Fantasy Football: top waiver wire pickups for Week 4

Not as many injuries this week, but great performances by player on waivers still leave some great options for Week 4.

Jordan Howard- The Bears announced that Jeremy Langford will miss 4-6 weeks on Monday. Ka’Deem Carey is also likely going to be out in Week 4. This means that Howard could be a workhorse back in Week 4. Howard already saw an uptick in snaps while Langford was still on the field. Look for his nine carries to jump way up this week. Howard also has a fairly cushy matchup against the Lions defense.

Darren Sproles- Sproles is the back to own in Philadelphia. If Ryan Matthews, who hasn’t played that well anyway, ends up missing time, Sproles could see a large workload. Sproles is clearly the Eagles back on passing downs, and he is one of the team’s most explosive players. Sproles’ role as a rusher is always inconsistent, and therefore doesn’t make him a must start. But he is a player that you should own, especially if your team is weak at running back. Sproles is owned in less than half of ESPN leagues, he likely will be available in your’s.

Terrelle Pryor Sr.- I mentioned him in this column last week, and if you didn’t pick him up then, you might have more competition now. Pryor had his breakout game in Week 3. Pryor had 200 total yard between roles at receiver, returner, and rusher, and amassed 23 points in ESPN standard scoring. The Browns used him all over the field in the absence of Corey Coleman, and Pryor has proved to be a viable flex option. Facing the Redskins in Week 4, Pryor is remains a good flex start, especially in the absence of DeAngelo Hall. But keep in mind he is a low end flex.

Jamison Crowder- The Duke product reeled in six catches in both Week 1 and Week 2, and had four catches in Week 3. But Crowder turned in four catches in Week 3 into 78 yards. He already has two touchdown catches. He is the most reliable receiver on the Redskins, a team with the NFL leader in passing yards in Kirk Cousins. DeSean Jackson may have more upside, but is a pure boom or bust play, while Crowder is near lock for 7-8 points, and is capable of putting up in the range of 13-15 points. Stash him on your bench and play him based on matchup. That may be this week, as the Redskins face the Browns.

Vikings D/ST- The Vikings are fantasy football’s best D/ST. The unit already has two 20+ point games, and a 14 point game. The unit has been dominant, shutting down two high powered offenses in the Packers and Panthers. Before this week, Kelvin Benjamin had been the NFL’s best fantasy wide receiver, and the Panthers held him to zero points. Benjamin only had one target, which he couldn’t reel him (I have Benjamin on many of my teams, so thanks a lot Vikings). The Vikings are owned in just under 70% of ESPN leagues, and while that number is high, make sure you grab them if they are unowned in your league, even if it’s to just to trade them to a needy owner.