Terrelle Pryor can score fantasy points in any number of ways

Jamie Calandro provides suggested FAAB waiver wire bids for Week 4.

This piece is part of our article program that features quality content from experts exclusively at FantasyPros. For more insight from Jamie head to Fantasy Team Advice.

The injury bug raged on in the NFL in Week 4, as we lost more players for extended periods of time (and some key ones for the whole season). Situations like that usually inspire some hefty bids, but I’m actually not bullish on spending up for too many players this week. Obviously your individual situation depends on this as well, but let’s see what we can come up with. For any and all fantasy-related questions, follow me on twitter @jac3600.

All ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues.

QUARTERBACK

There are none to speak of this week.  If Carson Wentz and Trevor Siemian are still on your waivers, I don’t mind a small bid to be your backup (especially Wentz), but don’t go nuts.

RUNNING BACK

Jordan Howard (CHI): 21% owned
Jeremy Langford has been ruled out for the next 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury, and Kadeem Carey is battling a hamstring issue of his own right.  Howard stepped into the starting role in the second half on Sunday and averaged 5.1 YPC so there’s upside here.  However, we should temper our expectations just a bit since the Bears are such an inefficient offense and Howard has an injury history of his own.  Howard hits the line hard (which isn’t helping his injury prognosis) but doesn’t offer much in the passing game.  He should be looking at a starting role, however, if you’re in a bind with injuries or bye weeks.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 7-9% of your budget (less in PPR)

Orleans Darkwa (NYG): 1% owned
Even with Shane Vereen starting and playing well, Darkwa still carved out a nice role against Washington with ten carries and a catch.  Now that Vereen is gone for the year, we can pencil Darkwa in for weekly FLEX appeal and RB2 upside if Jennings is forced to miss more time.  Darkwa had a strong preseason and averaged 5.3 YPC this past Sunday against a fairly strong front line for the Redskins. Week four’s matchup is brutal against Minnesota, but I still like Darkwa’s floor for a waiver add.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 5-6% of your budget (more if you’re a Jennings owner)

Dwayne Washington (DET): 23% owned
Theo Riddick’s versatility keeps him as the main back to own in Detroit, but Washington did pretty well with his ten carries, averaging 3.8 YPC and getting goal-line looks.  There’s almost no appeal in PPR leagues and Riddick will dominate the passing downs, but Washington should definitely be owned with Ameer Abdullah almost certainly done for the season.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 5-6% of your budget (less in PPR)

Wendell Smallwood (PHI): 1% owned
Ryan Mathews is battling an injury as usual, but the most telling thing to come out of week three is Philly HC Doug Pederson saying that the Eagles are going to use a committee even if Mathews is healthy. A committee is never a good thing for fantasy, but Smallwood rocked the Steelers for 79 yards and a TD on 17 carries in the Eagles’ blowout win, and if he keeps running like that he could soar up the depth chart in no time.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 2-3% of your budget

WIDE RECEIVER

Terrelle Pryor (CLE): 20% owned
I remarked to my colleagues that Pryor would be the waiver wire darling this week, and based on chatter around the industry that does indeed look to be the case. Before I discuss Pryor’s gaudy stats for week 3, let’s all take a minute to just remember what team Pryor plays for so there will definitely be disappearing acts from week to week. It’s also important to note that Josh Gordon is back very soon, and he should eat into Pryor’s production no matter who is under center. That said, Pryor received a whopping 14 targets this week, catching eight of them for 144 yards. He also rushed for 21 yards (with a TD) and threw five passes for 35 yards. That kind of gimmicky player carries a monstrous ceiling due to the many ways he can hurt you, and you can bet the Browns will be looking for any kind of spark they can.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 8-10% of your budget depending on your WR situation

Steve Smith (BAL): 39% owned
The future hall-of-famer is criminally underowned in Yahoo leagues at 39%, and he should be firmly on your radar this week, especially in PPR formats.  The addition of Mike Wallace as a legit deep threat has opened up the middle a great deal, and Smith has seen 26 targets through the first three weeks. People will be afraid of his age and injury history, but Smith has never lacked production in this league, and was well on route to another 80-catch, 1,000-yard season before the Achilles injury derailed him last year.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 5-6% of your budget (standard) 8-10% of your budget (PPR)

Kevin White (CHI): 49% owned
White comes in just under the ownership wire for this article, so let’s talk a bit about him. I’ve already mentioned the inefficiency of the Bears offense in Jordan Howard’s blurb, and this holds true to White as well. That being said, White’s 14 targets in week 3 simply cannot be ignored (even though he only hauled in six of them). White has blazing speed (4.35 40-yard dash last year) and incredible athletic ability.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 5-6% of your budget

Adam Humphries (TB): 1% owned
Never heard of the guy? Well, he’s making some PPR noise so far, averaging six catches per game opposite Mike Evans in an offense that is taking strides forward. Even with Evans posting elite lines, Humphries saw 12 targets in week three and looks like a fine PPR bench player/bye week filler.

SUGGESTED FAAB BID – 2-3% of your budget (standard) 4-5% of your budget (PPR)

TIGHT END

Cameron Brate (TB)
Sticking with the Tampa Bay offense, there’s some upside to be found here with Jameis Winston progressing very nicely at QB. Following the release of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brate saw ten targets, catching five of them and scoring two TDs. Don’t expect this kind of production each week but you can certainly do worse if you’re hurting at the position, especially considering Brate saw four red zone targets in week 3.

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