At the quarter point of the 2023 NFL season, Fantasy Football managers have a good idea of the kind of team they have on their hands. There are a few managers who have certainly been hit by bad luck and could use some help from the waiver wire.
Whether it be injuries or ineffective performances from players, the waiver wire provides managers with a chance to turn their season around with one big addition. Following the Week 4 games, some players stand out amongst their peers as players you should add to your Fantasy Football team.
The player atop that list this week is Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin. After starting running back Javonte Williams suffered a hip injury, it was McLaughlin, an undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State, who stepped into his early down role.
He played well, totaling 104 yards on 10 touches with a touchdown. The short-yardage work went to Samaje Perine, but McLaughlin is someone who will factor into the mix heavily for as long as Williams is sidelined. The injury may not keep him out long, but with byes beginning in Week 5, McLaughlin could provide short-term value.
Another running back you should be looking to add is Keaton Mitchell of the Baltimore Ravens. An undrafted rookie out of East Carolina, Mitchell is set to return to the lineup after starting the season on the PUP List.
With J.K. Dobbins out for the season and Melvin Gordon not on the 53-man roster, there is a chance Mitchell can carve out a role right off the bat. He is a high-upside addition given the Ravens’ propensity for running the ball and a great stash for Fantasy Football managers.
Next up is wide receiver Michael Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals. Thought to be a wasteland for Fantasy Football managers without Kyler Murray in the lineup, Arizona has provided some value for anyone who took a risk during their drafts.
Running back James Conner and wide receiver Marquise Brown aren’t the only players with value, as Wilson is on the radar after earning a starting job in the preseason. Coming off a two-touchdown performance, he will be a popular add on the waiver wire.
A rookie who will improve as the season goes on playing for a team projected to trail often, meaning more passing? That is a recipe for success for savvy Fantasy Football managers. Another rookie who deserves your attention is C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans.
Stroud has gotten off to a historic start in his career. He has yet to throw an interception in four games despite attempting 151 passes. He threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns against a strong Pittsburgh Steelers team in Week 4, squarely putting him on the radar as an asset in Fantasy Football. His upside is capped a little by his lack of rushing stats, but he can certainly sling it.
Last but not least, tight end Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys should be added. The tight end position has been messy his season, but Ferguson looks to have a locked-in role in the team’s offense.
In Week 7, he caught seven passes for 77 yards, taking full advantage of Peyton Hendershot being inactive. While Ferguson may not be an every-down tight end right now, he is the go-to pass-catching option. If his target share remains at the level it is right now, he will quickly become a weekly starter in Fantasy Football lineups.
