With another wild football Sunday in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to assess the state of our fantasy teams and add (or cut) accordingly.
The injury report was loaded entering Week 4 with D’Andre Swift, Keenan Allen, Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery all out, and surprise inactives like Alvin Kamara and Zay Jones popping up last minute. Sunday only worsened matters, as we witnessed injuries to stars Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Williams and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Whether you need a long-term replacement for Williams or Patterson, or just need a Week 5 streamer, make sure to check out The Action Network’s top targets at each position — all of which are available in at least 50% of Yahoo! leagues — that you should prioritize come Tuesday night.
Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups
Fantasy Waiver QBs to Target'
Pickett made it into my lookahead waiver wire column on Friday with the suspicion we may see the rookie’s debut sooner rather than later.
Starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky was awful through the first two quarters of the team’s 24-20 loss to the Jets. Trubisky completed 7-of-13 attempts for 84 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception, which prompted the Steelers to hand the reins over to Pickett.
The 2022 first-round pick immediately injected life into Pittsburgh’s offense, though the stat line does not tell that story.
Pickett completed 10-of-13 attempts for 120 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions — one of which came on a Hail Mary on the final play of the game. He also rushed six times for 15 yards and two touchdowns.
It seems likely that the team will opt to start Pickett in Week 5 and beyond. His upcoming schedule isn’t great, but he is a good bench stash for Week 7 onward.
Next three games: at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Dolphins
Bridgewater got the call on Thursday Night Football after starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a devastating head and neck injury and was carted off the field.
Bridgewater was serviceable in the Dolphins’ 27-15 loss to the Bengals and completed 14-of-23 attempts for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He is currently the QB23 with one game left to play.
We all wish Tagovailoa a speedy recovery, and while there is no firm timetable for his return, he has already been declared out of the Dolphins’ Week 5 road matchup against the Jets. Bridgewater could be an inexpensive and widely available streaming option who has a number of weapons and a plus matchup on deck against the Jets’ permeable defense.
Next three games: at Jets, vs. Vikings, vs. Steelers
Tannehill looked serviceable in Tennessee’s 24-17 win over the Colts. He completed 17-of-21 attempts for 137 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He is currently the QB20 heading into Monday Night Football.
It was Tannehill’s third game this season with at least two touchdowns — a low bar admittedly, though I am very much intrigued by his Week 5 matchup against the Commanders.
Washington is allowing the fourth-most points per game and has yet to allow fewer than 22 points this season. Tannehill could be a good one-week band-aid for managers lean at quarterback.
Next three games: at Commanders, BYE, vs. Colts
Fantasy Waiver RBs to Target'
The Falcons leaned heavily on their run game after quarterback Marcus Mariota threw a pick in the third quarter on Sunday.