With Week 4 on the horizon, the waiver wire is becoming less about finding immediate starters and more about identifying the next breakout before the rest of your league catches on.
Whether it’s an emerging receiver seeing a larger target share, a backup running back one injury away from a featured role, or a tight end stepping into expanded opportunities, fantasy managers who stay ahead of the curve often gain the biggest advantage down the stretch.
If you have room at the end of your bench, now is the time to be proactive rather than reactive. These are the players worth adding before their breakout performances make them next week’s most popular waiver claims.
Note: These players are rostered in 50% or fewer Yahoo! leagues.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 4 WAIVER WIRE STASHES
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets
SAM DARNOLD, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (33% ROSTERED)
Sam Darnold is shaping up as one of the better Week 4 waiver wire stash options for fantasy managers in need of quarterback depth. After exiting Seattle’s Week 1 win with a glute injury after just two pass attempts, Darnold is expected to return to the starting lineup this week after logging full practices on both Thursday and Friday.
Darnold proved last season that he can deliver fantasy value, helping lead his team to a Super Bowl title while showing the ability to capitalize on favorable matchups. Although Seattle’s run-heavy offense can create weekly volatility at the quarterback position, Darnold still flashed QB1 upside throughout the year and now gets an appealing Week 3 matchup against a vulnerable Washington secondary.
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba balling out with Drew Lock, Darnold has the weapons needed to put together a productive fantasy outing. At just 33% rostered in many leagues, he’s widely available and worth stashing now before a potentially strong performance drives up his waiver wire demand. Managers streaming quarterbacks or looking for depth should take a close look at Darnold.
Other QB Targets: Deshaun Watson (CLE, 6%); Jameis Winston (NYG, 5%); Marcus Mariota (WAS, 3%)
Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups
TANK BIGSBY, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (37%)
Tank Bigsby remains one of the top running back handcuffs to stash ahead of Week 4, especially for managers invested in Saquon Barkley. While Barkley is expected to suit up after dealing with a stinger suffered in Philadelphia’s Week 2 victory over Tennessee, Bigsby showed enough to keep fantasy managers interested if an opportunity ever opens up.
After Barkley exited, Will Shipley narrowly out-snapped Bigsby in the first half, but Bigsby was clearly the more involved playmaker. He touched the ball on the majority of his snaps and out-touched Shipley 15-9, finishing with 38 total yards and a touchdown. More importantly, Bigsby’s usage suggests he would likely lead the backfield if Barkley were forced to miss time.
The standalone fantasy value may be limited while Barkley is healthy, but contingency-based upside is exactly what fantasy managers should be targeting on the waiver wire. With Bigsby still available in more than 60% of leagues, he’s a high-upside stash who could become an instant RB2 if Philadelphia’s star running back is sidelined at any point during the season.
EMMETT JOHNSON, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (34%)
Chiefs rookie RB Emmett Johnson is one of the more intriguing Week 4 waiver wire stash candidates.. Despite being rostered in just 34% of leagues, Johnson has shown explosiveness whenever he’s touched the ball this season, averaging 51.5 total yards on limited opportunities while flashing the big-play ability that made him a standout during training camp and the preseason.
Johnson earned the No. 2 role behind Kenneth Walker and continues to validate that decision with his efficiency and involvement. While his current workload may not be enough for consistent starting value, he has already demonstrated that he can make the most of his touches and contribute in multiple phases of the offense.
The appeal here is all about upside. Walker remains the lead back, but he has never been utilized as a true 25-plus-touch workhorse, leaving room for Johnson’s role to grow as the season progresses. More importantly, Johnson would likely see a significant workload increase if Walker were forced to miss time, immediately placing him on the fantasy radar as a potential weekly starter.
For now, Johnson is a bench stash rather than a must-start option, but fantasy managers should consider adding him before his value spikes. If his role continues to expand, he could quickly become one of the hottest waiver wire pickups of the season.
