🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 4 Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Pickups, Adds & Rankings Tiers

This week, we will take a look at seven sleeper wide receivers, each of whom have worked their way into the number two receiver role on their respective teams.

All of these wideouts are young and seem to have made large improvements as of late, either at the end of last year or over the first few games this season.

While none of these guys are the primary target on their respective teams, none of them have to deal with pressure from the top cornerback on opposing teams, further heightening their value.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Top Wide Receivers for Week 4 Waiver Wire

Cecil Shorts III (WR, HOU) - 14% Owned

Between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, the Texans have the most passing attempts of any team in the NFL through Week 3. That might change once Arian Foster returns, but Cecil Shorts should still see his fair share of looks. His 29 targets place him 15th among wide receivers in all of football, tied with Odell Beckham Jr., but second on his own team, behind emerging star DeAndre Hopkins. Shorts has yet to score a touchdown and hasn't come up with big yardage plays yet, but given his volume of targets, he can be a viable pickup in a deep PPR league.

 

Allen Hurns (WR, JAX) - 17% Owned

Allen Hurns has been the most efficient receiver for the Jaguars so far this season, catching 11 of his 15 targets for 198 yards. In a full slate of games, that adds up to over 1,000 yards. The Jaguars have not had a player manage 1,000 receiving yards since Jimmy Smith in 2005. Interestingly, Hurns, Jacksonville's leading receiver in 2014, is not currently atop the receiving leaders for his own team. Allen Robinson appears to be in the midst of a breakout season. However, while Robinson may take some passes away from Hurns, he should also distract the opposing team's top cornerback, leaving Hurns with lighter coverage. If Blake Bortles can play at a respectable level, Hurns should see enough targets to warrant an add in very deep leagues.

 

Rishard Matthews (WR, MIA) - 23% Owned

Over the first three weeks of the season, Rishard Matthews has emerged as a clear WR2 in Miami behind Jarvis Landry. The fourth-year wideout caught 41 passes in 2013, but only reeled in 12 passes from Ryan Tannehill last season. Through three games, Matthews already has 16 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns-- his previous single-season high was two touchdowns. He currently owns a two-game 100-yard streak, and having only reached the 100-yard mark once prior, it seems as if he is fully cemented in the fantasy-relevant category. As Tannehill's deep threat, Matthews should continue to produce, with a chance to see the end zone on a weekly basis.

 

Marvin Jones (WR, CIN) - 36% Owned

Also in his fourth season, Marvin Jones appears to have surpassed Mohamed Sanu as the second wide receiver in Cincinnati behind A.J. Green. Jones grabbed five of his eight targets on Sunday, collecting 94 yards and a touchdown in the process. If Andy Dalton continues to play as well as he did in Week against the Ravens, Jones should continue to put up big numbers. Jones was a hot commodity late in 2013 after posting 122 yards and four touchdowns in Week 8 against the Jets, but missed all of 2014 with an ankle injury and fell off the radar heading into 2015. He is in a contract season, and displayed that same talent we saw two years ago this past weekend against Baltimore.

 

Donte Moncrief (WR, IND) - 67% Owned

Donte Moncrief is another young wide receiver climbing the depth chart in recent weeks. Moncrief is currently benefitting from a struggling Andre Johnson, who put up a goose egg in the receptions column in Week 3. As the Colts' number two wideout behind T.Y. Hilton, Moncrief has racked up 200 yards and three scores in three games. In fact, his 17 receptions to date even top Hilton's 15. As Luck continues to find his rhythm and return to top form, Moncrief will reap the benefits. The second-year receiver is especially enticing in Week 4, as the Colts face a Jaguars secondary that just surrendered 358 passing yards to Tom Brady and company.

