A few notes from week 4:

• Rashee Rice represented the biggest injury of the weekend.  As I’m writing this, the ACL tear isn’t confirmed, but odds are strong that he’ll miss the rest of this year (and don’t forget there’s litigation and a possible suspension looming).  If you’re looking for a wide receiver to step into this role, I don’t think that’ll be the case.  What I saw over the first three weeks was that Mahomes was throwing those “gotta have it” plays to Rice.  When it was a crucial 3^rd and 4, rather than chucking the ball to Kelce as he had for the past few years, Rice was getting those quick targets.  With Rice out, I think Kelce will emerge and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he had his best game of the season.  If you are really looking for an emerging KC receiver, and assuming Xavier Worthy is rostered everywhere, then I think JuJu Smith-Schuster will slide into that role.  Justin Watson will have chances, but he’s had his chances before.  Sky Moore may get more routes, but not enough to be interesting.
• I also want to talk about Washington RB Jeremy McNichols who had a great game.  He looked like a good runner, but he was getting those reps in this offense because Austin Ekeler missed the game with a concussion.  Ekeler, not McNichols would have had the big game had he played.  I don’t think you need to prioritize McNichols this week.
• There’s still not much at the TE position
• I’m writing this before Monday Night Football.  If there are injuries, obviously we’ll want to take a close look at replacements.  I will say I’m very interested to see the development of Julian Hill (TE) and Jaylen Wright (RB).  Hill has quietly led the Dolphins in snaps this year.  With QB play struggling in Miami, perhaps Hill will get another chance?  As for Wright, he just needs a chance.  If Mostert misses another game, Wright I really  hope he can get about 10 touches to see what he can do.  I think he’s a future star in Miami.

NFL Waiver Wire Targets for Week 4:

Quarterback:  

1. Sam Darnold (57% available) – If you’re waiting on him to start playing poorly, you’ll be waiting all season.  He should not be available in over half the leagues out there.    
2. Justin Fields (66%) – I think he had the best game of his career as a passer yesterday.  With each week, he’s making Russell Wilson’s job a bit harder. 
3. Geno Smith (71%) – he has a strong group of WRs to throw to. 
4. Andy Dalton (91%) – The “Red Rifle” is back.  Bryant young isn’t going to get his job back this year.  Dalton breathed life into a decent pass catching group. 
5. Caleb Williams (47%) – He hasn’t played well, but I don’t think he’s been awful.  His line is poor (though Williams is taking sacks he shouldn’t be taking).  The scheme isn’t doing him any favors.  That said, I thought he’s had two decent performances in a row.  He’s only 4 games into his career.  Think about this – if he’d gone 17/23 for 157 yards and a TD in his first start, people would have been happy about that.  Well, he did it in week 4.  Bottom line: he’s getting better and he has good receivers to throw to. 

Running Back:

1. Braelon Allen (55%) – Get him while you still can.  Through 4 games, he’s looked more impressive as a runner and does have hands to catch.  Breece Hall will continue to be your starter, but Allen will continue to play.
2. Kareem Hunt (79%) – Hunt and Perine both vaulted past rookie Carson Steele this week.  I think this will be Hunt’s job until Pacheco returns in a couple of months.    
3. Bucky Irving (49%) – At worst, he’ll split time with Rachaad White the rest of the way.   
4. Tank Bigsby (94%) – he’s outplaying Travis Etienne with the ball in his hands.  Will that continue?  I don’t know, but the potential for Bigsby is there.  This will probably continue working its way into a 50/50 backfield split in 2024.
5. Keaton Mitchell (96%) – we’re a few weeks away from Mitchell being eligible to return.  I would pick him up now and stash him on your injury list if you have space.
6. Dalvin Cook (97%) – A lot of columnists are putting Rico Dowdle (57% available) on their lists this week, but I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen.  I don’t think Dallas is either.  When will Dalvin get his chance? 
7. Alexander Mattison (70%) – Zamir White had a decent game this week but there’s no denying Mattison is outproducing him.  Mattison is doing this with a fraction of the snap counts.  If the Raiders wise up and put Mattison in the lineup the bulk of the time, he could be a very good back the rest of the season.    
8. Audric Estime (99%) – The Broncos haven’t been happy with their RBs, which is why everyone is getting a chance.  Maybe Estime takes this job over when he returns to action? 
9. Tyler Allgeier (59%) – he’s getting yardage and Robinson isn’t (yet).  Allgeier should be on your radar at this point. 
10. Roschon Johnson (87%) – Johnson is the clear short yardage back for the Bears moving forward.

