The fantasy football waiver wire for week 4 is here

By: Rishi Patel

Welcome back to this NFL column where I will be giving my advice about which fantasy players you should pluck off your waiver wire each week during this NFL season. 

During each NFL season, there are usually sleepers that emerge who you should pick up off the waiver wire due to various reasons, such as better performances than expected, injuries, etc. It’s important to make good use of the waiver wire as players from here could sometimes be good depth and even a starter for your team in critical stretches. Let’s look at some players you should consider for this week:

Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Kirk has been on fire to start this season. The normally up-and-down QB has mastered consistency this season (*so far*) and carried the Vikings to a win over perennial NFC contender Seattle in Week 3. The QB has a total of eight touchdowns to no picks on the season and has posted over 320 yards in two of three games. He’s a solid backup QB to add to your roster and could be vaulted into the starting tier soon if you are dealing with byes or injuries.

Peyton Barber, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Barber thrived in Week 3 by posting 111 yards rushing and a score in the absence of Josh Jacobs (ankle). Barber is worth adding but he’s only start-worthy if Jacobs misses Week 4’s contest. 

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

With starter Christian McCaffrey ailing due to a hamstring injury, Chuba Hubbard will take over the Carolina backfield with CMC likely sidelined for a while. The rookie will be able to prove he’s an NFL starter in the coming weeks and is one of the best stashes of the week due to his large upcoming role. 

Cole Beasley, WR, Buffalo Bills

Beasley has never been elite in fantasy but he’s always been serviceable whether he was in Dallas or now Buffalo. The WR posted an incredible 11 receptions for 98 yards on 13 targets in Week 3 and now has at least 60 yards in two of three games. He’s a great add and immediate flex play as the Bills have a favorable matchup in Week 4 against Houston.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Like Beasley, Watkins has been more under-the-radar for most of his career but he’s been thriving in Baltimore in his first season with the Ravens. The Clemson product has seen at least seven targets in all three games and has posted at least 68 yards in two of three games. Watkins is another solid add who could serve as a flex play immediately if needed. 

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

While DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Rondale Moore have been getting much of the hype on the Cardinals’ receiving corps, Christian Kirk has quietly been efficient in 2021. The Texas A&M product posted at least 65 yards in the first two games before erupting for seven receptions for 104 yards on eight targets in Week 3. He’s not a flashy pickup, but Kirk can be just like Watkins and Beasley, a serviceable flex play. 

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Renfrow is the last of this “serviceable WR flex play” group. The Raiders wideout is again not the flashiest player, but efficient and proving to be reliable. Las Vegas has caught many by surprise and Renfrow is a surprise player on this team. The Clemson product has at least five receptions and six targets in all three games while posting at least 70 yards in two of three games.

Tyler Conklin, TE, Minnesota Vikings

TE is a tough position to pick players for as there are such few decent options at a thin position. With Irv Smith Jr. out for the Vikings, Minnesota has proved to have had no decent backup tight ends—at least until Week 3 when 2018 fifth-round pick Tyler Conklin erupted onto the scene for seven receptions for 70 yards and a score on eight targets. With Kirk Cousins balling out right now, Conklin is not a bad pickup at TE.