Week 4 Waivers + Tough Drop Decisions - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/29

A.J. Brown's absence is being felt significantly by the Eagles offense, which has struggled to generate explosive plays and has been unable to maintain offensive consistency in recent weeks.

Adonai Mitchell's status is uncertain; he missed time that allowed Kenyon Sadiq to have a breakout performance, and it is unclear whether Mitchell will return soon.

Alvin Kamara is 54% rostered and is expected to receive the majority of work in the Saints backfield in the absence of A-Chan Jr.; the hosts expect most of the work to go to Kamara, though Kendrick Miller will be worked in; if forced to start one on a weekly basis in half or full PPR, Kamara would be the choice every time.

Kamara is the clear leader in volume and snaps in a Saints committee backfield, but the speaker notes he "looks not the same" and expresses concern about his performance. In week 4, Kamara had five carries to Kendra Miller's two in the fourth quarter and ran 12 routes to Miller's eight. Despite leading in touches, the speaker suggests if Kamara gets 16 touches and Miller gets 10, Miller could score more fantasy points due to Kamara's diminished play. Kamara will command more FAB spend than Miller.

If Ekeler returns to a team, he could be added in deep leagues, but the source would be surprised if he becomes a fantasy-relevant starter or plays his way into an important role.

Braylon Allen, 22 years old with the youngest breakout age of any running back, will get the bulk of work if Breece Hall misses time; he's 21% rostered and has looked very good this season, though he could be temporary depth; he faces Chicago this week (where you can run) and then Cleveland, and is a flex with benefits even when Hall returns.

Braylon Allen is ranked as the top tight end pickup for plug-and-play need, ahead of Kenyon Sadiq in terms of immediate utility.

Breece Hall is considered week-to-week with a quad injury; the hosts expect him to miss at least two weeks, which opens the door for Braylon Allen to get significant work.

Wide receiver has been relegated to reduced role despite eight targets in Week 3; Jacksonville-Cincinnati road matchup expected to be a shootout, but Brian Thomas Jr. is not preferred for starting consideration this week due to role concerns.

Brian Thomas is labeled a landmine and recommended as a drop; the analysts note that if you would start Britain's Change every week over Brian Thomas, you're in trouble, indicating significant concerns about his fantasy viability.

Bucky Irving is being managed on a strict pitch count early in the season per a September 24th source. In week 4, he was pulled out of the game and sat on the sideline for the last 15 plays despite it being a close game, indicating the Eagles are handling his workload carefully. The speaker believes Irving seems to be fine health-wise and the pitch count management is precautionary rather than injury-related.

Irving was pulled from the game with 15 carries despite being the team's best talent; he sat for the last 15 plays of a close game. The team appears to be handling his workload with a strict pitch-count approach, though the reason for the benching is unclear—possibly pass protection, attitude, or a predetermined snap limit. He has maintained at least four targets in every game, but the sudden removal despite strong carry volume (8, 17, 15 attempts across three games) suggests the team is managing his role carefully.

Douglas has been out, removing a key weapon in Miami's passing game that was getting consistent targets every week. His absence opened opportunity for Chris Bell.

Cam Ward's performance has been significantly worse than veteran backup Case Keenum, who looked competent and efficient in a 27-7 win over Philadelphia; the hosts note that Ward nearly lost to the Titans, a team that appears to be 0-3 caliber, suggesting his play has been disappointing relative to expectations.

Case Keenum delivered a competent, efficient performance in a 27-7 Monday Night Football win over Philadelphia; he demonstrated precise ball placement and short-timing accuracy, executing Ben Johnson's complex scheme effectively including a rushing touchdown on a trick play; this marks a significant return for a veteran who had mentally retired before Johnson called him back.

Rookie wide receiver held as a stash-and-hold candidate for future progression and increased involvement; won't cost much in waivers and is widely available, making him a low-risk hold for upside development.

Bell is the source's number one wide receiver pickup this week. His snap share jumped from 41% to 71% after missing training camp and early-season snaps due to injury. He received seven targets with four catches for 67 yards and multiple red zone looks with touchdown opportunities. The source prefers Bell over Dontavian Wicks and Malik Washington as a better opportunity on a team that will be throwing from behind.

Chris Bell is preferred over Khalif Raymond in a direct comparison, suggesting Bell has better fantasy value or upside at the waiver wire.

Chris Godwin's upside is considered gone due to Baker Mayfield's injury absence; Cam Ward. Yeah was not rostering Godwin and cannot cut him, indicating low confidence in his fantasy outlook.

Colston Loveland is competing with Roman Dunze for targets in the Bears offense; he had a drop in Week 4 where he caught the ball with his fingers closed, failing to secure it, and is noted as being second in the league in drops over the past couple of years, raising concerns about his ability to maintain a meaningful long-term role despite the Bears' strong offensive performance.

