Week 4 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups at Every Position

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We've reached Week 4 of the 2012 NFL season, and as we roll into the fourth week of this year's fantasy-football campaign, we've now reached the dark and treacherous times that strike fear into the hearts of even the most grizzled fantasy-team owners.

The dreaded bye weeks.

As the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the byes this week and injuries continue to mount, more teams than ever find themselves with holes in their roster.

So, in the interest of helping to plug them, here's a look at the top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups for Week 4.

QB: Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

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There hasn't been a whole lot for fans of the Tennessee Titans to cheer about this season, although the team did pick up its first victory of 2012 with a wild win over the Detroit Lions in Week 3.

Second-year quarterback Jake Locker had by far his best game of the season against Detroit, throwing for 378 yards, rushing for 35 more and tossing two touchdown passes.

The Titans are probably going to be playing a lot of catch-up this season and haven't been able to run the ball at all, making Locker worth a look for fantasy squads with a need under center.

 

Other Quarterbacks to Consider Adding

Shaun Hill (Detroit Lions), Kevin Kolb (Arizona Cardinals)

RB: Bilal Powell, New York Jets

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With starter Shonn Greene continuing to struggle to pick up yardage on the ground, the New York Jets have begun to turn more and more to second-year running back Bilal Powell as an alternative.

The former Louisville standout responded in Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins, gaining 45 yards on 10 carries while adding an additional 24 yards on two catches.

To call Greene a plodder would be kind, and it's very possible we're looking at the beginning of a changing of the guard in the backfield in the Big Apple.

Given that any running back with a pulse has fantasy value, Powell is very much worth a speculative add this week.

 

Other Running Backs to Consider Adding:

Jacquizz Rodgers (Atlanta Falcons), Tashard Choice (Buffalo Bills), Daniel Thomas (Miami Dolphins), Lamar Miller (Miami Dolphins), Lance Ball (Denver Broncos)

WR: Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks

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Poor Golden Tate.

At this point in the third-year pro's career, it really doesn't matter what he does the rest of the way. His NFL career will forever be defined by one blown call on Monday Night Football.

Well, that and his love for donuts.

Kidding aside, Tate had three catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns (sort of) in Seattle's Week 3 (sort of) win over the Green Bay Packers. Now that he's healthy again, Tate appears entrenched as the No. 2 receiver in the Emerald City.

 

Other Wide Receivers to Consider Adding

Jeremy Kerley (New York Jets), Leonard Hankerson (Washington Redskins), Ramses Barden (New York Giants), Jerome Simpson (Minnesota Vikings), T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts)

TE: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller has been a valued contributor on the gridiron for several years, but in fantasy-football circles, the eighth-year veteran was an afterthought who had a reputation for disappearing from the box score for weeks on end.

However, that hasn't been the case to this point in the 2012 season.

Miller has at least three receptions and a touchdown in all three games this season, and that consistent fantasy production so far this year makes Miller a very attractive waiver-wire target for TE-needy fantasy clubs, even if they can't use him until Week 5.

 

Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding

Dennis Pitta (Baltimore Ravens), Brandon Myers (Oakland Raiders)