With the Sunday main slate done, it’s never too early to turn our attention to Week 4 and start planning our attack on the fantasy football waiver wire!
Week 3 had some wild finishes (Ravens vs Lions anyone?) and some wild fantasy performances (MIKE WILLAMS CAN’T BE STOPPED). While the waiver wire is starting to thin out, there are still plenty of players who can bring you full-season fantasy upside. To make sure there’s at least one person on this list you can take action on, I’ve got two to three players per position, all of whom are under 50% rostered on Sleeper app.
May your waiver claims be successful!
Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers (32%) — Darnold has been, dare I say, better than good for the Panthers to start his time there. He has thrown for over 270 yards and scored at least once in every game this season. Thursday night against the Houston Texans, he threw for 304 yards and ran for 11 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has a blossoming rushing floor which is terrific to have at the QB position. With the Dallas Cowboys next on the schedule, Darnold’s strong start to the season has a good chance of continuing.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team (14%) — Since taking over the starting job in Week 2, Heinicke has scored over 20 fantasy points per game. Against the Buffalo Bills, Heinicke tossed for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing for 21 yards and a score. Heinicke has made the most of his opportunity and is worth adding if you’re in a deep Superflex league. Added bonus, he gets to face the Atlanta Falcons’ defense next week.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (41%) — Thursday Night Football was damped by the sight of Christian McCaffrey leaving the game with a hamstring injury. The injury is said to keep him out the next couple of weeks. This makes rookie back Hubbard the top waiver target for the week. Hubbard carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards and caught 3-of-5 targets for 27 yards Thursday against the Texans. We saw this story last year with Mike Davis filling in for McCaffrey and playing like a RB1. Hubbard at the very least has RB2 upside as the starting back in Carolina these coming weeks.
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19%) — It finally happened! Giovani Bernard finally got involved in the passing games for the Bucs! Bernard led the backfield in targets, catching 9-of-10 for 51 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Bernard suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury on the touchdown catch. His injury has to be monitored. If it isn’t major, we all know what a pass catching back can do with Brady under center. If Bernard’s role in Tampa continues to grow, he’s an easy flex starter in PPR leagues.
Wide Receivers
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals (57%) — This Cardinals offense knows how to put points and yards on the board. Kirk has had at least 65 yards in every game this season. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Kirk caught 7-of-8 targets for 104 yards. He led the team in targets and receptions (tied with Chase Edmonds). Kirk is just over 50% rostered but if he’s available in your league, he’s a must-add and belongs on every fantasy roster.
Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills (37%) — The Bills off-season signee has quickly emerged as an important part of the team’s offense. Sanders has seen at least 6 targets and 48 yards in each of the first 3 games this season. Against Washington, Sanders broke out in a major way, catching 5-of-6 targets for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns. While this stat-line won’t be the norm for Sanders, seeing upwards of six targets in one of the most pass happy offenses in the league is a great fantasy combo. Sanders is a weekly flex play with WR1 upside any give week.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders (21%) — Renfrow has seen at least 6 targets and 57 yards in each game this season. Renfrow posted 77 yards on 5 catches and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins Sunday. The Raiders are throwing the ball a lot to start the year and Renfrow has been consistently a top target of Derek Carr. It’s not sexy, but Renfrow is a great target in PPR leagues.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots (4%) — The Patriots’ offense was a hot mess against the New Orleans Saints Sunday. Mac Jones threw 3 interceptions and the ground game didn’t muster 25 yards. Big fat YIKES. Bourne was one of the lone bright spots, catching 6-of-8 targets for 96 yards and a score. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Texans, and Dallas Cowboys on the schedule, Bourne is a solid streaming option in deep leagues.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram, New York Giants (44%) — Engram played his first game this season Sunday against the Falcons. He only managed to catch 2 balls for 21 yards but Daniel Jones targeted him 6 times. With Sterling Shepard now nursing his own injury, the slot role in the Giants offense could fall back squarely in Engram’s lap. If he sees 6+ targets per game, that’s well worth adding off waivers at the tight end position.
Dawson Knox, Bills (12%) — Speaking of buying a part of this Bills’ passing game, Knox had a solid game Sunday. The tight end caught 4-of-5 targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. Knox has either caught a touchdown or gone over 40 yards receiving in every game this season. He’s a solid streaming option for the next few weeks with the Texans and Kansas City Chiefs next on the schedule for the Bills.
Who are you rushing to add off waivers this week?