Joe Serpico shares his top fantasy football waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 4.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans: Rookies headline this week’s waiver wire pickups, and while it’s still early, the No. 2 pick looks to be the best of this year’s quarterback class. He’s already thrown for 906 yards, becoming only the third player in league history to throw for more than 900 yards in his first three games. The Texans led much of the game and were still chucking it often. They’ll be trailing most of the season, so expect a lot more 300-yard games from the Ohio State product.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers: Green Bay is dealing with a ton of injuries to key players on offense, but Love continues to get it done. He wasn’t as efficient as he was in the first two games of the season, but if he starts to contribute as a runner, his fantasy potential will skyrocket. Love looked poised against the Saints, even as the Packers’ offense struggled for three quarters, and made the plays when it mattered. The upcoming schedule is enticing and this could be the last chance to get him at a relatively low cost.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins: It’s time to talk about how the speed on this team makes the Dolphins nearly unstoppable. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and a healthy Jaylen Waddle usually garner the headlines, but the Dolphins have elite speed at running back as well. Achane had 22 touches for 233 yards with four touchdowns against the Broncos, cementing a huge role moving forward. Raheem Mostert will remain the starter after his own four-touchdown performance, but Achane needs to be rostered in all leagues and enters the weekly FLEX discussion.
Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, WR, Houston Texans: Last week it was fellow Texan Nico Collins in this piece, and we are listing another. Dell has 12 receptions for 217 yards and two scores in the Texans’ last two games. He is a home run waiting to happen, as it’s evident the team wants to get the ball in his hands in a variety of ways. Similar to my assessment on Stroud, Houston isn’t expected to win many games this year so they’ll be throwing a ton. Dell is a WR3/FLEX option as the dreaded bye weeks begin to loom.
Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers: He isn’t flashy, but someone has to catch passes in Carolina. Thielen caught 11 of 14 targets for 145 yards and a garbage-time touchdown in the loss against the Seahawks, giving him 18 receptions on 23 targets in the Panthers’ last two games. The Panthers are another team that’s going to be trailing a bunch this year and if I can repeat one thing repeatedly, volume is king in fantasy.
Joshua Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Williams went down with a knee injury and it’s Palmer, not first-round pick Quentin Johnston, who has been operating as the team’s third receiver. Palmer is more of a post-waivers grab than a player I’m using FAAB on, but he has FLEX potential and will be one of my favorite DFS plays if Williams misses time.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions: Rookie tight ends typically struggle to make an impact, but this year’s class could change the narrative. LaPorta caught 8 of 11 targets for 84 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown, against the Falcons. He is the first tight end in NFL history to have five-plus receptions in his first three games. Jared Goff is looking his way often, as evidenced by 22 targets. LaPorta moves into the back end of the TE1s.
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