Fantasy Football Week 4: Waiver-Wire Pickups, Rankings and Stat Projections

Week 3 had it all: blowouts, barn burners, defensive struggles, huge comebacks, devastating injuries and a partridge in a pear tree. You name it, and it probably happened on Sunday, which leaves a ton of topics to sort through when it comes to fantasy.

Most owners are likely either praising or cursing the likes of Joseph Randle, Devonta Freeman, Chris Johnson, Andy Dalton, Rishard Matthews and the Arizona Cardinals defense. And for those of us pouring some out for Ben Roethlisberger in 2-QB leagues, may we have only the best possible fortunes in our efforts to scoop up Michael Vick.

Praise be to the fantasy gods.

We are going to hit you with everything you need to know for Week 4 after a chaotic Week 3 in the fantasy spectrum, including positional rankings, stat projections, waiver-wire pickups and analysis for which guys are going to flip that stat projections list on its head.

Thursday, October 1
Sunday, October 4
Monday, October 5
Baltimore at Pittsburgh	8:25 p.m.
NY Jets at Miami (London)	9:30 a.m.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis	1 p.m.
NY Giants at Buffalo	1 p.m.
Carolina at Tampa Bay	1 p.m.
Philadelphia at Washington	1 p.m.
Oakland at Chicago	1 p.m.
Houston at Atlanta	1 p.m.
Kansas City at Cincinnati	1 p.m.
Cleveland at San Diego	4:05 p.m.
Green Bay at San Francisco	4:25 p.m.
St. Louis at Arizona	4:25 p.m.
Minnesota at Denver	4: 25 p.m.
Dallas at New Orleans	8:30 p.m.
Detroit at Seattle	8:30 p.m.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Projection
1	Andrew Luck	20.6
2	Aaron Rodgers	20
3	Russell Wilson	19.9
4	Cam Newton	19.3
5	Drew Brees	19.2
6	Matt Ryan	18.6
7	Peyton Manning	18.5
8	Colin Kaepernick	18.1
9	Carson Palmer	18
10	Philip Rivers	17.6
11	Ryan Tannehill	16.9
12	Joe Flacco	16.5
13	Blake Bortles	16.2
14	Jay Cutler	16.1
15	Tyrod Taylor	16

Boom: Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Rex Ryan turned a lot of heads by showing such unwavering confidence in Tyrod Taylor at such an early stage. Former first-round pick E.J. Manuel and NFL veteran Matt Cassel were beaten out decidedly during preseason, and now Taylor is making Ryan look like a genius.

Taylor has completed over 72 percent of his passes in each game, totaling seven touchdowns and three picks. He has also been a threat on the ground, adding 96 yards and another score in that department through Week 3.

In redraft leagues, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Marcus Mariota owners will be scrambling for a quarterback this week, and it's very likely Taylor is still floating around on waivers. He is owned in just 37 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Taylor has quickly quelled a lot of the doubts surrounding him, and he should have no issue feasting on a Giants secondary that is yet to hold a quarterback under 300 yards passing.

Bust: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Manning had his best game of the year Sunday night against the Lions, but what was even more telling than Manning's performance was Minnesota's ferocious attack on Philip Rivers all day. The Vikings front seven was relentless, logging four sacks and also forcing two turnovers.

Denver's running game isn't doing itself any favors. C.J. Anderson was unproductive once again in Week 3, and the offensive line's shaky play suggests it might not get better. This does not at all add up to good news for Manning.

If you have other options, explore them.

Sleeper: Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

Is there a bigger Amari Cooper fan on this planet than Derek Carr?

The sophomore signal-caller put forth a very nice rookie campaign with no weapons around him, and now that he has a solid cavalry, we are seeing the makings of what could be a legitimate QB1 in fantasy one day soon. Carr gets a nice matchup with the Chicago Bears in Week 4 and is flying high coming off consecutive 300-yard games with five total touchdowns.

