Week 4 Waiver Wire: MUST-ADD Pickups & Deep Sleepers
Theo Gremminger breaks down a chaotic Week 4 waiver wire dominated by injuries, most notably Devon Achane's season-ending ACL tear, Breece Hall's quad injury, and question marks on Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, and Travis Etienne. He walks through the top adds at each position, emphasizing handcuff running backs, ramping-up pass catchers, and several tight ends whose roles are expanding due to injuries elsewhere.
# Week 4 Waiver Wire: MUST-Add Pickups & Deep Sleepers
This episode is Theo Gremminger's rapid-response waiver breakdown following a brutal Week 3 injury slate, headlined by Devon Achane's season-ending torn ACL and Breece Hall's quad injury. Gremminger's central argument is that the running back position's inherent violence has once again reshuffled the waiver landscape, and managers need to move fast and decisively on direct handcuffs while being smarter about FAB allocation in murky backfield committees.
The arguments
Braylon Allen is a no-brainer add in any format, regardless of league depth. Gremminger argues that with Breece Hall's quad injury sending him for an MRI, Allen is the clean direct handcuff who should be rostered even in 20-team deep leagues. This one drew no internal debate — it's presented as close to automatic.
The Miami backfield is now a likely committee, so pragmatic FAB strategy matters more than chasing the "winner." Gremminger states Ollie Gordon is his preferred back long-term given health and a strong 17-carry, 41-yard, touchdown showing against Kansas City, but he argues Jalen Wright is the smarter buy if your league's FAB bidding gets aggressive (55-60%+) on Gordon, since neither back likely inherits Achane's 80%-snap, 20%-target workload. His practical advice: try to walk away with both if possible.
Malik Washington, not either running back, is actually the top overall Week 4 add. Gremminger's strongest conviction claim is that Washington's role — 10 targets plus rush attempts in the same game, 23 targets on the season — makes him a must-roster player in all formats regardless of who wins the Miami backfield battle, because his usage is offense-agnostic.
New Orleans backfield touches are split, and Kendre Miller is the value play behind the more expensive Alvin Kamara. Gremminger notes Kamara still gets the trust (back-to-back nine-carry weeks) but is older and costly in FAB, while Miller is a cheaper, likely-available option in FFPC/NFFC formats, with additional value in play if Travis Etienne's hamstring lingers.
Kenyon Sadiq is the clearest priority add at any position this week. Citing a 7-catch, 105-yard, touchdown outing plus a rash of Jets injuries (Mason Taylor, Adonai Mitchell, Breece Hall) opening volume, Gremminger calls this a "don't overthink it" add, tying in Sadiq's elite first-round draft capital and Frank Reich's track record developing fantasy tight ends. He also flags dynasty momentum, arguing Sadiq could soon rank around TE7.
Running back handcuffs deserve roster priority league-wide as a philosophy, not just reactive pickups. Gremminger frames Week 3's injury wave as a recurring reminder that the position is uniquely dangerous, urging listeners to fill bench spots with handcuffs like Justice Hill types and Sione Vaki behind Jahmyr Gibbs preemptively rather than waiting for news.
Quarterback streaming options are deep this week, with Kirk Cousins and CJ Stroud drawing the most host confidence. Gremminger highlights Cousins' nine touchdowns and Raiders' 3-0 start as a "don't overthink it" superflex streamer, while also floating Stroud as a deeper-league option once Nico Collins returns, plus Sam Darnold given Seattle's poor run game and the Darnold-JSN connection.
What it means for your roster
- Add Braylon Allen immediately in any format he's available — treat as auto-priority, no FAB restraint needed.
- Bid aggressively on Malik Washington in all league types; his role is safe regardless of Miami's backfield outcome.
- In Miami RB committee leagues, target Ollie Gordon first, but pivot to Jalen Wright if bidding wars exceed roughly half your FAB budget — try to secure both if roster space allows.
- Grab Kenyon Sadiq now in any shallow or wide-receiver-heavy format; treat this as a top-of-priority-list add and a dynasty stock riser.
- In deeper/PPR-heavy formats, prioritize Kendre Miller over Alvin Kamara for value, since Kamara will cost significantly more FAB.
- Stock bench spots with handcuffs preemptively (Justice Hill types, Sione Vaki, Brian Robinson) rather than waiting for the injury news cycle to catch up.
“Injuries happen everywhere... but running back, it's a collision sport, and running backs get collisions.” — Theo Gremminger
Players in this episode
↓ Suffered a torn ACL and is done for the year, opening up the Miami backfield.
→ Getting an ankle MRI Monday; severity unknown, hopefully preventative.
→ Dislocated elbow but avoiding IR; expected to play again, timeline uncertain.
→ Dealing with a quad injury and getting an MRI Monday; Braylon Allen is the direct handcuff to add.
↑ Threw for 379 yards and 4 TDs; a strong streaming/superflex option given Seattle's weak run game and JSN's dominance.
↑ Solid three-week floor and due for a schedule upswing against Dallas and Tennessee; Nico Collins expected back soon.
↑ Priority waiver add after 7 catches, 105 yards and a TD; elite draft capital and expanding role make him a rising dynasty tight end.
→ Speculative deep-league add as the bridge quarterback behind Cousins in case of injury or benching.
→ Would be next man in as WR2 in Minnesota if Justin Jefferson's injury sidelines him, with Jordan Addison moving to WR1.
↑ Sneaky good add as Seattle's clear number two target with 5 catches for 69 yards on 9 targets.
↑ A no-brainer waiver add as the direct handcuff to Breece Hall, should be rostered everywhere.
↑ Usage is ramping up ahead of Tyrone Tracy with 9 carries for 52 yards; should be rostered widely given favorable upcoming matchups.
→ Cheaper alternative to Gordon with elite speed; could split Achane's workload once healthy.
↑ Top WR waiver add this week with 10 targets and 2 rush attempts, poised for expanded role with Achane out.
↑ Had his best pro game with 4 catches for 67 yards; expected to see more usage with Achane gone.
↑ Ramping up in Tampa Bay's 11-personnel looks with a 40-yard TD catch; outperforming Chris Godwin and could start alongside Emeka Egbuka.
↑ Top streaming QB pick last week, delivered 321 yards and 3 TDs against Detroit.
↑ Nine passing TDs on the season with Raiders 3-0; strong low-end QB1 numbers and big upside vs KC with Brock Bowers back.
↑ Back-to-back low-end QB1 finishes while developing chemistry with Harold Fannin Jr.
↑ Big role in Carolina's offense with consistent targets; worth adding even if Jalen Coker returns.
↑ Stepped in for Achane with 17 carries for 41 yards, a TD, and 3 catches; preferred Miami back but likely to split touches with Jalen Wright.
↑ Strong spot start with 3 TDs against Indianapolis's weak secondary; has viability in superflex until Jaden Daniels returns.
↑ Intriguing add if Caleb Williams is out 3-4 weeks, with favorable upcoming matchups against Jets and Packers.
↑ Three touchdown catches this season and heavy involvement in a pass-happy Saints offense, especially valuable in TE premium.
→ Undrafted free agent from Kansas getting the first crack at Tampa Bay's starting QB job; threw an INT but has internal team optimism.