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Waiver Wire
Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The waiver wire is one of the most important keys to finding success in the world of fantasy football. The great Michael Fabiano used to write this column, but has since passed it off to me. So I'll do my best to help you manage the waiver wire to scoop up the players who can help bring you fantasy glory each and every week. If you play in a deeper, more competitive league, and all 10 of these players are already owned, be sure to check out my weekly deep dive waiver wire column, for some high-upside players to aim for heading into Week 4. For instance, if you're wondering why someone like Derek Carr isn't listed here, well, he'll be in the Deep Dive, don't you worry. For now, let's get to the big ones for this week.
![Matthews was a Deep Dive all-star for the last few weeks, as his early-season performance indicated that he was the leading candidate to be the No. 2 wideout in the Miami offense. Well, his six-catch, 113-yard, two-touchdown performance on Sunday cemented that notion. Matthews' 23 targets trail only Jarvis Landry on the team, and he appears to have the trust of Ryan Tannehill. While this offense isn't quite living up to the offseason hype, it could get better (we hope). Even if it doesn't, it appears Matthews has a nice role carved out and can be a WR3 when the right matchup presents itself.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/egrxtpln1wxsphmouncd.jpg)
Matthews was a Deep Dive all-star for the last few weeks, as his early-season performance indicated that he was the leading candidate to be the No. 2 wideout in the Miami offense. Well, his six-catch, 113-yard, two-touchdown performance on Sunday cemented that notion. Matthews' 23 targets trail only Jarvis Landry on the team, and he appears to have the trust of Ryan Tannehill. While this offense isn't quite living up to the offseason hype, it could get better (we hope). Even if it doesn't, it appears Matthews has a nice role carved out and can be a WR3 when the right matchup presents itself.
![Jones missed the 2014 season due to ankle injuries, but so far in 2015 his role has been growing larger in the Cincinnati offense. Over the last two weeks he has received 13 targets (five in Week 2, eight in Week 3), and turned those into two touchdowns. Andy Dalton (more on him later) has this offense humming, and there's no problem with using a waiver claim on a WR3 like Jones to replace someone who's production thus far hasn't been up to the standards we expected (Andre Johnson, Charles Johnson, etc).](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/qv3s0uhu39oowsa6aouo.jpg)
Jones missed the 2014 season due to ankle injuries, but so far in 2015 his role has been growing larger in the Cincinnati offense. Over the last two weeks he has received 13 targets (five in Week 2, eight in Week 3), and turned those into two touchdowns. Andy Dalton (more on him later) has this offense humming, and there's no problem with using a waiver claim on a WR3 like Jones to replace someone who's production thus far hasn't been up to the standards we expected (Andre Johnson, Charles Johnson, etc).
![Don't look now, but Hurns has quietly had at least 60 receiving yards in every game so far this season, notching 70 and a touchdown on Sunday. He's clearly the No. 2 option in the passing game for the Jaguars, and has actually looked pretty good on film, too. The Jaguars offense is still finding its feet, but once it does, Hurns figures to have a pretty big role. He's worth grabbing in all formats, especially since the team will need to rely on him for more production with Marqise Lee, Rashad Greene (IR boomerang) and Julius Thomas all sidelined.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/v2efvq80bclytxbfbfs2.jpg)
Don't look now, but Hurns has quietly had at least 60 receiving yards in every game so far this season, notching 70 and a touchdown on Sunday. He's clearly the No. 2 option in the passing game for the Jaguars, and has actually looked pretty good on film, too. The Jaguars offense is still finding its feet, but once it does, Hurns figures to have a pretty big role. He's worth grabbing in all formats, especially since the team will need to rely on him for more production with Marqise Lee, Rashad Greene (IR boomerang) and Julius Thomas all sidelined.
