The Week 4 fantasy football waiver wire is loaded with players who are seeing their roles grow early in the season. Injuries, emerging target shares and changing backfield rotations are creating opportunities for fantasy owners looking for help before the next slate of games.
Quarterbacks such as Tyler Shough and Kirk Cousins are becoming legitimate streaming options, while several running backs could see significant workloads because of injuries. At wide receiver and tight end, there are also emerging options who could provide immediate fantasy value.
Here are the top Week 4 fantasy football waiver wire targets to consider adding.
Week 4 Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets
Tyler Shough (Saints)
Shough is making a strong case as a weekly fantasy football streaming option.
- Coming off a 255-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Raiders.
- Operating in a high-paced Kellen Moore offense.
- Showing a surprisingly strong fantasy floor.
- Four-touchdown upside gives him plenty of weekly ceiling.
Fantasy recommendation: Shough is a priority streaming quarterback and a strong waiver add for fantasy owners who need help at QB.
Kirk Cousins (Raiders)
Cousins remains under-rostered despite producing consistently over the past several weeks.
- Has thrown three touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
- Has scored 20-plus fantasy points in back-to-back weeks.
- Brock Bowers provides a reliable high-end target.
- Veteran quarterback remains a viable weekly streamer.
Fantasy recommendation: Cousins should be added in leagues where fantasy owners need a reliable streaming quarterback with legitimate touchdown upside.
Geno Smith (Jets)
Smith has quietly become a useful fantasy option over the past two weeks.
- Scored 15 and 26 fantasy points in his last two outings.
- Garrett Wilson gives him an established target hog.
- Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is emerging in the passing game.
- Gets a favorable Week 4 matchup against Chicago.
Fantasy recommendation: Smith is a worthwhile streaming option who has enough recent production to justify a waiver claim in deeper leagues.
Week 4 Running Back Waiver Wire Targets
Braelon Allen (Jets)
Allen could become one of the most important waiver wire additions of Week 4 if Breece Hall misses time.
- Hall suffered a quad injury late against Detroit.
- Hall is considered week-to-week.
- Allen immediately took over the backfield work.
- Would step into a potentially volume-heavy RB2 role.
- Gets Chicago in Week 4.
Fantasy recommendation: Allen should be one of the top waiver claims this week if Hall is expected to miss Sunday’s game.
Ollie Gordon (Dolphins)
Gordon’s opportunity increased significantly after De’Von Achane left with a knee injury.
- Received 17 carries and three targets.
- Jaylen Wright was inactive last week.
- Brings a physical running style to Miami’s backfield.
- Will see substantial volume with Achane sidelined.
Fantasy recommendation: Gordon is a priority waiver target with Achane out and should be rostered immediately in most formats.
Keaton Mitchell (Chargers)
Mitchell is an intriguing stash for fantasy owners looking for explosive upside.
- Seeing increased work as a change-of-pace back.
- Brings big-play ability to the Chargers’ backfield.
- Could earn a larger role as the season progresses.
- More valuable in deeper leagues and larger rosters.
Fantasy recommendation: Mitchell is a worthwhile bench stash who could develop into a flex option if his workload continues to grow.
Week 4 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets
Mack Hollins (Patriots)
Hollins has an opportunity to become a major part of New England’s passing game with A.J. Brown on IR.
- Has emerged as the Patriots’ top wide receiver.
- Owns a substantial target share.
- Coming off six catches for 87 yards.
- Saw nine targets in his latest game.
- Opportunity should remain strong while Brown is unavailable.
Fantasy recommendation: Hollins should be added wherever available because his combination of role and target volume gives him immediate fantasy appeal.
Keenan Allen (Colts)
Allen’s opportunity increased with Alec Pierce landing on IR.
- Received a season-high nine targets Sunday.
- Finished with six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
- Veteran receiver remains a trusted target.
- Faces Washington’s struggling secondary.
Fantasy recommendation: Allen is a strong Week 4 waiver target who can immediately help fantasy owners needing a reliable PPR wide receiver.
Kalif Raymond (Bears)
Raymond is becoming an intriguing part of Chicago’s passing game.
- Caught six of seven targets.
- Finished with 90 receiving yards and a touchdown.
- Developing a strong rapport with all of Chicago’s quarterbacks.
- Could continue seeing meaningful targets.
- Gets the Jets in Week 4.
Fantasy recommendation: Raymond is a worthwhile flex addition, particularly for fantasy owners looking for a potential short-term PPR contributor.
Week 4 Tight End Waiver Wire Targets
Juwan Johnson (Saints)
Johnson has gone from overlooked tight end to one of the most productive players at the position.
- Currently the overall TE3 through three weeks.
- Ranks behind only Trey McBride and Travis Kelce.
- Has become a reliable option in New Orleans’ passing attack.
- Benefits from the Saints’ high-powered offense.
- Offers both target volume and touchdown upside.
Fantasy recommendation: Johnson is a must-add if available and should be treated as more than a short-term streaming option.
Kenyon Sadiq (Jets)
Sadiq delivered his true breakout performance against Detroit.
- Caught seven of eight targets.
- Finished with 105 receiving yards and a touchdown.
- Has high draft capital invested in him.
- Mason Taylor’s absence has opened additional opportunities.
- Operating as the team’s top secondary target behind Garrett Wilson.
Fantasy recommendation: Sadiq should be a priority tight end add after his breakout game and could become a weekly fantasy starter if his role holds.
Brenton Strange (Jaguars)
Strange continues to provide a steady presence in Jacksonville’s passing game.
- Consistently involved as a short-to-intermediate target.
- Offers a relatively dependable target floor.
- Fits well as a bye-week or injury replacement.
- Could provide useful PPR production without needing a huge play.
Fantasy recommendation: Strange is a solid depth addition for fantasy owners who need immediate tight end help or a streaming option.
How to Approach the Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The biggest waiver wire opportunities often come from changes in opportunity rather than one big statistical performance. Fantasy owners should prioritize players whose workloads are likely to remain elevated.
Running backs such as Braelon Allen and Ollie Gordon could see major increases in volume. At wide receiver, Mack Hollins and Keenan Allen are benefiting from changes elsewhere on their depth charts, while Kalif Raymond is showing signs of developing chemistry in Chicago.
At tight end, Juwan Johnson has already established himself as a productive option, while Kenyon Sadiq’s breakout could signal the beginning of a larger role.
When setting waiver priorities, fantasy owners should consider expected workload, target share, offensive environment and how long the opportunity is likely to last rather than simply chasing the previous week’s box score.
Conclusion: Best Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Targets
The Week 4 fantasy football waiver wire has several players capable of making an immediate impact. Injury-created opportunities make Braelon Allen and Ollie Gordon especially important running back targets, while Mack Hollins and Keenan Allen have the opportunity to provide useful wide receiver volume.
At quarterback, Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith are increasingly viable streaming options. Juwan Johnson and Kenyon Sadiq give fantasy owners appealing options at tight end.
The key is to prioritize players whose role has changed, not simply players coming off a big fantasy performance. Identifying sustainable opportunity before the rest of the league can give fantasy owners a significant advantage heading into Week 4.
