Week 4 Waiver Wire: Must-Add Players, Deep Sleepers, Defense & Kicker Streaming Options (2025 Fantasy Football)

by Aaron St. Denis · Featured
Week 4 Waiver Wire

Welcome to the Week 4 Waiver Wire. In this article, I will highlight the players you should prioritize on waivers as we head into Week 4. I have broken down my targets into shallow, standard, and deeper league options. However, I will list more options under the standard column, as that will be the most popular range of targets.

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Week 4 Deep League Waiver Wire Targets

Note: This range will apply to leagues with deeper benches and more experienced managers, with players available in at least 75% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.

Quarterbacks

Geno Smith, Raiders (23% Rostered) | $3-5

It’s a thin quarterback waiver wire for deep leagues this week, as highlighted by the prime target being Geno Smith. After a week in which we had high hopes for some backups thrust into starting activity, we have little hope in Week 4. Those backups were mostly disappointing and left us with Old Faithful, Geno, as our only legit long-term option at the position.

Smith threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders in Week 3, showing he still has some value for fantasy managers. He faces the Bears in Week 4 and is both the best short-term and best long-term play on the waiver wire.

Sam Darnold, Seahawks (24% Rostered) | $2-4

Darnold is the forgotten man after being a stud last year in Minnesota. This year, he has gotten off to a slow start with the Seattle Seahawks, but 218 passing yards and two touchdowns was a solid QB2 performance for those in need of it in Week 2.

Darnold hasn’t offered any rushing upside this year with Seattle, as they have a solid running game. This caps his overall ceiling for fantasy. Regardless, he is a decent bye-week or injury replacement if you need one.

Other Options: Marcus Mariota, WAS (12% Rostered); Spencer Rattler, NO (7% Rostered).

Week 4 Standard League Waiver Wire Targets

Note: This range will primarily apply to most leagues with standard benches, with players available in at least 50% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, Rams (30% Rostered) | $3-5

Stafford is just a set-and-forget QB2 in superflex leagues and is likely not the quarterback you want to start in 1-QB leagues unless you have to. He won’t lose you the week, but he won’t win it for you either. He threw for 196 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against the Eagles and is just your run-of-the-mill QB2.

Cameron Ward, Titans (34% Rostered) | $2-3

Ward started to show signs of life in his third NFL start. In Week 3, he threw for 219 yards and a touchdown with one interception. He lacks any elite weapons, and the Titans are going to be playing low-scoring games, but they are likely to be playing from behind often and will have to throw more than they would like. Ward is a similar QB2 to Stafford; the difference is that he has a far lower floor.

Other Options: Trevor Lawrence, JAC (40% Rostered); Michael Penix Jr., ATL (39% Rostered).

Running Backs

Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (34% Rostered) | $4-5

Gordon ran for only 38 yards in Week 3, but he managed to crack the end zone. The Dolphins can score, which could be because they can’t stop anyone on defense. I’ll take a dart throw on a running back in a solid offense who has touchdown upside, especially if De’Von Achane were to be injured in this offense, which is notorious for running back injuries. When the Dolphins find themselves in a more winnable game, there should be plenty of opportunities for Gordon to produce flex-level fantasy points.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (34% Rostered) | $0-1

Gainwell is the running back who does very little, but somehow manages to produce a usable fantasy total every week. In Week 3, he only rushed for 16 yards, but he managed to score a touchdown. He also caught one pass for 10 yards. Gainwell has no floor, and no ceiling, and is possibly the grossest option you will ever put in your flex spot. Yet, somehow at the end of the day, he will score you six to 10 fantasy points in a pinch.

Other Options: Braelon Allen, NYJ (37% Rostered); Blake Corum, LAR (28% Rostered).

Wide Receivers

Luther Burden III, Bears (26% Rostered) | $10-12

Happy Luther Burden Breakout Day, if you celebrate it! Week 3 saw Burden light up the Cowboys to the tune of three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Caleb Williams looked to finally see the lightbulb go on in his head, and the Bears could instantly become a viable offense.

In most offenses, he would be my top waiver add of the week, but with so many mouths to feed in Chicago, he will be a volatile asset. If he can win the WR1 job, he will be a stud. As it sits, he is suddenly a solid flex option.