![Williams has scored a touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the season, and has clearly earned a significant share of the carries in the Bills offense. LeSean McCoy has looked pretty good too, but he's battling a slew of injuries, and isn't the downhill runner that Williams is. Williams is starting to encroach on the territory of becoming a weekly flex play given his penchant for getting into the paint. Grab him off of waivers for depth, to handcuff McCoy, or help you replace a disappointment like C.J. Anderson or Jonathan Stewart.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/qhihp2go59ky6yj1mna5.jpg)
Williams has scored a touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the season, and has clearly earned a significant share of the carries in the Bills offense. LeSean McCoy has looked pretty good too, but he's battling a slew of injuries, and isn't the downhill runner that Williams is. Williams is starting to encroach on the territory of becoming a weekly flex play given his penchant for getting into the paint. Grab him off of waivers for depth, to handcuff McCoy, or help you replace a disappointment like C.J. Anderson or Jonathan Stewart.
![Marshawn Lynch was questionable with a calf injury heading into Sunday's contest, and then left the game with a hamstring injury, paving the way for Rawls' 16-carry, 104-yard day. Rawls, an undrafted rookie free-agent out of Central Michigan, was a darling of the offseason and allowed the team to part ways with their previous backups Robert Turbin and Christine Michael (the arrival of Fred Jackson didn't hurt, either). Still, it appears that if Lynch will miss more time coming back from his injuries, Rawls will assume the early-down hammer role, while Jackson could mix in on third downs. Either way, Lynch owners need to try to scoop up Rawls this week, while others can grab him for depth or trade bait.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/exmibfqu2embxm7ya4iv.jpg)
Marshawn Lynch was questionable with a calf injury heading into Sunday's contest, and then left the game with a hamstring injury, paving the way for Rawls' 16-carry, 104-yard day. Rawls, an undrafted rookie free-agent out of Central Michigan, was a darling of the offseason and allowed the team to part ways with their previous backups Robert Turbin and Christine Michael (the arrival of Fred Jackson didn't hurt, either). Still, it appears that if Lynch will miss more time coming back from his injuries, Rawls will assume the early-down hammer role, while Jackson could mix in on third downs. Either way, Lynch owners need to try to scoop up Rawls this week, while others can grab him for depth or trade bait.
![This one pains me to write, as I'd been down on Johnson since he signed with the Cardinals, but he ran hard on Sunday and produced for those fantasy owners brave enough to start him. He finished fourth in fantasy scoring at his position prior to Sunday Night Football thanks in large part to two short-yardage touchdowns. Still, he garnered 23 touches in the Cardinals' high-flying offense (versus just 10 for David Johnson). While it sounds like the team wants to bring the younger Johnson more into the fold, until we start seeing his snap/touch count rise it appears the veteran will have some value until Andre Ellington returns.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/ynx4umtx6dhjcygg5zut.jpg)
This one pains me to write, as I'd been down on Johnson since he signed with the Cardinals, but he ran hard on Sunday and produced for those fantasy owners brave enough to start him. He finished fourth in fantasy scoring at his position prior to Sunday Night Football thanks in large part to two short-yardage touchdowns. Still, he garnered 23 touches in the Cardinals' high-flying offense (versus just 10 for David Johnson). While it sounds like the team wants to bring the younger Johnson more into the fold, until we start seeing his snap/touch count rise it appears the veteran will have some value until Andre Ellington returns.
![Reed has been a fixture in this column for three weeks now, and needs to be rostered in more than just 18 percent of leagues. Reed led his team in receiving yards in Week 3, while coming in third in targets (nine). He's received 26 targets so far this year, second among tight ends behind only Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen (28 each). He's receiving a high volume of the looks in the Washington passing attack, and is getting targeted in the end zone -- he could have had two touchdowns against the Giants had Kirk Cousins thrown better passes. He's currently the third-highest scoring tight end in all of fantasy, and is third at his position in receiving yards (241). Get him on your team already, seriously.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/vzx3qncvyz6hm6qtrhd6.jpg)
Reed has been a fixture in this column for three weeks now, and needs to be rostered in more than just 18 percent of leagues. Reed led his team in receiving yards in Week 3, while coming in third in targets (nine). He's received 26 targets so far this year, second among tight ends behind only Rob Gronkowski and Greg Olsen (28 each). He's receiving a high volume of the looks in the Washington passing attack, and is getting targeted in the end zone -- he could have had two touchdowns against the Giants had Kirk Cousins thrown better passes. He's currently the third-highest scoring tight end in all of fantasy, and is third at his position in receiving yards (241). Get him on your team already, seriously.
