Week 4 Waiver Wire Targets

We’re heading into Week 4, and the waiver wire is starting to heat up. This week features the first real opportunity at a league-winning running back, some intriguing rookie wide receivers, and a few deeper stashes you’ll want to get ahead of before your league-mates do.

Trey Benson (RB - Arizona Cardinals)

This is our first legitimate waiver wire league-winner. Trey Benson is still available in roughly 40% of Sleeper leagues, and you should not let him sit there. Workhorse RBs don’t just pop up in Week 4, and Benson is talented enough to run away with this role.

After James Conner left Sunday’s game, Benson handled:

• 75% of snaps

• 78% of RB touches

• 57% route participation

He already had control of passing-down work coming in, and now he looks locked into a true every-down role. That’s why strong backups with existing roles are so valuable—they add the starter’s workload on top of what they already do.

Don’t forget the prospect profile: 3rd-round pick, 96th percentile career YAC/att among Power 5 RBs since 2014, 99th percentile missed tackles forced per attempt, and big-play ability. The talent is real, and the opportunity is here.

Recommendation: Drop the bag. All of it. Spend your # 1 waiver priority or as much FAAB as necessary.

---

Troy Franklin (WR - Denver Broncos)

Many fantasy managers grabbed Franklin after his Week 2 breakout, started him in Week 3, and got burned. But the usage tells us he’s still firmly in play:

• 90% route participation in Week 2

• 94% route participation in Week 3

• 21% target share through three weeks

  
  

The targets dipped in Week 3 (10%), but the playing time and slot role remain encouraging. Sean Payton clearly wants Franklin to be the Broncos’ WR2, and that’s worth holding onto.

Recommendation: Still rosterable. Spend 5–7% FAAB (cheaper than last week).

---

Elic Ayomanor (WR - Tennessee Titans)

Yes, the Titans’ passing game is tough to trust, but Ayomanor is producing anyway. He owns a 21% target share, is sitting at WR35 in fantasy points through three weeks, and has scored in back-to-back games.

If rookie QB Cam Ward starts to click, Ayomanor could explode in the second half of the season.

Recommendation: Stash for 7–10% FAAB.

---

Tory Horton (WR - Seattle Seahawks)

The rookie is showing steady growth:

• 76% route participation in Week 3

• Target share progression: 0% → 14% → 22%

• TDs in back-to-back games + a punt return score

Horton has flashed explosiveness, efficiency, and route-running chops going back to college. If his usage continues to climb, he could out-produce Cooper Kupp by year’s end.

Recommendation: Bench stash. A couple of FAAB dollars is enough.

---

Luther Burden (WR - Chicago Bears)

Burden finally saw more playing time (31% routes, up from 12% in Week 2), and he made splash plays with 101 yards and a TD in Week 3.

He’s not startable yet, but the arrow is pointing up. If he cracks the top-3 WR rotation, his talent could make him a late-season difference-maker.

Recommendation: Stash on benches, low FAAB.

---

Tre Tucker (WR - Las Vegas Raiders)

Tucker erupted for 8/145/3 in Week 3, vaulting him to WR4 on the season with a 20% target share through three weeks. But his history is volatile—big games followed by vanishing acts.

With Jakobi Meyers and (eventually) a healthy Brock Bowers in the mix, his weekly floor is shaky.

Recommendation: Don’t overpay. 7–8% FAAB max.

---

Tyquan Thornton (WR - Kansas City Chiefs)

Thornton is soaking up deep shots from Patrick Mahomes:

• 53% air yards share

• 27% target share in Week 3

• 80% route participation

With Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice nearing returns, volume could dip. Still, as a desperation flex with upside, Thornton is worth a look.

Recommendation: Add if you need high-variance upside.

---

Jaxson Dart (QB - New York Giants)

Brian Daboll hasn’t committed to Russell Wilson as the starter, and rookie Jaxson Dart looms. Dart brings dual-threat ability and could instantly boost the Giants’ offense.

If he starts, rushing production alone could make him fantasy-relevant.

Recommendation: Stash before the announcement.

---

Other Wide Receiver Adds

• Calvin Austin (Pittsburgh Steelers)

  • 19% Week 3 target share, 48% air yards share, 40% end zone targets

  • Boom/bust FLEX

• Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons)

  • 26% target share last week

  • Every-week WR3 potential if the Falcons’ passing attack stabilizes.

• Christian Kirk (Houston Texans)

  • 77% route rate, 23% target share

  • Solid WR2 in Texans’ sets

• Dontavion Wicks (Green Bay Packers)

  • 20% target share in back-to-back weeks

  • Out-targeting Romeo Doubs

• Matthew Golden (Green Bay Packers)

  • Quietly jumped to 84% route participation in Week 3

  • Stock rising

---

Running Back Stashes

• Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta Falcons)

  • 42–43% rushing attempts Weeks 1–2

  • Contingent upside if Bijan goes down.

• Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams)

  • 22% and 26% rushing attempts in Weeks 2–3.

  • Clearly in Sean McVay’s favor behind Kyren

• Woody Marks (Houston Texans)

  • Snap share climbing (12% → 28% → 49%)

  • Took passing-down role, creating a true two-man backfield with Chubb