Elic Ayomanor, Titans (50% Rostered) | $5-7

Ayomanor put up another modest stat line with four catches for 38 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, and is emerging as a reliable target for Cam Ward. Ayomanor has the size and speed to be an elite receiver in the NFL, and if Ward can begin to become a competent passer, Ayomanor could be a steal of a deal. Calvin Ridley is the WR1 in the Tennessee offense for now, but he should see Ayomanor as an imminent threat to his role.

Other Options: Calvin Austin, PIT (45% Rostered); Marvin Mims, DEN (45% Rostered).

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (28% Rostered) | $1-3

Okonkwo is one of the younger, sexier tight end options, but that doesn’t necessarily make him better. He posted a line of five catches for 66 yards in Week 3 and was a touchdown away from being the top option in this tight end section.

Okonkwo has a higher ceiling than almost any tight end on the waiver wire; unfortunately, he also has the lowest floor. He is the definition of a boom-or-bust tight end.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars (40% Rostered) | $1-3

Strange is a similar option to Okonkwo, although he is on a slightly better offense, in theory. The Jaguars are a mystery, and it’s uncertain if they are a good offense or a bad one. One thing is that they are underperforming all around.

Still, Strange put up six catches for 61 yards in Week 3. With more competition for targets than Okonkwo, it’s not likely that he is a better long-term play than his Titans counterpart. Strange is a decent desperation option, but I wouldn’t count on him solving your every-week tight-end issues.

Other Options: Hunter Henry, NE (41% Rostered).

Week 4 Shallow League Waiver Wire Targets

Note: This range will primarily apply to home leagues and those with shorter benches, with players available in at least 25% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.

Quarterbacks

Caleb Williams, Bears (71% Rostered) | $5-10

Williams seems to have sorted out the issues between himself and new head coach Ben Johnson and turned the corner to fantasy relevance. In Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, Williams threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 12 yards. His rushing production was certainly nothing to write home about, but it shows his ability to run with the ball. If he can continue his production through the air and turn his rush attempts into a decent yardage total, he could find himself in the top-10 quarterback conversation very soon.

Daniel Jones, Colts (74% Rostered) | $5-7

Jones is a top-10 quarterback in the year 2025. You read that right. I’m not sure how, but Daniel Jones is actually playing well, and he’s available in 26% of leagues. He racked up 228 passing yards and a touchdown in Week 3, which was easily his worst stat line of the season; if this week was his floor, he is going to be useful for fantasy managers.

The scary thing to consider here is that it’s possible that this week wasn’t his floor and was actually him showing signs of turning back into a pumpkin. Regardless of what you believe, I wouldn’t spend too much FAAB on him.

Other Options: C.J. Stroud, HOU (67% Rostered).

Running Backs

Trey Benson, Cardinals (59% Rostered) | $25-30

Benson is the first of two league-winners who have emerged at running back through three weeks; the one I mention later is far less available than he is. Week 3 saw the inevitable injury to James Conner pop up, and if his face told the story, he won’t be back any time soon.

This is exactly why smart fantasy managers stashed Benson all along. With Conner out, Benson totalled 10 rushing attempts for 42 yards with three catches for 9 yards. That stat line is hardly earth-shattering, which is why he may be less sought after. If you’ve watched Benson at all, you know that this is the lottery scenario managers hoped for when drafting him. If he’s on your waiver wire, consider unloading the clip to acquire him. A 50% allocation of your FAAB may be conservative.

Jordan Mason, Vikings (73% Rostered) | $30-40

This is the league-winner I mentioned above, and he shouldn’t be available in your league. But on Sleeper, he is still available in 27% of leagues, and that’s 27% too many. When he plays without Aaron Jones, he is a lock for 25 fantasy points. We have at least three more weeks with Mason as the workhorse in Minnesota, and that means at least three more weeks of an RB1.

It’s also possible that when Jones returns, he will find that the RB1 job now belongs to Mason and that he won’t be getting it back. The bench may be in Jones’ immediate future.

Other Options: Nick Chubb, HOU (74% Rostered); Bhayshul Tuten, JAC (60% Rostered).

Wide Receivers

Michael Pittman, Colts (73% Rostered) | $12-15

Pittman shouldn’t be available on your waiver wire, but fantasy managers were so down on the Colts all offseason that he is still available in 27% of leagues, just like Mason. Somehow, the Indianapolis Colts are a good team. Miraculously, Daniel Jones is a good quarterback, and somehow this offense is clicking on all cylinders.