 

Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK) - 68% Owned

Michael Crabtree is the oldest receiver mentioned in this article, but like the others, he has recently emerged as a reliable fantasy option. The 28-year-old former Texas Tech standout is attempting to reinvent himself in Oakland after an erratic six-year stay across the bay with the 49ers, and was immediately thrust into the second wideout spot on the Raiders' depth chart, behind rookie Amari Cooper. Second-year signal-caller Derek Carr is coming into his own, and has shown the ability to spread the ball around-- 13 players have at least once reception this year, tied for the most in all of football. Crabtree only surpassed 1,000 receiving yards once -- in 2012 -- but is on pace to come awfully close to the milestone number in his first year with his new team.

 

Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT) - 86% Owned

Martavis Bryant is unique among this group because he had solidified himself as the WR2 in Pittsburgh last season. However, Bryant was suspended for the first four games of 2015. He should reclaim that role upon return in Week 5. The excitement surrounding his return may be diluted with the news of Ben Roethlisberger's knee injury, but that shouldn't scare fantasy owners away. Michael Vick can still be a capable passer, especially with Le'Veon Bell's ability to take pressure off of the quarterback. Bryant is an incredible deep threat, with the size, speed and separation skills to beat many top cornerbacks, let alone any team's number two defensive back. There's no reason he should be available in any league, let alone 14% of them. Pick him up immediately if he's still out there.

 

While Moncrief, Bryant and Crabtree should be rostered in every 10-team league or larger, Hurns, Shorts, Matthews and Jones are all viable options moving forward and can be rostered in 12-teamers. They all possess talent and are in ideal situations. Playing behind a top-level wide receiver, each of these wideouts have the opportunity to perform without the pressure of a top cornerback. If any of these guys are unowned in your league, be sure to scoop at least one of them up, rather than, let's say, rostering DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden or Duke Johnson.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cason Wallace

Off Injury Report Saturday
Keyonte George

Erupts for Career-High 39 Against Memphis
Bones Hyland

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Austin Reaves

To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week With Calf Strain
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Activated From Injured Reserve
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Ruled Out for Weekend's Action
Connor Bedard

Ruled Out for Saturday
Zeev Buium

Canucks Acquire Zeev Buium From Wild
Marco Rossi

Moves to Vancouver
Quinn Hughes

Traded to WIld
Joel Embiid

Available Against Indiana
Ja Morant

Back on Friday Night
Rickard Rakell

Available Saturday
Tre Jones

is Returning on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action Versus Hornets
Jake Ferguson

Listed as Questionable for Week 15
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for Saturday
Tre Johnson

to be Limited in Return on Friday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Could Return Monday
Geno Smith

Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Victor Hedman

to Be Out Until February
Kenny Pickett

to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday
Jared McCann

to Miss Three Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Tyrese Maxey

Under the Weather on Friday
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Victor Wembanyama

Expected to Return on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Acquire Tristan Jarry From Penguins
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined on Friday Evening
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 15
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
T.J. Watt

Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Davante Adams

to be Questionable, Expected to Play on Sunday
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Sunday
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact
T.J. Watt

Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
Jake Ferguson

on Track to Play in Week 15
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
Jayden Daniels

Cleared for Contact
Tee Higgins

Ruled Out Against Ravens
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 15, Expected Back This Year
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Will Practice on Friday
Daniel Gafford

Still Unlikely to Play Friday
Brady Cook

to Get Starting Nod for Jets in Week 15
Khris Middleton

Misses Second Straight Game
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again Versus Bulls
Tee Higgins

Absent From Practice on Friday
Coby White

On Track To Suit Up Versus Charlotte
De'Von Achane

Should Be Available Monday
Tre Jones

Expected To Play Friday Vs. Hornets
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers to Utilize Hot-Hand Approach in Backfield Moving Forward?
Ayo Dosunmu

to Miss Friday's Game Vs. Hornets
T.J. Watt

Trending Towards Missing Week 15
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
Joel Kiviranta

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Lars Eller

Departs Early Versus Blue Jackets
Viktor Arvidsson

Makes Early Exit Against Jets
Bo Horvat

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Roope Hintz

Exits Loss With Injury
Logan Cooley

to Miss at Least Eight Weeks
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP