Week 4 brought another round of injuries and role changes across the NFL, creating new opportunities as we head into Week 5. At this point in the season, depth is already being tested, and fantasy managers cannot afford to wait for every situation to become completely clear.
The waiver wire is where leagues can be won, but waiting until Tuesday morning means competing with everyone else for the same breakout names. Beat the Waiver Wire is designed to help you get one step ahead by identifying players worth adding or stashing before Monday Night Football kicks off.
Some of these players can provide immediate help for managers trying to replace injured starters. Others are bets on talent, opportunity, or roles that could continue growing over the next several weeks. Not every addition needs to become an instant starter. Sometimes, the best move is securing a player before the rest of your league realizes why he matters.
C.J. Stroud (QB, HOU)
C.J. Stroud delivered his best fantasy performance of the season against Dallas, throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns on his way to 23.1 fantasy points. Both scores went to Nico Collins, whose return gives Stroud the true WR1 he needs to elevate this passing attack.
Houston has almost no running game right now, and its defense is suddenly allowing opponents to score. That combination should continue forcing Stroud to throw at a higher rate. The Texans remain winless, but that does not mean their quarterback cannot help fantasy managers.
Stroud now has five touchdown passes without an interception through four games. His only two turnovers came on fumbles in Week 1, so he is protecting the football while his volume continues to grow.
Houston travels to Tennessee in Week 5, giving Stroud another favorable opportunity. If you need quarterback help in a one-quarterback redraft league, he should be one of your top additions. I still believe in the talent, and if this offense continues improving with Collins back, Stroud could become one of those waiver-wire additions that changes a fantasy season.
Tyler Huntley (QB, BAL)
Tyler Huntley becomes an immediate waiver-wire consideration if Lamar Jackson is unable to play through his ankle injury.
Huntley replaced Jackson at halftime against Tennessee and completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards while adding 16 rushing yards on four carries. He did not need to carry the offense, but he played efficiently and helped Baltimore secure a 24-18 victory.
Jackson’s injury is not currently expected to be a long-term issue, so Huntley’s value may only last one week. However, he would draw a favorable matchup against Atlanta if asked to start in Week 5.
Huntley already knows Baltimore’s system and offers enough rushing ability to create a usable fantasy floor. He can also lean on Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews rather than being asked to win games entirely with his arm.
In standard one-quarterback leagues, Huntley is only a deep streamer if Jackson is ruled out. In Superflex formats, he becomes a priority addition because every starting quarterback carries value. Jackson’s absence would lower the ceiling of Baltimore’s pass catchers, but Huntley is capable enough to keep the offense functional for a short stretch.
Running Back
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