The bye weeks are here, which means fantasy owners have even more difficult choices to make with their lineups. Fortunately only two teams are on bye in Week 4, but those teams have some pretty big names.
Fantasy football waiver advice: Week 4 bye week replacements for Patriots, Titans
With the Patriots and Titans on bye this week, we examine some potential plug-and-play replacements for your fantasy teams.
The New England Patriots and Tennessee Ttians have the week off, so mega-studs like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are unavailable. Fantasy owners will also be missing solid mid-range starters like Kendall Wright, Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis.
In lieu of those players, let’s take a look at some waiver wire options to plug into your lineup this week. All players are owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Quarterbacks
Players on bye: Tom Brady, Marcus Mariota
Waiver wire options
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills -- Tyrod Time should continue rolling against a poor New York Giants defense.
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders -- Threw for 314 yards against the Cleveland Browns. Imagine what he and Amari Cooper could do against that Chicago Bears secondary.
Running backs
Players on bye: Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, Bishop Sankey, Antonio Andrews, Dexter McCluster
Waiver wire options
Chris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals -- Looked like his old self last week, but Andre Ellington’s impending return looms large. More of a RB2/flex in a committee.
Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills -- LeSean McCoy could sit out this week, giving Williams monster upside against the Giants.
Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys -- More of a receiver than a running back, but Dunbar has flex appeal in PPR.
Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks -- If Marshawn Lynch’s injury lingers, Rawls is the handcuff to own over Fred Jackson.
Wide receivers
Players on bye: Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter
Waiver wire options
Michael Crabtree, Oakland Raiders -- Boom-or-bust option with “boom” upside against the hapless Bears.
Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins -- Put up over 110 yards for the second week in a row, but he’s more of a WR4 against the New York Jets defense.
Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals -- Now healthy and established as the No. 2 receiver, though he has a tougher matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Leonard Hankerson, Atlanta Falcons -- Is overtaking Roddy White as the No. 2 guy. Should find some holes in the Houston Texans defense with Julio Jones getting all the attention.
Cecil Shorts, Houston Texans -- Just a checkdown guy at this point in his career, but has some PPR upside with DeAndre Hopkins expected to be covered by Desmond Trufant.
Tight ends
Players on bye: Rob Gronkowski, Delanie Walker
Waiver wire options
Owen Daniels, Denver Broncos: Denver’s offense is getting better, although you’ll always be worried about Daniels disappearing again. At least he’s the clear starter over Virgil Green.
Crockett Gillmore, Baltimore Ravens -- Carries borderline TE1 upside against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ beatable defense.
Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills -- Low ceiling, but has a high floor as long as Tyrod Taylor keeps clicking.