Wide Receiver:

1. Josh Downs (92% available) – Downs and Pittman Jr. will benefit greatly from Flacco running this offense.  I think Richardson will be back soon enough, but Downs is still worth grabbing.  He had a great game vs the Steelers. 
2. Dontayvion Wicks (80%) – I’d have him as my #1 WR this week if it weren’t for the Packers continuously spreading the ball around to 7 or 8 pass catchers.  This week was a bit of an outlier because the Packers had to throw more than they usually would.
3. Wan’Dale Robinson (73%) – I’m impressed what he’s done through the first four games.  The opposition will do their best to stop Nabers, which opens things up for Robinson.
4. Jauan Jennings (64% available) – I’m encouraged by his output with the 49ers having Deebo and Kittle back in action.  Purdy trusts Jennings and he looked in his direction more than he was in 2023 and to start 2024.  And the harsh truth is that Jennings is playing better than Aiyuk is right now.
5. Allen Lazard (60%) – The Jets didn’t play well vs the Broncos, but Lazard was still looking like WR2 in New York.
6. Jakobi Meyers (32%) – The Browns focused their top coverage on Meyers with Adams out of the lineup.  Meyers plays better when he has easier matchups (as anyone would).  Adams will be back soon enough which will also help Meyers. 
7. Wan’Dale Robinson (85%) – I’ve been avoiding him for a while because he fooled me a couple of years ago.  He has the talent and the Giants are throwing the ball to him plenty.  If that continues, he’ll be a worthwhile flex option in PPR formats.
8. Tre Tucker (90%) – he just seems to be getting a little better every week.  He needs more snaps.
9. Rome Odunze (32%) – his stats took a step back with Keenan Allen back in action.  I think the Bears offense will improve and Odunze is very good. 
10. Quentin Johnston (53%) – His production took a step back as the Charger receivers improved (and with Herbert playing through injury).  I still like his potential. 
11. Jordan Whittington (98%) – He had the game this week that I thought he was going to have last week.  Either way, he’s looking great for a rookie. 
12. Tutu Atwell (93%) – I’d have him higher on my list, but I saw this exact trend in 2023.  Atwell has played very well, but will he stay on the field when Nacua and Kupp return?  I thought so last year, but Nacua passed him on the depth chart.  Are we seeing history repeat itself with Jordan Whittington? 
13. Xavier Legette (75%) – If he can repeat his performance a couple more times, it’s possible Thielen doesn’t get his job back when he returns from his hamstring injury. 
14. JuJu Smith-Schuster (99%) – Rice is out.  I think Kelce will benefit the most at tight end, but Smith-Schuster could see more playing time.  That would necessitate the Chiefs moving Justin Watson to the slot though. 
15. Keon Coleman (37%) – I thought he took a step forward against the Ravens.  The Bills were looking his direction often and tried to hit him on a couple of deep balls.  He also made a couple of tough contested catches.  He’s not wowing people like Marvin Harrison Jr or Malik Nabers, but this steady progression through 4 games is what you want to see from an emerging rookie WR in a good passing offense.

Tight End:

1. Cole Kmet (37% available) – Slim pickings at the TE position again this week and Kmet continues to lead my recommendation.  He’s putting up top 10 point averages so far this season and I will repeat what I’ve said above, I think the Bears passing offense will start to improve.
2. Taysom Hill (73%) – As I’ve said before, Hill is effectively the goal line running back for the Saints.  He’ll get you points.
3. Zach Ertz (45%) – coming into week 4, he was averaging more points per game than Kelce.  The Washington passing attack is being spread around, but Ertz’s average will boost significantly when the touchdowns start coming along. 
4. Tucker Kraft (95%) – he’s coming along well for a second year player.  The problem is that there aren’t enough targets to go around in Green Bay for Kraft to truly be a weekly starter for you.
5. Brenton Strange (88%) – Engram may come back this week and if so, Strange won’t have much value this year.  But if he can have one breakout game before Engram retakes the field, Strange could burst onto the scene.  Time is running short for the 2^nd year tight end.

Defense:

1. Minnesota (55% available) – They are one of the top fantasy defenses out there and are playing a Jets team that are struggling to move the ball this coming week.
2. Seattle (64%) – They’re playing great under the new coaching staff and are facing off against the Giants in week 5.
3. Denver (95%) Denver played a great game vs the Jets in week 4 and return to home to play the Raiders in week 5.
4. New England (98%) – they are playing Miami in week 5 and will be a good stream option for you
5. Chicago (73%) – the defense won them the game in week 4.  They’re playing the Panthers in week 5.