The waiver wire for Week 4 wasn't as robust as in the last few weeks, but there are still a number of intriguing options worth adding as a spot starter. Here are players at each position who you could likely pick up off waivers and plug into your starting lineup this week.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Rams at Colts / 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday
Stafford and the Rams offense lost the early momentum they had been building this season against a desperate Bengals team this past Monday, with the signal-caller recording just 11.46 fantasy points. Even so, with a matchup against Indianapolis, which has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season (22.5), up next, Stafford should rebound nicely.
Aside from being a favorable matchup for QBs, Indianapolis has had trouble stopping wide receivers (27 ppg allowed) and fared well against running backs (13.3 ppg allowed), which, in turn, will benefit Stafford. Based on ESPN's projections, Stafford has a 25% chance to score more than 19.1 fantasy points compared to an 11% chance he finishes with fewer than 10.4 points, making him one of the safest streaming options this week.
Other viable options: Daniel Jones, New York Giants; C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Running back
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins at Bills / 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday
Despite the fact that Achane won't replicate the 233-yard, four-touchdown performance he posted last week, there's plenty to be excited about, especially with running back injuries on the rise. Even though veteran Raheem Mostert will remain the lead back in Miami, Achane has shown promise, and HC Mike McDaniel will surely continue to give the rookie a decent-sized role.
Per Underdog Fantasy's Hayden Winks, the Dolphins rank second among teams in running back usage this season, so if there was ever a timeshare to target, it's the Miami backfield. Achane gets the receiving work necessary to be productive in PPR scoring formats, and it's clear he has an elite ceiling. He won't need to score 51.3 points to be an effective RB2, we just need him to continue scoring in the double-digits.
Other viable options: Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks; Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Wide receiver
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Raiders at Chargers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday
In light of Mike Williams' season-ending ACL tear, Palmer was one of the hottest commodities on the waiver wire this week. While he might not be the most recognizable name, his talent and, more importantly, his role in the high-powered Chargers offense should instill enough confidence to insert him in the starting lineup immediately.
Palmer has proven he can be fantasy-relevant when given an increased workload. Across five career games without Williams, Palmer has averaged 13 PPR points per game, 5.6 receptions and 8.4 targets. Should Keenan Allen miss any time, Palmer could be a borderline top-12 wideout on a weekly basis.
Other viable options: Tank Dell, Houston Texans; Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Tight end
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Commanders at Eagles / 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday
The Commanders offense fell apart in last week's 37-3 loss to Buffalo, and although the outcome wouldn't have changed had Thomas been healthy, quarterback Sam Howell could've been more efficient if he had his tight end. As Heath Cummings of CBS Sports points out, Howell has heavily leaned on the position this season, targeting tight ends on roughly 30% of his pass attempts.
Thomas, who suffered a concussion during Washington's Week 2 win over Denver, is back at practice and expected to play against the Eagles on Sunday. Philadelphia has been an advantageous matchup for tight ends, allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position (12.2).
Other viable options: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints; Kylen Granson, Indianapolis Colts
Defense/ special teams
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs at Jets / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday
The Chiefs D/ST may be unavailable in your league since the team played the struggling Chicago Bears last week. However, if you can pick the unit up, the Chiefs are an instant starter ahead of typical steady starting options such as Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Kansas City is taking on the Zach Wilson-led New York Jets, which is arguably the best matchup for D/STs this season.
Wilson has thrown for 467 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions through three games. Additionally, the Jets haven't been able to effectively run the ball, averaging 91.3 rushing yards per game on the season, but only 51 yards per game over the last two games.
Other viable options: Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Baltimore Ravens
Kicker
Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers
Cardinals at 49ers / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
The Michigan product has impressed so far in his rookie season, though it shouldn't be all that surprising considering San Francisco spent a third-round pick on him. Moody has been consistent, hitting three field goals and three extra points in each of his three games, making him the second-highest-scoring kicker in fantasy football at the time of this article's publication.
Although Moody should be a strong season-long option given the 49ers offense is one of the NFL's best, he could have a career day in this week's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. According to OddsChecker, San Francisco is a 14-point favorite, and while it should score several touchdowns, the Cardinals defense is stingy and could force the 49ers to settle for field goals on a few possessions.
Other viable options: Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers; Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
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