2018 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 4: Start, Stash and Stream

Welcome back to Start, Stash and Stream where we provide an in depth look into the waiver wire landscape each week. Another week, another laundry list of players to add to the potentially dead pool for this fantasy year. With Dalvin Cook, LeSean McCoy, A.J. Green, Leonard Fournette and Evan Engram (to name just a few heavy hitters) all ailing to certain degrees, now is the time to strike while the proverbial fantasy iron is hot. And believe you me, there are more than a handful of worthwhile wide receivers to fill your WR2 and Flex spots for this upcoming week and well beyond. So lets survey the current Yahoo field and see where we can start gaining ground on our opponents.

Start

1. Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens (27% Yahoo ownership); (8-10% FAAB)
2. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons (22% Yahoo ownership); (8-10% FAAB)
3. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (17% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
4. Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers (34% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB) 
5. Antonio Callaway, WR, Cleveland Browns (33% Yahoo ownership); (5-7% FAAB)
6. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (42% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
7. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, New Orleans Saints (36% Yahoo ownership); (1-3% FAAB)
8. Ben Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints (44% Yahoo ownership)

Hopefully you tuned in last week to Start, Stash and Stream, as our top Stash play Week 3 quickly rose to top Start play this week. Javorius Allen may be the backup to Alex Collins  on the depth chart, but the numbers are starting to speak otherwise. Allen equaled Collins 42 snaps Week 2, and topped his snaps in Weeks 1 and 3. And Allen has arguably the two most important fantasy roles for runnings backs: the passing catching and red zones roles…Having scored the most fantasy points at the wide receiver position over the past two weeks, and currently tied for the NFL lead in red zone scoring, Calvin Ridley has quickly rose from super talented rookie to must add. Dripping with WR2 potential, Ridley could have a monster year playing across from all world wide receiver Julio Jones…Antonio Callaway played 69 of 77 total snaps Thursday night against the Jets. And although inefficient, Callaway still ranked second in catches with 4 and targets with 10…With A.J. Green potentially hobbled with a groin injury, Tyler Boyd appears more than capable to take over the Bengals lead wideout duties. Boyd has now puts up back-to-back weeks with 90+ yards and a score.

Stash

1. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (50% Yahoo ownership); (4-6% FAAB)
2. Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers (22% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
3. Chris Ivory, RB, Buffalo Bills (6% Yahoo ownership); (3-5% FAAB)
4. Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns (48% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB)
5. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions (29% Yahoo ownership); (1-2% FAAB)
6. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (2% Yahoo ownership)
7. Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams (2% Yahoo ownership)
8. Paul Richardson, WR, Washington Redskins (7% Yahoo ownership)
9. C.J. Anderson, RB, Carolina Panthers (30% Yahoo ownership)
10. Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys (16% Yahoo ownership) 
11. Dez Bryant, WR, Free Agent (20% Yahoo ownership)
12. Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22% Yahoo ownership)
13. Doug Martin, RB, Oakland Raiders (5% Yahoo ownership)
14. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts (8% Yahoo ownership)
15. Jordan Wilkins, RB, Indianapolis Colts (33% Yahoo ownership)
16. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (35% Yahoo ownership)
17. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Buffalo Bills (35% Yahoo ownership)
18. Tyrell Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (13% Yahoo ownership) 
19. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (3% Yahoo ownership)
20. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders (3% Yahoo ownership)
21. Brandon Marshall, WR, Seattle Seahawks (35% Yahoo ownership)
22. Ryan Grant, WR, Indianapolis Colts (4% Yahoo ownership)
23. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (20% Yahoo ownership)
24. Taylor Gabriel, WR, Chicago Bears (2% Yahoo ownership)
25. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (2% Yahoo ownership)
26. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (32% Yahoo ownership)
27. Willie Snead IV, WR, Baltimore Ravens (6% Yahoo ownership)
28. Rashard Higgins, WR, Cleveland Browns (1% Yahoo ownership)

After an unexpected DNP Sunday, Leonarde Fournette‘s lingering hamstring injury could bother the star running back all year long. T.J. Yeldon has performed admirably in both the rushing and pass catching game with Fournette sidelined, and could carve out a role even with the Jags back (potentially) returning Week 4, and beyond…Ranking second in receptions and third in yards and targets Week 3, Ty Montgomery continues to be one of the most puzzling and intriguing RB options, especially given his pass catching proclivities. Randall Cobb has struggled since Week 1, totaling just 53 yards since, so maybe Montgomery could see a little more playing time in the all important Aaron Rodgers / Green Bay slot position…With both Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles missing Sunday’s contest, everyone assumed two way back Corey Clement would lead the way in the Eagles backfield. However, it appears Wendell Smallwood (13 touches for 91 yards and a touchdown) might have carved out a more permanent type role with his performance…With the WR field thinning, I would take a flier on Dez Bryant signing with some high profiled team in need of wide receiver / big play help. His talent is too great for all 32 teams to continue to dismiss him.

Stream

1. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (33% Yahoo ownership)
2. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (18% Yahoo ownership)
3. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins (8% Yahoo ownership)
4. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (13% Yahoo ownership)
5. Green Bay Packers DST (29% Yahoo ownership)
6. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (51% Yahoo ownership)
7. Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons (29% Yahoo ownership)
8. Seattle Seahawks DST (24% Yahoo ownership)
9. Case Keenum, QB, Denver Broncos (27% Yahoo ownership)

Let’s quickly break down the quarterback streaming field Week 4, shall we. Andy Dalton has 8 touchdown passes on the year and at least 17.5 fantasy points in each contest. In Week 4, Dalton squares off against the Falcons, who allowed Drew Brees and Cam Newton to combine for 69.14 fantasy points the last two weeks…The New England Patriots look more like the New England Browns to start the 2018 season. Ryan Tannehill (averaging almost 20 points fantasy points per game) could have a big game against the Pats struggling defense against a streaking Miami team…The only thing that is scarier than Eli Manning‘s passing woes is the atrocious Saints second he matches up against, which has allowed 40+ fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in two of three weeks so far this season.

Others, for those of you in leagues with your grandmothers and pets (50-60% Yahoo ownership)

1. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (60% Yahoo ownership); (7-10% FAAB)
2. Alfred Morris, RB, San Fransisco 49ers (53% Yahoo ownership); (6-8% FAAB)
3. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants (56% Yahoo ownership) (4-6% FAAB)
4. Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts (53% Yahoo ownership) (4-6% FAAB)
5. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (56% Yahoo ownership) (4-6% FAAB)
6. Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets (60% Yahoo ownership) (3-5% FAAB)
7. Jordy Nelson, WR, Oakland Raiders (52% Yahoo ownership) (2-4% FAAB)

Guys, Austin Ekeler is really good. For the love of everything that is holy, go pick him up immediately…Evan Engram might miss multiple weeks with a sprained MCL, so Sterling Shepard could see an expanded role in the Giants offense…With 3 scores and 80+ receiving yards in two of three games this year, Mike Williams has shown even in a crowded LA Charger offense he is worth weekly Flex consideration.

Week 4 Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens 
2. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons 
3. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals 
4. Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers 
5. Antonio Callaway, WR, Cleveland Browns 
6. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers 
8. Chris Ivory, RB, Buffalo Bills
9. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
10. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, New Orleans Saints 
11. Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
12. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
13. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
14. Ben Watson, TE, New Orleans Saints
15. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
17. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
18. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
19. Green Bay Packers DST
20. Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Good luck finding these diamonds in the rough. Remember, some stashes can immediately become starts, so always stay updated with RSJ, as we will always provide the latest and greatest info.

To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me ‪@AJGamballer‪.