After a rocky beginning, the NFL steams into the quarter pole of the season as week four approaches. We have seen major injuries to some of the biggest stars. Surprising and fresh faces bubble to the surface. Hopefully, rosters are in a bit more stable condition right now. If they are not, Belly Up, as always, is here to help. Presenting fantasy football waiver claims week four, let’s see what this edition has in store.

Running Backs

The running back position took some more hits in week three, with Carson and McKinnon among the fallen. There are a lot fewer backs to be found on the wire since the first week, but there are survivors that can help a fantasy roster.

Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins, 40% owned

After receiving quite a bit of publicity last week, it is surprising to see Myles Gaskin still available in so many leagues. Gaskin is truly a player coming out of nowhere after being a seventh round draft pick by Miami last year. Before being placed on injury reserve, Gaskin played in seven games as a rookie. He recording 133 rushing yards, seven receptions for 51 yards and he scored a TD.

Flash forward to this season. Gaskin finds himself the starter over more accomplished running backs in Jordan Howard and Matt Breida. Not only is Gaskin the starter, he received an incredible 27 touches in Thursday’s 31-13 win over Jacksonville. The volume didn’t necessarily produce the results one might be looking for as Gaskin’s rushing and receiving total was 95 yards. His yards per carry was a lackluster 3.3 and his catch average 5.8. However, the Seahawks and their less than stellar defense are up next at home. Gaskin’s output will be an encouragement to any owner that picks him up.

Chris Thompson, Jacksonville Jaguars, 19.2% owned

This recommendation of Chris Thompson is strictly for those owners in PPR leagues. This will become clear when viewing the stats of the Thursday night game. Thompson only ran the ball twice for a paltry three yards. However, through the air is Thompson’s meal ticket as he caught five of six targets for 35 yards against the Dolphins. Additionally, Thompson caught a touchdown pass the previous week against the Titans.

The Jaguars played pretty good defenses in Indianapolis and Tennessee the first two weeks, followed by the Dolphins. There is certainly nothing to worry about in week four, however. Simply stated, the Bengals are terrible defensively. Only nine other teams have allowed more yards per game than Cincinnati. If a PPR owner is in a bind at RB, Thompson can help solve the problem, at least for one week.

Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers, 14.5% owned

Perhaps recommending S.F. running backs needs to come with a warning. As we know, Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman are down, although Mostert may return this weekend. Next up was Jerick McKinnon, who started Sunday for the 49ers. By the fourth quarter, though, McKinnon was also out with a rib injury. Who could Frisco turn to? Look no further than Jeff Wilson.

Wilson scored two touchdowns against the Giants, one rushing and one receiving. Of course, it is too early to tell what the extent of McKinnon’s injury will be heading into week four. Even if he and Mostert are fully healthy, Wilson has demonstrated that he can co-exist in this backfield. The next three games for the 49ers are all at home. Until Mostert and Coleman are back on the roster, Wilson is a must add on fantasy rosters.

Other recommendations- Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots, Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks

Wide Receivers

Injuries also swallowed up some wide receivers on Sunday. What else do we expect, right? Julio Jones and Diontae Johnson were the headliners. No need to fear, though, as there are some quality candidates to choose from.

Laviska Shenault, Jacksonville Jaguars, 35.3% owned

Some rookies have made their mark already this season, and Laviska Shenault is among them. He has started two games, coming away with 14 targets, 11 receptions for 105 yards and a score. Shenault has also rushed eight times for 48 yards. There aren’t a lot of dual threat players like Shenault in the league. Because of this, he needs to find a fantasy football home.

That statement is true even if it wasn’t evident on Thursday. Shenault was targeted six times and finished with 33 yards. He only carried the football once. All of that is correct, of course. However, like Thompson above, the next opponent, the Bengals, will cure a lot of offensive player’s struggles. Given what should be a shoot out, Shenault is definitely a recommendation on the fantasy football waiver claims week four list.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers, 24.3% owned

It is freely admitted that there is hesitation on my part in recommending Marques Valdes-Scantling. There was much buzz surrounding him entering the 2019 season. Valdes-Scantling disappointed with only 26 catches for 452 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, Davante Adams is the star wide out in Green Bay. He should be fully healthy for week four. Alan Lazard will get his touches as well.

