NFL Waiver Wire: Week 4 Early Watch

This article posts every Sunday night. It's not expected to be a deep dive into the waiver-wire pool. Instead, we'll explore players who had atypical workload and/or opportunity on Sunday. We won't consider whether these players are available in most leagues. The hope is that you become aware of the short-term usage change. For detailed waiver-wire coverage, we'll have two weekly articles to set you up. On Tuesday, Kevin Payne will publish the top weekly pickups. Then on Wednesday, Dan Marcus will provide deep dives.

Quarterback

• Andy Dalton - With Bryce Young out, Dalton threw for 361 yards and two TDs against the Seahawks. If Young misses additional time, Dalton will continue to start.
• Gardner Minshew - With Anthony Richardson out, Minshew was solid at Baltimore with 227 yards and a TD. If Richardson can't make it back, Minshew will continue to lead the offense.

Running Back

• De'Von Achane-  The rookie had his first two career touches in Week 2. This week, he turned 22 touches into an incredible 233 yards and four TDs.
• Kareem Hunt - Less than a week since the Browns signed him, Hunt had five carries and three targets. His workload could increase.
• Melvin Gordon - After Gus Edwards left the game with a head injury, Gordon had 10 carries and two targets. Should Edwards and Justice Hill miss next week, Gordon could have a lead role.
• Kendre Miller - With Jamaal Williams out, Miller made his NFL debut with nine carriers and a target. He could back up Alvin Kamara in Week 4.
• Latavius Murray - He continues to see about five touches per game. He splits work fairly equally with Damien Harris as backups to James Cook.

Wide Receiver

• Tank Dell - If his Week 2 breakout wasn't enough, he doubled last week's yardage (145) and scored another TD.
• Rashee Rice - If he needed confidence, he got it in Week 3 when he caught five-of-seven targets. He was also tackled twice inside the 1-yard line.
• Joshua Palmer - Mike Williams could miss time with a knee injury. Palmer turned seven targets into 66 yards and a TD.
• DJ Chark - After coming back from injury last week, Chark was targeted 11 times. He turned that into 86 yards and a TD.
• Marvin Mims - In Weeks 1 and 2, Mims totaled four targets. He had five in Week 3 alone. He is an explosive deep threat.
• Josh Downs - The rookie was targeted 12 times in Week 3, and he hasn't seen fewer than five targets in a game.

Tight End

• Sam LaPorta - To start the year, LaPorta averaged 5.5 targets the first two weeks. He was targeted 11 times in Week 3 and scored his first TD.
• Jake Ferguson - In two of three games, Ferguson has been targeted seven times. He also sees regular targets in the red zone.
• Luke Musgrave - An eight-target outing against the Saints was more than he had in the first two games (7) combined.
• Noah Fant - The veteran has caught eight of nine targets the last two games.
• Tyler Conklin - In Zach Wilson's two starts, he has five and six targets.
• Jonnu Smith - Smith is tied with teammate Kyle Pitts with 14 targets the last two weeks. Smith has nine catches for 84 yards to seven catches for 56 yards for Pitts during that time.