Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available

Sometimes, you'll be meandering about the town, and lo and behold, you'll find a $20 bill on the ground. Because you're a good person you'll look around to see if it belongs to anyone else, but if there's nobody in the vicinity, well, that sucker is yours. 

Everyone loves free money. And while there's nothing free in fantasy football, every once in a while you'll find some amazing values on the waiver wire. Think of them as your league's version of the $20 bill on the street. 

Below, I'll help you make some money with five players you should should scoop up immediately if they're available in your league. 

All ownership percentages, points totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard-scoring leagues.

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers

Ownership: 37.3 percent

Key Stat: Has been targeted, on average, nine times per game this year.

Analysis: How Kelvin Benjamin isn't owned in 100 percent of leagues is beyond me. Frankly, I think it's likely to change this week, but if Mr. Benjamin is available to you in your league, you must add him.

Remember, this is a player who has snagged 16 passes for 253 yards and two scores in the first three games of his career. And honestly, the only other player Cam Newton seems to trust in the passing game right now is tight end Greg Olsen. Given his targets and Carolina's woeful options in the passing game, Benjamin's production is highly sustainable. 

So wake up, America, and add this man to your fantasy team!

Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Ownership: 35.3 percent

Key Stat: Has 25 carries the past two weeks, as opposed to four for Jerick McKinnon.

Analysis: Any starting running back in the NFL has value for fantasy owners, especially when they are getting 40 of a possible 56 snaps in Week 3, according to Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN.com. It's an added bonus that the Vikings are playing an Atlanta Falcons team that is allowing 25.7 fantasy points to opposing running backs per week, which is 30th in the NFL. 

So yes, Matt Asiata should be owned and probably started in all formats this week. Go get him.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington

Ownership: 29.4 percent

Key Stat: Threw for 427 yards, three touchdowns and an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3.

Analysis: You aren't adding Kirk Cousins to be a weekly QB2 or a bye-week replacement. You are adding him to be a weekly consideration as your QB1. The fact that he isn't more widely owned is astonishing. 

Two weeks ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he entered the game in relief for the injured Robert Griffin III and promptly threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, accumulating 18 fantasy points. Last week against the Eagles, he was phenomenal and finished with 27 fantasy points.

With DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon out wide and Jay Gruden's vertical passing attack, Cousins is in an excellent position to succeed. If he's available and you don't already have two QB1 options, add Cousins immediately.  

Niles Paul, TE, Washington

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Ownership: 7.2 percent

Key Stat: Has 27 fantasy points this season, making him No. 7 on the tight end rankings.

Analysis: As long as Jordan Reed stays sidelined, Niles Paul should be rostered and arguably even makes sense to start. All he's done in relief of Reed is catch 18 passes for 253 yards and a score on 24 targets. Given his obvious chemistry with Cousins, you could make the argument that he'll even hold some value once Reed returns.

One way or another, he absolutely should be owned heading into Thursday night. 

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

USA TODAY Sports

Ownership: 5.8 percent

Key Stat: All three touchdown passes have been from 20 yards or more this season.

Analysis: Allen Hurns is the ultimate lottery ticket for fantasy owners. After all, he only has seven receptions and 18 targets in three games. But three of those receptions have been for touchdowns, and his dismal showing in Week 2 would have been much different had he not dropped a sure touchdown. 

Somehow, someway, Hurns keeps getting behind defenders. Now, with Blake Bortles under center and looking like a significant upgrade from Chad Henne, Hurns could shine even brighter. I'm not willing to write him off as waiver-wire fool's gold just yet, and neither should you.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than Andy Dalton and Johnny Manziel playing receiver.