Somehow, we've made it almost one quarter of the way through the NFL's regular season.
The fantasy regular season is more than a quarter of the way through and right now is about when you know what you need. And that's my bit of advice for you as you ponder the waiver wire this week: Take a good, hard look at your roster and size up what you most desire.
There isn't a guarantee that every week will include a bunch of must adds. In fact, many weeks there are none. But now is a good time to see if you might be in need of a bench wide receiver who has a high floor. Maybe a backup quarterback whose matchup you like when your regular starter will be on a bye. Maybe the insurance back to your best running back.
It's always good to know your needs.
Note: All players listed below are available in over 50% of leagues on ESPN.
Damien Williams, RB, Chicago Bears (10.4%): The Bears were dealt a major blow when starter David Montgomery left Week 4 due to a left knee injury, opening the door to Williams stepping into a larger role. Williams handled eight carries, scored a touchdown and caught two passes, one area that he especially excels in.
Williams did deal with a quad injury late in the game, though there are no indications on the severity as of yet. The Bears are thin at running back -- especially until Tarik Cohen returns -- making Williams an essential add. Should Williams miss any time, Khalil Herbert is the only other running back on the active roster and should be added as well.
Samaje Perine, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (1.5%): With news from colleague Adam Schefter that Joe Mixon has a low-grade ankle sprain that has left him week to week, Perine profiles as the next man up in the Bengals' backfield. While rookie Chris Evans could figure into the mix as well, Perine has the likelier shot at a steady workload. Perine has filled in on occasion for Mixon in the past, and while he's clearly not as explosive or adept in the passing game, he's useful enough that he should be added in all leagues.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys (20.9%): The Cowboys have an endless supply of pass catchers, and Schultz has been scorching over the past two weeks. He has scored three touchdowns in those games and now has exactly six catches in three of their four games this season. Tight end is the hardest position to find consistent production in fantasy, and even with Schultz playing alongside Blake Jarwin (who also found the end zone), he's proved there's plenty of fantasy points to be had.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Buffalo Bills (44.4%): Another week, another five catches for Sanders. It's clear that he's the Bills' number two wide receiver and his volume is steady: He has seen at least six targets in all four games this year. Sanders has not lost his speed, is an exceptional route runner, and plays with one of the best quarterbacks in football. A useful add-and-stash or deep-league flex.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (24.7%): The Eagles' backfield is tough to size up right now. While Miles Sanders is the starter, he has just eight carries over the past two weeks, with Philly's porous defensive play forcing the offense to throw a ton. But all that throwing has helped the value of Gainwell, who had six catches in Week 4 and three in Week 3 despite playing a decidedly smaller number of snaps than Sanders. He's a deeper league add to stash, especially as benches become more useful when bye weeks pick up.
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets (14.2%): Making his season debut in Week 4, Crowder did what he normally does: piled up targets and produced. The slot option hauled in seven catches for 63 yards and a touchdown during the Jets' first victory of the season. While Elijah Moore will likely be the slot receiver of the future, Crowder is a useful piece of the passing game this season and until Moore returns (concussion). I'd grab Crowder as an add-and-stash in 12-team or larger leagues.
Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers (9.0%): Who among us didn't expect Sam Darnold to be leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns so far this season? It's difficult to forecast that Darnold will continue this torrid pace he's on as a runner, as five touchdowns through four games is highly unusual. That being said, Darnold is playing really strong football, has an excellent group of pass-catchers to distribute the ball to and there are going to be opportunities as a runner near the goal line, so there's a chance he'll sprinkle a few more in. Bye weeks are coming around the corner and Darnold is a smart add to potentially use now or when your normal starter is sitting.
Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers (19.8%): The exciting rookie has a chance to start until Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) returns, though a strong audition would seem likely to lead into an extended stay under center. In relief duty in Week 4, Lance accounted for over 20 fantasy points, more than four of which came with his legs. And while there's no doubt that Lance will need to develop as a thrower, the upside he presents with his legs is exceptional. I'd be looking to add Lance now and see if he can quickly develop into a dynamic fantasy star; we've seen it in recent years, including with Jalen Hurts just last season.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears (41.4%): The Bears' offense found life in Week 4 with Justin Fields making his second start, as he connected with Mooney for five catches and a season-high 125 yards. The flat-out flier now has five catches or more in three of four games this season, and while he has yet to find the end zone, he's absorbing a notable target share and has obvious talent. He's another bench add to consider, especially if Fields' growth comes rapidly for as long as he's the starter. He throws an exceptional deep ball.
A.J. Green, WR, Arizona Cardinals (27.2%): The fountain of youth! Green has back-to-back games with at least five catches and over 13 fantasy points in three straight games. We've written about teammates Rondale Moore and Christian Kirk in this space before and the logic that we used then will apply here: You want as much of this Cardinals offense as you can get. Kyler Murray is en fuego, with the help of players like Green. Green can be added as a bench stash.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills (19.3%): The Bills' offense looks much more like ... the Bills' offense. Buffalo has been shredding defenses in recent weeks after a sluggish start in Week 1, in part because of Knox's rise. He's got four touchdowns in his last three games and is an emerging player. While he's likely his team's fourth or fifth option in the passing game, he's still a possible add given the dearth of tight ends.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (41.9%): Renfrow has been piling up catches this season, as he's on a short list of players with at least five receptions in all four games played thus far. While Renfrow may not haul in a ton of field-stretching throws, his volume in an offense that passes the ball a ton is notable -- and fantasy valuable. He's an add in a 12-team leagues or larger.