After an exciting Week 4, we saw some fantasy players step up and now we’ll discuss who you should add from the waiver wire.

Headlines

Todd Gurley Has Arrived 

In just his second game in the NFL, St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley showed early signs of being the star running back many expected him to be. He had 19 rushes for 146 yards, with multiple runs that he ripped for big gains.  Late in the fourth quarter, Gurley had a deep run where he could have possibly scored, but instead just went down in-bounds so time could tick off.  Gurley had the seventh-most rushes in Week Four, and was very impressive.  I expect Gurley to be the guy each week in St. Louis, dominating most of the carries and goal line work.  If you were the person who drafted Gurley and have been patient, don’t move this prized asset; instead plan on him being a starting back or flex for your team moving forward.  Maybe move two other pieces to upgrade somewhere on your roster, and now slide Gurley from your bench and into your starting lineup going forward.

The Chargers Have Weapons

Prior to this season starting, Melvin Gordon was someone I was very high on and drafting him as my running back two in projected starting lineups.  He has not played up to that draft value, and is someone who has found the bench in a lot of leagues.  Meanwhile, Danny Woodhead is racking up the fantasy points.  I’m here to tell you to that I like both pieces in the Chargers’ running game, and think that San Diego has great pieces all around on offense.  Philip Rivers was first in fantasy scoring among quarterbacks in Week Four, with a stat line of 23 for 38 for 358 yards and three touchdowns.  Keenan Allen and Rivers connected via a diving catch for an deep touchdown, making that Allen’s second week in a row with a score.  Next week, Antonio Gates comes back from his suspension, and will likely remain a favorite target of Rivers.  Once Gates gets the rust off, I expect him to have an instant impact in the offense.  The veteran tight end will be hungry to prove he’s still elite, and the 35-year-old will have fresh legs from his time off.  The Chargers will be a well balanced and consistent offense, with fantasy pieces you will want to own.  If I own either Woodhead or Gordon, I would try to acquire the other running back, as I’m a big believer in handcuffing running backs.  Woodhead has been the higher scorer to this point in fantasy, making Gordon the easier target to buy low on.  See if you can make a good buy-low deal for Gordon, especially if you are a Woodhead owner since their usage is completely dependent upon one another.

Waiver Wire Adds 

Terron Ward, ATL, RB

If you own Devonta Freeman or Tevin Coleman and have a last spot on your roster, then you want to add Ward.  The Falcons blew the Houston Texans out Sunday, and Ward had a lot of junk time production.  He had 19 carries, and that was good enough for eighth-most in Week Four.  If you are in a deep league, he is next in line in an Atlanta offense that has been very successful at just about everything they have done.  Like I wrote about last week, Julio Jones and Matt Ryan lead that offense, and that sets up the running game’s success.  The Falcons have a committee, with enough room for multiple backs to be successful.  When Coleman comes back from his injured rib, I expect him to be a part of the mix.  If either Freeman or Coleman go down with an injury, Ward is next in line and didn’t look bad in Week Four.

Tavon Austin, STL, WR

As I noted above, the Rams looked dangerous on offense.  With Gurley dominating the touches and controlling the tempo, look for Austin to be the play-action deep threat and be more efficient in the passing game.  Austin could turn out to be a good piece later in the season; it’s a nice idea to stash him now if you have the space.

Allen Hurns, JAX, WR

Hurns had a big Week Four, coming in third among wide receivers in fantasy scoring and second in targets with 15.  Hurns and Blake Bortles have developed great chemistry over their first two years together, and this marks Hurns’ second week in a row with a touchdown.  He’s also had at least 60 yards receiving in each week, making him a pretty consistent play.

Eddie Royal, CHI, WR

In Week Four, Royal caught seven passes on 10 targets for 54 yards and a touchdown.  Royal was only behind Martellus Bennett in receiving, showing that Royal and Jay Cuter have good chemistry from previous time playing together.  Although we cannot get a good grip on the Bears’ offense with Cutler being banged up and Alshon Jeffery missing time as well, Cutler will continue to look Royal’s way as long as they are playing together this year, making him a good guy to have on your roster.

Leonard Hankerson, ATL, WR

Hankerson has put together a nice season so far.  He had six receptions on eight targets with one touchdown on Sunday, which ranked fourth among wide receivers in scoring in Week Four. He looks to be Matt Ryan’s second option after Julio Jones.  Most thought Roddy White would be that guy, but White has been very quiet in 2015.  Hankerson is clearly the No. 2 guy in an ultra-successful Atlanta offense.  Not owned in many leagues, Hankerson is a great claim to put in if you have Julio Jones, or if you are in a deeper league.

Kamar Aiken, BAL, WR

Injuries have plagued the Ravens, leaving Aiken as the healthiest body among the receiving options in Baltimore.  Aiken will see the bulk of targets until Steve Smith, Crockett Gillmore, Breshad Perriman and Michael Campanaro return.

Gary Barnidge, CLE, TE

Barnidge looked really impressive in Week Four, finishing third in scoring among tight ends with a stat line of six receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown, including a ridiculous falling one-handed catch. Josh McCown has had back-to-back weeks with big games and touchdown passes to Barnidge.  The Browns have solid pieces with Duke Johnson, Barnidge and Travis Benjamin.  If McCown or even Johnny Manziel (at some point) can keep distributing the ball well, Barnidge will be on the end of a lot of targets and red-zone opportunities.

Owen Daniels, DEN, TE

Daniels has back-to-back weeks with touchdown catches, and has great chemistry with Peyton Manning.  Daniels is a guy I’ve written about quite a bit as someone worth owning and starting.  If you can make a move to upgrade at skill, and slide Daniels into a starting role from your bench, do it.  Daniels is most likely available in your league and start-worthy in all formats since he is utilized around the goal line in a Peyton Manning offense.

Derek Carr, OAK, QB

Carr now has three games in a row with multiple touchdown passes.  In his second year, Carr has a big threat at wide receiver in Amari Cooper.  He has a lot of confidence throwing the first-round pick the ball, and that’s only going to continue as they continue to develop better chemistry and gain experience with one another.  Carr knows his best chance at succeeding is giving Cooper as many chances to make plays as possible, as he is growing quickly into a top receiver in the game.  The young duo will continue to improve, making Carr a play on bye weeks and a good deep-league add.

Michael Vick, PIT, QB

Michael Vick looked pretty good on Thursday night, and is no stranger to the spotlight.  There are many teams out there looking for quarterback play due to bye weeks and injuries (as well as some quarterbacks just flat out underperforming).  Vick is a guy who is in a potent offense and he’s capable of putting up solid fantasy numbers.  Le’Veon Bell is going to suck defenses in, Antonio Brown is a monster and now with Martavis Bryant coming back to join a receiving unit that also includes another deep threat in Darrius Heyward-Bey, Vick has plenty of weapons around him that can put points on the board.  He could be an add, especially if you’re hurting at quarterback.