Waiver Wire Week 4 – Fantasy Football 2024

The waiver wire has become a desolate place thanks to a downturn in scoring to start the year, but a changing of the guard in Tampa Bay and reinvigorated quarterbacks headline the waiver-wire column this week.

As always, I’m here every week with my top waiver additions of the week. Percentages are based on ESPN’s rostered player data.

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (16.4%)

Darnold appears the early leader for MVP, but the stench of his reputation has kept fantasy gamers from adding him to rosters. Kevin O’Connell has fostered a quarterback-friendly environment in Minnesota, and Darnold is thriving. Jordan Addison will return from injury soon as well, further helping the cause and keeping Darnold firmly in the QB1 conversation.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (24.1%)

The Steelers have yet to lose with Fields at the helm, and his job looks secure for now. While the defense predicated the team’s success, Fields has succeeded in his role as game manager. With soft matchups against the Colts, Cowboys and Raiders upcoming, Fields’ dual-threat ability offers QB1 upside.

Running Backs

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (32.8%)

If you haven’t added Irving while he’s been outplaying Rachaad White, now is the time. Irving has provided the Buccaneers’ coaching staff irrefutable evidence with his 6.2 yards per carry to White’s 2.1, and head coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday’s loss that Irving has earned more work going forward.

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (2.0%)

Wilson has impressed as the No. 2 back in Green Bay with MarShawn Lloyd sidelined.

In Week 3, Wilson turned 14 touches into 85 yards and a score, with the touchdown coming on a screen Wilson took for 31 yards. Josh Jacobs will remain the clear lead back, but look for Wilson to remain in a complementary role with room to grow should anything happen to Jacobs.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills (9.5%)

Davis’ role as the No. 2 running back on the best offense in football makes him a valuable commodity alone. While not the most impressive prospect, the rookie possesses the requisite size, speed and receiving ability to stay on the field in the event of a James Cook injury.

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (1.3%)

The injury bug bit the Chargers offense Sunday, with Justin Herbert, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater all suffering injuries Sunday.

Alt and Slater will miss time, and Herbert’s status is unclear. Either way, the Chargers offense relies on its strength at the tackle position, and the offense won’t be a favorable environment without their best players. Yet, Gus Edwards continues to falter and give Vidal daylight for the No. 1 job if J.K. Dobbins goes down. That role won’t offer much upside in the near term with the team in shambles, but it might later in the season when the stars have healed.

Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (9.5%)

In Downs’ first game back from a high-ankle sprain, he earned a strong 28% target share, but the Colts’ offensive struggles led to a muted fantasy total.

Those struggles are likely to continue in Week 4 against the Steelers before an easier schedule arrives, but Downs’ peripheral stats offer promise for future production if the offense can recover. Shane Steichen hasn’t lived up to his reputation of being a sharp play-caller and quarterback whisperer yet, but the season is still young.

On a thin wire, Downs is worth an add if roster space permits.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (12.1%)

With Trey McBride likely to miss time due to a concussion, Wilson’s opportunity figures to grow in his stead. Last week, Wilson caught eight of nine targets for 64 yards against the Lions, and the Cardinals have a great matchup against the Commanders this week.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (14.9%)

Robinson continues to provide a healthy floor with limited upside as the No. 2 target for the Giants. Working out of the slot, Robinson sees a lot of short targets and needs to find the end zone more often to start him with confidence, but up to this point he’s managed to compile his way to high-end WR4 status.

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (28.5%)

Douglas was the lone bright spot for the Patriots receiving corps last week, catching seven of nine targets for 69 yards, while adding a carry for nine yards as well.

Drake Maye is receiving first-team reps in practice, which may signal they plan to start him once they’re out of the gauntlet of tough matchups to start the year. Maye presents an unknown upside, which could lead to more productive offense if or when he takes over.

Tight End

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (26.3%)

Kmet’s talent was never the question, it was opportunity.

It appears even Shane Waldron recognizes Kmet as the superior talent in the tight-end room, and he’s earned the lion’s share of snaps over Gerald Everett. The Bears’ offense will remain dysfunctional until Waldron is fired and the offensive line improves, but volume will save its pass catchers for now. Kmet is a great target in the desert which is the tight-end position in 2024.

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (27.8%)

The Jets’ offense is starting to heat up and Conklin benefitted Thursday night against the Patriots, catching five of six targets for 93 yards. Tight ends in Rodgers-led offenses aren’t main fixtures historically, but their relevance comes from a trickle-down effect of offensive efficiency.

So long as Conklin’s snap share remains high, he’ll serve as a startable fantasy option.