“In the Scope” is a unique weekly article that won’t solely focus on giving readers the mainstream fantasy football waiver wire pickups. Instead, we aim to recommend the top free agents to acquire after waivers run. These players may be the top pickups next week, saving you Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) and waiver priority. So whether you’re trying to grab the leftover mainstream fantasy football waiver wire Week 4 pickups or the longer-ranged free agents, below are some options to consider.
Rostership percentages are based on ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Check Your Waivers; Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 4 Pickups
• Khalil Herbert (RB, Chicago Bears) | 25.2 percent
• Alexander Mattison (RB, Minnesota Vikings) | 37.1 percent
• Tyler Conklin (TE, New York Jets)| 11.5 percent
• Romeo Doubs (WR, Green Bay Packers) | 19.3 percent
• Zay Jones (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars)| 8.6 percent
• Josh Palmer (WR, Los Angeles Chargers) | 36.3 percent
• Mack Hollins (WR, Las Vegas Raiders) | 0.9 percent
In the Scope Targets; Top Fantasy Football Free Agent Week 4 Finds
Greg Dortch (WR, Arizona Cardinals) | 14.8 percent
It’s crazy to me to see such a low rostership percentage next to Greg Dortch’s name. He has an average snap share of 81 percent, so you know he’s going to be out on the field and connecting with Kyler Murray. Across the last three weeks, he’s been targeted 23 times and caught 20 for 198 yards and one touchdown. With an insane catch rate of 87 percent, he should be receiving more looks from fantasy managers.
DeAndre Hopkins won’t return to the field for another three weeks, and Rondale Moore could be out for another week or two. So I expect that Greg Dortch will continue to see the action. He’s competing for looks with Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz, but it’s clear that he can catch the ball when targeted.
While he’s not likely a long-term hold, you should target him as a bridge player if you need a talented wide receiver in the short term. – Jen Polvogt
Richie James (WR, New York Giants) | 5.2 Percent
It was no secret that the New York Giants wide receiver room was a mess heading into the season. Veteran Kenny Golladay has been underwhelming, and Kadarius Toney is still dealing with a hamstring injury. To make matters worse, the team lost veteran Sterling Shepard, who leads the team in targets, to a torn ACL. It appears the next man up in New York is veteran receiver, Richie James.
James has been efficient with his opportunities so far in 2022. Already second on the team in targets before Shepard’s injury, he has caught 14 of 17 passes for 146 yards. Quarterback Daniel Jones doesn’t have a lot of other options right now outside of James, rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger and running back Saquon Barkley.
Bellinger and Barkley will likely dominate red zone touches. Yet, James should see enough volume to make him a sneaky PPR flex play at least until Toney is back. If he can become a reliable target for Jones, he could continue to be a relevant spot start. – Nate Polvogt
Ben Skowronek (WR, Los Angeles Rams) | 0.5 Percent
Second-year receiver Ben Skowronek out of the University of Notre Dame has quietly stepped up for the Rams early. With presumptive No. 3 WR still recovering from an August knee surgery, Skowronek has seen at least 85 percent of snaps in each of the Rams’ first three games.
While also participating on 85.7 percent of the Rams’ routes, Skowronek has outpaced veteran Allen Robinson in targets (13), receptions (10) and yards (107). He’s top-12 amongst WRs in target separation (2.78 yards per route), which helped him lead the Rams in receiving in Week 3, catching all four targets for 66 yards. Robinson’s play has been poor again this season, and Jefferson’s health remains uncertain. Skowronek could do enough to earn him the No. 2 WR role in this Rams’ offense. That would make him fantasy viable and certainly worth grabbing after the waiver wire in Week 4 runs. – Seth Woolcock
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