Waiver Wire Watch: Week 4
Editor’s Note: We’re happy to announce the arrival of 4for4 Contributor Pat Fitzmaurice (formerly of Pro Football Weekly), who will work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile this list of the top waiver wire pickups each week.
Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 4. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer ESPN leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance.
* Players with an asterisk next to their name were mentioned in last week’s Waiver Wire Watch.
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill* ($3)
Owned in fewer than 10 percent on ESPN leagues as of Week 3, Tannehill merits consideration for spot duty with byes beginning to kick in this week. Tannehill threw for 236 yards and two TDs Sunday in Miami’s win over Atlanta. He’s averaging 275.7 passing yards per game and has completed 66.3 percent of his throws.
Next up: Saints, Ravens, BYE
Jets QB Geno Smith ($2)
The Jets’ preseason QB controversy seems pretty silly in hindsight, doesn’t it? Not that the first few games of Smith’s NFL career have been entirely smooth sailing — he’s thrown six interceptions so far — but Smith was obviously the Jets’ best option all along. The rookie threw for 331 yards and two TDs and also ran in a touchdown as the Jets bumped off the Bills to get to 2-1. TD passes may not be abundant, but Smith should produce respectable yardage totals, and he also adds value with his legs.
Next up: Titans, Falcons, Steelers
Titans QB Jake Locker ($2)
The third-year quarterback may have officially arrived with a heroic performance in the Titans’ victory over the Chargers. Locker drove his team 94 yards for the game-winning touchdown with two minutes left and no timeouts, completing passes to six different receivers on the drive. Locker had 299 yards and a TD through the air, plus 66 rushing yards and a TD run. Note, however, that Locker will be sternly tested over the next several weeks against a series of tough defenses.
Next up: Jets, Chiefs, Seahawks
