for Foles, so it shouldn't be a surprise there was a short hook for Mitchell Trubisky. Foles replaced Trubisky on Sunday and —after a contested interception on his first drive — led his Bears back from a big deficit to win. He wisely targeted Allen Robinson (who had another close touchdown called back) and Anthony Miller and will benefit from working with the first string in practice this week. Bump up your bids in two-QB/Super-flex leagues as this will be more than a one-week trial for the Super Bowl winner. FAAB: $8-$16

Hail Mary

Nick Mullens, SF - I don't want to discredit Mullens at all — he's probably one of the more talented backups in the league. However, this is a great system being run by the 49ers. Without so many of the key players on offense Mullens somehow made it work. That said, it also helps that the Giants are absolutely terrible as a defense. San Francisco is looking at the big picture in resting Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle and Raheem Mostert. I think Jimmy G will be back sooner than later or I'd be higher on Mullens. Let's watch the RotoWire notes this week and boost up the bid if Jimmy is out Week 4. FAAB: $1-$2

Running Back

PRIMARY TARGETS

Carlos Hyde, SEA - "Not at the table, Carlos" would be the biggest beneficiary if starter Chris Carson misses time with a first-degree sprained knee. Without Carson, Hyde would be in line for double-digit carries, including all of the short yardage or goal-line work. Travis Homer would also be in line for a boost in touches for those in deeper leagues. Running backs have thrived playing alongside Russell Wilson; just realize this shouldn't be an extended absence for Carson. FAAB: $10-$20

SECONDARY TARGETS

Rex Burkhead, J.J. Taylor, Damien Harris, NE - Others will be much higher on Burkhead than I, but let me explain why I'd pump the brakes. He scored 3.2 and 4.9 fantasy points in his first two games and it's doubtful he has another two-touchdown game this season. Burkhead was fourth on his team in carries (six) and his real value is in PPR leagues as he's holding down the "James White" role. Unfortunately, it's unknown when White (personal) will return; it could be as soon as this week. Taylor led the rushing attack Sunday with 11 carries, but it was Sony Michel who was the most efficient (nine carries, 117 rushing yards). Damien Harris generated some preseason buzz before hurting his finger and could be back as soon as this week. Now is the time to buy him while his price is this low. All in all, it'll be hard to trust any of the Patriots backs on a weekly basis as this is a situation where rostering a "team backfield" would be nice. FAAB: Burkhead $3-$6;  Harris $1-$2; Taylor FCFS or $1

Wide Receiver

PRIMARY TARGETS

Allen Lazard, GB - Lazard filled in admirably for Davante Adams with a big game Sunday night. He finished with 8-6-146-1 for his second productive fantasy game of the season. It appears he now has the trust of Aaron Rodgers and has firmly established himself as the No. 2 receiving option. Lazard is available is more than half of all Yahoo fantasy football leagues. FAAB: $12-$20

Justin Jefferson, MIN - After a quiet first two weeks of his professional career, Jefferson broke out in a big way Sunday with 9-7-175-1 against the Titans. He should leapfrog Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe with this effort and be the second receiving option to Adam Thielen. The Vikings will remain a run-first offense but that mean Jefferson should find himself in very favorable one-on-one matchups. FAAB: $10-$15

Greg Ward, PHI - The list of injured Philadelphia wide receivers continues to grow, and the Eagles just (shockingly) added DeSean Jackson to the list. A former quarterback, Ward got a team-high 11 targets in Sunday's tie and even had his number called for a running play. He's the last man standing at wide receiver, so as long as Jackson and Jalen Reagor are sidelined he'll be heavily counted on.  FAAB: $10-$15

Brandon Aiyuk, SF - Aiyuk showed what a versatile player he is Sunday, hauling in five passes for 70 yards and rushing three times for 31 yards and a score. 49ers wide receivers  have been hit hard by injuries and Aiyuk should maintain a prominent role in the offense. It's a good matchup this week against the Eagles, but it remains to be seen who will be under center for San Francisco FAAB: $10-$15

Scotty Miller, TB - Beam him into your lineup this week, especially in PPR formats. It appears that Chris Godwin could miss this week's game and Miller should see an uptick in targets. He had a long completion with Tom Brady that the defensive player committed DPI on and he still caught the 47-yard pass. He's the new Julian Edelman for Brady. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Tee Higgins, CIN - The Bengals have transitioned to Tyler Boyd becoming the top receiving option and Higgins may take over as the No. 2 guy with A.J. Green off to a slow start. The injury to C.J. Uzomah doesn't hurt either and John Ross wasn't even active (coach's decision). It's a matter of time before Higgins gets behind the defense for a long touchdown. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Hunter Renfrow, LV - Renfrow benefitted from the absence of Henry Ruggs, parlaying nine targets into six catches for 84 yards and a score. He narrowly missed another touchdown where he was ruled down at the one instead of scoring. Renfrow could be very busy this week if Ruggs is out again and if Bryan Edwards misses time with the ankle injury. It'll just be tough to count consistently on Renfrow week in and week out. FAAB: $1-$2

Cedrick Wilson, DAL - Wilson was the surprise double touchdown scorer Sunday after seeing only seven offensive snaps in the first two games of the season. He's the fifth receiving option for the Cowboys and isn't worth an add outside of deeper leagues. The game flow dictated more wide receivers be on the field for obvious passing downs and Wilson took advantage. The only way he becomes relevant in most fantasy formats would be if one or probably two wide receivers go down with an injury. FAAB: FCFS or $1

Tight End

HAIL MARY

Drew Sample, CIN - C.J. Uzomah is out for the season, leaving Sample as the best fantasy tight end on the Bengals. Unfortunately, he only had one target for one catch for one yard, but the week before had nine targets from Joe Burrow. Penciling in 4-6 targets per week for Sample seems reasonable. FAAB: $1-$2