Fantasy Football: Week 4 Free Agent Pickups

There are many reasons to add (and simultaneously drop other) players to (from) your fantasy roster including but not limited to bye-week replacements, injuries, etc. In some cases, the opportunities are temporary; in others, they are more permanent.

The below list of players that may (or may not) be worth considering when you submit your waiver-wire claims for Week 4.

Based on the depth of your league and the needs and strength of your roster, here are some players (all owned in less than half of Yahoo! fantasy leagues) that are potential adds:

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QB - Chad Henne, Dolphins (45% owned): Although Henne shouldn't be a fantasy starter in 10- or 12-team leagues, he's a solid QB2 (or a starter in deeper leagues). After two less-than-mediocre performances against the Bills and Vikings, Henne threw for a career-high 363 yards against the Jets Sunday. Since Week 13 of 2009, Henne has thrown for 300-plus yards in four of his past eight games.

QB - Mark Sanchez, Jets (45% owned): Of all the quarterbacks that have thrown at least one touchdown through three weeks, only three quarterbacks have not also thrown an interception. Not that I'm comparing Sanchez (six touchdowns, no interceptions) to either Peyton Manning (nine touchdowns) or Michael Vick (six touchdowns), the "Sanchize" has back-to-back three-touchdown games. With the emergence of Dustin Keller, LaDainian Tomlinson as a safety valve and only one game left on Santonio Holmes' suspension, Sanchez makes for a solid bye-week replacement.

Note: Browns running back Peyton Hillis, who rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore, does not appear on this list since he's owned in 52-percent of Yahoo! leagues. If available, he's worth adding.

RB - Marshawn Lynch, Bills (26% owned): For a second week in a row, Lynch led the Bills in rushing attempts (13) and yards (79). On the year, he's rushed 33 times for 156 yards (4.7 yards per carry). If he ends up being traded to a team like the Packers, his fantasy value would improve even more. But, for now, he seems to be "the guy" in Buffalo even if C.J. Spiller is the most electric of their backs.

RB - BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots (15% owned): Like Lynch, Green-Ellis led the Patriots in rushing attempts (16) and yards (98) for a second week in a row. At this point, The Law Firm seems worth owning more than Fred Taylor, which isn't saying much.

RB - Kenneth Darby, Rams (8% owned): If Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin) does not play on Sunday, Darby is worth picking up. In Jackson's absence, Darby carried the ball 14 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. He's especially worth picking up if you own Jackson. Fortunately the Rams face the Seahawks (not a horrible matchup) and it's a 1 p.m. start, giving you additional lineup flexibility.

RB - Ryan Torain, Redskins (2% owned): Torain carried the ball seven times against the Rams for 46 yards. Considering that Clinton Portis carried it seven times for 44 yards and Keiland Williams had no carries (although he caught two passes on four targets), Torain appears to be the No. 2 back, at a minimum. If you own Portis, you should own Torain.

RB - LeGarrette Blount, Bucs (2% owned): Blount, who was claimed off waivers from the Titans, had six carries for 27 yards against the Steelers. While that's not a prolific day, he had as many carries as Cadillac Williams (six carries for 13 yards). Going forward, Williams should get the majority of carries, but coach Raheem Morris expects Blount to be more involved with the offense. Blount is worth considering in deeper leagues.

WR - Louis Murphy, Raiders (34% owned): Murphy is currently tied for 14th in receiving yards (238) with Giants receiver Mario Manningham. He clearly benefits from the Campbell-to-Gradkowski shift at quarterback. Both Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski have been under center for six quarters, yet Murphy has caught ten of his 15 receptions from Gradkowski.

WR - Lance Moore, Saints (18% owned): Moore had a career year in 2008 -- 79 receptions, 928 yards and ten touchdowns. Despite his Week 3 performance of 149 yards and two touchdowns, however, Moore is unlikely to reach those numbers again. In his first two games, Moore had only three receptions for 23 yards. That is a clear illustration of what we already know; Drew Brees spreads the ball around too much for receivers not named Marques to benefit greatly.

WR - Davone Bess, Dolphins (9% owned): In his past 26 games, Bess has three or more receptions in every game but one. He's not going to put up gaudy stats, but he's worth consideration in deeper (especially point-per-reception) leagues.

WR - Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders (7% owned): Only 16 players (13 receivers) have more targets than Heyward-Bey (26). In his past two games, DHB has nine receptions for 129 yards. Although I'd much rather have Murphy, he's worth a look in deeper leagues.

TE - Aaron Hernandez, Patriots (35% owned): Hernandez currently leads the Patriots in receiving yards and is fourth among all tight ends.

This is a limited list of players who may be available in your league that are worth adding. If you have specific questions, feel free to post questions in our Fantasy Football Forum about specific players or ask your question via Twitter @EDSFootball.