![A look at the box score might lead you to believe Gillmore is getting usurped by rookie Maxx Williams, as he had seven targets to Gillmore's three, but that's misleading. Gillmore was still the tight end targeted early in this contest, and Williams racked up more of his yardage as the Ravens were desperately trying to claw their way back into the game. He faces the Steelers next week on Thursday Night Football, who were absolutely decimated by Rob Gronkowski in Week 1. There's a chance Gillmore can do a similar, but certainly not equal, amount of damage against the Steelers' secondary. He's absolutely worth rostering and deploying in what could be a decently high-scoring game.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/bclgpqfxqm6yy5y6lf0f.jpg)
A look at the box score might lead you to believe Gillmore is getting usurped by rookie Maxx Williams, as he had seven targets to Gillmore's three, but that's misleading. Gillmore was still the tight end targeted early in this contest, and Williams racked up more of his yardage as the Ravens were desperately trying to claw their way back into the game. He faces the Steelers next week on Thursday Night Football, who were absolutely decimated by Rob Gronkowski in Week 1. There's a chance Gillmore can do a similar, but certainly not equal, amount of damage against the Steelers' secondary. He's absolutely worth rostering and deploying in what could be a decently high-scoring game.
![We've been high on Taylor for a while over here, partly because his rushing ability made him a fantasy football cheat code. Well, prior to Sunday Night Football, Taylor ranked third in scoring at his position in Week 3, and only had 12 rushing yards. To put that into perspective, he was out-rushed by Matt Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Clausen, yet was only outscored by two other signal-callers. Taylor has improved as a passer, as evidenced by his 22-of-29, 277-yard, three-touchdown dissection of the Miami defense. If you lost Ben Roethlisberger this week, or Drew Brees/Tony Romo last week, submit your No. 1 waiver claim on Tyrod Taylor or the next name on this list. Both are weekly starters in fantasy from here on out.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/dnrxbtfs1ofwuz2j5dxs.jpg)
We've been high on Taylor for a while over here, partly because his rushing ability made him a fantasy football cheat code. Well, prior to Sunday Night Football, Taylor ranked third in scoring at his position in Week 3, and only had 12 rushing yards. To put that into perspective, he was out-rushed by Matt Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Clausen, yet was only outscored by two other signal-callers. Taylor has improved as a passer, as evidenced by his 22-of-29, 277-yard, three-touchdown dissection of the Miami defense. If you lost Ben Roethlisberger this week, or Drew Brees/Tony Romo last week, submit your No. 1 waiver claim on Tyrod Taylor or the next name on this list. Both are weekly starters in fantasy from here on out.
![The Red Rifle saw his ownership percentage double from last week to this week, but he gets one more appearance in this column (at least) as his production can no longer be ignored. Joe Goodberry had a great stat about how Dalton performed far worse against "common opponents," which he described as any team Dalton faced within the last year, or a division rival. Dalton torched his first two "uncommon opponents" -- Oakland and San Diego -- but I was surprised to see him perform so well against the Ravens, a team that had historically dominated Dalton (he owned a 7-12 TD-INT split in eight career games against Baltimore). Dalton is now a weekly starter and should be a top priority on waivers this week. Having healthy weapons around him has allowed him to blossom into the dominant fantasy player we saw glimpses of in 2011.](https://static.www.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/league/wrmpjv2qamrrzdm6yafj.jpg)
The Red Rifle saw his ownership percentage double from last week to this week, but he gets one more appearance in this column (at least) as his production can no longer be ignored. Joe Goodberry had a great stat about how Dalton performed far worse against "common opponents," which he described as any team Dalton faced within the last year, or a division rival. Dalton torched his first two "uncommon opponents" -- Oakland and San Diego -- but I was surprised to see him perform so well against the Ravens, a team that had historically dominated Dalton (he owned a 7-12 TD-INT split in eight career games against Baltimore). Dalton is now a weekly starter and should be a top priority on waivers this week. Having healthy weapons around him has allowed him to blossom into the dominant fantasy player we saw glimpses of in 2011.