As we head into Week 4, the injuries continue to mount for Fantasy managers, and the waiver wire has become your best friend. Hopefully, there are players who can help you patch the holes in your lineup until your starters return.
We're going to give you a wide range of options for players to pick up, but make sure you're looking at the list of players under the heading "check to see if available in shallow leagues" at each position. Our roster percentage on CBS Sports leagues could be vastly different from leagues on Yahoo! or ESPN, among others, and you might have better players at your disposal.
For example, guys like Bucky Irving and Braelon Allen could be available on those sites as free agents, where they aren't widely available on CBS Sports. A lot of the players listed in those sections here should be of higher priority where available, especially someone like Diontae Johnson.
If you can't get those players then hopefully the ones listed here as free agents can help you now or down the road. We're also heading into the bye weeks starting in Week 5, so make sure you are making moves to help your lineup now and in the future.
Editor's note: For this waiver wire column, we are mainly looking at players rostered in less than 65 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
Week 3 Waivers
Quarterbacks
Injuries: Jordan Love (knee), Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), Justin Herbert (ankle), Sam Darnold (knee), Russell Wilson (calf) and Skylar Thompson (ribs).
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Caleb Williams (74 percent rostered), Geno Smith (72 percent) and Aaron Rodgers (68 percent). Williams just had his best Fantasy outing as a pro in Week 3 at the Colts with 21.3 points. He has favorable matchups ahead against the Rams in Week 4, the Panthers in Week 5 and the Jaguars in Week 6, and it might be time to consider him a low-end starter in all leagues. ... Smith has yet to crack 20 Fantasy points this season, but he could be headed for a shootout in Week 4 at Detroit. He then faces the Giants and 49ers after that, so his production should start to increase. ... Rodgers just had his best game to date with 25 Fantasy points against the Patriots in Week 3, but his schedule is about to get brutal with upcoming matchups against Denver, Minnesota, Buffalo and Pittsburgh in his next four outings. Still, it's worth rostering Rodgers to see how he does moving forward after his strong outing in Week 3.
Drop candidates: Justin Herbert (76 percent rostered), Trevor Lawrence (75 percent), Kirk Cousins (72 percent) and Matthew Stafford (61 percent). Herbert left Week 3 at Pittsburgh with an ankle injury, and he could be out in Week 4 against Kansas City. It's OK to drop Herbert in one-quarterback leagues, especially if he's not 100 percent. ... Lawrence has yet to score more than 13.3 Fantasy points in all three games this season, and it will be tough to trust him in one-quarterback leagues moving forward, especially in Week 4 at Houston. ... Cousins has scored 13.1 Fantasy points or less in two of three games, and you can't start him with confidence in Week 4 against New Orleans in one-quarterback leagues. Drop him now if you can, and then pick him up heading into Week 5 against Tampa Bay. ... Stafford will be tough to trust in one-quarterback leagues until Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) are healthy, which isn't going to happen in Week 4.
Add in this order:
Thankfully, Darnold isn't expected to miss any time after hurting his knee in Week 3 against Houston. As long as he's healthy, he's worth adding in all one-quarterback leagues as a potential starting Fantasy option. He's scored at least 23.9 Fantasy points in each of the past two weeks against San Francisco and Houston, and he threw four touchdown passes against the Texans. I consider Dalton a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in Week 4 at Green Bay, and he's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Dalton is worth using as a low-end starting option in one-quarterback leagues in Week 4 against the Bengals, and he is a must-add in Superflex and two-quarterback formats. He started in place of the benched Bryce Young in Week 3 at Las Vegas and scored 30.6 Fantasy points, and hopefully Dalton can keep the starting job all season. In one-quarterback leagues, Dalton is worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB. And in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, Dalton is worth at least 30 percent. He should have a big game against Cincinnati's defense in Week 4.
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Fields just had his first 20-point game of the season in Week 3 against the Chargers, but it was only 20.4 Fantasy points. But now he has the chance to build on that performance with a great upcoming schedule against Indianapolis, Dallas and Las Vegas in the next three games. The big question, however, is if Fields will remain the starter when Russell Wilson (calf) is healthy, but it would be shocking if the Steelers benched Fields since Pittsburgh is 3-0. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB heading into Week 4 against the Colts, and this should be one of his best outings against this porous defense.
