NFL Week 4 Fantasy Waiver Wire Pick-Ups, Bye Weeks Are Now Looming

Week 4 of the NFL brings us the first bye week, albeit with only two teams resting up before the remaining 13 weeks of the season.

The Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, both with several key players like quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger and receivers Reggie Wayne and Antonio Brown, will sit home Sunday.

Even if you have no Colts or Steelers on your squad, all these players can help when your bye weeks do start.

Tashard Choice, RB, Buffalo Bills

C.J. Spiller's status is uncertain for Week 4 and while Fred Jackson claims he is close to game ready, Choice is a solid pick-up who could make the most of his extra touches.

Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

In his second year out of Toledo, the Bengals used Hawkins in both the rush and the pass game. His 59-yard reception for a touchdown should be a sign of things to come as defenses will have to key on A.J. Green.

Ryan Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals

While is per game stats are less than eye-popping, not to mention the two lost fumbles in three games, Williams' age and speed give him the edge over any other back the Cardinals have.

Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins

Thomas filled in more than adequately for Reggie Bush in the second half against the Jets, finishing with 69 yards and a touchdown. Bush’s injury was not as serious as feared, but Miami will be careful with their best offensive player and limit his carries in Week 4, making Thomas a strong handcuff.

Mikel LeShoure, RB, Detroit Lions

Kevin Smith who? Jahvid Best what? LeShoure gained 100 yards and scored a touchdown after returning from a two-game drug policy suspension. Any back with serviceable talent can gain great yardage with defenses preoccupied with receiver Calvin Johnson, but LeShoure has the ability to make Detroit’s offense nearly unstoppable.

Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Currently Ponder is on pace for 1,000 more yards than he produced last year, and no picks. The yards prediction is very possible, while the interception rate will come back down to earth. Nevertheless, Ponder is second in the league in completion percentage, fifth in passer rating, and has a huge confidence boost by beating the NFC's best defense in the San Francisco 49ers. He also can move away from the pocket, running for a 23-yard touchdown Sunday.

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton continues to improve in his second year. He had three touchdown passes in a game for the first time, and faces a Jacksonville secondary on Sunday that is still coping with injuries.

Arizona Cardinals or Seattle Seahawks, DEF

The only sure fire thing fantasy owners know about the Monday night debacle in Seattle, is that the Seahawks' defense is for real. They sacked Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers eight times in the first half alone. While the Cardinals shutdown the New England Patriots' and the Philadelphia Eagles’ offenses in consecutive weeks. Either one should be an excellent plug-in or permanent starter in the coming weeks.

Donnie Avery, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Good to just grab him now even if the Colts are on the bye. Austin Collie’s injury makes him invaluable, and Luck has already made him a top target. Slot him in at the flex spot in Week 5.