Week 4 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Projections for Top Pickups and Sleeper Targets
Some weeks shape up to be busier than others on the waiver wire, and you should expect a flurry of activity in your league heading into Week 4.
Now that we have more data from the season, multiple players who were showing glimmers of promise this year have delivered enough consistent production that they warrant a pickup. Then there are the players who have done so well that they're earning more snaps and, in some cases, threatening to usurp a starter's role.
There are also some sleeper players who may not warrant a claim this week but whom you'll want to keep an eye on moving forward. Let's take a look at some players in all of these categories.
Recommendations assume a 12-team redraft league using PPR (points-per-reception) scoring.
Top Pickups
1 of 2
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers (Rostered: 32 percent)
Jennings is rostered in about one-third of leagues, so there's a chance you had to play against him in Week 3. If that was the case, sorry.
The 27-year-old was the highest-scoring fantasy receiver in Week 3, with a whopping 46.5 points (PPR). He racked up those points with 175 yards on 11 receptions and three touchdowns.
That kind of production certainly isn't sustainable, but Jennings proved he will continue to have a big role in the 49ers' passing game moving forward. If he's available in your league, run to claim him.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rostered: 37 percent)
Irving is technically the Buccaneers' backup behind starter Rachaad White, but no one seems to have told him that.
The rookie has tallied more rushing yards than White in two straight games and in Week 3, Irving outcarried him nine attempts to six.
Per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, Irving has earned more snaps moving forward, according to head coach Todd Bowles. He's another high-priority waiver add this week.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears (Rostered: 43 percent)
If you didn't know what was going on with the Bears offense this season, don't worry; it doesn't seem like Shane Waldron did, either.
In Week 3, though, the offensive coordinator and his players seemed to figure some things out, including the fact that Caleb Williams to Cole Kmet over the middle of the field is a productive combination.
Kmet finally earned more usage than Gerald Everett and tallied 25.7 Week 3 points off that increased role.
Sleeper Targets
2 of 2
Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (Rostered: 2 percent)
Speaking of the Bears offense, Johnson is a player to keep a close eye on. He may not warrant a waiver claim this week, but he appears to be on the cusp of winning a larger role.
In Week 3, the Texas product outgained D'Andre Swift by 20 yards despite having two fewer touches. His 10.2 points may actually be more than a number of running backs you could have started in Week 3.
Jalen Nailor, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Rostered: 11 percent)
A big reason why Nailor has tallied double-digit point totals in the last two games (and nearly hit that mark in Week 1) is that he's found the end zone in every game this season.
That's not something you can count on moving forward, but as long as Jordan Addison is out, it's worth giving Nailor a shot in your lineup.
Once Addison returns, we can truly assess Nailor's usage moving forward.
Calvin Austin III, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Austin is another player who likely doesn't warrant a waiver claim this week (unless your bench is in shambles) but should be filed away in the back of your mind.
His fantastic stat line from Week 3 (four receptions, 95 yards and a touchdown for 19.5 points) relies heavily on his 55-yard touchdown reception from Justin Fields.
Still, Austin is proving he has big-play ability; we'll just want to see more usage before recommending him in PPR leagues.
Scoring and rostered percentages via Fantasy Pros
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
