Best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 4

Justin Fields, Emanuel Wilson and Jauan Jennings highlight the top waiver wire targets entering Week 4.

Welcome to the Week 4 waiver wire watch! Consider making a waiver claim in your fantasy football leagues for the following players (available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues).

Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s funny how Fields is drawing barely any interest after being one of the most hyped players in fantasy football in recent memory. He showed his coveted dual-threat ability on Sunday when he punched in a goal line score along with 245 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception through the air. Fields has just 28 carries for 90 yards through three weeks, but he’s in line for more chunk plays soon. The Steelers play the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders in the next three weeks — only the Aaron Donald-less Los Angeles Rams have allowed more yards than those defenses this season.

Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Allen and Irving have already appeared in this column but are worth re-mentioning. In Week 3, the former rushed 11 times for a team-high 55 yards with 3 catches for 13 yards, and the latter rushed 9 times for a team-high 70 yards with 3 catches for 14 yards. The rookie backs have exceeded expectations after disappointing showings at the NFL Combine.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Mattison ranks 22nd in PPR scoring among all backs this season going into Monday night. He’s only rushed for 27 yards through three games, but the former third-rounder has scored thrice. More importantly, Mattison is the main receiving back for a team that will trail for much of the season with quarterbacks who like to check down. He can be a spot starter for fantasy managers struggling with running back depth.

Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers

As a Josh Jacobs truther, let me be the first to tell you that the former NFL rushing leader isn’t going anywhere. That said, Wilson has emerged as the no. 2 back in Green Bay, which ranks second in yards per play and sixth in points scored despite Jordan Love’s absence. Wilson had 12 carries for 50 yards in Week 3 — plus the 30-yard receiving touchdown shown below — and the Division II product will continue getting favorable looks under Matt LeFleur.

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers

The poster child of this week’s top waiver claims is Jennings, who led all players in fantasy points on Sunday with a 12-catch, 175-yard, 3-touchdown stat line. The Niners were without Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), Deebo Samuel (calf) and George Kittle (hamstring), which opened the door up for Jennings, but the fourth-year pro has earned Kyle Shanahan’s trust and is a viable option so long as San Francisco’s stars remain sidelined.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Johnston appeared in this column last week and lands here again after snatching a 27-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert on Sunday. Herbert left the game with an ankle injury, so his status should be monitored, but it’s hard to ignore that Johnston has been the source of big plays for an offense with an elite quarterback — rushing rate be damned. Last year’s 21st overall pick remains a boom-bust option who can be started in favorable matchups.

Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers’ old friend has taken advantage of the role given to him. Lazard is the second-most active wideout on the Jets and has leveraged his near-full-time role into 11 catches for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year. As long as Rodgers remains upright, his no. 3 target (behind Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall) will always be relevant.

Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

In the first two weeks of the season, Chicago split tight end snaps between Kmet and Gerald Everett, who spent time in L.A. and Seattle with Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. In Week 3, though, Kmet’s playing time skyrocketed. He ran 41 routes to Everett’s 17 on his way to producing 10 catches for 97 yards and a spike. With so many injuries to the position, Kmet is a borderline must-add for fantasy managers lacking at tight end.