Week 4 of the 2023 season offered plenty of surprises and a handful of injuries likely to have major impacts on fantasy football lineups everywhere.
With essentially the first quarter of the season now behind us, the standings are beginning to take shape as some teams will show separation from the rest of the league.
The arrival of Week 5 brings the first taste of bye weeks. The Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all have a bye.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Priority Free Agents
1. WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Even though he didn’t find the end zone in Week 4, Doubs had one of his best games from a usage standpoint. The return of Christian Watson will likely dig into his work, but Doubs posted some strong numbers in prime time. He had nine receptions for 95 yards on the back of a season-high 38% target share. As the WR10 on the week entering Monday night, Doubs has three top-20 finishes on the season. Consider him a solid WR3 option moving forward.
Availability: 46%
FAAB: 20%
2. RB Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
Edwards was able to shake off a Week 3 concussion to take the majority of the work in the Ravens backfield in Week 4. His fantasy output wasn’t great, totaling just 49 yards. But he took 71% of the running back carries and saw a 17% target share. Those numbers aren’t easy to come by on the waiver wire. Don’t go crazy spending for Edwards, but he’s a decent RB3 option to have on the bench during bye season.
Availability: 35%
FAAB: 15%
3. WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
It may be some time before Williams has a major impact, but he certainly needs to be added off waivers. His six-game suspension was reduced to four games under the league’s new gambling policy, so Williams is eligible to return to the team in Week 5. What his role will look like remains to be seen considering the other names in the offense, but he has the talent and draft capital that warrants a roster spot for those who can afford to hold onto him in the event he needs a few weeks to get going.
Availability: 68%
FAAB: 15%
4. RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
I hesitate to put McLaughlin higher on the list even though he may be the new hotness on the waiver wire this week. Starter Javonte Williams is dealing with a hip flexor injury, and it’s unclear how much time he will miss. McLaughlin stepped in to make an immediate impact. He took seven carries for 72 rushing yards while adding three receptions for 32 receiving yards and a touchdown. As long as Williams is out, the undrafted rookie will get more work in the backfield rotation, but he’s also 5-foot-7 and 187 pounds, so we shouldn’t expect a major workload. Still, he has enough juice to warrant an addition as a depth piece if Williams misses a few games. He’ll be someone’s top add, so if you’re desperate, be prepared to spend up.
Availability: 97%
FAAB: 12%
5. WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer and the Chargers will be on a bye in Week 5, so those who can’t afford to stash him should feel free to bump him down this list in terms of priority. But as expected, Palmer took over the No. 2 role with Mike Williams done for the season. He was tied for the team lead in routes run and led the team with a 33% target share. Palmer salvaged his day with a 51-yard catch late in the fourth quarter, but he can provide a solid WR3 floor in the right matchup.
Availability: 38%
FAAB: 10%
6. WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
When rookies show signs of life early in the season, we should pay attention. Wilson has been quietly putting together a strong start to the campaign since Week 1. The third-round pick has had a limited role but has flashed with 56 and 86 receiving yards in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. However, he had a true breakout in Week 4. Wilson posted a 7-76-2 receiving line on a season-high 17% target share. The pass-heavy script certainly helped, but the Cardinals offense is better than expected. There will be volatility, but Wilson is deserving of our attention.
Availability: 98%
FAAB: 10%
7. RB Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos
Like McLaughlin, Perine finds himself as a potential target because of the injury to Williams. He didn’t find as much success in Week 4 as McLaughlin did, totaling just 35 yards on eight touches. However, Perine led the backfield in snaps and routes run, so he warrants consideration even if his production has been severely underwhelming over the last three weeks. Perine is an RB4 option for those in desperate need of depth at the position.
Availability: 48%
FAAB: 10%
8. WR Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
At this point in his career, we know who Boyd is as a fantasy asset. With Tee Higgins dealing with rib factures, there’s a chance he misses time, and it’s expected that Boyd will step in as the No. 2 behind Ja’Marr Chase. Boyd typically mans the slot, so he’s not a direct replacement for Higgins, but he’ll be the next in line to step up. The Bengals offense is seriously concerning through four weeks, so Boyd will continue to be volatile, but there’s at least a path for production for teams desperately searching for wide receiver help.