Set it and forget it with David Carr if you have any doubts about your regular QB1 next week. Carr won't disappoint.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Projection
1	Matt Forte	16.9
2	Arian Foster	15.2
3	Marshawn Lynch	14.8
4	Le'Veon Bell	14
5	LeSean McCoy	13.8
6	Jamaal Charles	13.6
7	Eddie Lacy	13.6
8	Latavius Murray	13.3
9	Jeremy Hill	13
10	DeMarco Murray	12.5
11	Devonta Freeman	12.5
12	Adrian Peterson	12.4
13	Justin Forsett	12.2
14	Jonathan Stewart	12.1
15	C.J. Anderson	12

Boom: Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Let it be known that Week 4 will be Melvin Gordon's coming of age. He has been solid through three games, showing flashes of his patented explosiveness, but Gordon will put it all together in a tasty matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Danny Woodhead is becoming less and less of a threat to Gordon's production, and the Browns are once again having trouble stopping the run. This has been an issue that has plagued head coach Mike Pettine for years.

"

Pettine's run defense rank as HC/DC 2012-26th in the league 2013-28th in the league 2014-32nd in the league 2015-32nd in the league #Browns

— Jack McCurry (@J_McCurry08) September 27, 2015"

Don't expect 408 yards and four touchdowns, but hopefully something close for all you faithful and oh-so-patient Gordon owners.

Bust: Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

Nick Wass/Associated Press

You see that photo above? It's become a much-too-familiar sight for Jeremy Hill this year. My deepest condolences to anyone who drafted the Bengals' young back in the first round this season hoping for a seamless repeat of his second-half onslaught last year.

Andy Dalton looks better than ever so far, and Cincy has gone with Giovani Bernard in the backfield a lot the past two games given Hill's struggles. Bernard isn't racking up bushels of fantasy points, but he is producing enough to warrant a freak-out if you're a Hill owner. Gio has out-touched Hill in each of the past two weeks.

Hill ran for a paltry 21 yards on 12 carries in Week 3 versus Baltimore, and things won't get any easier with the Chiefs coming to town next week. It's officially time to smash that panic button if you have Hill on your team. Make sure you have other options available in case this situation doesn't get any better.

Sleeper: Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

LeSean McCoy's handcuff has now scored in three consecutive games. This Sunday, he logged 110 yards and a touchdown on only 12 carries against the Dolphins, while McCoy admittedly was not at 100 percent.

According to Rex Ryan, McCoy was playing on "one and a half legs" on Sunday.

Shady will probably continue to tough it out next week against the Giants, but another 12-15 touches for Williams are to be expected, and we know what he can do with that.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Projection
1	Antonio Brown	15
2	Julio Jones	13.3
3	Demaryius Thomas	12.5
4	Randall Cobb	11.9
5	Emmanuel Sanders	11.9
6	Odell Beckham, Jr.	11
7	Calvin Johnson	10.8
8	A.J. Green	10.5
9	Brandon Marshall	10
10	Alshon Jeffery	10
11	DeAndre Hopkins	9.8
12	Mike Evans	9.7
13	Larry Fitzgerald	9.4
14	Keenan Allen	9.2
15	Jarvis Landry	9.1

Boom: Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

I could've gone with Antonio Brown or Julio Jones, but where is the fun in that? Those two are machines.

Instead, we will spotlight Alshon Jeffery, the Chicago Bears' new No. 1 wideout who has missed the past two games nursing a hamstring injury. Even with Jimmy Clausen at the helm, Jeffery will be eating next week against the Raiders.

Chicago was stifled to say the least in Week 3 up in Seattle, getting crushed 26-0 at the hands of the two-time defending NFC champs. The team is desperate for the return of its lone playmaker on the outside, so expect a healthy Jeffery to get as many targets as he can handle. I'm pegging him for a huge return next week.

Bust: Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

Revis Island looms for Jarvis Landry. Dun dun dunnn!

Even though the Eagles were able to do some damage to the Jets' vaunted defense in Week 3, it wasn't Jordan Matthews doing it. The week before, T.Y. Hilton took a vacation there. He may be a few years older, but Revis has still got it, and Todd Bowles is putting him in the perfect situation to succeed.

With Ryan Tannehill's disastrous three-interception effort in a loss to Buffalo this week, hope is not high that he can completely turn it around against Gang Green. Don't anticipate any game-breaking numbers from Landry in Week 4.

Sleeper: Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars

Steven Senne/Associated Press

Blake Bortles isn't winning anyone over, but his stable of young receivers are certainly turning some heads.

Hurns has logged over 60 yards in each of the first three contests, scoring his first TD in Week 3 despite getting crushed 51-17 at the hands of the Patriots.