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Watson topped 20 Fantasy points for the first time in Week 3 against the Giants when he scored 20.4, and hopefully it's a sign of things to come. He has another favorable matchup in Week 4 at the Raiders, and then he gets Washington, Philadelphia and Cincinnati after that. This could be a nice stretch of Fantasy production for Watson, who has yet to pass for at least 200 yards. But he could be a nice replacement option if needed in one-quarterback leagues, and Watson is worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Don't look now, but Jones has scored at least 22.3 Fantasy points in two games in a row against Washington and Cleveland. He's put himself in position to be considered a low-end starting option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, especially if Malik Nabers stays hot for the Giants. He should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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It will be tough to trust Nix in Week 4 at the Jets, but he just scored 19.3 Fantasy points in Week 3 at Tampa Bay. He should be rostered in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, and we'll see how he continues to do moving forward. The nice thing about Nix is his rushing prowess, and he's scored at least 9.5 Fantasy points in two of three games with just his legs alone. He should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Jordan Love (knee) will hopefully return in Week 4 against Minnesota, but if he's out again then Willis can be considered a low-end starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. He just scored 27.4 Fantasy points in Week 3 at Tennessee, but he has a much tougher matchup in Week 4 against Minnesota. Still, if Love remains out again, Willis could remain a useful Fantasy option and is worth adding in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Justin Herbert (ankle) could be out in Week 4 against the Chiefs, which would make Heinicke the starter for the Chargers. If Heinicke starts he'd be a potential low-end starting option in Superflex and two-quarterback, and he's worth adding in those formats for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Gardner Minshew will remain the starter for the Raiders in Week 4 against Cleveland, but he could lose the job to O'Connell soon. That makes O'Connell a stash candidate in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, and he's worth adding in those formats for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Jacoby Brissett will remain the starter for the Patriots in Week 4 at San Francisco, but Maye could get the starting job soon, maybe as early as Week 5 against Miami. He's worth stashing now in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues while he's cheap for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB in those formats.
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He could start for the Dolphins in Week 4 against Tennessee with Skylar Thompson (ribs) out. That makes Boyle an option in deep Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Boyle is worth 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB in those formats. Maybe, Boyle can surprise us and start for the Dolphins until Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is ready to return.
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Running Backs
Injuries: Christian McCaffrey (calf), Kenneth Walker III (abdomen), Raheem Mostert (chest), Joe Mixon (ankle), Isiah Pacheco (leg), Austin Ekeler (concussion), Najee Harris (arm), Jaylen Warren (knee) and MarShawn Lloyd (ankle).
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Jonathan Brooks (83 percent rostered), Carson Steele (82 percent), Chuba Hubbard (80 percent), Rico Dowdle (79 percent), Bucky Irving (76 percent), Braelon Allen (69 percent), Alexander Mattison (69 percent), Tyjae Spears (69 percent), Ty Chandler (67 percent) and Cam Akers (65 percent). Hubbard is the prize of this group, and he just had a monster game against the Raiders with 27 PPR points in Week 3. He has a great matchup in Week 4 against the Bengals in what could be his final start if Brooks (knee) is ready to come off injured reserve for Week 5, which is why you should be adding him now where available. ... Allen has gone from a handcuff to a flex with his performance over the past two weeks, scoring at least 9.8 PPR points in each outing against Tennessee and New England. He should be in a similar range in Week 4 against Denver. ... Irving just scored a career-best 11.4 PPR points in Week 3 against Denver and continues to run better than Rachaad White. We could see a change in Tampa Bay's backfield soon, so make sure Irving is rostered in all leagues heading into Week 4 against Philadelphia. ... We'll see if Steele will remain the starter for Kansas City until Pacheco is back, and Steele did OK in Week 3 at Atlanta with 17 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 2 yards on two targets. Just remember that Kareem Hunt and Clyde Edwards-Helaire could be active soon, and Samaje Perine is also going to remain heavily involved. ... Akers could get another start for Houston in Week 4 against Jacksonville with Mixon hurt, and Akers caught a touchdown in the blowout loss to Minnesota in Week 3. He only handled 10 total touches for 29 total yards, but this will be a better game script against the Jaguars, making Akers a flex. ... Dowdle might be ready to take over the Dallas backfield after he looked better than Ezekiel Elliot in Week 3 against Baltimore with eight carries for 32 yards and three catches for 24 yards on five targets. It's worth stashing Dowdle now where available in case he goes off against the Giants in Week 4. ... Mattison might be ready to take over the Raiders backfield after Zamir White struggled again in Week 3 against Carolina, while Mattison was the more productive Fantasy option. He's now scored at least 13.4 PPR points in two of three games, and he's scored a touchdown in all three outings for the Raiders this year. ... Spears did a good job catching the ball for the Titans in Week 3 against Green Bay with four catches for 54 yards on four targets. He now has four catches in two of three games this season, and he's a good stash candidate in case something were to happen to Tony Pollard. ... Chandler is also a good stash candidate behind Aaron Jones, and Chandler could be a lottery ticket at some point this year.
