Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements (Fantasy Football)

Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.

Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 4.

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Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Geno Smith (QB – LV) vs. Chicago Bears (27.3% Rostered)

Smith was outstanding in the Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders. The veteran completed 65.5% of his 29 pass attempts for 289 yards and three touchdowns to Tre Tucker, scoring 26.1 fantasy points. While he struggled in the Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith has been a productive fantasy streaming option in the other two games this year. The veteran quarterback has averaged 325.5 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 21.8 fantasy points per game in those two matchups, scoring 17.5 or more in both outings.

While he lacks season-long upside, Smith is an excellent streaming option in Week 4. Last week, Dak Prescott had only one passing touchdown and 12 fantasy points against the Bears. Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys’ offense fell apart after CeeDee Lamb left the game with an ankle injury. However, Chicago couldn’t stop a nose bleed, let alone a capable passing attack, before the Week 3 contest. They surrendered 3.5 passing touchdowns and 28.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the first two weeks, allowing 22.2 or more in both matchups.

Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ) vs. Miami Dolphins (28.4% Rostered)

New York hasn’t had a consistent run game over the first three weeks. However, Allen has been solid when given an opportunity. The second-year pro is the RB49 for the year, averaging 6.7 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he has scored 6.7 or more fantasy points in the two games with at least six rushing attempts this season, including last week. More importantly, Allen is coming off his best performance this season. He averaged five yards per rushing attempt and 0.84 fantasy points per touch in Week 3.

Fantasy players shouldn’t be surprised if Allen builds off his strong performance last week on Monday night against the Dolphins. Miami has struggled to slow down opposing rushing attacks this year. They have given up 25.9 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fifth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, the Dolphins have surrendered 108 rushing yards per game to running backs, allowing more than 112 twice, including a season-high 121 last week. Expect the Jets to lean on their run game, especially with Justin Fields likely back under center.

Woody Marks (RB – HOU) vs. Tennessee Titans (26.9% Rostered)

Unfortunately, Houston’s offense has been a nightmare over the first three weeks, averaging 12.7 points per game. Nick Chubb has been serviceable, averaging only 4.2 yards per rushing attempt and 9.4 PPR fantasy points per outing. Hopefully, Joe Mixon can play at some point, but that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Marks has quietly earned more snaps on offense. After playing 11% in Week 1, the rookie played 27% in Week 2 and 48% in Week 3, seeing only three fewer snaps than Chubb. More importantly, he’s been productive with his touches.

Marks has been productive the past two weeks after totaling three touches for 0.3 fantasy points in Week 1. The rookie has averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game and 0.97 fantasy points per touch on his 11 opportunities since Week 1. Meanwhile, the Titans surrendered 27.3 fantasy points per game to running backs, the third-most in the NFL over the first three weeks, allowing 27.7 or more twice. Furthermore, Tennessee has given up at least 110 rushing yards and a touchdown to running backs in every game this season.

Elic Ayomanor (WR – TEN) vs. Houston Texans (29.2% Rostered)

Hopefully, this is the last time Ayomanor qualifies for this article, as the rookie shouldn’t be rostered in under 75% of leagues, let alone 35%. The former Stanford star had a quiet Week 1, totaling 3.3 PPR fantasy points after Brian Callahan botched a clear-cut challenge call. However, Ayomanor has been productive the past two weeks, ranking as the WR19, averaging four receptions on 5.5 targets for 47 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 14.7 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the rookie has accounted for 100% of Tennessee’s receiving touchdowns.

The former Stanford star is on his way to replacing Calvin Ridley as Cam Ward‘s No. 1 wide receiver, seeing a higher target per route run rate than the veteran this season. Meanwhile, the Texans have surrendered 34 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the first three weeks, allowing 38.7 or more twice. Furthermore, they have allowed opposing No. 2 wide receivers to average 8.7 targets and 9.8 fantasy points per game. Ayomanor is not only a solid starter this week but also a rest-of-the-season flex option.

Christian Kirk (WR – HOU) vs. Tennessee Titans (27.7% Rostered)

Kirk missed the first two games this year because of a hamstring injury. The veteran wide receiver made his season debut in Week 3, totaling 5.5 PPR fantasy points. While the Texans’ offense has struggled this year, Kirk could help it get going, giving C.J. Stroud another reliable weapon in the passing game. The veteran had the second-most snaps among Houston’s wide receivers last week. Yet, he should see even more on Sunday. More importantly, Kirk saw plenty of work in Week 3 despite the lack of fantasy production.

Last week, Kirk finished second on the team in targets with eight, totaling only three fewer than Nico Collins (11) despite playing 12 fewer snaps (54 vs. 42). Furthermore, his 20.7% first-read target share in Week 3 was second on the team behind Collins (per Fantasy Points Data). Meanwhile, the Titans have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers (40.6). Furthermore, opposing No. 2 wide receivers have scored at least 10.7 fantasy points against Tennessee in back-to-back games. Kirk will make it three in a row.

Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ) vs. Miami Dolphins (3.3% Rostered)

Fantasy players rightfully didn’t have high expectations for New York’s passing attack heading into this season. Garrett Wilson (30) is the only Jet with more than 13 targets this year. However, Taylor is third on the team in targets (nine) with room to grow in the offense. Last week, the rookie finished second on the team with six targets after totaling three over the first two games. Furthermore, the former LSU star’s 12.5% first-read target share was the second-highest behind Wilson in Week 3 (per Fantasy Points Data).

More importantly, Taylor could break out on Monday night against the Dolphins. Miami has had no answer for tight ends this year. They have surrendered 17.2 fantasy points per game to tight ends, the third-most in the NFL, allowing 17.9 or more twice. Last week, Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes each found the end zone against the Dolphins. Furthermore, Kincaid finished Week 3 as the TE4, scoring a season-high 17.6 fantasy points on only six targets. Don’t be surprised if Taylor has a similar performance on Monday night.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.