Week 4 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates

As the injury lists grow and the offensive schemes adapt, the waiver wire becomes increasingly crucial for NFL fantasy football managers.

All it takes is one play for a running back committee to become a one-man operation—just ask the Miami Dolphins Lamar Miller. The right matchup can get a player back on the right path to fantasy football stardom, and a breakout performance can change the consensus on a player and send managers scurrying to the waiver wire to secure his services. 

It's tough to separate the keeper players from the proverbial flashes in the pan, but whether you're looking for a short-term fix or a new flex option, the waiver wire is your solution if no trading partners are to be found.

Here are three readily available players worth picking up off the waiver wire heading into Week 4.

Stevie Johnson, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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It wasn't long ago that Stevie Johnson was a fantasy football mainstay and no worse than a WR2 against most defenses. His star has fallen since joining the 49ers, but he put up a throwback performance of sorts in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, picking up nine receptions for 103 yards.

Consistent targets are going to be hard to come by in an offense that also features the likes of Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin, but the 49ers are looking for consistency, and Johnson put up three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2010-2012 with the Buffalo Bills. 

Johnson is owned in just five percent of fantasy football leagues and could be a fantasy coup going forward. He's had issues with drops in the past, but flashes downfield speed and is comfortable making catches over the middle.

Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller noted Colin Kaepernick looked to him often on third downs, evidence of his trust in the veteran wideout:

Kaepernick is a better quarterback than Johnson ever had in upstate New York, so he's worth picking up and stashing for a week to see if he continues to get targets. He's still just 28 years old and has plenty of mileage left on his body. Look for Johnson to pop up as a potential WR3 in larger leagues.

Donald Brown, RB, San Diego Chargers

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Chargers general manager Tom Telesco is starting to look like a certified genius. Few observers saw the need for Donald Brown in the crowded Bolts backfield, but he is essentially the last tailback standing in San Diego after Danny Woodhead went down with an ankle injury in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills.

According to a source for Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, Woodhead could be out for the rest of the season:

Brown got picked up in plenty of leagues after Ryan Mathews went down what turned out to be a sprained MCL. He's still available on the slight majority of team's with a 49 percent ownership rate, but don't expect him to remain a free agent much longer.

Brown struggled to move the ball on the ground, picking up just 62 yards. However, the Chargers saw no reason to stop handing him the ball and he ended up with 31 carries.

Luckily, the fantasy football panacea that is the Jacksonville Jaguars defense is on the slate in Week 4, so look for Brown to get things on track next week and slot him in the starting lineup.

Pro Football Focus' Mike Clay sees him as a viable option next week:

Quarterback Philip Rivers expects him to continue to get plenty of touches.

"Thirty six touches is a lot, and Donald is a true pro,” he said, via Ricky Henne of Chargers.com. “He takes care of his body, and he’s going to get the load of it for the next while. I think he’s used to it. He was pretty much the featured back in Indy there for some time, and he loves playing football. I have a great deal of confidence with him back there.”

It should also be noted Brown took over checkdown-option duties, picking up 27 yards receiving on five catches.

As long as quarterback Rivers keeps the offense humming, Brown will see the ball either on the ground or through the air. Pick him up and monitor the progress of both Woodhead and Mathews.

Until one of those players returns to the field, Brown is a solid flex option and should be stashed on the bench, especially if he starts to show signs of reaching his full potential as a ball-carrier.

Joe McKnight, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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Joe McKnight had a breakout fantasy performance with six catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, but it is unlikely his heroics will last beyond another week or two. On the bright side, he's apparently completely available, with a zero percent ownership rate.

It's tough to depend on a running back that plays a significant portion of a game and gets just one carry for three yards. The scoring plays were also the first two offensive touchdowns of his career—his previous trips to the end zone came via kickoff returns.

Once Jamaal Charles is healthy, he and Knile Davis—who did well to earn touches going forward with his workhorse performance against the Dolphins—will siphon up the majority of the playing time and force McKnight back to the fringes.

One has to imagine the coaching staff will reward him with some extra looks, but McKnight didn't touch the ball in the Chiefs first two games. It's tough to say what the plans are for him going forward, but he may find a Darren Sproles-like role in the offense.

All fantasy football information courtesy of Yahoo Sports unless otherwise noted.