Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 4: Braelon Allen, Kenyon Sadiq among top pickups to target

Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

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Key injuries to consider

Pickups by position

Top-10 overall pickups for Week 4

4. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Rams (if healthy)

7. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Seahawks

Darnold returned from injury with a massive 379-yard, four-touchdown effort against the Commanders. 

It was far from a flawless performance, since he did throw two interceptions and the Seahawks ultimately lost the game. However, Darnold reminded everyone that he can be a viable fantasy streaming option. Don’t forget, last year Darnold put up seven top-10 weekly finishes. 

While I wouldn’t want to roll with him as my fantasy starter, he’s someone you can use to cover injuries or bye weeks. 

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Streaming options

Streaming options (if starter is out)

Risky streaming options

Desperation streaming options

Desperation streaming options (if starter is out)

Deep stashes

• Fernando Mendoza (7% rostered)

Running Backs

Braelon Allen, Jets

Injuries hit the NFL hard for a second straight week and several backfields have been altered by them. Though De’Von Achane is reportedly out for the season with a torn ACL, the Dolphins offense doesn’t offer the same high-end potential that exists in New York. 

It’s unknown how much time (if any) Breece Hall will miss after suffering a quad injury on Sunday, but he at least has a strong backup waiting in the wings. After the game, Hall said he felt “something” before getting tackled and then felt more pain when he was tackled. Aaron Glenn is notorious for his limited information on injuries, so we might not get an update here until later in the week. 

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In the meantime, I’m trying to add Allen everywhere I don’t already have him stashed. Prior to Hall getting hurt, Allen had already shown he can provide weekly flex value as the No. 2 option for the Jets, totalling 40 scrimmage yards on 10 touches in Week 1 and then finding the end zone in Week 2. 

The Jets upcoming schedule is also favorable with the Bears, Browns and Dolphins in three of their next four contests. Allen will have top-24 fantasy RB upside if Hall is sidelined. Managers in deep leagues can also consider stashing Isaiah Davis, who would slot in as the complementary piece in the event of a Hall absence. 

Ollie Gordon II/Jaylen Wright, Dolphins

Achane tearing his ACL in Week 3 is an awful outcome for one of the most talented backs in the league. With Achane out for the year, Miami will be looking for a new starter and fantasy managers are hungry for usable RB options. 

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Unfortunately, I’m taking a slightly more cautious approach on this backfield. Gordon was the next man up on Sunday, but his path had been cleared with Wright ruled out due to multiple injuries (stinger, foot). If Wright was healthy, we don’t know exactly how the Dolphins would have distributed touches. 

Until we see Wright back at practice, Gordon is in line to start. However, he only managed an extremely inefficient 55 yards on 20 touches against the Chiefs — saving his fantasy day with a touchdown. A date with the Vikings in Week 4 isn’t exactly a matchup to target, since Brian Flores’ defense will be a nightmare for Malik Willis and company. Minnesota has also held every back they’ve faced under 50 rushing yards and has yet to allow a TD to an RB. 

Feel free to add Gordon if you need running back help, I’m just worried we could see that inefficiency continue and an eventual split with Wright seems likely. Consider Gordon a TD-or-bust RB3 for now, while Wright is a sneaky add who could emerge as the starter once healthy. 

Alvin Kamara/Kendre Miller, Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. battled a hamstring issue during practice last week, before turning in a full practice on Friday and being removed from the injury report. Unfortunately, he suffered an aggravation in the game and is now at risk of missing time. 

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To make matters worse, the Saints don’t have a great second option who can scoop up all the volume. Kellen Moore also hasn’t shown a willingness to give one back a major workload this season, instead opting to deploy a committee approach. 

The 31-year-old Kamara has been a declining player for a couple seasons, so it wasn’t surprising to see him only compile an embarrassing 22 yards on 14 touches in Week 2. The results were slightly better in this game, with 41 yards on 10 attempts. 

It’s still hard to imagine Kamara finding the fountain of youth and becoming anything more than a risky RB3. That’s why I’ve also highlighted Miller here, who could carve out a bigger role next to the struggling veteran. Bottom line, even with Etienne at risk of missing time, if you’re investing in the Saints backfield you should expect more than RB3 fantasy value. 

Woody Marks is 52% rostered but would be the No. 4 RB add behind Allen, Gordon and Kamara, if available. 

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Zach Charbonnet is 51% rostered but can be added as an IR stash, if available.

Best one-injury away backup RBs to stash

• Mike Washington Jr. (34% rostered)

• Kaelon Black (50% rostered)

• Emmett Johnson (37% rostered)

Risky flex options

• Keaton Mitchell at SEA (34% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out)

• Isaiah Davis (0% rostered)

Upside stashes

Deep stashes

• Seth McGowan (1% rostered)

Upside rookie stashes

• Demond Claiborne (3% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes

Wide Receivers

Keean Allen, Colts

With Alec Pierce on injured reserve indefinitely, the Colts’ passing attack is consolidating around Josh Downs, Tyler Warren and Allen. 

All three came away with strong stat lines on Sunday, but the fact a 34-year-old Allen earned nine targets and produced six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown against a tough Texans defense is impressive. 