Tight end received significant work in Week 3, getting more snaps than Friar Muth, suggesting increased role and usage in the Steelers offense.

DK Metcalf is not a cut candidate; Cam Ward. Yeah emphasizes that Metcalf is getting too much work to consider dropping him.

Drake May is characterized as a landmine at this point and should be dropped rather than started. The Patriots offense is struggling, and while improvement is expected when A.J. Brown returns, that timeline is approximately two months away, making May unreliable for the near term. He is explicitly not recommended as a streaming option in the current quarterback landscape.

Geno Smith is a viable waiver pickup with strong recent performance: 31 for 37 (84% completion) with 321 yards and 3 touchdowns last week. Through three weeks, he maintains a 75.5% completion rate, ranks 6th in passer rating and 8th in total EPA among quarterbacks. The Jets' offensive line has been holding up well, protecting Smith effectively. This week's matchup against the Bears defense is favorable—Chicago ranks 25th in EPA per drop back and 29th in pressure rate, making them beatable.

JJ McCarthy is expected to eventually take over as the Browns' starting quarterback from Jameis Winston; the hosts believe McCarthy will be given the opportunity to start within one to two weeks as Winston continues to struggle statistically.

Jalen Hurts had a hugely disappointing fantasy performance in Week 4; the hosts were shocked the Eagles didn't run more with Barkley, who was destroying the Bears defense, instead having Hurts take over the offense unnecessarily.

Jameis Winston remains the starting quarterback for the Browns but is the worst statistical quarterback in the league; the hosts expect him to be replaced within one to two weeks, with JJ McCarthy eventually taking over, though they acknowledge giving Winston one more week against the Cardinals before making a change.

Jaden Daniels will travel with the Commanders to London and practice in some capacity this week, indicating he should be back sooner than later from his injury.

Jalen Wright is listed ahead of Ollie Gordon on the depth chart and will be involved in the Broncos backfield, but the hosts don't believe he's a great player; he's a very good athlete with big playability if he can find a lane, but the hosts doubt he'll find lanes with a bad offensive line and no passing game threat.

Jalen Wright is mentioned as a similar backup running back option to Kendra Miller in a timeshare situation (Dolphins backfield). The speaker notes you could get him on the cheap as insurance in case the distribution changes, but expresses hesitation about wanting the starter in a Dolphins timeshare, so he's not actively pursuing Wright on waivers.

Wide receiver available in 25% of leagues (75% rostered); potential start candidate in Week 4 with Kyler Murray at quarterback and potentially no Justin Jefferson, creating opportunity for increased targets and production.

Jacobs' status is uncertain; the source notes the league is trying to get video evidence and the situation has been volatile ('snip, snap, snip, snap all over the place'). There is a possibility the team may not get Jacobs back.

Justin Jefferson's ankle injury is not long-term and he could play in Week 4 against the Dolphins; he avoided the dreaded high ankle scenario, which is positive news for his availability and for Kyler Murray's streaming outlook.

Khalif Raymond, a 32-year-old undrafted free agent in his 11th year, has been recommended as a waiver pickup and is being used effectively in Ben Johnson's Bears offense; he has played 75% of snaps in Week 4 and over 60% of snaps in all three weeks, demonstrating consistent involvement in a high-powered offense where he knows the system well, though the hosts acknowledge the difficulty of starting a journeyman of his age and experience level.

Wide receiver demonstrated ability to produce against Eagles defense, serving as precedent for why Kanata Mumfield can succeed in the same matchup.

Khalif Raymond is called a 'superstar' and ranked as Cam Ward. Yeah's wide receiver five (behind Malik Washington); at 13.9% roster percentage, Cam Ward. Yeah believes Raymond may be too low and could be a league winner if he reaches 50% roster percentage.

Keaton Mitchell was very involved for the Bears in week 4 with eight carries, three targets, and 38% snap share, showing he's an explosive player. The speaker is not going hard after him but believes he should be rostered as cheap depth at running back. Mitchell is preferred over Mike Washington as a waiver pickup.

In a comparison of aging wide receivers, Keenan Allen is preferred over Chris Godwin; Cam Ward. Yeah would rather have Keenan right now in the 'Battle of the Olds.'

Miller is the Saints backup running back in a committee with Alvin Kamara and represents strong value on waivers. The speaker prefers the Kendra side if Kamara goes for 20 FAB and Miller can be acquired for 3 FAB. Miller shouldn't cost much and is worth picking up this week as a cheap depth option. In week 4, he had two carries and eight routes, showing involvement in the offense despite being the backup.

Kenny Gainwell was considered as a potential waiver pickup, but the speaker notes that Bucky Irving appears to be the preferred option in the Eagles backfield instead.