Drop candidates: D'Andre Swift (99 percent rostered), Zamir White (93 percent), Ezekiel Elliott (87 percent), Jaylen Warren (85 percent), Gus Edwards (76 percent) and Blake Corum (62 percent). Swift is easily worth dropping in 10-team leagues, and some managers in 12-team leagues might be ready to punt on him also. In three games, he's combined for 37 carries for 68 yards and six catches for 46 yards on 10 targets and no touchdowns. ... Like Swift, White is worth dropping in 10-team leagues and some 12-team formats as well. Through three games, White has 32 carries for 102 yards and five catches for 16 yards on six targets with no touchdowns. ... Elliott has seen his touches go from 12 in Week 1 to eight in Week 2 to four in Week 3. The Cowboys need to move on from Elliott and give Dowdle more work. Fantasy managers can drop Elliott as well. ... Warren is dealing with a knee injury, and Mike Tomlin said Sunday that Warren "wasn't running smoothly" in the game against the Chargers. I'd hold Warren in 12-team leagues, but he can be dropped in 10-team leagues for now. In three games, he's combined for just 13.2 PPR points. ... Edwards is worth holding if you want to consider him the handcuff for J.K. Dobbins, but Edwards went from at least 12 total touches in each of the first two games to just three carries for 9 yards in Week 3 at Pittsburgh. Dobbins is the main running back for the Chargers right now by a wide margin. ... You can stash Corum as the handcuff to Kyren Williams in deeper leagues, but Corum has no touches in two of three games this year.
Add in this order:
Johnson was inactive in Week 1 and didn't get a touch in Week 2, but he was the Bears leading rusher in Week 3 at Indianapolis with eight carries for 30 yards and four catches for 32 yards on five targets. With D'Andre Swift struggling, it's worth adding Johnson now to see if he can be the best running back for Chicago for the rest of the season. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Wilson is locked into the No. 2 role for the Packers behind Josh Jacobs, but Wilson has looked good in two games this season and might have some flex appeal moving forward on top of being a lottery ticket. He had four carries for 46 yards and two catches for 2 yards on three targets in Week 1 at Philadelphia, did nothing in Week 2 against Indianapolis (five carries for 9 yards) and then blew up at Tennessee with 12 carries for 50 yards and two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on two targets. If Jacobs were to miss any time due to injury, Wilson could be a star. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Carson Steele should be considered the best Kansas City running back for now with Isiah Pacheco (leg) out after Steele had 17 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 2 yards on two targets in Week 3 at Atlanta, but we'll see what happens in Week 4 at the Chargers. Kareem Hunt (47 percent rostered) could be activated off the practice squad, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (16 percent) could return from the NFI list next week. Both of them are worth adding where available, and Perine is also worth picking up as well. Against the Falcons, Perine had six carries for 25 yards and three catches for 15 yards on four targets. I would spend 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB on Perine, Hunt or Edwards-Helaire as stash candidates just to see what develops moving forward.
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It appears like Najee Harris (arm) will be OK heading into Week 4 at the Colts, but Jaylen Warren (knee) could miss the game. That should put Patterson in a good spot to earn extra work in a favorable matchup against Indianapolis. Patterson just had four carries for 33 yards and three catches for 15 yards on five targets in Week 3 against the Chargers, and we know Arthur Smith likes using Patterson when possible. Keep an eye on any news prior to Tuesday night with Warren, but Patterson is worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Christian McCaffrey (calf) is seeing a specialist in Germany for his injury, so it doesn't sound like he's returning to action any time soon. That puts Guerendo in position to be Jordan Mason's backup for the 49ers, and Guerendo has lottery-ticket upside in that role. He's worth stashing in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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In games where the Ravens are chasing points, Hill will be a factor in the passing game, which could happen in Week 4 against Buffalo. In Week 1 at Kansas City, Hill had six catches for 52 yards on eight targets, along with one carry for 3 yards. In two games since, Hill has combined for nine carries for 55 yards and four catches for 31 yards on four targets. I like him as a flex against the Bills, and he's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB in PPR.
