By Winsto (09/30/2025)
Before we get to the Waiver Wire edition, here are a few observations from Week 04
- In a game that saw Jordan Love (QB-GB) throw 43 times (3rd most of his career) for 337 yards (2nd most of his career), Matthew Golden (WR-GB) caught 5 passes for 58 scoreless yards on 6 targets. Was he 2nd on the team in targets? Yes, but a 14% target share is not what you are hoping for here. In addition, he saw less snaps (59%) than both Romeo Daubs (WR-GB), who saw 90%, AND Dontayvion Wicks (WR-GB), who saw 77%. I still think Golden is a hold, but we are getting to the point where bye weeks may force your hand. As for Daubs and his career high 3 TD receptions, he definitely seems to be the preferred Red Zone target, and he has use in deeper leagues. I just think we would be chasing points here, as he only has 19 targets on the year.
- Against a very depleted Baltimore defense, Patrick Mahomes (QB-KC) greatly benefitted from the return of Xavier Worthy (WR-KC), throwing 4 TD passes, which he has not done since October 22, 2023. Yes, it was an injury-riddled Baltimore, but this was a good sign. Imagine the potential when Rashee Rice (WR-KC) returns in Week 07. The player that may have been adversely affected the most, however, looks to be Tyquon Thornton (WR-KC), who saw his playing time drop from over 70% in each of the first three games to 34%. He also saw only 2 targets but was fortunate to score with one of them. I do think Thornton will retain some value, but more as a WR4/5.
- Christian McCaffrey (RB-SF) currently has a 3.3 YPC, down from his career average of 4.7. His longest rush (15 yards) this year is even topped by Brian Robinson Jr., who has a 19 yard rush, and who has a 4.4 YPC. Look, this is still a small sample size. Now, I am not remotely suggesting Robinson Jr. is a better RB. What I am, however, suggesting is that San Francisco’s injury woes could hampering McCaffrey’s ceiling. He is still amazing catching the ball and will continue to be a RB1 for the season, but with all of the injuries surrounding him, he may not be able to fare as well as his last few healthy seasons.
- We have to reassess the LAC WRs. Quinton Johnson (WR-LAC) looks like the #1, as he has played 230 snaps (compared to Ladd McConkey’s 236), has 37 targets (compared to McConkey’s 27), has 337 receiving yards (compared to McConkey’s 174), and has 4 TDs (compared to McConkey’s 0 TDs. In fact, McConkey is not even the 2nd most valuable fantasy WR on this team right now, as Keenan Allen (WR-LAC) has better fantasy stats (231 receiving yards and 3 TDs). Unless I see drastic changes here, I will be ranking Johnson, Allen, and then McConkey in that order for fantasy. Like most fantasy pundits, this was not a scenario I envisioned before the season began.
- Ugh! Look, based off of how Jake Browning (QB-Cin) two years ago when Joe Burrow (QB-Cin) missed time, I really believed Cincinatti’s offense could at least be serviceable for fantasy football. It has not been pretty. In his two starts since the injury to Burrow, he has not topped 140 passing yards, and has 1 TD with 2 INTs. Those two games were against top tier defenses against the pass, and the schedule gets slightly better the next several weeks (Det and GB). It gets significantly better, however, after Week 06 (Pit, Chi, and NYJ). So what do we do? We should continue to downgrade Ja’Marr Chase (WR-Cin), Tee Higgins (WR-Cin), and Chase Brown (RB-Cin) and hope that things will improve after Week 06.
And now, for the waivers….
We now have a 4-week sample size. We still want to be careful in cutting slow starters who have proven themselves in the past, but we should at least start to consider it if necessary. We should also start reassessing players drafted late in fantasy drafts who have done little.
In addition, with unfortunate injuries to several fantasy relevant players as well as the first of the Bye Weeks, here are some players that can help your fantasy line-up:
NOTE: These are players rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
QUARTERBACK
Matthew Stafford (LAR)-He has at least one TD in each of his games. He is also 2nd in the league in passing yards (1,114). His next two games are against SF and Baltimore. The SF game looks tough, but with the injuries to that team, particularly on offense, The Rams offense may be on the field more than usual, and that could allow Stafford to have more time and opportunities for fantasy points. Then against Baltimore, its defense is decimated and is yielding many points to opposing offenses.