You know the Colts will score some points in this matchup, so Bortles will be slinging it again. If Hurns nets another 70-80 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, you heard it here first.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Projection
1	Jimmy Graham	7.6
2	Travis Kelce	7.6
3	Greg Olsen	7.3
4	Tyler Eifert	7.3
5	Martellus Bennett	6.9
6	Jason Witten	6.8
7	Heath Miller	6.7
8	Jordan Reed	6.6
9	Zach Ertz	6.1
10	Jordan Cameron	6.1
11	Eric Ebron	6
12	Jared Cook	5.7
13	Vernon Davis	5.7
14	Kyle Rudolph	5.6
15	Richard Rodgers	5.5

Boom: Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

I'm not sure I want to live in this Gronk-less world we have now been subjected to. With the Pats on bye, can we all just take the week off and not start tight ends this week? Do other tight ends even exist?

On the bright side, now we can actually spotlight some other tight ends, and no one has been killing it more than Jordan Reed. Finally healthy, Reed has emerged as Kirk Cousins' No. 1 option in DC, and he is currently second among tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards with 19 catches for 241 yards and a score.

Hopefully he can stay healthy. If he does, Washington might actually give in to all the supporters of the team changing its name, with the Reedskins being an obvious fit.

I'll show myself out.

Bust: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Miller's hot start will come crashing down without Roethlisberger under center in the near future. Hopefully, you didn't put too much stock into his first few games, because the best is in the past.

Good ol' Heath logged only two catches for 17 yards in Week 3 against the Rams, and with Le'Veon Bell and Michael Vick in the backfield, we're due for a whole lot of running the ball in Pittsburgh.

Explore other options at tight end if you've been rolling with Miller.

Sleeper: Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Yet another Bill on this list, Clay tallied 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 3, his second consecutive week finding paydirt.

I'm buying what Charles Clay is selling. He is a very nice talent at tight end and a perfect safety valve for Tyrod Taylor. He is also facing a Giants squad that got decimated by Jordan Reed this week. If you are suddenly Gronk-less, hop aboard the Clay train.

Defenses

Rank	Defense	Projection
1	Carolina	10.3
2	Philadelphia	9.9
3	Indianapolis	9.8
4	Seattle	9.6
5	Denver	9.5
6	Buffalo	9.4
7	Arizona	9
8	Miami	8.6
9	Green Bay	8
10	New York Jets	7.9

Advice

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Out of respect, I can't boast about any team here aside from the Arizona Cardinals after how they picked apart the Niners on Sunday. They returned two Colin Kaepernick interceptions for touchdowns within the first six minutes and later recorded two more picks. Add in two sacks, a safety and the fact they they only gave up seven points, and you have the makings of the perfect week for a fantasy defense.

They get the Rams in Week 4. Watch out Nick Foles.

Waiver-Wire Advice

What do we make of Antonio Andrews?

Weston Kenney/Associated Press

For some reason, Ken Whisenhunt went with Antonio Andrews as his bell cow in Week 3. Bishop Sankey saw just five carries for 10 yards after a pair of solid games to open the season. Andrews out-touched Dexter McCluster as well, and Terrance West didn't see the field. He churned his first 12 carries of the season into 49 yards and a touchdown.

The Titans are on bye in Week 4, so hold off on this pickup for the time being. Just keep an eye peeled to see if Andrews gets another decent amount of touches in Week 5, and he could be worth a look. He won't set the world on fire, but he wouldn't be a bad option for some added depth.

Pick up Ryan Mathews

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Mathews went off for 108 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries against the Jets on Sunday, roughly 10 times the amount of yardage DeMarco Murray put forth in the first two contests.

Murray has undoubtedly struggled, but it's possible Philly is a poor fit for his running style and he doesn't dominate at any point. Mathews' performance opened some eyes, and he will have to be in line for more touches even with a healthy Murray. He is a better fit in the offense due to his experience running out of the shotgun, as opposed to Murray, who is more of a one-cut back.

Ted Ginn Jr.

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Greg Olsen is clearly Cam Newton's top target with Kelvin Benjamin out, but Carolina needs someone to produce on the outside. So far, Ginn has answered the call.

Ginn produced 93 yards in Week 3 after finding the end zone in Week 2. Without any other standout targets up the sidelines, Ginn will be a consistent deep threat for Cam all year long. If you are desperate for a receiver, give Ginn a whirl.

All stats courtesy of Yahoo Sports and ESPN. Follow me on Twitter @Hussington to talk fantasy!