Faraz's Week 4 Waiver Wire Targets

Faraz Siddiqi
Sep 23, 2024
4 min read

Here are the top options available in more than 50% of fantasy football leagues.

Waiver Wire Targets:

Jauan Jennings (WR - San Francisco 49ers) - 10% FAAB
- Jennings will be a low-end WR2 start for me if both Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are out again. If one is back, Jennings will have a huge range of outcomes, with a low floor. He’s worth picking up with Brandon Aiyuk occupied by Christian Gonzalez this week.
Bucky Irving (RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - 20% FAAB
- If Bucky Irving is still available on waivers, this is your last chance to grab him. Rachaad White was successful as a fantasy RB last year because he was the goal line back and he was a great receiver, and he still is a great receiver. He was a great receiver in college, and he continues to be one in the NFL but he was the most inefficient runners among qualifying RBs last year - we beat that horse to death this off-season, and despite the bad combine, despite the size, I wasn’t giving up on Bucky during the draft process if you had the rookie draft kit, you probably have Bucky on your dynasty team - but the Bucs flipped the script on Rachaad White’s usage in this past game, giving Bucky 56% of the rushing attempts, with Rachaad White going from above 50% to only 38%.
- When Todd Bowles was asked why Rachaad White still had a 73% snap share, he said it was because they were down and they were in passing mode - which makes sense. He also said that Bucky has earned more work moving forward - among 34 RBs with 25+ carries so far this year, he’s 2nd to JK Dobbins in yards/carry, 5th in explosive run %, 7th in missed tackles forced/att, 3rd in yards after contact/att - now, I wouldn’t expect him to get goal line carries, Rachaad White is still getting all of that, White is still going to get the passing-down work, but it was interesting to see Bucky get most of the 2-minute work in the last game - we’ll see if that becomes a trend. Bucky’s just a flex play right now, but there’s a chance if he remains efficient, he can be a little more than that… Rachaad White is the preferred play in this backfield right now until anything shifts even further, but there’s no doubt that he has taken a hit to his value moving forward.
Braelon Allen (RB - New York Jets) - 15% FAAB
- Braelon Allen is increasing his share of the backfield touches on the Jets - 30% of the rushing attempts in Week 2, 37% in Week 3 - unlike Bucky Irving, he has no chance at usurping Breece Hall as the guy in that backfield, and in close games, we’re most likely to see a lot more Hall than Allen - Breece still has high-end RB1 usage, but Allen can be started in the flex if you’re desperate because he’s ripping off chunk plays, he’s being targeted in the receiving game when he’s on the field, and he’s shown to be efficient - he has two Top-24 finishes in the last two weeks.
Quentin Johnston (WR - Los Angeles Chargers) - 10% FAAB
Cam Akers (RB - Houston Texans) - 10% FAAB
- The Texans' offense was out of sorts this past week and weren’t able to stay in a positive or neutral game script. However, Akers had an 82% rushing attempt share, so if Mixon were to miss again, Akers has a good shot at getting volume in a better matchup this week, at home against the Jaguars.
Cole Kmet (TE - Chicago Bears) - 5% FAAB
Cordarrelle Patterson (RB - Pittsburgh Steelers) - 5% FAAB
- Jaylen Warren might have a knee sprain, so it’s possible he won’t suit up in Week 4. Najee Harris was also seen in a sling after Sunday, but it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue. Patterson could see more work this week as a flex play.
Darnell Mooney (WR - Atlanta Falcons) - 5% FAAB
- Kirk Cousins seems to trust him. Volatile asset.
Mike Williams (WR - New York Jets) - 10% FAAB
- Went from 73% route participation to 55% last week. Could be because of a short week, but he’s a stash.
Samaje Perine (RB - Kansas City Chiefs)
Alexander Mattison (RB - Las Vegas Raiders)
- If Zamir White continues to be inefficient, Mattison can gain more work.
Sam Darnold (QB - Minnesota Vikings)
Justin Fields (QB - Pittsburgh Steelers)
Roschon Johnson (RB - Chicago Bears)
- D’Andre Swift has been one of the worst RBs this year, and Johnson was pretty good with his newfound opportunity in Week 3. No guarantee he keeps touching the ball, but flier to keep on bench for a week to see if it sticks.
Tyler Badie (RB - Denver Broncos)
- Badie now leads all Broncos RBs in rushing yards this year after this one game. He’s back on the practice squad after being elevated for this game, but that’s what happens to all practice squad players once a game is concluded. The team can choose to elevate him two more times before deciding whether he makes the active roster. Worth a shot based on how he looked on Sunday.
Jalen Nailor (WR - Minnesota Vikings)
- Three TDs three weeks in a row. Only playing him if Jordan Addison is out again.
Wan'Dale Robinson (WR - New York Giants)
- Clear number 2 target behind Malik Nabers. The offense is moving with Nabers doing his thing.
Ty Chandler (RB - Minnesota Vikings)
DeMario Douglas (WR - New England Patriots)
Geno Smith (QB - Seattle Seahawks)