Thomason: Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 4
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) Injuries continue to pile up at quarterback. Add that dilemma to the horrendous running back performances of so many first- and second-round picks, and we find several of our teams in purgatory after three weeks.
At this point, you're buying low, selling low or trying to prop your team up with waiver additions, while hoping your stud(s) find their way. Trust me, I feel your pain. The early season struggles of Jeremy Hill, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Anderson, Justin Forsett, Lamar Miller, etc. (I'll just stop listing names now) are killing us, but we can't pack in the season already.
It's about to get even worse as bye weeks begin! So grab some of these guys listed below to find the next fantasy darling. Those that read this and grabbed Dion Lewis after Week 1 know exactly what I'm talking about.
Here are my top 10 waiver adds for Week 4 for 10- and 12-team leagues.
1. Karlos Williams (RB, Buffalo Bills) -- LeSean McCoy continues to battle the hamstring injury that plagued him throughout the preseason. Coach Rex Ryan said he's playing on "one and a half legs" and that has left the door open for Williams to shine. Through three games, Williams is averaging an absurd 7.75 yards per carry along with a rushing touchdown in each game. A fifth-round pick, Williams is an uncanny blend of size (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) and speed (4.48 40) and runs with power that fits Buffalo's no-nonsense scheme. This is still McCoy's backfield when healthy, but Williams is making a push to force a timeshare.
2. Tyrod Taylor (QB, Buffalo Bills) -- I'm not sure how many times I can write this guy up. He's still available in too many leagues. Taylor's floor is high because of his ability to run the ball, and he's impressing with his arm as well. Taylor's currently ranked as the QB5! What else do you need to know? If he is there, pounce.
3. Rishard Matthews (WR, Miami Dolphins) -- Matthews has been Miami's big-play receiver, while Jarvis Landry cleans up underneath. Through three games, Matthews has hauled in 16 receptions on 23 targets for 262 yards and three visits to the end zone. The Dolphins are playing a lot of football from behind, which always bodes well for fantasy owners due to garbage-time stats. Don't worry too much about rookie DeVante Parker either. Landry will kick inside in three-receiver sets with Parker and Matthews on the outside. If you're a receiver-needy team, Matthews is absolutely worth the addition.
4. Thomas Rawls (RB, Seattle Seahawks) -- An undrafted free agent signing, Rawls received a ton of praise throughout the offseason for his physical presence and running style. Although the signing of Fred Jackson helped Seattle part ways with Robert Turbin and Christine Michael, don't be fooled into believing he was the only reason. Rawls was just as responsible, and he showed why Sunday. Rushing for 104 yards on 16 carries, Rawls looked Lynch-esque, breaking tackles and bowling over defenders. If Lynch's injuries continue to linger, Rawls is the guy you'll want to own.
5. Marvin Jones (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) -- Andy Dalton has been on fire through three weeks, and Jones has been a big reason why. While Jones missed all of last year with an injury, he did have 10 touchdowns in 2013, so it isn't like he's coming out of nowhere. He has played more than 80 percent of snaps the last two weeks while accounting for seven receptions on 13 targets with 142 yards and two scores. With the way Dalton's throwing the ball around the yard, Jones is worth the addition as a WR3/WR4, especially as we start heading into the byes.
6. Reuben Randle (WR, New York Giants) -- The Giants said they wanted to get Randle more involved heading into Week 3's matchup with Washington, and that they did. Randle led the Giants in receiving with seven receptions for 116 yards and a trip to pay dirt. Yes, Victor Cruz is coming back, but we don't know if he's the same coming off of the patella tendon tear, and his presence should only open things up in this offense.
7. Derek Carr (QB, Oakland Raiders) -- Don't look now, but Oakland has an offense, and Carr is worth your attention. In two games since hurting his hand in Week 1, Carr has put up 50 completions on 78 attempts for 665 yards, five scores and one pick. He's been outstanding. He has several weapons around him that can hurt a defense. Amari Cooper is the real deal, Latavius Murray is a borderline RB1 and Michael Crabtree can still put up numbers. With injuries to Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees, you may find yourself in need of a quarterback. Don't ignore Carr.
8. Bilal Powell (RB, New York Jets) -- Powell has played on 63 percent of backfield snaps this season. Powell's the third-down back in New York, and he has also received at least 10 carries in every game thus far. With those types of numbers and a lead back that's oft injured in Chris Ivory, Powell makes for a nice flex addition to your squad. He will also have upside in the event that Ivory's groin injury lingers. Last week, he played on 84 percent of snaps, totaling 75 yards on 17 touches, against a tough Philadelphia run defense. Seven of those 17 touches were via the air. PPR leagues, take notice.
9. Antonio Andrews (RB, Tennessee Titans) -- The Titans have long been unhappy with their running back situation, and this has opened the door for Andrews, an undrafted second-year pro. Playing a prominent role as the "hammer" last week, Andrews totaled 63 yards and a score on 13 touches. Terrence West has fumbled away his chance to be the big back, and rookie David Cobb is on injured reserve with designation to return, so with his good performance, Andrews has likely played his way to a larger role.
10. Lance Dunbar (RB, Dallas Cowboys) -- This addition would be much more for PPR leagues, but so far through three weeks, Dunbar has played on 40 percent of the backfield snaps -- while Joseph Randle has logged 41 percent. With Brandon Weeden at the helm and Dez Bryant injured, Dunbar should continue to see a lot of dump-offs, especially if the Cowboys are behind in games. Last week is a perfect example: He touched up the Falcons for 10 catches and 100 yards.
Just missed: Blake Bortles, Chirs Johnson, Alfred Blue, Charles Sims, Theo Riddick, Allen Hurns, Kenny Britt, Dorial Green-Beckham, Charles Clay and Crockett Gillmore.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
