With NFL week 3 officially in the books, the fantasy world can breathe a sigh of relief that most players made it out relatively unscathed on the injury front. Don’t get too excited, because it doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear just yet as far as your lineup is concerned. Week 4 brings us the first round of NFL bye weeks, and with 6 teams on bye, the losses will be felt across most lineups. Hopefully your team has the proper depth and you can take some of the knowledge you receive here to manage your team. Week 4 might also be noted as the true starting era of a pair of rookie QB’s; Blake Bortles in Jacksonville, and Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota. Both rookie options seemed to give a jolt to their respective offenses, and may also be able to give a jolt to your fantasy lineups going forward. Now let’s get right to it, here are the waiver wire additions for week 4 according to position priority:
Teams on Bye: Denver, Seattle, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Arizona, St. Louis
Quarterbacks to Add
1. Eli Manning, Giants: Eli comes into this week with an ESPN ownership percentage of 36.5%, making him widely available in most fantasy football leagues. Eli threw for 234 yards, 2 TD’s, and miraculously no interceptions last week against the Houston Texans. Eli has accumulated more fantasy points this year than Tom Brady and Tony Romo who have a much higher ownership and start percentage than Eli. Eli’s week 4 matchup against the Washington Redskins defense doesn’t hurt either. If you are in need of a bye week replacement QB, Eli can be a perfect fill-in.
2. Blake Bortles, Jaguars: Bortles will get his chance to prove why he was the number 3 overall pick in this past NFL draft. After an outstanding preseason in which Bortles ranked as the #1 QB on the ProFootball Outsiders metrics, Bortles magic is ready for the regular season. In garbage action last week against the Colts, Bortles was able to pass for 223 yards and 2 TD’s in just a half of play. I’m not saying that Bortles should be a plug-and-play option for this week, but he is worth a stash on your bench if you are un-happy with your QB play and want to take a flyer on a homerun option.
3. Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings: An injury to QB Matt Cassell forced Bridgewater into action Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Bridgewater didn’t light it up with just 150 yards passing and 0 TD’s, but the Minnesota offense has enough weapons around him to make him a serviceable NFL QB. Bridgewater can be added in really deep leagues or as the 3rd QB in a 2 QB league.
Running Backs to Add
1. Donald Brown, Chargers: If Donald Brown is available in your league; please do not hesitate to pick him up. Brown is the beneficiary of newfound opportunity due to injuries to Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead. Brown received 31 carries for 62 yards, and while that yard per carry isn’t going to jump out at you, the sheer volume should. Brown is the only show in town until Ryan Matthews returns in a few weeks, and he should be owned in all leagues and started in most.
2. Alfred Blue, Texans: Blue received the start last week against the Giants after Arian Foster was an extremely late scratch for the game. Blue did not disappoint in his first action as a starter, totaling 78 yards on just 13 carries. If you are an Arian Foster owner, Blue is a MUST add, if you aren’t Blue is worth a speculative add until Foster’s injury situation is sorted out. The one thing that Blue does have going for him is that he did not share much of the backfield work while foster was out, making him a true hand-cuff.
3. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ravens: Taliaferro was pretty much unknown to the fantasy community before Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, but the 2014 4th round pick from Coastal Carolina made a name for himself with his 18 carry 91 yard and 1 TD performance. The only reason why Taliaferro is ranked 3rd on this list is because of the uncertainty of his role once Bernard Pierce returns. Taliaferro is owned in 1.7% of ESPN fantasy leagues and is definitely worth a stash on your bench until this Baltimore backfield situation is sorted out.
Wide Receivers to Add
1. Jordan Matthews, Eagles: It was just a matter of time before Matthews would emerge ahead of Riley Cooper. Matthews was the Eagles second round draft pick out of Vanderbilt University, and there is no questioning the talent disparity between him and Cooper. Matthews probably needed a few extra weeks to adjust to the speed of the NFL game, but now that he’s got his feet under him, Matthews could be primed to shine in this explosive Eagles offense. Matthews is only owned in 3% of ESPN fantasy leagues, so go put in your claim for him ASAP.
2. Jeremy Kerley, Jets: Kerley is a point per reception league darling. He continues to rack up the catches in the Jets’ dink and dunk offense, led by Geno Smith. With Eric Decker being hampered by a hamstring injury, Kerley had 7 catches for 81 yards and 1 TD Monday night against the Bears. Kerley should be added in all PPR leagues.
3. Malcolm Floyd, Chargers: Floyd is the deep threat in the Chargers offense and is the most tenured WR to play with QB Phillip Rivers. Floyd’s explosiveness showed on Sunday vs Buffalo when he had 2 catches but for 98 yards. As long as Keenan Allen continues to struggle Floyd should be added and could even serve as a decent bye-week replacement option for this week with 6 teams out.
Tight Ends to Add
1. Owen Daniels, Texans: Daniels will be replacing the injured Dennis Pitta who was loss for the season with a hip injury. Daniels is very familiar with the Ravens offensive scheme since he played under offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak with the Houston Texans. Ravens QB Joe Flacco loves to look for his TE’s, especially down near the red zone. Daniels has already caught 2 TD’s this season, and that number should be on the steady incline with his newfound role in the Ravens offense.
2. Jared Cook, Rams: I’m not endorsing Jared Cook as a good teammate after his shoving incident of QB Austin Davis during the Rams’ epic collapse against the Dallas Cowboys, but Cook has 3 straight games with at least 4 catches, and with the TE landscape of fantasy football today that type of guaranteed workload cannot be ignored. Cook is on a bye this week, but could potentially help your team out down the line.
3. Heath Miller, Steelers: Miller is only owned in 11% of ESPN fantasy leagues, and that number should be a little bit higher considering his role in the Steelers offense. Miller is coming off a 4 catch 55 yard performance against the stout Carolina Panthers defense, and now gets the reeling Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday. Miller is the perfect plug-and-play option at TE if you need a bye week replacement.
Defenses and Special Teams to Add
1. Chargers, 4.2% ownership, Week 4 vs Jaguars
2. Steelers, 9.6% ownership, Week 4 vs Bucs
3. Dolphins, 1.7%ownership, Week 4 vs Raiders (London)