Compared to the mess at running back this season, wide receivers are performing as expected. Obviously, it's still not clear, but just think about how many first-round running backs aren't panning out so far. Meanwhile, most of the elite receivers are playing well -- Keenan Allen and Vincent Jackson notwithstanding.
Fantasy football waiver wire, Week 4: 5 wide receivers to target
Some teams are getting new players integrated into their offense. Here are five who can strengthen your fantasy football bench and are possibly worth starting.
Dilip Vishwanat
In this edition, you’re going to find a few options on teams with somewhat murky situations behind their WR1s. There weren’t many big injuries in the WR fold this week, so there won’t likely be many season-saving adds from this week.
Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams (owned in 38 percent of leagues)
The Rams aren’t a powerhouse, but Quick is running away as the best option in their passing game. They abandoned the pass for much of the game, but Quick has been a huge part of the Rams’ vertical passing attack.
He was targeted nine times in each of the first two weeks, but that dropped to only four in the Week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He isn't getting competition for snaps at the X spot in the lineup and seems like a safe bet to be the top scorer among Rams receivers.
Of course, they may have the worst passing attack in the league, so that’s not saying much. The Rams, however, saw enough to pick Quick early in the second round and he’s on the path to developing into a nice option. He’s worth stashing in hopes things start clicking.
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (owned in 18 percent of leagues)
He was a great option at Vanderbilt last year, but now he's really coming on in Philly. Jeremy Maclin is one of three players to catch a touchdown in each of the three games and Nick Foles is the only player in the NFL to have three 300-yard passing games. In other words, the Eagles can pass a little bit.
Matthews was still able to have his coming-out party. He caught two short-yardage touchdowns in a big win against Washington. The rookie has been lining up all over the field and has shown some nice versatility in an up-tempo offense.
The Eagles have lost a lot of their run-blocking linemen, so they might not lean on LeSean McCoy as much as anticipated. Matthews is worth a look for any team looking for a little upside.
Waiver Wire Advice
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (owned in 2 percent of leagues)
This potential pickup is based all on rookie quarterback Blake Bortles. Bortles was able to pass for 223 yards in the second half of Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Robinson targeted 10 times against the Colts and caught seven of those targets for 79 yards.
Marqise Lee can't stay healthy, Cecil Shorts III has an ailing hamstring and Allen Hurns isn't exactly capable of running routes. Robinson has a great chance to be Bortles' No. 1 target. He's worth a stash as a high-ceiling guy.
John Brown, Arizona Cardinals (owned in 8 percent of leagues)
A receiver on the Cardinals scored two touchdowns and it wasn't Larry Fitzgerald or Michael Floyd. Bruce Arians has used plenty of slot receivers as a go-to guy in his days. T.Y. Hilton made his first impression as a slot guy in Arians offense and Brown might be able to do the same thing.
Of course, the Cardinals aren’t going to put up 30-point games all the time and this is probably the best you’ll get out of Brown. Fitzgerald and Floyd remain ahead of him in the pecking order, but should an injury hit, Brown could step into a much bigger role. He’s a 14-team stash at this point.
Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers (owned in 4 percent of leagues)
Royal with Cheese? The Chargers are going to be starving for receiving options with Danny Woodhead out for the season. Royal caught two touchdowns in a win against the Buffalo Bills, which has probably infuriated owners of Allen. This is pretty much 16-team territory right here.
