Brandon Aiyuk and Other Week 4 Waiver Wire Targets

by The Podfather · Waiver Wire

This is the worst possible week to spend FAAB as there are no true free square running backs available, and a number of quality players are scheduled to come off the short term IR in the next couple weeks.

(note: ownership percentages taken from Yahoo)

Running Back

Carlos Hyde, Seahawks (19%)

If you are desperate for running back help, Carlos Hyde is a touchdown-dependent grinder for a Seahawks team that finally unlocked Russell Wilson and must throw the ball to be competitive.

Travis Homer, Seahawks (1%)

Travis Homer is a more versatile and explosive back than Carlos Hyde and received the first backfield snap in a clutch situation after Chris Carson went down on a dirty play at the end of Seattle’s epic Week 3 win.

Travis Homer Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

Like Myles Gaskin last week, Homer is this week’s signature darkhorse free agent fantasy running back and a high priority add. Because he did not pop in the score, he can be added for a small percentage of most FAAB budgets.

Jeff Wilson, 49ers (23%)

Come on. Jerick McKinnon‘s rib injury sounds minor. The 49ers don’t face the Giants again, and the replacement-level Jeff Wilson and his 1.3 yards per carry won’t be walking in touchdowns every week, especially with Raheem Mostert due back soon.

Rex Burkhead, Patriots (12%)

The return of James White, and then Damien Harris, will surely turn Rex Burkhead back into a pumpkin.

Brian Hill, Falcons (3%)

Shaping up to be a lost season in Atlanta. Get Brian Hill rostered before the franchise switches over into full tank mode.

Free Stashes

–Damien Harris, Patriots (25%) – Best all-around talent in the New England backfield is due back soon.

–Reggie Bonnafon, Panthers (0%) – Better than Mike Davis.

–JaMycal Hasty, 49ers (1%) – Better than Jeff Wilson.

–Ito Smith, Falcons (1%) – See Brian Hill.

Wide Receiver

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (29%)

Brandon Aiyuk is less widely rostered than Justin Jefferson but unlikely to be available in deep leagues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOfBKJBvP1I

Aiyuk is a stronger add than Jefferson and Tee Higgins this week, because he would likely operate as the 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver until Deebo Samuel is 100-percent back online.

Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (10%)

Jon Gruden has expressed concern about lower body injuries to Bryan Edwards and Henry Ruggs. Hunter Renfrow is the favorite to be Derek Carr‘s favorite WR option in the passing game while competing for targets with Zay Jones and Nelson Agholor moving forward.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings (32%)

Rostered in most serious leagues, Justin Jefferson should not be available on most waiver wires. If he is available, Jefferson remains a No. 2 option on a run-first offense.

Don’t overpay for what will likely be his best game of the year.

Laviska Shenault, Jaguars (28%)

If Laviska Shenault is still available in your league, his Week 3 performance likely didn’t change that. Stash this explosive future garbage time hero now as D.J. Chark‘s back injury could continue to hinder him moving forward.

Zach Pascal, Colts (4%)

Zach Pascal is the Myles Gaskin of wide receivers. His metrics are average across the board, but Pascal is now a locked-in starting wide receiver for a team that will be forced to throw more in the weeks ahead.

Greg Ward, Eagles (1%)

A lesser Zach Pascal, Greg Ward‘s 25.0-percent Target Share will likely continue until Jalen Reagor and Alshon Jeffery return. Like Brandon Aiyuk, Ward is teed up to be a featured weapon in Week 4, and should be prioritized by fantasy teams in need of a starting wide receiver this week.

Tee Higgins, Bengals (6%)

Tee Higgins is a better receiver than Brandon Aiyuk, and Joe Burrow is a better quarterback than Kirk Cousins, but Higgins is still a handcuff WR and No. 3 option in the Bengals passing game.

While he did play more snaps and run more routes than A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd across five quarters of football on Sunday, Green won’t be locked down by Darius Slay in Week 4.

Alshon Jeffery, Eagles (14%)

Gross.

Braxton Berrios, Jets (1%)

Braxton Berrios is the Jets’ defacto No. 1 receiver until Jamison Crowder returns, which could be multiple weeks away (editors note: I still refuse to give up the Chris Hogan ghost despite his quiet Week 3 outing, but he can be picked up for free after waivers clear in the deepest of deep leagues and/or for super desperate squads).

Scott Miller, Bucs (16%)

Chris Godwin will miss multiple games, but Justin Watson should return for Week 4 after out-producing Scott Miller in Week 2.

Andy Isabella, Cardinals (2%)

Don’t chase touchdowns. Adding Andy Isabella is still wishcasting after KeeSean Johnson was more heavily used, and Larry Fitzgerald still running his wheelchair routes.

K.J. Hamler, Broncos (11%)

Keep speedster K.J. Hamler stashed. Boom weeks are in his future.

Free Stashes

–Cedrick Wilson, Cowboys (0%) – top handcuff WR.

–Gabriel Davis, Bills (1%) – top dynasty add.

–John Hightower, Eagles (0%) – Hit a 9o.0-percent Route Participation mark in Week 3, tops among Philadelphia’s WR “corpse.”

Tight End

Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (10%)

Mo Alie-Cox is shaping up to be the biggest beneficiary of serious injuries to Michael Pittman and Parris Campbell.

Robert Tonyan, Packers (1%)

Robert Tonyan, also known as Baby Kittle, has been ultra-efficient when called upon, but don’t overbid with Jace Sternberger lurking, and Marcedes Lewis somehow still involved in the passing game.

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