By Winsto (09/23/2025)
Waiver Wire: Week 04 (2025)
Before we get to the Waiver Wire edition, here are a few observations from Week 03
- As of right now, I am not sure is you can start Isiah Pacheco (RB-KC) anymore for the foreseeable future. I would not cut him, as he is a starting running back, but given that he is losing short-yardage/goal line work to Kareem Hunt (RB-KC), is averaging only 1.3 receptions per game, is averaging a career low 3.3 yards per reception, and is averaging a career low 8.3 rushing attempts per game (with a 3.7 YPA), he should not be in your starting line-up.
- I continue to wait for the Daniel Jones (QB-Ind) led Indianapolis offense to falter, but we are now 3 weeks into the season, and so far, it continues to thrive. Jonathan Taylor (RB-Ind) could very well finish as the top RB. Michael Pittman (WR-Indy), after a down year, looks like he is returning to a WR2, and Tyler Warren (TE-Ind) looks like a top 5 TE—the TDs will come. Even Alec Pierce (WR-Ind) (who looks likely to miss a game due to concussion) and Josh Downs (WR-Ind) are very much fantasy relevant. Maybe it’s time we start believing in this offense and Daniel Jones. Look, I still do not have complete confidence, but on a scale of 1-10, my confidence in this offense has increased from a 1 to a 5.5.
- Last week, I mentioned how Cincinnati’s offense should still be okay with Jake Browning (QB-Cin), though not elite. That was rough to look at on Sunday. That said, I don’t think Browning is as bad as he looked. Better days for Ja’Marr Chase (WR-Cin), Tee Higgins (WR-Cin), and Chase Brown (RB-Cin) will come.
- In my Weekend Wonderings write-up, I questioned whether or not Baltimore’s passing game can support multiple pass catchers, as Zay Flowers (WR-Bal) had been stellar while Mark Andrews (TE-Bal) had been MIA, but I noted that Andrews is still getting separation. Well, Monday night’s game against Detroit showed us that Andrews is still viable while Flowers went MIA for Week 03. It could be a scenario where one of these two will feast while the other is getting scraps on a week-to-week basis. What could complicate matters moreso is the eventual return of Isaiah Likely (TE-Bal). Does Likely impact this scenario? We may need to play a wait-and-see approach here.
We now have a 3 week sample size. We do not want to cut slow starters if they have proven themselves in the past, but we should start reassessing players drafted late in fantasy drafts who have done little. Here are some players that can help your fantasy line-up:
NOTE: These are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Sam Darnold (Sea)–After a slow start in Week 01, Darnold has turned in two solid fantasy performances, averaging 256 yards passing, 4 TDs, and 2 INTs during that span. Yes, the opposing defenses were not stout, but the thing is he does not face an overly impressive defense for the foreseeable future (until maybe Week 11).
Carson Wentz (Min)–At one time, Wentz was very good. It has been a while since then. He has struggled for a few years now. That said, he has Justin Jefferson (WR), a returning Jordan Addison (WR), and T.J. Hockenson (TE) to throw passes to. Those guys can make non-elite QBs look pretty good. He also has Pittsburgh defense, which has struggled against the pass, in Week 04. In addition, IF Wentz plays well, who is to say he does not keep the job even when J.J. McCarthy (QB-Min) returns from his injury.
Jaxson Dart (NYG)–Just to remind you, Dart is inevitable. Every Giants loss brings it closer to happening. Yep, while finishing up this column, New York has officially made the switch. How Dart fares is uncertain, but he has shown enough to make the coaches go ahead and bench Russel Wilson (QB-NYG) after only three games. Also, he has Malik Nabors (WR-NYG) to throw to.
Tyrod Taylor (NYJ)–If Justin Fields (QB-NYY) misses more time, the competent journeyman faces two very generous defenses over the next two weeks (Miami and Dallas). You could do worse.
Deeper League Adds:
Dillon Gabriel (Cle)–There are weapons on this offense. Cleveland’s upset win over Green Bay may have delayed it, but eventually, I do believe Cleveland will turn to Gabriel.
RUNNING BACK
Trey Benson (Ari)–(Rostered in 53% of Yahoo)–If he is available, he is the top add, as he may be the best Waiver Wire grabs of the season. With unfortunate news of the James Conner (RB-Ari) injury, it is now Benson’s backfield. He should flirt with top 12 RB status.
Blake Corum (LAR)–He is already a higher end hand-cuff, and he is seeing more use this season than last. I am not saying Kyren Williams’s (RB) job is in jeopardy, but Corum is one of those lottery tickets that could pay off.