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Davis is worth stashing as a lottery ticket in case something happens to James Cook, and Davis also has 16 carries in the past two games against Miami and Jacksonville for 51 yards and a touchdown. In games where Buffalo has a chance to win by a wide margin, you can consider using Davis as a flex. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Tracy got more work in Week 3 at Cleveland than he had all season with five carries for 23 yards and two catches for 17 yards on two targets. I hope he continues to get more work moving forward in tandem with Devin Singletary, and Taylor could be a lottery ticket if Singletary ever misses any time. Taylor is worth adding in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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He was sent back to the practice squad Monday, but in Week 3 at Tampa Bay he might have given Sean Payton another option in Denver's backfield. Badie had nine carries for 70 yards as the closer against the Buccaneers, and we'll see if he poses a threat to Javone Williams or Jaleel McLaughlin moving forward. In deeper leagues, Badie is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Wide Receivers
Injuries: Puka Nacua (knee), Cooper Kupp (ankle), Deebo Samuel (calf), A.J. Brown (hamstring), DeVonta Smith (concussion), Tank Dell (ribs), Keenan Allen (heel), Jordan Addison (ankle), Amari Cooper (undisclosed), Josh Palmer (elbow) and Adam Thielen (hamstring)
Check to see if available in shallow leagues: Quentin Johnston (82 percent rostered), Jerry Jeudy (80 percent), Ladd McConkey (78 percent), Diontae Johnson (77 percent), Jordan Addison (75 percent), Christian Watson (76 percent), Courtland Sutton (76 percent) and DeAndre Hopkins (67 percent). Johnson should be added in all leagues, and his season officially started in Week 3 with Andy Dalton taking over at quarterback for the Panthers. Johnson had eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets against the Raiders, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 4 against the Bengals. ... Watson will hopefully get Jordan Love (knee) back in Week 4, and as long as both stay healthy, I still view Watson as a breakout candidate in all leagues. ... Johnston and McConkey might not have Justin Herbert (ankle) in Week 4 against Kansas City and then get a bye in Week 5, but stash both players if you have open roster spots. Johnston has seven catches for 95 yards and three touchdowns on eight targets in his past two games. ... Addison (ankle) will hopefully return in Week 4, and he should benefit from Sam Darnold's strong play to open the season. When healthy, Addison could be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. ... Sutton had his best game of the season in Week 3 at Tampa Bay with seven catches for 68 yards on 11 targets. He now has at least 11 targets in two of three games this year, and he can be a No. 3 receiver most weeks moving forward. That said, I would like to avoid starting him in Week 4 at the Jets, but I still want to stash Sutton on my bench. ... Jeudy had his worst game of the season in Week 3 against the Giants with four catches for 27 yards, but he's averaging seven targets a game and has two outings with at least 11.5 PPR points this season. He's a potential No. 3 PPR receiver most weeks moving forward, including Week 4 at the Raiders. ... Hopkins had his best game of the season in Week 3 against Green Bay with six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and hopefully this is a sign of things to come now that he's over the knee injury that he suffered in training camp. Hopkins could re-emerge as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues for the rest of the season.
Drop candidates: Michael Pittman Jr. (96 percent rostered), Alec Pierce (58 percent) and Josh Palmer (46 percent). Pittman is only worth dropping in 10-team leagues, but he's been terrible so far this season with 7.6 PPR points or less in three games in a row. ... Pierce is also tough to trust moving forward with Josh Downs back in action. In Week 3 against Chicago, Pierce had a season-low two targets and caught one for 44 yards. He's a big-play threat on a weekly basis, but his targets will be minimal when Downs is healthy. ... Palmer is hurt, Justin Herbert (ankle) is hurt and the Chargers have a bye in Week 5. It's easy to cut Palmer in all leagues.
