Week 4 Waivers: Claim Ty Johnson for Bench Depth

Receiving chances, total workload, and the starting spot we need to fill set our waiver order. In FCT's Week 3 data, Ty Johnson caught all four of his targets for 50 yards on 15 offensive snaps. The catches give us a reason to claim him for the bench if he's on our wire. The snap count gives us a reason to wait before starting him.

We want an immediate starter to have a clearer path to touches or targets. Johnson's FCT Week 4 projection is 2.1 half-PPR points, and his Week 4 position rank is RB72. Those are forecasts for the game against NE, separate from what he scored last week. We can pursue his receiving work without counting on it to fill an open lineup spot yet.

Pickup of the week

Ty Johnson is our claim for a bench spot we can hold through another game. A pass caught out of the backfield can create yardage even when handoffs are scarce, so his receiving work is worth another look. Add him if he's on your wire, then check his next box score for snaps and targets before considering a start. Unless that workload grows, we should keep him out of the starting lineup.

Normal-league pickups

An empty starting slot matters more than a speculative bench spot when claims process. We'd first match a claim to the position we need to start, then use remaining bench space on a workload we want to inspect. Make each add below only if the player is on your wire.

QB pickups

QB claims

Michael Penix threw for 256 yards on 25 attempts in Week 3. We favor his passing path among these quarterbacks if we need a start at NO, though completions must turn those attempts into points. Malik Willis ran nine times in Week 3. Claim Willis if you can use rushing production from the position, and check his next carries before relying on the same path again. Cam Ward attempted 36 passes in Week 3. He's a depth claim until another box score shows whether those throws produce enough for a lineup decision.

RB pickups

RB claims

Alvin Kamara had nine carries and one target in Week 3. His FCT Week 4 projection is 8.7 half-PPR points. We'd claim him first here if a back must start against ATL, because handoffs give him a scoring path that doesn't depend on a repeat of Johnson's catches. Najee Harris gained 52 yards on nine carries in Week 3. Add Harris for depth if he's on your wire, then check his next touches before moving him into a lineup.

WR pickups

WR claims

Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate each drew nine targets in Week 3. Egbuka's FCT Week 4 projection is 8.6 half-PPR points; Tate's is 8.1. We'd claim Egbuka first for a possible start vs. GB, then Tate for receiving depth at BAL. Chris Bell drew seven targets in Week 3. Add Bell to the bench if he's on your wire; wait for his next target count before asking him to start at MIN.

TE pickups

TE claims

Greg Dulcich caught five of seven targets in Week 3. We'd claim him first for a tight end need because catches can build a score across the field. Austin Hooper and Eric Saubert each scored on two targets in Week 3. Their touchdowns count, but the small target totals make another score a difficult requirement for a start. Keep them behind Dulcich unless the next box score shows more passes coming their way.

Deeper pickups

In a larger league with thin waivers, the last bench spot can buy us a game to inspect a player's work. We'd use it on snaps, carries, or targets that could change a later lineup decision. A recent point total can identify a name to check, but the next workload tells us more about whether to keep the claim.

Deeper QB pickups

Deeper QB claims

Daniel Jones attempted 36 passes in Week 3. His Week 4 position rank is QB16. Claim him first from this group if a quarterback must start at WAS, then check whether the next passing workload supports keeping him there. Jameis Winston threw 22 passes in Week 3, giving us a fallback to monitor against ARI. For Tyson Bagent, check kickoff news before a lineup move and use the next box score to assess his passing work.

Deeper RB pickups

Deeper RB claims

Justice Hill carried five times in Week 3. His FCT Week 4 projection is 5.4 half-PPR points. We prefer Hill for a possible start among these deeper backs; his next touch count will determine whether to keep trusting that choice. Sione Vaki had six carries and a target in Week 3. Stash him if he's on your wire and you can wait for another workload check. Corey Kiner played eight offensive snaps in Week 3. Hold off on starting him until the next box score shows a larger workload.

Deeper WR pickups

Deeper WR claims

Ladd McConkey caught four of five targets for 66 yards in Week 3. His Week 4 position rank is WR25. We'd claim him first here for a receiver start at SEA because catches and yardage give us a usable path. Malik Washington drew ten targets in Week 3. Add him if he's on your wire and check whether that volume holds at MIN. KaVontae Turpin scored on a rush but played 12 offensive snaps in Week 3. Keep him behind the other receivers unless his next snaps or touches grow.

Deeper TE pickups

Deeper TE claims

Darren Waller drew eight targets in Week 3. We'd claim him first from this group if we need a tight end start. That receiving work offers a path to points through catches. Cade Otton played 65 offensive snaps and drew six targets in Week 3. Claim him next if he's on your wire, then watch whether the targets follow the playing time. Foster Moreau scored on four targets in Week 3. Hold him on the bench until another box score shows more receiving work.

Claim order

Put the open starting spot at the front of the claim queue: Alvin Kamara at running back, Ladd McConkey at receiver, Daniel Jones at quarterback, or Darren Waller at tight end, if the relevant player is on your wire. Claim Ty Johnson when your bench can wait. After the games, compare his snaps and targets with your other bench claims' workloads before deciding which spot to keep.