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

Zay Jones (JAX): 37% rostered

• Next Opponents: ATL, @BUF, IND
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Jones missed Week 3, as he is dealing with a knee issue. He didn’t practice at all last week, so it’s possible he could miss Week 4 as well. Jones has an 11.5% target share and a 20.7% air yard share as the Jaguars’ WR2/3. Jones’ peripheral metrics aren’t glittering despite his strong Week 1 performance. Among 89 qualifying wide receivers, he ranks 69th in receiving grade and 77th in YPRR (per PFF). Once Jones returns, he’s a WR4 who can pop off for WR2/3 numbers in the right matchup.

Jayden Reed (GB): 21% rostered

• Next Opponents: DET, @LV, BYE
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Reed has been impressive on a per-route basis. Among 89 qualifying receivers, he entered Week 3 ranked 21st and 24th in receiving grade and YPRR, respectively (per PFF). The problem for Reed isn’t talent, but rather his role and spot in the Packers’ passing pecking order. In Week 3, he had 84% route participation and a 15.9% target share, but he was still ranked third on the team in routes and targets. Once Christian Watson is back, Reed gets bumped from second or third in line to possibly as low as fourth. In a run-first offense, that makes him tough to count on weekly. Reed is best seen as a stash player with the possibility of flex upside in Week 4 if Christian Watson remains out.

Josh Downs (IND): 2% rostered

• Next Opponents: LAR, TEN, @JAX
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Downs could become a potential PPR flex if he continues to flourish, but it is difficult to see his value surpassing that. He has a 20.6% target share while running about 89% of his routes from the slot. The volume isn’t the problem, but when you marry that with his 4.3 average depth of target (entering Week 3), it becomes more difficult to see a high-upside scenario for Downs. The Colts aren’t likely to morph into a pass-first offense in 2023, which is a problem for Downs. Receivers who are confined to low aDOT roles need heavy volume or gawd-like YAC skills to emerge as weekly dynamos. Downs hasn’t seen the volume, nor has he flashed the elite-level YAC skills to overcome the volume concerns.

Joshua Palmer (LAC): 2% rostered

• Next Opponents: LV, BYE, DAL
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $3
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Palmer is a desperation pickup only, even when factoring in a possible season-ending injury to Mike Williams. At this juncture, we know who Palmer is. He’s a better NFL receiver than a fantasy threat. Palmer finished with 66 receiving yards and a score this week, but if we look at his target volume and previous production this season, it helps to illuminate his skill level and fantasy outlook. Palmer saw a 14.8% target share in Week 3, which isn’t exactly noteworthy. Entering Week 3, among 89 qualifying wide receivers, Palmer had the fourth-lowest receiving grade and the lowest YPRR of the group (per PFF). Palmer could be a low-end flex play in Week 4, but his next two matchups are problematic.

Written by Derek Brown

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.