Despite all of that, my recommendation is made based on this one week. The Packers welcome the defenseless Atlanta Falcons to Lambeau. Footballs will be flying all over the field. There should be plenty of touches for everyone, including Valdes-Scantling. It is wise at this point to get your fantasy players plenty of exposure to the Falcons. For this one week, even after just one catch on Sunday night, I am all in on Valdes-Scantling.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, 16.7% owned

Everything was certainly looking up for Justin Jefferson during week three. His targets, receptions and yards were way up against a pretty tough Tennessee defense. Jefferson was targeted nine times, resulting in seven catches for 175 yards. He also scored a touchdown. His yards per target was an outstanding 19.44. Those results far outdistanced his first two pro weeks combined.

Looking at the Viking schedule, more production should be on the way for Jefferson. Minnesota travels to Houston and Seattle in the next two weeks. After that, the Falcons visit. All of these teams have problems defensively, especially the Seahawks and Falcons. It is evident the chemistry between Jefferson and Kirk Cousins has grown. Of course, Adam Thielen will get his looks, but he only had three receptions Sunday. There will probably never be a better time to jump on the Jefferson bandwagon than this week.

Other recommendations- Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Tight Ends

Despite all of the wackiness around the league, the tight end position still has some strong candidates to choose from. This has been far from the case down through the years, but it is true this season. For those owners stuck with the likes of Herndon or Hooper, there is hope with the addition of one of the following players.

Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers, 24.5% owned

With receiver Johnson sidelined with a concussion, who would step up for the Steelers against Houston? One of the answers was Eric Ebron. He was targeted six times Sunday, resulting in five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. His reception total has increased every week this season. Ebron’s chemistry with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is getting more evident by the day.

It is not known how long Johnson will be sidelined, if at all, going forward. If he misses any time, Ebron will be a valuable asset to have in fantasy. Even if Johnson is healthy in week four, any receiver teamed with Roethlisberger demands attention by owners. If your roster has any questions at the tight end position, Ebron can help answer them.

Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears, 13.6% owned

To be frank, Jimmy Graham has become the forgotten man in the NFL. He caught just four passes in his first two games as a Bear and he didn’t seem to mesh well with QB Mitchell Trubisky. A match up with the awful Falcon defense might have been the remedy, but Trubisky struggled. In stepped Nick Foles and all was right in the world.

Foles had instant chemistry with Graham, as he targeted him seven times in the second half. For the game, Graham caught six passes for 60 yards and two TDs as the Bears won 30-26. The Trubisky trial seems at an end and Bears fans are most likely ecstatic at the news. Graham would never publicly say so, but chances are he is happy as well. The upcoming schedule isn’t too kind with the Colts and Bucs upcoming. Both are at home, though, and Graham would certainly be a worthy pick up on this waiver claims week four edition list.

Other recommendation- Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks

Quarterbacks

Many veteran quarterbacks stepped up in week three and there are several candidates for replacing poor performers, if necessary. Any of these signal callers would make attractive additions to any roster.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins, 4.7% owned

It should come as no shock that Ryan Fitzpatrick sits at the top of the quarterback wish list after his performance Thursday. Let’s see. where do we start? How about a 90% completion percentage? How about a 133.3 quarterback rating? Fitzpatrick accomplished both of those as he completed 18 of 20 passes for 160 yards and two TDs.

If the yards passing doesn’t thrill you, how about he also rushed seven times for 38 yards and scored a TD on the ground? Add it all together and Fitzpatrick was the key piece in the Dolphin’s win over the Jaguars. As mentioned above, Seattle is next up in Miami and there is probably not a better time to get Fitzpatrick into a fantasy starting lineup.

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams, 37.4% owned

Making the listing in last week’s recommendations, Jared Goff makes a return appearance. In the past two games, Goff has five touchdown passes and just one interception. What is especially impressive is that Goff accomplished the feat in two road games. Going up against a solid Buffalo D this past Sunday, Goff completed 23 of 32 passes for 321 yards and two TDs.

A glance at the schedule reveals a truly favorable match up against the Giants at home. Goff should be able to feast against a miserable New York defense. Other owners will assuredly see that game as well and will plan on making a move to claim Goff. If help at QB is needed, make sure you are at the front of the line.

Other recommendations- Nick Foles, Chicago Bears, Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders and Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

Thanks for joining me for this fantasy football waiver claims week four edition. Always feel free to make a comment on players that should be added to or removed from the list. I welcome all comments and suggestions. Have a great fantasy football week four! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!