Other RB Targets: Kaelon Black (SF, 50%); Alvin Kamara (NO, 41%); Mike Washington Jr. (LV, 35%); Emanuel Wilson (SEA, 25%); Braelon Allen (NYJ, 17%); Dylan Sampson (CLE, 8%); Demond Claiborne (MIN, 3%); Emari Demercado (DAL, 2%)
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets
TRE TUCKER, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (44%)
With Brock Bowers still sidelined, Tre Tucker took advantage of his expanded opportunity in Sunday’s win over the Chargers, hauling in five of seven targets for 119 yards and a touchdown. The explosive performance was another reminder of the big-play upside Tucker brings whenever he earns meaningful volume.
While consistency has been an issue throughout his career, the underlying usage metrics suggest this breakout wasn’t entirely random. Tucker owns an 18.6% target share, a strong 23.7% first-read share, and has been productive whenever targeted, averaging an impressive 3.04 yards per route run, per FantasyPros. He’s also seeing opportunities downfield, giving him the type of weekly ceiling fantasy managers covet.
The timing makes Tucker particularly intriguing as a waiver wire addition. If Bowers remains out, Tucker should continue playing a significant role in the passing game and has a favorable matchup against the Saints on deck. At under 50% rostered, fantasy managers still have a chance to add him before his ownership spikes following another productive outing.
Tucker carries some week-to-week volatility, but few widely available receivers offer this combination of opportunity in an ascending Raiders’ offense and explosive upside. This could be the last chance to grab him off waivers before he becomes one of the most popular waiver wire additions.
AD MITCHELL, NEW YORK JETS (40%)
Adonai Mitchell showcased his upside last week with a top WR25 finish, flashing the playmaking ability that made him a popular sleeper heading into the season.
The underlying metrics suggest Mitchell’s breakout could be sustainable across from Garrett Wilson. Through two games, he has commanded a 23.1% target share while earning a strong 25% first-read share from his quarterback, per FantasyPros. His 15.7-yard aDOT highlights his big-play role in the offense, and he’s already seen four deep targets and a red-zone opportunity, giving him multiple paths to fantasy production.
Mitchell enters Week 3 with a favorable matchup and legitimate flex appeal as the Jets WR2. His downfield usage gives him the type of weekly ceiling that can swing fantasy matchups, making him an attractive stash before his roster percentage climbs.
Although Mitchell appeared on the injury report Thursday with a finger issue, he was able to practice in a limited capacity on both Thursday and Friday and is currently listed as questionable. The expectation is that he’ll be available this week, making now an ideal time to add him before another productive performance boosts his waiver wire demand.
For fantasy managers searching for upside at wide receiver, Mitchell is a high-ceiling stash who could quickly become a weekly starter if his role continues to expand.
Other WR Targets: Dontayvion Wicks (PHI, 47%); Rashod Bateman (BAL, 39%); Malik Washington (MIA, 17%); Malachi Fields (NYG, 11%); Antonio Williams (WAS, 8%); Ryan Flournoy (DAL, 8%); Kalif Raymond (CHI, 8%); Pat Bryant (DEN, 8%); Chris Bell (MIA, 4%)
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets
ORONDE GADSDEN, LA CHARGERS (20%)
Oronde Gadsden is one of the more intriguing tight end stash candidates ahead of a potential breakout. With David Njoku and Charlie Kolar expected to miss extended time due to injury, Gadsden is positioned for a significantly larger role in the offense moving forward.
While his snap share has been limited so far this season behind Kolar and Njoku, the underlying efficiency numbers are encouraging. Gadsden owns a 21% target-per-route-run rate and is averaging an impressive 2.63 yards per route run, demonstrating his ability to produce when given opportunities. He has also seen a red-zone target, providing some touchdown upside as his workload increases.
The real appeal here is the combination of talent and opportunity. Gadsden was a highly regarded prospect coming out of college and showed flashes during his rookie season. Now, with additional playing time potentially on the horizon, he has a clear path to becoming a relevant fantasy contributor at one of the thinnest positions in fantasy football.
If the offense gains momentum under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, Gadsden could emerge as a reliable target and weekly streaming option. At a position where impact waiver wire additions are difficult to find, Gadsden is the type of high-upside stash worth adding before his role and roster percentage increase.
Other TE Targets: Terrance Ferguson (LAR, 27%); Chig Okonkwo (WAS, 21%); Pat Freiermuth (PIT, 18%); Kenyon Sadiq (NYJ, 16%); Darren Waller (CAR, 13%)