I would be lying if I told you that this level of play would continue all season, but for now, enjoy the ride. Pittman is a great add, and might be an even better sell-high after another great performance.

Matthew Golden, Packers (74% Rostered) | $10-15

Golden is showing signs of life and the potential to begin living up to his first-round draft capital. In Week 3, he caught four passes for 52 yards. While that’s certainly nothing crazy, it’s a positive sign that he is becoming more involved in the Packers’ offense.

Green Bay would be wise to turn to Golden more often, as he is easily the most talented receiver on this roster. An increase in usage could make him a prime candidate to break out in the second half of the season.

Other Options: Khalil Shakir, BUF (71% Rostered); Darnell Mooney, ATL (55% Rostered).

Tight Ends

Dalton Kincaid, Bills (71% Rostered) | $4-8

Kincaid might not be a total bust after all. This week, he caught five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. That’s a wonderful sign for fantasy managers who thought he would be the breakout player in the Buffalo offense. As of now, it doesn’t appear anyone has grabbed hold of the role as the Alpha in this pass game, which makes Kincaid a possibility. The inconsistencies in Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman could open the door for a post-hype breakout from Kincaid.

Dallas Goedert, Eagles (67% Rostered) | $3-5

Goedert returned from injury in Week 3 and caught only one pass. Thankfully for him, it was for 33 yards and a touchdown. Goedert isn’t what he once was and should not be considered in the TE1 conversation, but he is a decent high-end TE2 if you are stuck. He is going to miss as many games as he plays, but if he plays, he is a safe starter.

 Other Options: Jake Ferguson, DAL (73% Rostered).

Week 4 Waiver Wire Defenses

(Available in at least 50% of leagues)

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New York Giants (9% Rostered) | $0-1

The Chargers face a New York Giants squad in Week 4 that struggles to do much of anything against good teams. Los Angeles certainly meets that qualification. The Chargers have five sacks and three interceptions on the season, and while they have given up some points to their opponents, they have made enough big plays to be worthy of streaming this week in a plus matchup.

Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets  (2% Rostered) | $0-1

The Dolphins get the other New York team, and the Jets aren’t much better than the Giants. Miami has totaled six sacks on the season and has not been as productive as the Chargers, but in this matchup, they are worth streaming if you don’t have another option. This game should have one of the lower totals on the week, and whoever starts at quarterback for New York in Week 4 is certainly not someone to fear.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Indianapolis Colts (27% Rostered) | $0-1

The Colts have looked good through three weeks, but Week 3 saw them begin to show signs of a crack in their armor. I would consider them in the category of “likely frauds”. The Rams have allowed plenty of points this season, but against quarterbacks and offenses that are far better than Daniel Jones and the Colts. The Rams have posted eight sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception, using turnovers and big plays to make up for the points they’ve allowed to opponents.

Week 4 Waiver Wire Kickers

(Available in at least 50% of leagues)

Matt Prater, Bills vs. NO (48% Rostered) | $0-1

Prater is somehow relevant in 2025. Between him and Daniel Jones, it feels like a Bizarro world. So far this season, Prater has gone nine for nine on extra points and is seven for eight on field goals. He has two field goals from beyond 40 yards, and one from beyond 50 yards. Consider Prater one of the safest kickers in a great offense against a terrible team that was just destroyed by a mediocre Seahawks’ offense.

Daniel Carlson, Raiders vs. CHI (22% Rostered) | $0-1

Carlson has been solid this year. He is five for five extra points and four for four on field goals. He has hit twice from beyond 40 yards and twice from beyond 50 yards. The Raiders are far from an elite offense, but they score more than enough to make Carlson a solid weekly starter and worthy stramer against a Chicago team that is average at best.

Brandon McManus, Packers vs. DAL (20% Rostered) | $0-1

McManus and the Packers were upset by the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, and that’s bad news for a Dallas Cowboys team that was just embarrassed by the Chicago Bears. The Packers could score 50 points in this one, and McManus will have tons of opportunities to produce. So far this season, he is six for six on extra points and four for five on field goals. He also has one field goal from beyond 50 yards. Look for a one-sided game in favor of Green Bay, and lots of points for McManus.

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