Availability: 63%
FAAB: 8%
Grab-n-Stash
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren has now seen double-digit opportunities in each of the last three weeks and has posted at least four receptions in three of four games this season. He and Najee Harris split snaps equally for the first time in 2023. It’s unlikely we see Warren fully take over the backfield, but he’s seen at least a 13% target share in every game this season. Warren is inching closer to having weekly flex value.
Availability: 45%
FAAB: 5%
RB Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
The undrafted free-agent rookie is eligible to come off the Reserve/PUP list this week. He’s undersized at 5-foot-8, 179 pounds, but he ran a 4.37 at the NFL combine. Considering the ambiguity in Baltimore’s backfield, he’s worthy of monitoring.
Availability: 83%
FAAB: 3%
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
How the dynamic will look when Christian Watson is fully healthy remains to be seen, but Reed should retain the starting slot role. He’s posted at least a 15% target share in each game this season and could be primed for a second-half breakout.
Availability: 76%
FAAB: 3%
RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
It was the Derrick Henry show in Week 5 as The King returned to form. Still, Spears played just four fewer snaps than Henry while running more routes and seeing more targets. The rookie has been efficient with his touches, averaging 5.0 yards per touch while posting at least a 12% target share in three of four games this season.
Availability: 76%
FAAB: 3%
WR Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson and the Giants play Monday night, so this is somewhat of a proactive move. He made his season debut coming off a torn ACL in Week 3, clearly in a limited role. However, he still garnered four receptions and five targets on just nine routes run. Robinson will be heavily involved once he’s fully back, and we should expect an increased role Monday night and moving forward.
Availability: 98%
FAAB: 3%
WR Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos
The electric rookie saw a slightly increased role, though it hasn’t reached the point where he can be trusted in fantasy lineups. In Week 4, Mims played 17 snaps and ran 12 routes, exactly the same as Brandon Johnson. He managed two receptions, something he’s done in three of his games this season but finished with 47 yards. The big-play ability is there. It’s simply a matter of whether his role will increase to the point of relevance.
Availability: 61%
FAAB: 3%
RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
The rookie running back plays Monday night, and Seattle is on a bye in Week 5, so it’s understandable if managers don’t want to hold him through the week. However, he’s seen a steady increase in snaps and opportunities every week this season, logging his first game with double-digit opportunities in Week 3. The backfield still belongs to Kenneth Walker III, but Charbonnet has slowly stolen more work.
Availability: 40%
FAAB: 3%
WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Still running as the No. 3 wideout in Dallas, Gallup is finally showing some signs of life. He’s seen at least six targets and five receptions in each of the last two games, posting 19% and 17% target shares in that span, respectively. That’s nothing crazy, but it is at least something to monitor.
Availability: 81%
FAAB: 3%
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Downs probably isn’t ready to be put in fantasy lineups just yet. Even with just three targets in Week 4, the rookie still posted a 13% target share. As Anthony Richardson gets more comfortable running the offense, Downs is likely to be a more stable asset as a potential WR4 in PPR leagues.
Availability: 89%
FAAB: 1%
Streamers of the Week
QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons: Stroud was nearly put in the priority additions section. He has been a QB1 in each of the last three weeks, averaging 323.3 passing yards and two touchdowns per game in that span.
Availability: 53%
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Stafford is nursing a hip injury, so be sure to monitor that situation. He’s averaging 307.3 passing yards per game this season while the Eagles have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. There’s also a chance Cooper Kupp returns this week from his hamstring injury.
Availability: 50%
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers: The matchup isn’t great but neither are most of the options at tight end. Ferguson has seven targets in three of four games this season, so at least there’s a track record of volume.
Availability: 47%
TE Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Ertz is pretty boring as an option, but we can’t deny six receptions and at least eight targets in three of four games. Cincinnati is also a top-six matchup for tight ends.
Availability: 74%
Washington Commanders D/ST vs. Chicago Bears: Playing defense against Chicago’s offense has been a strong move. They’re allowing the second-most fantasy points per game and have surrendered the second-most sacks.
Availability: 75%
Green Bay Packers D/ST at Las Vegas Raiders: Even if Jimmy Garoppolo makes his return from a concussion, the Raiders are a top-10 matchup for opposing defenses, allowing a league-high seven interceptions.
Availability: 74%
PK Riley Patterson, Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers: Patterson has been solid this season and is connected to a strong offense. The Panthers have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far.
Availability: 65%
PK Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets: Lutz hasn’t been a difference-maker, but he hasn’t been poor, either. Meanwhile, the Jets have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.
Availability: 95%
