The Way This Works...
To see this article's purpose, please refer to the intro from Week 2.
The Running List of Options
I'll update this throughout the season, so you have a wealth of considerations beyond my weekly recommendations.
Add Nows
Most of these players will not be available, but you'll get a sense of who has been recommended.
Jordan Mason: I mentioned in two different articles late in the preseason that you should add Mason if you have Christian McCaffrey or if McCaffrey shows up on the injury report with a tag of questionable or worse. Now you know why.
Jalen Nailor: A quick and fast receiver with YAC skills in the mold of Bills' Khalil Shakir, Nailor has scored every week and has displayed toughness over the middle and up the seams. He's an addition at the end of your roster's bench who can give you at least WR3 fantasy production when one or both of the Vikings' starters are hurt.
Cam Akers: A former early-round prospect, Akers had an impressive preseason in Houston, earning a roster spot. He's a powerful runner with good receiving skills. Joe Mixon is week-to-week with an ankle injury and hasn't practiced this week. Akers will continue seeing significant touches as the team's lead runner. He earned 64 yards and a score against the Vikings, who limited the Texans' passing game. Akers may remain the stater for the next 2-3 weeks.
Alec Pierce: Adonai Mitchell's separation score impresses people, but his ability to be on the same page with Anthony Richardson isn't reliable at this point. Richardson told the national media before Week 1 that the public had written off Pierce, and he was about to remedy that. Two weeks later, Pierce has 12 targets, 9 catches, 225 yards, and 2 scores as fantasy football's No.16 receiver. That fantasy standing may not last but don't expect Pierce to return to fantasy anonymity. Pierce is a legitimate deep threat with contested-catch skills, and he works effectively over the middle.
Andrei Iosivas: An excellent athlete from Princeton, Iosivas knew next to nothing about running routes but sought out receiver coach Drew Lieberman during the offseason. His game has grown substantially during the offseason because, according to Lieberman, Iosivas had no bad habits to unlearn. Iosivas has scored three times in the past two weeks, and his 7-target, 5-catch, 52-yard output against Washington was his best overall week. Tee Higgins is expected back soon, but Iosivas is worth having at the end of your bench as a preemptive option once that happens. Iosivas should still have flex value.
Preemptive
Many of these players are still available. Some were past Add-Nows or Monitors.
Allen Lazard: Fantasy analysts may minimize Lazard's rest-of-season value due to his age, and the attention Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams should eventually command from Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers has the most rapport with Lazard; he performed well behind the scenes in camp, and Rodgers demands talent that can be on the same page. Also, do you trust Mike Williams to stay healthy? I don't. Against the Patriots in Week 3, Lazard earned 3 catches for 48 yards and a score. He'll still be a match-up factor with big-play potential for Rodgers, and this will translate into flex value. Lazard will still be available for a few more weeks due to Williams' street value and most underrating Lazard.
Isaac Guerendo: If he can pick up the details of the system fast enough and Jordan Mason falters, Shanahan will give Guerendo a chance. Just know if Guerendo falters just a bit, Shanahan is likely to find someone else just as fast. Blessed with Todd Gurley's size and speed, Guerendo was one of those college running backs who began on a loaded depth chart at Wisconsin with the likes of Jonathan Taylor, Braelon Allen, and Chez Mellusi.
Skylar Thompson: The Dolphins' reserve quarterback dealt with a lot of pressure against the Seahawks while executing a conservative offensive game plan. When Thompson earned some intermediate passing opportunities, he executed, but they were too few. A rib injury abbreviated his first start in two years. Tyler Huntley could earn an opportunity in 2-3 weeks if Thompson struggles or his injury gets worse. At best, Thompson is a desperation preemptive addition who you hope Mike McDaniels gives more opportunities to be aggressive as a passer.
Preemptive/Monitor
Dalvin Cook: The most impressive runner in Dallas' rotation thus far has been Rico Dowdle, but the Cowboys' defense has been so bad that Dowdle doesn't earn enough touches due to poor game scripts. Unless Cook can also become an impactful defensive player and play two weeks, this dynamic is unlikely to change. You can add Cook in anticipation that he'll get a try, but consider him a preemptive addition only for deep rosters. Otherwise, monitor from afar.
Chris Brooks: The former Dolphin earned three carries for three yards in his debut on the Packers' active roster. His touches came in a close-out role after Green Bay built a substantial lead. The Packers have MarShawn Lloyd on IR for at least the next three weeks, so Brooks is worth a preemptive add for larger rosters if you want a talented back who could earn a bigger role if Josh Jacobs and/or Emanuel Wilson get hurt.
Cordarrelle Patterson: Currently in a walking boot, some fantasy GMs might have dropped Patterson as quickly as they added him. It's hard to tell whether the ankle injury is serious or the boot is a precaution. Before Patterson got hurt, he was running well against a weak Colts defense. With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren dealing with various injuries, Patterson was establishing himself as the temporary lead back in the offense. Patterson and Warren are questionable against the Cowboys. Patterson is worth adding if you want to gamble the availability of a proven talent against a weakened defense.
Monitor
Some of these players were past Add-Nows or Preemptives, but circumstances have changed.
Brenton Strange: Evan Engram delivered a limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but that's no guarantee he'll suit up on Sunday. It is a positive, but if the Jaguars declare Engram inactive on Sunday morning, Strange has filled in admirably when targeted. He's a skilled receiver with enough athletic ability to earn yardage after the catch. He has a future as a starter.
