Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Roschon Johnson, Ezekiel Elliott (Week 4)

The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full waiver wire article for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Ezekiel Elliott (NE): 43% rostered

• Next Opponents: @DAL, NO, @LV
• True value: $9
• Desperate need: $16
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: Zeke was a popular drop candidate last week when the Patriots limited his workload in order to get him back into game shape. The former Cowboys star toted the rock 17 times on Sunday against the Jets and looked sharp as a tandem back with Rhamondre Stevenson. Elliott and the Pats are headed into Big D in a “revenge game” of sorts in Week 4. The Cardinals ripped through the Cowboys to the tune of more than 200 rushing yards in their Week 3 upset win, so I expect Zeke to return to previous rostership levels this week.

Roschon Johnson (CHI): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: DEN, @WAS, MIN
• True value: $8
• Desperate need: $13
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: The dumpster fire in Chicago thankfully has not tempered my affection for the other rookie RB from Texas. Roschon is easily the best receiver in the room and has versatility that belies his reputation as a power back. With all of the negative attention around the Bears, you might catch a stray rookie with a ton of standalone value going forward.

Jameis Winston (NO): 0% rostered

• Next Opponents: TB, @NE, @HOU
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Derek Carr‘s shoulder injury means the Saints will have to hand the reins to the only 30 TD/30 INT quarterback in NFL history. Winston was QB4 that season (2019) and had no issues pushing the ball down the field and into the end zone – something Carr has struggled with for years. Week 4 is a reunion with Jameis’ former team. Tampa Bay has a pass-funnel defense and will have trouble covering all of the talented Saints receiving weapons.

Andy Dalton (CAR): 2% rostered

• Next Opponents: MIN, @DET, @MIA
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: What a pleasant surprise. The Red Rifle stepped in for the injured Bryce Young and gashed the Seahawks for more than 25 fantasy points in Week 3. My only apprehension with spending FAAB on Dalton is that Young’s injury might not force him out of any more games. If Carolina decides to keep their top overall pick on the shelf longer, their upcoming schedule is very favorable and conducive to more big numbers from the journeyman from TCU.

Written by Bo McBrayer

Check out our full Week 4 fantasy football waiver wire article

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.