Sam Darnold (Sea)–After a slow start in Week 01, Darnold has turned in three solid fantasy performances, averaging about 252 yards passing, 1.67 TDs, and 0.67 INTs during that span. Yes, the opposing defenses were not stout, but the thing is he does not face an overly impressive defense in Week 05 (Tampa Bay).
Jaxson Dart (NYG)–Not having Malik Nabors (WR-NYG) for the rest of the season really hurts, but he put forward a solid fantasy performance in his first start against a solid LAC defense, particularly on the ground with 54 rushing yards and 1 TD. He gets a bottom tier defense in Week 05 (NO).
Deeper League Adds:
Dillon Gabriel (Cle)–There are weapons on this offense, yet this offense has not produced. I do not think this is all Joe Flacco’s (QB-Cle) fault, as there are issues on the offensive line, but a change is looming. It could happen by the time you are reading this.
RUNNING BACK
Woody Marks (Hou)–Houston may have found the formula for some offensive success, as Marks saw a majority of the snaps at RB for the first time this season (56%). He capitalized on this opportunity, with 69 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, and 2 total TDs. I thought Nick Chubb (RB-Hou) had another year in him, and I still do not think Chubb is going away. But, Marks gives this offense more juice and a better pass-catching option out of the backfield. Based on what we saw in Week 04, it sure looks like Marks is the RB you want in this backfield. How much that is worth remains to be seen, as this offense still has offensive line issues and his success was against Tennessee. Still, Marks is my priority add of the week, especially considering an injury-riddled defense (Baltimore) is on deck for Week 05.
Kendre Miller (NO)–Miller has seen more and more snaps and touches in the last several weeks, and he has looked pretty good—averaging 4.4 YPC. I am not sure if he is a flex play just yet, but he looks like a pretty high end hand-cuff at the very least. And, if for some reason Alvin Kamara (RB-NO) were to get traded, Miller would be in line for solid production.
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.
Rachaad White (TB)–There are reports that Bucky Irving (RB-TB) got a bit dinged up in Week 04. IF, the injury is more serious than currently expected, White would step in and enter RB2 conversation, though I suspect Sean Tucker (RB-TB) would also be involved.
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. He is already seeing an increase in snaps, and I suspect that will continue. 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 as Hunt does seem to have a solid grip on short-yardage situations.
WIDE RECEIVER
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG)–When Jaxon Dart (QB-NYG) does throw, he has to throw to someone, right? Robinson led the WRs in targets (6) in Week 04. Nabors is out for the season. New Orleans is the next opponent. He is probably in the WR4/5 range for Week 05.
Alec Ayomanor (Ten)–The 4th round rookie has the most targets (12), receiving yards (151), and TD receptions (2) on the team. However, until this passing offense shows progression, however, there is a limited ceiling here. He is probably in the WR4/5 range.
Tyquan Thornton (KC)–The return of Xavier Worthy (WR) really put a dent in Thornton’s snaps in Week 04, as mentioned above. Still, he is a WR4/5 in fantasy, as I still envision 1-2 deep shots directed towards him in each game.
Deeper League Add—Luke McCaffrey (Was)–Terry McLaurin (WR-Was), dealing with an injury, may be looking as some missed time. McCaffrey has a TD reception in each of the last two games, and he may see more if McLaurin continues to miss.
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 7th amongst TEs in targets (24), 8th in receptions (17), and 13th in receiving yards. He played 72% of the snaps in Week 01, 63% in Week 02, and 64% in Week 03, and 85% in Week 04 (compared with his fellow TE, David Njoku, who played 84%, 82%, 76%, and 84% 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.
Darren Waller (Mia)–In my weekend write-up, I said “I am not going to be chasing the ghost of 2020 Darren Waller (TE-Mia) in 2025.” Well, it seems like I should open my mind up to the possibilities of a spirit world. Waller looked solid in his debut. He only played 16 snaps, but he still managed a 3-27-2 stat line on 4 targets. With the injury to Tyreek Hill (WR-Mia), Tua Tagovailoa (QB-Mia) has to throw to someone other than Jaylen Waddle (WR-Mia), right? Particularly in the Red Zone, no? Look, Waller is not young and could get hurt at any time, but if you are in the tight end dead zone, I would roll the dice here.
Brenton Strange (Jax)–Not necessarily for Week 05 (v. KC), but Strange has seen at least 4 targets in every game, with at least 7 targets in the last two games.
Deeper League Add—Taysom Hill (TE-NO)–Reports are that he is returning to practice. He is not young and coming off a major injury, but again, if you have space and want to see, he’s not the worst option.