Michael Penix Jr.: I've shared in great detail why Penix is one of the most talented passers in this draft. Penix is a strong fit for Atlanta's passing attack because of his mobility, skill with off-platform placement, and bold vertical game. Atlanta featured Kirk Cousins more often under center against the Eagles in Week 2 but mostly handing off the ball. Cousins' velocity and accuracy on routes outside the numbers beyond 15 yards still look suspect--even the completed passes didn't have great placement and zip. Atlanta has had success working around this weakness in Cousins' game. Continue monitoring Cousins' play, especially if Atlanta goes on an extended losing streak.
Sean Tucker: The second-year speedster from Syracuse has a role on special teams and a nearly non-existent role in the offense. No one in the fantasy community wants to hear Todd Bowles explain that Rachaad White's role and game scripts lead to more difficult situations as a runner than what Bucky Irving is seeing. They all want to believe White's days as the lead back will end soon, while Bowles says we'll still see a committee split, at best. If this is true, Tucker will earn a committee role if one of Irving or White gets hurt. Tucker is a good cutback runner and can catch screens and check-downs.
Drew Lock: If Daniel Jones falters, Lock has the skills and experience to deliver strong outings that could lead to big weeks. If Lock has learned to work at his craft behind the scenes since Denver dumped him, this could be the makings of a beautiful career rebound. Click here to read the preemptive indicators for adding Lock to your rosters.
Blake Watson: A rookie passing-down back with enough size to work between the tackles as a committee option on running downs, Watson has good speed and excellent hands. If Watson begins earning an uptick in touches and has success, consider making him a preemptive addition for 1-2 weeks at the bottom of your depth chart.
Dawson Knox: Knox is an excellent athlete who can win jump-balls. He's a good blocker, and that's likely his role as long as Dalton Kincaid is healthy. There were multiple indications--including Week 1--that Knox would still have a legitimate role in the passing game, but as I mentioned two weeks ago, Kincaid will heat up. Knox only has 2 catches for 30 yards after three weeks. Unless Kincaid gets hurt, you don't need Knox on your rosters.
Forget (For Now...)
Jordan Mims: Kendre Miller is back at practice and likely to leapfrog Mims on the depth chart as the Saints' No.3 runner.
Tyler Badie: After earning an extended opportunity two weeks ago, Badie suffered a back injury and collapsed on the field after trying to make it to the bench on his own. He's a candidate for IR.
Xavier Hutchinson: If desperate for a receiver in a deep league and out of options. Hutchinson could earn more playing time as the fourth receiver in the Texans' rotation This could lead to favorable matchups against a Jaguars defense that gives up the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. At this point, Robert Woods is earning enough playing time that Hutchinson is forgettable.
Add Now: Tre Tucker, Las Vegas
The Skinny on Tucker: A second-year speedster from Cincinnati, Tucker spent the offseason building on his good first impression with the Raiders as a rookie. Tucker has improved his hands and his routes. Davante Adams wants a trade, and the Raiders will likely find a partner, making Tucker one of the top three receivers in the Las Vegas passing game.
Recommendation: Tucker was likely a popular target for bidding this week on your waiver wires. If not, add him now because he'll earn a starting role in the offense when Adams leaves, and that could generate a significant bump in targets.
Add Now: Darius Slayton, NY Giants
The Skinny on Slayton: Malik Nabers likely misses Week 5 with a concussion and that bumps Slayton up the Giants' pecking order in the passing game. Slayton earned 5 targets, 3 catches, and 56 yards against the Cowboys in Week 4. He's the best combination of intermediate route runner and deep threat on the depth chart outside of Nabers.
Recommendation: New York faces a Seattle defense that looks great on paper but has faced Bo Nix in the opener, a hapless Patriots offense in Week 2, and Miami without Tua Tagovailoa in Week 3. Against those three teams, Seattle allowed 29.7 fantasy points from wide receivers. In Week 4 against the Lions, the Seahawks gave up 30.6 points, and Jared Goff didn't miss a target.
Slayton isn't a marquee name with a marquee game, but he has proven capable of delivering flex-play value. He had 5-6 startable games last year. Look for this week against the Seahawks to be one of them.
Preemptive: Tyler Goodson, Indianapolis
The Skinny on Goodson: A cutback runner with good explosion and excellent receiving skills from the backfield, Goodson offers a big-play element in the Colts' offense that Trey Sermon lacks. Sermon may be slated to earn the lead role, but Goodson's big-play ability and versatility could lead to him earning more touches if the Colts like what they see from him and decide to play the hot hand.
Recommendation: The Jaguars are the seventh-most generous defense to running backs in fantasy football. Tennessee and Miami are also favorable matchups. Adding Goodson to your roster is a smart move if you have Sermon or Jonathan Taylor. If you didn't get a quality addition this week with your waiver bids, Goodson is worth having in the back pocket.
Monitor: Dylan Laube, Las Vegas
The Skinny on Laube: A dynamic open-field back with receiving skills from New Hampshire, Laube is better between the tackles than touted. The rookie impressed the Raiders this summer, making the active roster and prompting teammates and staff to believe there's a brighter future ahead. Zamir White injured his groin in practice on Thursday. While we'll see Alexander Mattison fill the void as the lead back and Ameer Abdullah star in the passing-down role, it is worth monitoring Laube's roster designation in the coming weeks.
Recommendation: Watch for changes to Laube's opportunities. If he earns an active roster designation, snaps, and limited playing time, he could become a potential preemptive addition. This is a long shot, but we're looking for players who could deliver high upside when monitoring lesser-knowns.
Final Thought
Good luck!