We are now officially past the quarter pole of the fantasy football regular season. Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season continued to provide points galore, incredible endings, and new fantasy stars to grab on this week’s waiver wire. Let’s get into the key takeaways from each game.

Seahawks 23, Cardinals 20

Darnold a superflex option: Quarterback Sam Darnold (242 yards, TD) continues to put up numbers that are respectable enough to earn him consideration as a superflex start.

That especially holds true with a home game against a depleted Bucs secondary next week.

MHJ back on the radar: My start advice on Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was looking like a bust after the first half.

But the spark showed in that late-game TD connection between Kyler Murray and MHJ should yield exponential results over the next two weeks home against the Titans and on the road at the Colts.

No Conner, no problem: Trey Benson’s 54 yards from scrimmage doesn’t jump off the stat sheet. He’s set as RB1 for the foreseeable future, showing the burst and brute strength that prove he can carry the load.

Steelers 24, Vikings 21

Waiver alert, Xavier Scott: The University of Maine rookie had six receptions for 43 yards and a TD. The Minnesota Vikings brass has been discussing ways to get him more involved. This was the game that happened.

Good news for Metcalf fans: The Pittsburgh Steelers made sure to get star import wideout DJ Metcalf involved early and often. He had 122 first-half yards and a TD were almost as much as his full production over the first three games combined (133 total receiving yards). The only thing that is a bummer is with the bye, fantasy owners can’t immediately build on that momentum.

Gainwell here to stay: There were plenty who were looking to trade high on Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell. So I get it: To this point, Gainwell has been an NFL fantasy afterthought. But Steelers coaches have said it since the start of training camp that they saw something different.

The snap count, the carries, it’s all pointing to Gainwell being, at worst, a 7-to-10-point producer over the next five games. High-end, he’s both in a 50-50 carry share with Jaylen Warren AND a trusted security-blanket receiver for Aaron Rodgers.

Addison watch: The return of wideout Jordan Addison was mostly a nothing burger until a late-game 81-yard TD catch. He will continue to get more touches and is a flex start for Week 5. The unfortunate odd man out with Addison’s return is likely veteran Adam Thielen.

Patriots 42, Panthers 13

Yay for Trey and Maye: New England Patriots QB Drake Maye continues to put up first-starter numbers. It’s a nice problem to have if you keep sitting him in favor of sexier options, but it’s time to elevate him. The numbers from Maye and running back TreVeyon Henderson were deflated by the game being a blowout by halftime. The Henderson star turn is coming, perhaps as early as next week in Buffalo.

Diggs goes big: If you’ve been sitting wideout Stefan Diggs (like me), it’s time to put him into flex play next week. He got seven of Maye’s targets Sunday and caught six for 101 yards. The pairing is maturing beautifully and a revenge game next week in Buffalo is the time to give him the start.

Tremble scary: The one bright spot for the Carolina Panthers was the emerging waiver viability of tight end Tommy Tremble. The backup tied with wideout Tetairoa McMillan for tops in team targets (caught 5 of eight targets for 42 yards, TD). Just watch the injury report. If TE1 Ja’Tavion Sanders still isn’t practicing, target Tremble for a late-week pickup and another impressive target count vs. Miami in Week 5.

Falcons 34, Commanders 27

Penix growing pains: If you had the fortitude to stay with Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., you were rewarded with a 20-26, 313, 2 TD outing. It’s going to be up and down for the guy who is still in the first half of his rookie 17 starts. Just keep his overall youth in perspective and ride the wave.

Trade high on Deebo: Let’s say you’re 1-3 and looking to spark your climb up the standings with a trade. Washington Commanders wideout Deebo Samuel is the guy to move. His 20.1 fantasy points and 49 snaps are likely a high-water mark for the year, especially if Terry McLaurin returns sooner rather than later.

Mooney hammy watch: WR Darnell Mooney left in the first half and didn’t return. He’s likely a multi-week sit even if he tries to play through being hobbled.

Commanders committee in backfield: It’s literally an even split on snaps, as Jeremy McNichols (19 snaps) gets the late-down and late-game snaps. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (20 snaps) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (20 snaps) are splitting early downs. It’s still a full-on avoid on any of the three unless you’re desperate.

Bills 31, Saints 19

Shakir coming on: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir had 17.9 fantasy points on five targets. With Joshua Palmer an injury questions mark heading into Week 5, Shakir continues to be the preferred start over Keon Coleman, despite Coleman getting 43 snaps to Shakir’s 31 Sunday.

It’s Miller Time: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller is making the most of his increasing snaps (21 on Sunday). He outpointed Alvin Kamara, 12.5 to 11.3. Kamara is still the starter and fantasy Hall of Famer, but Miller has better yards per carry, more YAC and a litany of advanced stat advantages over Kamara.

Let Cooks and Cook cook: One of these is no shock, as Bills running back James Cook continues to prove his elite fantasy RB status. But the surprise here is Saints wideout Brandin Cooks (team-leading 60 snaps).

Rashid Shaheed has been a fantasy disappointment thus far for me and continues to lose snaps in two-receiver sets. Cooks is a deep sleeper move at this point, but just keep a close eye here on his budding chemistry with QB Spencer Rattler.

Lions 34, Browns 10

All hail Amon-Ra: Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught two more TDs to take over the NFL lead (six through four games). I’m leaning toward a downgrade of his ranking heading to Cincy in Week 5. He’s still a start, but it feels like a trap game for the Lions and a down week for St. Brown.

Pick up Gabriel: The Dillon Gabriel era is coming. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is in a similar spot that led to Brian Daboll starting the Dart Era in New York. Joe Flacco looks old, immobile, and done. It’s more of a matter of whether Browns’ upper management is going to let Stefanski go to Gabriel or if they’re tanking for a top 2026 pick. I’m betting on a Gabriel start in London Week 5 against the Vikings.