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Allen gets a much softer opponent in Week 4, when the Colts head to Washington to face the Commanders defense that ranks inside the top-10 for fantasy points allowed to receivers through three weeks. 

While I wouldn’t overspend on an older wideout like Allen, he’s firmly in the conversation as a fantasy WR3/flex moving forward. 

Chris Bell/Malik Washington, Dolphins

With Caleb Douglas sitting out due to an ankle injury, the Dolphins’ receiving corps shifted more in favor of Bell and Washington. 

Bell had the best day of his young career, playing 71% of the time and catching four balls for 67 yards on seven targets. That’s a strong outing for a talented rookie who is well ahead of schedule in his return from a torn ACL last year. 

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Meanwhile, Washington has been a solid WR4/flex option for three consecutive weeks, topping 50 scrimmage yards in every game so far. 

As I mentioned with their backfield, investing in the Dolphins offense might not feel that enticing, but there is certainly opportunity and value here. 

Washington is a low-ceiling, high-floor starter, with Bell being the more intriguing pickup for his untapped ceiling. 

Denzel Boston is 48% rostered but would be the No. 1 WR add, if available. 

Makai Lemon is 50% rostered but would be the No. 2 WR add behind Boston, if available. 

Dontayvion Wicks is 50% rostered but would be the No. 3 WR add behind Boston and Lemon, if available. 

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Jordyn Tyson is 52% rostered but can be added as an IR stash, if available. 

WR3/flex options (if healthy)

• Adonai Mitchell at CHI (39% rostered)

WR4/flex options

Risky flex options (if starter is out)

• Konata Mumphield at PHI (1% rostered)

Risky flex options

• Ted Hurst vs. GB (2% rostered)

• Wan’Dale Robinson at BAL (47% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out)

Upside stashes

• Tre’ Harris (4% rostered)

Deep stashes

• Josh Cameron (0% rostered)

Tight Ends

Kenyon Sadiq, Jets

Sadiq has been highlighted every week in this space, after a preseason injury caused the first-rounder to get off to a slow start. Even so, he still found the end zone on a manufactured touch in Week 1 and his role was always going to grow as he got more comfortable in the offense. 

The injury to fellow tight end Mason Taylor made Sadiq a top-10 pickup in this column last week. When wideout Adonai Mitchell hurt his finger in practice, it pushed Sadiq into must-add territory, especially given the matchup with a Lions defense that had given up the most points to fantasy tight ends in the first two games. That’s why I highlighted him on Fantasy Football Live Sunday morning.

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The result was seven receptions, 105 yards and a touchdown — and we’re only scratching the surface on this potential TE1 rest of season. 

Terrance Ferguson, Rams

Coming off a 6-54-1 stat line in Week 2, Ferguson was poised for another monster outing as Puka Nacua continues to recover from a hip/groin injury. Sadly, an ankle injury destroyed the chances of a repeat performance and led to Ferguson only playing 26% of the snaps on Sunday night. 

It hurt even more to watch Tyler Higbee erupt for eight grabs, 62 yards and a score with Ferguson watching from the sidelines.  

We’ll have to monitor for updates on Ferguson’s ankle injury, but he’s still an add in my mind with Nacua’s timeline uncertain. The way the team is talking, it’s possible Nacua could miss more time and possibly even need surgery. If Nacua is out and Ferguson is healthy, the second-year tight end would be a TE1 play — so don’t give up on him yet. 

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Streaming options

• TJ Hockenson vs. MIA (28% rostered)

Risky streaming options

• Brenton Stange at CIN (21% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if starter is out)

• Tyler Higbee at PHI (0% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options

Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out)

• Matthew Hibner vs. TEN (0% rostered)

Week 4 streamers

Defenses

The Ravens defense is 60% rostered mark but would be the No. 1 D/ST add, if available. 

Favorable upcoming schedules: Bengals (42% rostered), Raiders (7% rostered), Commanders (1% rostered)

Kickers

Will Reichard is 58% rostered mark but would be the No. 1 K add, if available. 

Jake Bates is 55% rostered mark but would be the No. 2 K add, if available. 

Drop candidates

Quarterbacks: Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Malik Willis

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Running Backs: MarShawn Lloyd, Jonathon Brooks, Tyjae Spears

Wide Receivers: Chris Godwin Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Quentin Johnston, Xavier Worthy, Jayden Reed, Khalil Shakir

Tight Ends: Kyle Pitts Sr., Hunter Henry

• The list of drop candidates grows as the weeks pass. Injuries are responsible for some of these names making the list, like Mayfield, Brooks, Spears and Reed. 

• Herbert has struggled through three games and his upcoming schedule is horrific with the Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs before a Week 7 bye, then the Rams, Texans and Ravens immediately after it. 

• We’ve seen enough from Lloyd to know he’s not going to be the answer behind the Packers’ struggling offensive line. 

• Godwin, Thomas, Harrison, Johnston, Worthy and Shakir and risky flex plays who haven’t done much through three weeks. 

• Pitts wasn’t usable in fantasy last year until Drake London got hurt. With London back and thriving in Atlanta, Pitts is off the fantasy radar.