Add in this order:
With Deebo Samuel (calf) and George Kittle (hamstring) out in Week 3 at the Rams, along with Christian McCaffrey (calf), Jennings became a go-to target for Brock Purdy with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets. Jennings won't do that again moving forward, and hopefully we see more from Brandon Aiyuk, but Jennings should be added in all leagues with Samuel and Kittle uncertain for Week 4 against New England. I would start Jennings as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver against the Patriots if Samuel and Kittle remain out, and Jennings is worth adding for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Odunze had his first big game in Week 3 at the Colts with six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Keenan Allen (heel) was out again for the Bears, so keep that in mind, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Odunze in his rookie campaign. He's worth adding in all leagues for 10-15 percent of your FAB heading into another favorable matchup with the Rams in Week 4.
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Mooney was someone we were high on in Week 2 after he had three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown on seven targets at Philadelphia, and he followed that up with eight catches for 66 yards on eight targets against Kansas City in Week 3. He will continue to be a staple in Atlanta's offense, and Mooney should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues moving forward. He's worth adding for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Robinson has quietly had a nice start to the season for the Giants and Fantasy managers as the Robin to Malik Nabers' Batman. Robinson has 24 targets in three games, and he's scored at least 11.8 PPR points in two outings, including two games with at least six receptions. He's never going to be an option in non-PPR leagues, but in PPR he could be a No. 3 receiver in deeper leagues. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
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With the Rams down Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) again in Week 4, we should see Atwell and Jordan Whittington (19 percent rostered) continue to help Demarcus Robinson (77 percent) fill the void. While Robinson was bad in Week 3 against the 49ers with one catch for 32 yards on four targets, Atwell stepped up with four catches for 93 yards on five targets. He's my favorite Rams receiver for now until Nacua and Kupp get back, and Atwell is worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB. Whittington had three catches for 28 yards on three targets against the 49ers, and he's worth adding for 1 percent in deeper leagues. And I would continue to stash Robinson just in case he steps up in Week 4 against the Bears, although this is a tough matchup.
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Doubs is worth adding with the hope that Jordan Love (knee) can return in Week 4 against Minnesota. When Love is healthy, Doubs can be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in most formats, and he had seven catches for 112 yards on 10 targets in his first two games. Doubs is worth adding for 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Garrett Wilson should have a tough game in Week 4 against Denver since he'll likely see coverage from Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain, which should make things easier for Lazard and Mike Williams (36 percent rostered). Lazard has scored a touchdown in two of three games this season, and he can be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues for Week 4. He's worth adding for 5 percent of your remaining FAB. Williams continues to work his way back from last year's ACL tear, and he just had three catches for 34 yards on four targets in Week 3 against New England. I would stash Williams on the bench for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Keep an eye on Trey McBride (concussion) since he could be out in Week 4 against Washington. That would be a boost for Wilson and Greg Dortch (18 percent rostered), and it helps that the Cardinals have a great matchup against the Commanders. Wilson just had a season-high nine targets in Week 3 against Detroit for eight catches and 64 yards, and he's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB. Dortch hasn't done much since Week 1 when he had six catches for 47 yards on eight targets at Buffalo, but he could be an option in deeper PPR leagues if McBride is out. Dortch is worth adding for 1 percent of your FAB.
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Adam Thielen (hamstring) is expected to miss time with his injury, meaning Legette should be headed for a bigger role. He only had three targets in Week 3 at Las Vegas for two catches and 42 yards, but he has a great matchup in Week 4 against Cincinnati. With Andy Dalton under center now for the Panthers, and with Thielen hurt, Legette is worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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The Raiders passing game is up in the air right now with Gardner Minshew potentially on the verge of being benched for Aidan O'Connell, but Meyers is worth stashing where available. His targets have gone up in each of the first three weeks, and he just had seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against Carolina. Meyers is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB, and you can also take a flier on Tre Tucker (1 percent rostered) in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your FAB. He just had seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against the Panthers, and we'll see if that leads to a bigger role moving forward.
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The Patriots finally had a receiver show up in Week 3 at the Jets with Douglas catching seven passes for 69 yards on nine targets. We'll see if he continues to be a factor in the passing game since he had two catches for 12 yards on three targets in the first two games, but this was a step in the right direction. Douglas is worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Downs made his 2024 debut in Week 3 against Chicago with three catches for 22 yards on five targets. He should continue to earn targets from Anthony Richardson, who needs someone to catch some easy throws, and Downs will hopefully improve in Week 4 and beyond. He's worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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