Analysis
9/25/23
6 min read
2023 Fantasy Football: NFL Week 4 Waiver Wire Targets
Welcome to The 33rd Team’s fantasy football waiver wire article. The players listed below are recommended acquisitions in points-per-reception (PPR) and half-PPR scoring formats. The list will be updated as news breaks throughout the week.
Unless otherwise stated, players listed below are available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues.
>>READ: Takeaways From Every Week 3 Game
Top Waiver Wire Options
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins RB
De’Von Achane totaled 233 yards from scrimmage, four touchdowns and four receptions against the Denver Broncos. His team-high 18 rushing attempts silenced concerns about his 5-foot-9, 185-pound stature.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams QB
Add Matthew Stafford prior to Week 3’s Monday Night Football kickoff. His 320.5 yards passing per game rank No. 3 among NFL quarterbacks. He gets the Indianapolis Colts’ league-worst cornerback unit in Week 4, and No. 1 WR Cooper Kupp (hamstring strain/injured reserve) is expected to return in Week 5.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans QB
C.J. Stroud’s 302 yards passing per game rank No. 5 among NFL quarterbacks. He has thrown zero interceptions on 135 dropbacks (tied for second-highest). His 3.33 rushing attempts per game hint at an unrealized scrambling upside, and his Week 4 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, put tone-setting defensive tackle Cameron Heyward on injured reserve. Heyward has earned Pro Bowl honors every year since 2017.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans WR
Tank Dell made good on his Week 3 Waiver Wire Stash listing, catching five of seven targets for 145 receiving yards and one touchdown. His 26 routes run trailed only Robert Woods’ 28.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers WR
Fill-in QB Andy Dalton’s willingness to throw downfield raises Adam Thielen’s fantasy football ceiling. He is a WR3 in a Week 4 revenge game against the Minnesota Vikings. Starting QB Bryce Young (ankle) likely misses the contest.
Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers WR
Los Angeles X wide receiver Mike Williams suffered a torn ACL. Josh Palmer has played ahead of first-round rookie Quentin Johnston thus far.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers RB
Coach Kyle Shanahan made good on his intent to lessen No. 1 RB Christian McCaffrey’s workload, giving Elijah Mitchell 14 combined rushing attempts and targets in Week 3.
Melvin Gordon, Baltimore Ravens RB
Baltimore No. 4 RB Melvin Gordon is set to start for his team’s injury-ruined backfield in Week 4. No. 2 RB Justice Hill failed to practice in Week 3 due to a foot injury, and No. 3 RB Gus Edwards suffered a Week 3 concussion. Per Doctor of Physical Therapy Adam Hutchison’s Injury Report, running backs average 2.8 and 1.8 games, respectively, with those injuries.
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Stash These Players Now
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks RB
Zach Charbonnet has earned Seattle’s primary two-minute drill role and has factored into the green-zone offense.
Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos WR
Marvin Mims’ 195 receiving yards lead all Denver pass catchers, yet his 27 routes run is just eighth-most on the team. He tacked on a 99-yard punt return touchdown in Week 3. Coach Sean Payton will be scrambling for answers after surrendering 70 points to the Miami Dolphins. Expect Mims’ role to increase quickly.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts WR
Josh Downs has supplanted Alec Pierce as the No. 2 wide receiver in Indianapolis.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants WR
Wan’Dale Robinson played efficiently (2.33 yards per route run (YPRR)) in his return from ACL reconstruction.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs WR
Rashee Rice’s 2.77 YPRR leads all Kansas City wide receivers.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers WR
Jayden Reed’s 27 percent TPRR ranks No. 12 among 34 NFL wide receivers with at least 20 targets.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers WR
Quentin Johnston is an immensely talented tackle-breaking prospect who profiles as the long-term replacement for Williams.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints RB
Coach Dennis Allen deployed journeyman veteran Tony Jones Jr. ahead of Kendre Miller on Sunday, including on passing downs and in scoring position. Miller is a talent-based stash option, playing in a potential three-man backfield. Alvin Kamara returns from suspension this week.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens RB
Keaton Mitchell (shoulder) can return from injured reserve in Week 5. His 4.37-second 40-yard-dash speed provides an explosive element lacked by Gordon.
Streaming Options
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints QB vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay allows 7.6 yards per passing attempt (pre-Monday Night Football), the seventh-most in the NFL, so if Derek Carr doesn’t play due to an AC sprain in his shoulder, Jameis Winston is an option here.
Defenses
Seattle Seahawks D/ST @ New York Giants
The Seattle Seahawks are expected to get do-it-all safety Jamal Adams and No. 1 cornerback Tariq Woolen back in Week 4. New York Giants QB Daniel Jones’ four interceptions and 12 sacks are tied for third- and fourth-highest, respectively, among 33 NFL quarterbacks with at least 50 passing attempts.
Baltimore Ravens D/ST @ Cleveland Browns
The Baltimore Ravens’ 11th-ranked blitz rate (29 percent) and seventh-ranked blitz success rate (62.8 percent) present a problem for Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, whose six blitz-sacks are second-most in the NFL. His 6.3 yards per passing attempt against the blitz rank No. 27 among 33 NFL quarterbacks with at least 50 passing attempts.
Looking Ahead to Week 5
Defense
Arizona Cardinals D/ST vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Arizona Cardinals’ brilliantly coached defense ranks in the top 10 in sack rate (9.2 percent), despite utilizing the league’s second-lowest blitz rate (11.7 percent).
Tight Ends
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
Luke Musgrave’s paltry rostership rate is owed entirely to his and QB Jordan Love’s two missed connections downfield on would-be walk-off touchdown throws. Musgrave’s buy-low window remains intact with matchups against Detroit LB Alex Anzalone in Week 4 and the Las Vegas Raiders’ turnstile linebackers in Week 5.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert will be scanning for a new towering target to replace WR Mike Williams in scoring position. Las Vegas’ linebackers have performed poorly in tight end coverage this year.
Kicker
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
Head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer prefer short-area field goal attempts to fourth-down conversions. Brandon Aubrey leads the league with 10 field goals made, a 100 percent field goal conversion rate and, crucially, five goals made from 20 to 29 yards out.
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