Week 4 is here, and the waiver wire is starting to heat up with several rookies making their move. We’ve already seen flashes from some big-name first-year players, but this week could be your last chance to stash a few potential breakouts before the rest of your league wakes up. Whether you’re sitting pretty at 3-0, desperate at 0-3, or just grinding at 1-2, these stashes could swing your season down the stretch.
This week’s spotlight shines on Luther Burden, Ollie Gordon, Oronde Gadsden II, and Jaxson Dart, three rookies who are suddenly carving out roles. Burden just erupted for over 100 yards and a touchdown on limited snaps, Gordon punched in his first career score while earning a bigger workload, Gadsden looks like the Chargers’ most dangerous pass-catching tight end already, and Dart is getting the start in New York.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Grab these high-upside stashes now and thank yourself later.
FANTASY WEEK 4 WAIVER WIRE STASHES
OLLIE GORDON II, DOLPHINS (31% ROSTERED)
Ollie Gordon finally made some noise in Week 3, turning nine carries into 38 yards and his first career touchdown against the Bills. After barely seeing the field in the first two weeks, the rookie’s sudden usage spike was exactly what fantasy managers wanted to see from the bruising rookie.
De’Von Achane still has the lead role locked down, but Gordon looked good with his chances and showed enough juice to suggest Miami wants him involved in short yardage and goal line. With a Monday night matchup against the Jets on deck, he could be in line for another taste of work.
He’s not quite a weekly starter yet, but Gordon’s role is growing, and that makes him a smart stash while his arrow keeps pointing up.
JAXSON DART, QB GIANTS (22% ROSTERED)
The Jaxson Dart era is here, and it comes with some real fantasy intrigue. After a strong preseason and a rough start from Russell Wilson, Brian Daboll handed the reins to the rookie, and Dart wasted no time showing off his dual-threat upside. During the preseason, he racked up over 370 passing yards, three touchdowns through the air, plus another on the ground.
He steps into a dream setup with Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton forming a solid receiving corps with big-play upside. The rookie will take his lumps, but quarterbacks with mobility and weapons like this are too valuable to leave on the wire.
Dart isn’t an every-week starter yet, but his time is coming. Stash him now before he becomes one of the hottest names in fantasy.
LUTHER BURDEN III, WR BEARS (15% ROSTERED)
Rookie wideout Luther Burden only saw three targets in Week 3, but he turned them into 101 yards, a touchdown, and a little extra with a seven-yard rush. That’s what we call efficiency. His day was highlighted by a 65-yard flea-flicker bomb and a 29-yard grab that helped set up another score, proving just how dangerous he can be when given opportunities.
The Bears are easing him in (he played just 29% of the snaps), but Ben Johnson clearly wants him more involved. For now, he’s still behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze in the pecking order, so there will be ups and downs.
Still, Burden’s explosive ability makes him one of the most exciting stash-and-wait rookies out there. If his role grows, especially out of the slot, you’ll want him rostered before the breakout really hits.
ORONDE GADSDEN II, TE CHARGERS (2% ROSTERED)
Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II finally got his shot in Week 3, and he didn’t waste it. After being inactive the first two weeks, he stepped in with Will Dissly sidelined and turned 22 snaps into seven targets, catching five for 46 yards, including a couple of big grabs on the game-winning drive.
We put Gadsden on the map back in April, and he was finally given a chance to deliver.
What stood out most wasn’t just the stat line, but how clearly he looked like the only real pass-catching threat in the Chargers’ TE room. Sure, the Bolts have a crowded group of weapons, but Greg Roman’s offense has always leaned on tight ends, and Gadsden already has Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert talking him up.
He’s not an instant plug-and-play, but this feels like the start of something. If you’ve got room on your bench, stash him now before everyone else catches on.