Kenyon Sadiq is identified as the top tight end pickup for the week at 33% roster percentage; he had a breakout performance coinciding with Mason Taylor and Adonai Mitchell missing time, and is heading to Chicago for another favorable matchup. He played 58% of snaps and 57% of routes in his breakout game, displaying elite yards after catch and speed; Cam Ward. Yeah ranks him as the number one pickup across all positions including running backs.

Kyler Murray's streaming outlook improves significantly if Justin Jefferson returns soon from his ankle injury; the host was considering him as a stream of the week but was hesitant without clarity on Jefferson's availability.

Luther Burden received 11 targets in Week 4, a significant volume indicator; he scored a touchdown on a play that was essentially a running play where he was pushed in from eight yards away, demonstrating the Bears' willingness to feed him the ball in the red zone.

Rookie wide receiver held as a stash-and-hold candidate for future progression and increased involvement; positioned as a hold for upside development rather than immediate starting consideration.

Lemon, a first-round pick, is part of the consensus top four wide receivers but is a terrible play this week. Against Chicago in a negative game script, he went 3 for 29 yards. The source would not start him this week due to the matchup.

Washington is part of the consensus top four wide receivers (Eagles/Dolphins) alongside Wicks and Lemon. While not producing anything special, he has 17 combined targets with Chris Bell. However, all four top wide receivers are terrible plays this week against the Rams and Vikings.

Malik Washington is ranked ahead of Khalif Raymond on Cam Ward. Yeah's wide receiver depth chart, indicating he is Cam Ward. Yeah's wide receiver four.

Marcus Mariota is available in approximately 94% of leagues and presents a viable streaming option despite volatility. He threw for three touchdowns last week against Seattle and has dual-threat upside with his rushing ability. The Colts defense is poor, which creates favorable game script for Mariota to accumulate passing volume. He can produce high-ceiling games but is inconsistent; however, for teams in quarterback scarcity, he's a worthwhile pickup, especially with the Colts playing in London this week.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is discussed as a tough drop decision; Cam Ward. Yeah indicates they probably would not cut him despite concerns, suggesting he remains a hold despite disappointing early performance.

Mason Taylor's status is uncertain; he missed time that allowed Kenyon Sadiq to have a breakout performance, and it is unclear whether Taylor will return soon.

Wide receiver appears to be out of favor with Aaron Rodgers, who reportedly dislikes him even more than Roman Wilson; not recommended for starting consideration.

Michael Pittman is being recommended as a drop; Rodgers appears to dislike Pittman even more than Roman Wilson, limiting his offensive role and fantasy viability.

Mike Evans is day-to-day with a rib injury after a hit from Budda Baker that appeared severe; the hosts were shocked he's day-to-day given the dramatic nature of the hit, and the team will manage him through the week before deciding on his Week 4 availability.

Ollie Gordon II rushed 17 times for 41 yards and a touchdown with 3 targets for 14 yards in Week 4; the head coach indicated Gordon would compete to be an every-down back, and he's shown impressive talent at the professional level, but the hosts are concerned about spending significant FAB on him given the Broncos' low implied point total (13.5, lowest of the year), tough matchups at Minnesota and Cincinnati, and the bye week coming up; Jalen Wright will be involved but Gordon should get the majority of work.

Ollie Gordon is identified as the big-ticket waiver pickup among backup running backs this week, suggesting he will command significant FAB spend compared to other backup options like Keaton Mitchell, Emmitt Johnson, and Jalen Wright.

Wide receiver may miss another week beyond Week 4, creating opportunity for backup tight end Kanata Mumfield to see increased usage and start consideration.

Quentin Johnston is recommended as a drop in the waiver wire discussion.

Wide receiver identified as a drop candidate in Week 4 waiver analysis.

Wide receiver showed promise over first three weeks as best receiver on Packers, but benched after a costly drop that resulted in an interception and defensive score in Week 3; chasing him on waivers is considered unwise due to volatility and Aaron Rodgers' apparent frustration with the player.

Roman Wilson has looked like the best wide receiver on the Cardinals over the first three weeks; despite Rodgers' apparent preference issues with both Wilson and Pittman, Wilson has established himself as the team's top receiving option.

Saquon Barkley rushed 15 times for 82 yards with no touchdown in Week 4 against the Bears; the hosts noted that his outside runs were working effectively and expressed frustration that the Eagles didn't run him more, instead having Jalen Hurts take over the offense unnecessarily.

Wide receiver will not be available in Week 4, opening opportunity for other pass catchers like Kanata Mumfield.

Travis Etienne Jr. will miss some time for the Saints with a hamstring injury that is a re-aggravation of the same hamstring; the hosts expect it to be multiple weeks, similar to previous hamstring re-tweaks they've observed.