Week 4 Waiver Wire: Pickups That Will Boost Your Fantasy Squad

Every week, the NFL serves up plenty of shockers and surprises.

Players and/or defenses that previously had no business being on fantasy football teams all of a sudden blow up and prove their relevance.

One running back took advantage of an opportunity to show a former Super Bowl champion what he could do in Week 3. One embattled receiver coming off a serious injury may have some value. And a young defense is taking the NFL by storm.

Here's a look at pickups that will boost your fantasy football squad moving forward.

*Fantasy stats and rankings from Yahoo! Sports standard leagues.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, Green Bay Packers

In relief of the injured James Starks against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Johnathan Franklin made the most of his opportunity, exploding for 103 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. That included a 51-yard scamper.

The rookie did this against a Bengals defense that had allowed 2.8 yards per carry and one rushing touchdown coming into the game.

But there are a few things to note. 

First, Franklin fumbled Sunday. He had trouble taking care of the ball at UCLA too.

Second, rookie Eddie Lacy will get the start if he returns from a concussion after Green Bay's Week 4 bye.

Third, we don't know the severity of Starks' injury yet.

Still, Franklin showed something in an explosive Packers offense Sunday. That won't go unnoticed by Aaron Rodgers and Co. Franklin is worth a stash for now if you have the space on your roster.

Kansas City Chiefs Defense

Everything seems to be coming together for the Chiefs under new head coach Andy Reid, the offense and the defense.

Heading into Week 3, the Chiefs ranked first in fantasy football with 34 points. Then, they posted another 23 points against the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Kansas City's young defense ranked 25th in the NFL in points per game allowed last season, but it ranks second this season (11.3 points per contest allowed). Better yet, the defense has forced nine turnovers, including two interceptions for touchdowns.

Add the fact that the Chiefs have compiled 15 sacks already (7.5 of which have come from linebacker Justin Houston) and it's safe to say you should throw 2012's stats out the window.

Kansas City faces a New York Giants team that put up zero points and committed three turnovers against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Eli Manning, who has made it a habit to get the ball out quickly, was sacked seven times and endured 10 quarterback hits.

Start the Chiefs with confidence in Week 4 as they welcome the Giants to quiet, peaceful Arrowhead Stadium.

Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets

Santonio Holmes is going to be limited by rookie Geno Smith's erratic play this season, but his Week 3 output against the Buffalo Bills showed that a) he seems to have recovered from the Lisfranc foot injury he suffered in Week 4 last season, and b) he can still put up big numbers in the right scenarios.

Holmes posted five receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown against the Bills on Sunday, receiving a team-high 10 targets in the process. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com deadpanned during the game:

Amidst the time lost and the dreadful state of the Jets the past two years, many forget Holmes put up decent numbers as recently as 2011. In the 2011 season, he posted 51 catches for 654 yards and eight touchdowns.

I am not saying Holmes is an every-week starter this season, but he does warrant a pickup for those weeks when he faces lax pass defenses.