Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups For Fantasy Football

Injuries continue to flood the running game as Ray Rice and Steven Jackson both suffered aliments in Week 3. Of the two, Jackson’s injury could be far more serious as he may have a tear in his groin area, which could sideline him for a long time. The Rams are already rumored to be in the works to sign Larry Johnson and that is a telling sign about what may be coming with Jackson.

Every week we are reminded why it is important to have a good bench and continue to build the depth of your team when you have an opportunity to do so. Below we have our weekly waiver wire pickups, and this week is the first bye week so you may need to keep that in mind to fill areas is you have players on the Vikings, Chiefs, Cowboys or Buccaneers.

Running Backs

Kenneth Darby: The Rams went to Kenneth Darby after Jackson went down with his groin injury against the Redskins. Darby filled in ably and even scored a touchdown. If you have Jackson on your team and can get Darby it would be a very good idea to acquire him. For other fantasy owners, Darby is a good get and would at least make for a nice stash on your bench if Jackson is out for awhile.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: The door is open for Green-Ellis to play a factor in the Patriots backfield and to be an option worth having in fantasy leagues. Fred Taylor has little left in the tank as he’s a mid-thirties running back and Green-Ellis has played steady for the Patriots in the past. Against the Bills, Green-Ellis posted 16 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Taylor left the game with a toe injury, and he may miss time. The Patriots will probably never tell you this, so go ahead and pick up Green-Ellis, even if they say Taylor should be ok.

Peyton Hillis: Many leagues saw Hillis taken off the waiver wire over the first two weeks as he took the goal line job from Jerome Harrison. Now that Harrison is hurt, Hillis is now the top back in the Browns’ backfield after going for 144 yards and a score against the Ravens. If Hillis is available and you can get him, he would be a top priority to grab this week.

If you already have him, he is a decent flex play option going forward.

Willis McGahee: It’s unknown how bad Ray Rice’s knee injury is, but he may miss a game or two with the ailment. Next week the Ravens will play the Steelers and that wouldn’t be a great game for McGahee, though he is worth stashing on your roster. If Rice should be out or slowed by this injury for a time, McGahee should see the bulk of the work in the Ravens’ backfield.

Maurice Morris: The Lions’ rookie running back Jahvid Best injured ligaments in his toe against the Vikings, and may be out for some time. If so, Maurice Morris proved to be effective at the end of last year and might get some decent opportunities. Next week wouldn’t be a good time to use him as the Lions face the Packers but at least Morris provides decent depth.

Wide Receivers

Brandon Lloyd: I want to be clear that I believe no receiver for the Broncos is an every week starter at this point. The Broncos have a bunch of pass catchers, and it will be hard for any one of them to be consistent. Lloyd had a fabulous game against the Colts and a solid game week one against the Jaguars. If anything, he is worth stashing on your roster and using on bye weeks.

Louis Murphy: I talked about Louis Murphy last week, and I’m doing so again as he posted over 100 yards receiving against the Cardinals. Most of that production came on a 70-yard catch but Murphy has clearly been Bruce Gradkowski’s favorite receiver going back to last year and has a good matchup next week against the Texans.

Look to Murphy as a decent bye week fill in option to help your team.

Roy E. Williams: Did someone give up on Roy Williams early in your fantasy football league? If so it may be time to make sure you put him on your depth. The Cowboys are off this week, but if you have the room Williams could be a valuable receiver for future bye weeks. The veteran doesn’t seem ready to give up his starting job to Dez Bryant just yet as he posted over 100 yards and two scores against the Texans.

Lance Moore: Look to Lance Moore as the top receiver to grab off the waiver wire this week as he posted a huge game against the Falcons. With 6 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns, Moore may be just what the Saints need to help them overcome the loss of Reggie Bush. Bottom line is that Moore has a huge game and just two years ago  was a valuable fantasy receiver.

Team Defense

Chiefs Defense: The Chiefs have a bye week coming up but this is a good defense to keep in mind for future weeks. This group has one of the more electric return groups in football, and they get after the quarterback with Tamba Hali leading the way. Watch out for the Chiefs when they play at home.

Third-year cornerback Brandon Flowers is also coming into his own as he play a great game against the 49ers and returned an interception for a touchdown against the Browns.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

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