Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free-agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
Follow me on Twitter @UTEddieBrown if you have questions throughout the week.
Here are my best bets off the waiver wire for Week 4:
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ADD
WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings (ESPN: 34%; Yahoo: 31%): This past weekend was when members of one of the best wide receiver draft classes of all-time began to assert itself. Jefferson probably has the highest ceiling this season outside of Jerry Jeudy, and the Broncos rookie is owned in over 70% of leagues.
RB Carlos Hyde, Seahawks (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 19%): Chris Carson suffered a first-degree knee sprain and could miss the next couple of games. This would make Hyde at least a RB2 at the Dolphins this week.
QB Nick Foles, Bears (ESPN: 1%; Yahoo: 3%): The former Super Bowl MVP threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to help the Bears overcome a double-digit deficit and beat the Falcons. He has a difficult matchup this week against the Colts, but I like him as a premium streaming option going forward.
TE Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (ESPN: 19%; Yahoo: 33%): Thomas has four receptions in all three games this season and is tied for the second-most targets (24) among tight ends. I’ve written about him for three straight weeks. He needs to be owned in more leagues.
RB Myles Gaskin, Dolphins (ESPN: 46%; Yahoo: 47%): Gaskin had my curiosity, now he has my attention. He has at least four receptions in all three games (15 total) while outpacing Matt Breida and Jordan Howard by 19 carries each against the Jaguars. The only thing keeping him from being a true workhorse is Howard’s goal-line work.
BONUS: WR Preston Williams, Dolphins (ESPN: 53%; Yahoo: 30%): Williams has been working himself into shape after recovering from ACL surgery last year and faced two elite secondaries to begin the season. He scored against the Jaguars and the Dolphins will likely have to pass a bunch to keep up with Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. He’s only going to get better as the season progresses.
BONUS: TE Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (ESPN: 9%; Yahoo: 10%): Stop me if you’ve heard this before … a former basketball player turned tight end success story who has legit chemistry with Philip Rivers. Alie-Cox has 161 yards on eight receptions (nine targets) and a touchdown the last two games — and Jack Doyle was active against the Jets. He faces a Bears defense that has allowed a tight end to score in two of three games this season.
BONUS: RB Damien Harris, Patriots (ESPN: 16%; Yahoo: 25%): Harris looked capable of riding shotgun with Cam Newton in New England’s backfield during training camp before he broke his pinkie finger. I recommended you stashing him then. He’s eligible to return this week against the Chiefs. This could be your final chance to buy-low.
BONUS: QB Justin Herbert, Chargers (ESPN: 16%; Yahoo: 21%): Herbert appears much further along then what I expected him to be at this point. He looks like a true dual-threat and clearly makes the offense more dynamic than Tyrod Taylor. With two 300-yard passing games already under his belt, the rookie will have streaming value in most formats, especially with some solid matchups on the horizon — I’m looking at you Jets, Dolphins and Jaguars.
BONUS: D/ST Broncos (ESPN: 41%; Yahoo: 36%): I know there’s a lot of talent missing due to injuries, but they face the worst team in football coached by Adam Gase on a short week. What more could you want?
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DROP
QB Carson Wentz, Eagles: He has thrown multiple interceptions in each game this season and has completed fewer than 60% of his passes. The offense is riddled with injuries. Road games at San Francisco and Pittsburgh are up next followed by a matchup with Baltimore. This could get much worse before it gets better.
RB Kerryon Johnson, Lions: Johnson is still owned in 60% of ESPN leagues despite being stuck behind Adrian Peterson and rookie D’Andre Swift on the depth chart.
QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Jones has regressed every week in passing yards (279 to 241 to 179) and hasn’t thrown a touchdown since the first week of the season. His offensive line needs to mature and he needs to protect the ball better before he can take the next step.
RB Malcolm Brown, Rams: Stop me if you’ve heard this before … Brown scores multiple touchdowns to open a season and then quickly fades away into fantasy obscurity.
RB Tarik Cohen, Bears: Cohen has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
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