Each week of the NFL season, we will identify fantasy football waiver-wire pickups specifically for those of you looking for streaming options in deeper formats (including IDP leagues). These are players available in a majority of ESPN Fantasy leagues (or close) who have enticing matchups in the week ahead that make them worthy of consideration for your lineups.
While you might notice some overlap with Field Yates' pickup column that publishes on Mondays, an important distinction is that the options mentioned in this column are focused solely on this week's matchup and not the players' values for the remainder of the season.
The roster percentages for this column are updated every Friday morning, and any players from Thursday's Jaguars-Bengals game have been taken out.
Quarterback
Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team (8.6% rostered; at Falcons)
After a superb Week 2 performance against the Giants, the honeymoon phase for Heinicke appears to be over following his anemic performance in a loss to the Bills in Week 3. In that game, Heinicke was unable to quickly go through his progressions in order to identify open receivers. As a result, he consistently forced the ball into a sea of Bills defenders. The good news is that Heinicke is in a perfect position to bounce back against the Falcons in Week 4.
The only NFL teams allowing more fantasy points per game to QBs this season than the Falcons (25.0) are the Chiefs (25.2) and Washington (27.3). Atlanta's secondary is the weakest link of its defense, while Washington's offensive line excels at pass blocking. This unit shouldn't have a problem providing Heinicke ample time to deliver the football to Terry McLaurin and his other receivers, making him a viable streamer on Sunday.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos (24.9% rostered; vs. Ravens)
Bridgewater has completed an impressive 77% of his passes through three games for 827 yards, and he is even flourishing on deep balls. Did you know that the only other quarterbacks with more attempts of 20-plus yards than Bridgewater (18) this season are Derek Carr (22) and Lamar Jackson (19)? Despite losing Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler to injury in the first few weeks, Bridgewater still has a solid group of pass-catchers to throw to, including Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Noah Fant. He's a solid option in Week 4 against a Ravens defense that is off to a horrendous start.
Running back
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (24.8% rostered; vs. Chiefs)
The Eagles ran only three run plays for their running backs on Monday night against the Cowboys, and of the team's 12 rushing attempts, only five were by design. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the Eagles called a designed run on 9.4% of their plays in the game. That's the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL over the past 15 seasons. Head coach Nick Sirianni will be under fire all week because of his playcalling. However, Philadelphia can course-correct against the Chiefs this week. The Kansas City defense has allowed the fourth-most points to RBs this season (29.8 per game), and while Gainwell is second in the pecking order behind Miles Sanders, he could be a factor as the Eagles try to keep up with the high-scoring Chiefs.
Wide receiver
Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina Panthers (14.3% rostered; at Cowboys)
Marshall has struggled to find consistent targets behind DJ Moore and Robby Anderson, but the hamstring injury to Christian McCaffrey (who averages eight targets per game since 2018) should open up more opportunities for Marshall. He should be able to run circles around Cowboys slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis. As a reminder, back in Week 1, Chris Godwin (16 of his 24 targets have come out of the slot) scored 25.5 points against Dallas' defense.
Tight end
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills (16.7% rostered; vs. Texans)
Some fantasy managers might be concerned about all the options quarterback Josh Allen has at his disposal in Buffalo. However, Knox is a matchup nightmare and will see targets when that can be exploited, as was the case last week against Washington, when he had four catches, 49 yards and a TD. Knox was stronger and faster than the linebackers who were tasked to cover him, and he faces an eerily similar scenario this week against a Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-most points per game to tight ends thus far. He's an excellent streamer this week if you aren't blessed without an elite tight end.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (5.0% rostered; at Packers)
Freiermuth has been one of the few rays of sunshine for the Steelers' cloudy offense. The rookie has caught eight of 10 targets this season, including his first NFL touchdown last week against the Bengals. He's splitting offensive snaps with Eric Ebron but has outproduced him so far. Green Bay's linebackers struggle to cover tight ends. Last week, George Kittle caught seven of nine targets for 92 yards against them. In addition, the Steelers' top three wideouts (Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster) are dealing with injuries, so Ben Roethlisberger might need another reliable receiving option outside of RB Najee Harris. Big Ben has only 13 pass attempts of 20-plus yards this season, and he has completed just three of them. Freiermuth has streaming appeal as a short-to-intermediate option at Lambeau.
Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers (0.8% rostered; at Cowboys)
The Panthers traded tight end Dan Arnold and a third-round draft pick to the Jaguars in exchange for cornerback C.J. Henderson. Unfortunately, Carolina lost Jaycee Horn for the season to a foot injury. This series of events opens the door for rookie Tremble to become fantasy-relevant. Arnold has split time with Ian Thomas. He accumulated seven receptions for 84 yards. However, Thomas has primarily been used as a blocker and that trend should continue. Tremble profiles as the Panthers' receiving tight end moving forward. Tremble had a 30-yard reception and scored on a short rushing attempt in Week 3. Last season at the University of Notre Dame, he averaged 53.5 all-purpose yards per game. This was the third-highest figure on the Irish. From a film perspective, Tremble has the skill set and speed to stand out as a receiver. He can separate on second- and third-level routes. This will serve Tremble well against the Cowboys linebackers. Dallas gave up six receptions, 119 receiving yards and a touchdown to Eagles tight ends Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz on Monday Night Football. Do you feel uneasy at the thought of inserting Tremble into your fantasy lineup? You shouldn't. The tight end landscape is as desolate as the wasteland in the "Mad Max" film series. If you are rolling the dice and looking for upside, don't overlook Tremble.
Defense/special teams
Tennessee Titans (55.9% rostered; at Jets)
The Titans are a middle-of-the-road defense you wouldn't necessarily be champing at the bit to insert into your lineup. But this Jets offense is one of the worst in the league, ranking 30th in total yards per game. Rookie QB Zach Wilson has been under pressure on nearly 47% of his dropbacks, he's been sacked 15 times and has thrown seven interceptions. This is an ideal situation for the Titans to go boom. It's no surprise they are high on the most-added list this week, but they're still available in nearly half of ESPN leagues.
Green Bay Packers (18.3% rostered; vs. Steelers)
The factor that makes Green Bay's defense a captivating streamer is the state of the Steelers' offense. Ben Roethlisberger is in the twilight of his career with limited arm strength and mobility. You might be thinking that the Steelers could lean heavily on rookie running back Najee Harris, but Pittsburgh's offensive line is one of the worst in the league. The Steelers are 28th in points per game this season (17.7). The Packers' defense and fan base will be amped up for this matchup.
Kicker
Chase McLaughlin, Cleveland Browns (16.9% rostered; at Vikings)
McLaughlin is tied for the seventh-most fantasy points among kickers. He has made all five of his attempts with a long of 57 yards, and he has also made all nine of his extra points. The Browns' offense has averaged 410 total yards per game and shouldn't have a problem moving the ball up and down the field against the Vikings, who have also been generous to kickers, allowing 10 points per game. McLaughlin's positive momentum should continue in the cozy confines of U.S. Bank Stadium, where the matchup between the Browns and Vikings has an over/under of 52.5. Which is a nice segue to the second kicker recommendation.
Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings (17.3% rostered; vs. Browns)
The Vikings are third in the NFL in total yards per game (425.0) and are averaging 29.0 points per game. Joseph has made six of his seven field goal attempts through three games with a long of 53 yards. He should be provided plenty of kicking opportunities in one of the higher-expected point totals of Week 4.
Individual Defensive Players (IDP)
Defensive line
Sebastian Joseph-Day, Los Angeles Rams (13.2% rostered; vs. Cardinals)
Joseph-Day's development into the player he is today has been phenomenal. He has played at least 47 snaps in each game this season, totaling 14 tackles and a sack. He has had success applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks and is worth consideration for your fantasy lineups against the Cardinals.
Linebacker
Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos (0.8% rostered; vs. Ravens)
The Broncos need a linebacker to step up after the unfortunate loss of Josey Jewell. Strnad was able to fill the void in playing 82% of the Broncos' defensive snaps in Week 3 against the Jets. Strnad finished with four tackles, which was solid considering the circumstances of the matchup. The Jets accrued 162 total yards and had 11 first downs. Strnad will have a more productive game against the Ravens' offense this week.
Defensive back
Nasir Adderley, Los Angeles Chargers (10.2% rostered; vs. Raiders)
Adderley has benefited greatly from Chargers head coach Brandon Staley's scheme. He's being used as a deep safety, in the slot and in the box. Adderley has also improved his tackling ability. He has 20 tackles through three games, placing him firmly on the streaming radar.