2024 - Week 4 Waiver Academy

Here’s our favourite waiver options this week!

 QB

• check to see if available: Jordan Love

1. Sam Darnold: The man’s MVP odds have shot up with his strong start to the season. He is competently leading this Vikings team so far. We’ve yet to see them really face any adversity, but they’ve been dominant. The most solid option available. A short term and potential season long option
2. Brock Purdy: The passing game got going in the niners last game despite missing Samuel and Kittle. I think the Patriots true colours showed last week, now they have to go cross country to a niners team that needs a win. Purdy should be a steady option again. A short term and potential season long option
3. Baker Mayfield: It was a rather disappointing game for the Bucs all around last week, their undermanned defence would have probably leaked points to Appalachian State. They got in a hole early, a hole that the Denver D didn’t let them out of. The Eagles should be an easier matchup, go back to Baker if you need a QB. A short term and potential season long option
4. Caleb Williams: Williams started to show us why he was so lauded against the Colts last week. He still needs to improve, but the Bears cannot run the ball to save their lives at the moment. The Rams pass D just got shredded by Brock Purdy, so I think Williams can have a good game here. A short term and potential season long option.
5. Justin Fields: This is not the sexiest option on the list, but Fields is playing competently right now and gets a fairly soft matchup against the Colts. Harris is a bit banged up, so they may lean on Fields a little more this week. A short term option
6. Andy Dalton: Did not expect to be suggesting you consider Andy Dalton as an option this week, but here we are. He was on fire last week and has seemingly energised this entire Panthers team. Don’t go expecting him to do the same as last week, but Dave Canales is the same coach who maximised Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. He should continue to be able to get a tune out of Dalton, especially against a Bengals defence that has been quite underwhelming so far. Also, can you say “Revenge Game”? A short term option

RB

• check to see if available: Chuba Hubbard, Bucky Irving, Alexander Mattison, Carson Steele

1. Braelon Allen: He has been surprisingly effective behind Hall so far. He likely won’t have more than flex value week to week, but we’ve seen teams who can support two fantasy relevant RBs before, and he’s a premium handcuff if anything were to happen to Hall. Has season long appeal
2. Cam Akers: As Naith said on the preview show last week, he was close to being the King of the Week at RB. Akers (just about) seized his opportunity last week, scoring a TD. Mixon is week to week, it’s now clear how close Pierce is to a return, so it’s worth adding Akers just in case - especially with a much softer matchup against the Jags on deck. He’ll be a good volume play again if the other backs sit. A short term option
3. Cordarrelle Patterson: Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are nursing injuries right now. Harris has seemingly already indicated he’ll be fine for Sunday, at worse Patterson may mix in, but if both backs were to sit will likely see a lot of volume. A short term option 
4. D’Onta Foreman: I’m not really too hot on this Browns offence at the moment, they really struggled to run last week and the O line has a lot of injury issues. But he seems to be getting the more valuable touches than Ford, so if the O line gets healthy and the offence improves, he could have some value. A speculative option 

WR

• check to see if owned: Rome Odunze, Quentin Johnston, Allen Lazard, Jordan Addison

1. Darnell Mooney: You may have been expecting to see Jennings atop this list. He’s second, you can see his blurb for why. But the reason Mooney is first is because he could carve out some season long flex value. He’s been reasonably well involved in this offence so far, I would argue in the same conversation as London and Pitts. If Kirk can shake some of the rust off this offence could take a step forward, and Mooney would he a prime beneficiary. A potential season long option 
2. Jauan Jennings: His week last week was stupendous for sure - but that will likely be his best game of the season by far. Once Samuel, Kittle, and potentially even Pearsall return his value will be gone. But, until that time, we can’t ignore that he could have value, especially with Aiyuk still trying to get back into a groove after his lengthy holdout. Assuming both Kittle and Deebo sit against the Patriots this week, Jennings arguably deserves to be started in your league. A short term option.
3. DeMario Douglas: This is one more for PPR, but the Pats offence is yearning out for a reliable weapon in the passing game. Douglas has shown he can be a serviceable receiver, and got it going a bit against the Jets last week. It would probably be wise for the Patriots to lean into that, and he may benefit when Maye eventually starts. A speculative option

TE

• check to see if available: TJ Hockenson (reserve stash), Dallas Goedert, Mike Gesicki

1. Cole Kmet: It’s pretty dire times at tight end at the moment. Cole Kmet popped up last week, which is partly a side effect of the sheer pass volume, but also I think a result of an offence trying some things to get going. Well, using Kmet was working. The Bears figure to be very pass heavy still, so I think that gives him some value. Rookie QBs typically love leaning on tight ends as well. A potential season long option 

K

1. Matt Prater: A kicker tied to a good offence is a good thing. Particularly when they’re playing a defence as poor as the Commanders.
2. Cairo Santos: This Bears offence isn’t fully clicking at the moment, and it’s causing them to stall out. I would expect the Bears to move the ball a bit easier against the Rams, which should give Santos the opportunity for some field goals
3. Chase McLaughlin: He didn’t get too many opportunities last week with the Bucs struggling and the game script not being favourable. A more competitive game at home in Sunny Florida keeps his value high.
4. Blake Grupe: The Saints offence hit a road bump against the Eagles last week. I think they get back more towards what they were in weeks 1 and 2. In some conditions and against a bitter rival, Grupe should be able to boot at least a couple through the uprights.
5. Jason Myers. Not massively in love with this one, but in some conditions in what should be a competitive game against the Lions, Myers should have his chances. 

DEF

1. Houston Texans: The Jags have not been at the races so far. This gives me pause slightly as these AFC south games can get weird, but the Texans will be looking to get back on track after a rough game last week, and the Jags at home figure to be the perfect chance to do just that 
2. Miami Dolphins: I considered them for number 1 on this list, but Miami’s own offensive struggles may hinder their defensive fantasy potential slightly. But the Titans and Will Levis give fantasy points to opposing defences like it’s Halloween, so they’re still a good option
3. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings defence has been elite so far. Going into Lambeau may be their toughest test yet (possibly even harder with Love potentially returning), but the Vikings D should be trusted until they show us otherwise
4. Kansas City Chiefs: They go to face a Chargers team who at best will have a hobbled Justin Herbert. The champs profile to pick up another win in LA. 
5. New Orleans Saints: The Falcons aren’t fully clicking at the moment, and this Saints D has looked pretty good through three games. They should have a decent game, but could dominate the Falcons if things go their way
6. Tennessee: Titans Miami figure to be onto their third QB in as many weeks. I’m not sure I entirely trust the Titans defensive on the road with their offence putting them in bad situations - but if you can’t get one of the other higher defences on this list they’re worth a dice roll against a Dolphins offence that has been entirely underwhelming so far this season
7. Los Angeles Rams: You might have to hold your nose a bit with this one. This defence isn’t an impressive unit, but neither is the Bears offence at the moment. Caleb is good for some sacks and potential turnovers, so the Rams defence will have opportunities