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Week 4 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Projections for Top Pickups and Sleeper Targets
- Updated: September 27, 2016
Three weeks of NFL football are in the books, and there are undoubtedly plenty of fantasy football rosters in need of mending. Whether the injury bug is wiping out your starters or your surefire picks just aren’t working out quite the way you thought, the waiver wire is the place to get back on the winning track.It’s still early in the season, so sleepers are still emerging, and the hot starters might not yet be all they’re cracked up to be. The top pickups this week may not be the best guys to start Week 4, but they could be worth a stash.Here’s a look at the top pickups in ESPN and Yahoo Sports leagues, some projections for the most popular pickups and a couple of sleepers to consider. Only players owned in less than 50 percent of leagues are included in the table or considered for the article.
Fantasy Projections for Popular Targets and Sleepers
Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
This is a huge week for rookie Jordan Howard, to say nothing of the thousands upon thousands of fantasy owners hoping he puts in a big day. With starting running back Jeremy Langford suffering an ankle injury on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys and out for at least a month, Howard should get the starting nod in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions.
Howard’s proved to be an effective runner in limited action this season, with 67 yards on 12 carries. CBS Sports’ Dave Richard has been high on Howard this season:
I love Kenneth Dixon long term, but Jordan Howard might be the better RB to stash RIGHT NOW. Both available in a ton of leagues.
— Dave Richard (@daverichard) September 24, 2016
And even Pro Football Focus was bullish on the fifth-round pick heading into the NFL draft:
#Bears running back Jordan Howard was the No. 4 RB on PFF’s 2016 draft board, No. 59 overall prospect. #SNF pic.twitter.com/3zKKnz6Y6I
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 26, 2016
He also did well catching the ball out of the backfield against the Cowboys, totaling four receptions for 47 yards. He wasn’t much of a receiver in college, but the Bears aren’t exactly lighting up teams, and Howard could see plenty of checkdown throws if he’s out getting most of the snaps.
With injuries piling up, it makes sense for the Bears to turn the rookie loose and see what he can do as a featured back.
The Lions aren’t giving up a ton of points to fantasy backs this season—23rd in the league, per Yahoo Sports—but the Green Bay Packers’ Eddie Lacy racked up 103 yards against them in Week 3, and the Tennessee Titans’ DeMarco Murray ripped off a 67-yard run the week before in a solid effort. The opportunity is here; look for Howard to get plenty of touches.
Projection: 80 rushing yards; four receptions, 25 receiving yards
Orleans Darkwa, RB, New York Giants
Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen have been leading the way in …
