Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 4: Wendell Smallwood Up for a Bigger Role

No one is going to replace the unique skill set of Darren Sproles, who was unfortunately lost to both an ACL tear and a broken arm. Wendell Smallwood (owned in 18% of CBS leagues), though, will likely get a good chunk of his snaps and also be the receiving back and third down back in the offense. Just one week ago, LeGarrette Blount got only 6 snaps against Kansas City. On Sunday, Smallwood and Blount both got carries. Initially, he’s a lower end flex play but worth a shot to see if his role expands to become more involved than Blount.

As always, here are the recommendations among players owned in fewer than 70% of CBS Sports Leagues entering the week.

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow Leagues: Eli Manning (66%) finally got things going in the second half against the Eagles, and we saw that his receivers–including a now-healthy Odell Beckham–can make a huge difference.

Deep Leagues: If you need quarterback help, you are probably left to going with one of the rookies this week, and my top recommendation would be Deshaun Watson (29%) going against the Titans, who just gave up 4 touchdowns to Russell Wilson.

DeShone Kizer (22%) has been error-prone (7 INTs) but also gives you rushing production out of the QB position.

RUNNING BACKS

Andre Ellington (21%) is probably the best immediate option if you need a potential starter this week off the waiver wire. It was a two-man committee this week (Kerwynn Williams was a non-factor) with Ellington and Johnson and Ellington looked like the better option by game’s end. Ellington finished the last game with 81 total yards and gets a good matchup against SF this week.

Alvin Kamara (57%) continues to look like he should expand his role as the season moves on in New Orleans, worth a stash.

Shane Vereen (27%) is the only back worth rostering at the moment with the Giants (in PPR leagues) and Orleans Darkwa (8%) could be in line for a bigger role soon because Paul Perkins has been awful.

Chris Ivory (5%) continues to get carries behind Fournette and is a low-end matchup flex option against the Jets.

D’Onta Foreman (41%) has seen more action recently and is a possibility to carve a bigger role with Houston as the season progresses.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow Leagues: Rishard Matthews (66%) should be on every roster at this point and is a top 40 start and looks like the safest bet in Tennessee at the moment.

We are still waiting on the seriousness of Kelvin Benjamin’s injury, but Devin Funchess (53%) is going to have to play a bigger role in Carolina.

Sterling Shepard (55%) continues to make plays and outperform Brandon Marshall through the first 3 weeks. He came within a step and a call out of bounds of two touchdowns.

Deep Leagues: Kenny Britt (34%) is one of the few options in Cleveland, and a low end starting option.

Robby Anderson (17%) caught a touchdown on Sunday and is cheap and out there if you need a spot starter.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow Leagues: Evan Engram (55%) has at least 4 catches every game, which, given the dearth of consistent options at TE, makes him a starting play.

Charles Clay (42%) also continues to be the top target in Buffalo’s passing game.

Not much went right for Baltimore last week but Benjamin Watson (41%) is still a cheap starting option if needed.

Deep Leagues: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (12%) TE15 had 5 catches for Jets in debut and should be on the radar on a team devoid of established options.

OVERALL

WR Rishard Matthews, Tennessee
RB Andre Ellington, Arizona
RB Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia
TE Evan Engram, NY Giants
WR Devin Funchess, Carolina
WR Sterling Shepard, NY Giants
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans
QB DeShaun Watson, Houston
TE Charles Clay, Buffalo
WR Kenny Britt, Cleveland
TE Benjamin Watson, Baltimore
QB Eli Manning, NY Giants
QB DeShone Kizer, Cleveland
TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, NY Jets
RB Shane Vereen, NY Giants

DEEP LEAGUES

RB Andre Ellington, Arizona
RB Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia
QB DeShaun Watson, Houston
WR Kenny Britt, Cleveland
QB DeShone Kizer, Cleveland
TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, NY Jets
RB Shane Vereen, NY Giants
WR Robby Anderson, NY Jets
RB Chris Ivory, Jacksonville