Kareem Hunt (KC)-Hunt is not the same player as he once was, but while he has lost burst, he has not lost his vision. He does look like the preferred short-yardage option for KC. In TD heavy leagues, there is value here. He has played 38%, 40%, and 44% of the snaps in the first three games. He might be more fantasy relevant than Isiah Pacheco (RB-KC) at this point.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Was)–With Austin Ekeler (Was) out for the season, we all expected it to be Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Was) time. So of course, OC Kliff Kingsbury, who does have a track record of frustrating the fantasy community, incorporates Rodriguez Jr. pretty quickly into the game-plan—he started the game. This, after Rodriguez Jr. was a healthy scratch for the first two games. I still think Croskey-Merritt is the RB you want in this backfield, and I am not rushing to add Rodriguez Jr., partly because I think the ceiling with Rodriguez Jr. is he is part of a 3-man committee. I want no part of that. Still, I am including him here because, on occasion, I could be wrong.
Deeper League Add—Brashard Smith (KC)–I will mention him every week for the foreseeable future. The theme here is that while Isiah Pacheco is a solid RB, his vision and potential for explosive plays seem to have limitations. Kareem Hunt (KC) has vision, but not much burst. The 7th round rookie may have vision limitations, but he is also more explosive and better at catching the ball. I believe he is going to get a crack at more touches, sooner rather than later. For PPR leagues, he is worth a look if you have space. He is someone who may work his way into significant playing time here, though his ceiling may be limited with little use in short-yardage situations.
WIDE RECEIVER
Tre Tucker (LV)–A funny thing happened to LV after drafting Jack Beck (WR) in the 2nd round and Dont’e Thornton Jr. in the 4th during the offseason: neither could beat out Tucker for the WR2 spot. Tucker, a 3rd round draft pick from 2023, is now in his 3rd season. He has 20 targets on the season (tied with Justin Jefferson), he has 13 receptions (tied with Courtland Sutton and Davante Adams), has 211 receiving yards (more than Tyreek Hill and Emeka Egbuka), and 4 receiving TDs (tied with Rome Odunze and Aman-Ra St. Brown). What does this all mean? It may mean Tucker just had a really nice Week 03 which is skewing everything and nothing more. It could also mean that he is starting to come into his own. If you have the space, he may be worth a pick-up just to see.
Tyquan Thornton (KC)–Thornton has now been tied or has the most snaps of any of the KC WRs two weeks in a row now. He has seen 14 targets and caught 7 of them for 130 yards and 2 TDs during that stretch. He is 2nd on the team in targets, tied for 1st in receiving yards, and has the only TD grabs of any of the WRs. The caveat here is that this is happening without Xavier Worthy (WR), who is expected to play in Week 04. How much, considering the shoulder injury, I do not know. Until Worthy returns to a full time role (as well as until Rashee Rice returns in Week 07), Thornton is most valuable fantasy player in this WR room. Thornton has gained the trust of Patrick Mahomes (QB), and though he may be inconsistent, as he is more of the deep threat in this offense, he can put up yardage with few receptions and the occasional TD.
Troy Franklin (Den)–I mentioned him last week, so of course, he disappears in Week 03 while Courtland Sutton (WR) reminds us all that he is still the alpha WR on this team. I still think there may be something here, though. It may have just been a bad match-up against the Chargers.
Alec Ayomanor (Ten)–The 4th round rookie is seeing the 2nd most snaps in the WR room and has a TD in two straight games. Until this passing offense shows progression, however, there is a limited ceiling here.
Deeper League Add—Luke McCaffrey (Was)–Terry McLaurin, dealing with an injury, may be looking as some missed time. McCaffrey, who had 3 receptions for for 51 yards and a TD, may see more opportunities if that happens.
TIGHT END
Harold Fannin Jr. (Cle)–I mention Fannin Jr. every week; he is still below 50%. The rookie BGSU product is a bit of a unicorn, and Cleveland has recognized it. He currently sits 8th amongst TEs in targets (14), 4th (tied) in receptions (12), and 11th in receiving yards. He played 72% of the snaps in Week 01, 63% in Week 02, and 64% in Week 03 (compared with his fellow TE, David Njoku, who played 84%, 82%, and 76% respectively). I love the potential here and envision a top 8 finish among TEs for the season. If you are in the TE dead zone—players who get 3-4 receptions for 30-40 yards and the occasional TD, I would take the upside here.
Cole Kmet (Chi)–This is dependent on the injury status of Colston Loveland (TE). If Loveland misses time, Kmet, who has proven to be a fantasy assett in the past, could be one again.
Deeper League Add—Isaiah Likely (Bal)–I am not sure how he will factor into this offense, but if you are desperate at the TE position, he is not a player to roll the dice on.