Texans 26, Titans 0

Waiver alert, Woody Marks: The USC alum and Houston Texans fourth-round draft pick got more carries and yards than Nick Chubb (17 to 13, 69 yards and a TD to 47 yards and no TD). He’s looked elusive and shows a burst that is just not there with Chubb. Plus, Marks was second in receiving targets and caught four passes for 50 yards and a TD. Pick him up. He’s worth roughly an eight percent risk of your available FAAB.

Forget the Titans: Sadly, the players aren’t even worth mentioning by name. Anyone with any legit fantasy value has fallen into oblivion. Once Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is fired, this might warrant another look. Until then, avoid all Titans if you’re looking to actually win.

Giants 21, Chargers 18

Don’t fret on Herbert: This had trap game written all over it, with the Bolts traversing the country and the Giants desperate for a win. Yes, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was pedestrian and human. It won’t be a trend. He remains a top-tier QB start as the Chargers host the Commanders in Week 5.

OK, I get it on Omarion: Before the season, I just wasn’t feeling all the Omarion Hampton hype. I had some shares but mostly I wondered how Hampton was that much better than running back Najee Harris. The rookie was already showing it before Harris was lost for the season. Hampton is the bellcow now and seized the spotlight Sunday.

Don’t panic on Giants offense: Yes, the potential season-ending injury to New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is awful. So many of you lost your first-round draft pick.

I was thoroughly encouraged by quarterback Jaxson Dart’s clutch passes to spark the win. Even when Tyrone Tracy returns, running back Cam Skattebo will be the RB1 (I wish I had more shares and will likely try to pull off some trades for him). Wideouts Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are strong waiver pickups this week.

A Week 5 trip to New Orleans is a chance for everyone mentioned above to truly elevate their fantasy standing.

Eagles 31, Buccaneers 25

Let’s go to Bucky’s: I got texts from fantasy friends saying, “I’m seeing too much of Rachaad White.” Are we watching the same game? Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving had 15 carries for 63 yards and 5 receptions for 102 yards and a TD. I love me some Bucky.

I love me some Buc-ee’s, too. If you know, you know.

Emeka as trade bait: Again, I’m saying this only if you need to shake up your roster. WR Emeka Egbuka will be a big trade target. I know Mike Evans is still a couple weeks from returning, but with a three-week stretch at the Seahawks, home versus the 49ers and at the Lions, I think this is the peak of Egbuka’s value on the trade market.

Don’t get overly giddy on Goedert: It’s a matchup play. Well played if you saw the trends ahead of the game and got Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert’s two TDs in your lineup. But don’t exaggerate its meaning. It won’t last.

Rams 27, Colts 20

Keep an eye on Corum: I’m not sounding any panic alarms, but Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams’ playing time is falling slightly. That’s more a function of Blake Corum’s maximizing his value when he gets snaps.

Gobble him up on the waiver wire if you can, no more than 5 percent of your FAAB for a bid.

Adonai one and done: If you took a flyer on Indianapolis Colts wideout Adonai Mitchell as a waiver pickup, you got value (3 catches, 96 yards). However, Alec Pierce is likely to return from his concussion next week. That means Mitchell will likely receive a demotion in terms of snaps and targets.

Stafford a fantasy QB1: He’s a real-life Hall of Famer lock, yet Rams QB Matthew Stafford has rarely gotten respect from the fantasy world.

If you’re smart, you zig on that zag starting now. His receiving corps is healthy and deep.

I get it, he’s not the dual threat that we all want at QB in fantasy these days, but I believe Stafford to be good for 25 ppg over the next three games (vs. 49ers Thursday, Week 6 at depleted Ravens and Week 7 at Jaguars).

Jaguars 26, 49ers 21

Oh, Ricky: Keep an eye on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s knee injury. He couldn’t finish the game and with a short week, is more likely to be inactive than active for Thursday. So, where to backfill here?

I’d put my chips on wideout DeMarcus Robinson getting more snaps and targets as he works his way back into game shape after his three-game suspension.

The truth about Trevor: We all want Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to be a top-level fantasy QB.

And make no doubt about it, this was a big win in his maturation. But the key to the Jags winning is Lawrence being efficient. That means less sexy stats.

And with the Chiefs, Seahawks and Rams coming up before the bye, I expect the Jags to continue to minimize Lawrence’s chances for long-throw screwups.

Travis fantasy dud? In short, yes. I’m almost ready to say release him in redraft leagues. I was never high on two-way player Travis Hunter’s fantasy value, even with the carrot of two-way stats dangled. I hate to say, “I told you so,” so as an homage to Sheldon Cooper, I will say, “I informed you thusly.”

Chiefs 37, Ravens 20

The Rush for Cooper: It’s coming, because the Baltimore Ravens are not going to panic about the 1-3 start with divisional play fully ahead after the Week 7 bye.

I’m not expecting optimistic injury news here on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s hammy. So is there any value in Cooper Rush other than a replacement for Lamar owners?

I truly don’t think so. With a resurgent Texans coming to town Week 5 and the Rams in Week 6, I’m not loving the chance for breakout stats there.

A Worthy return: I’m hoping you didn’t panic on wideout Xavier Worthy. He is THE reason behind the Chiefs’ offensive resurgence.

He is dynamic and is showing that he has quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ and head coach Andy Reid’s complete confidence.

Someone who has zero of my confidence is running back Isiah Pacheco. My patience there is done. I’m out.

Kelce’s snaps shrinking: Tight end Travis Kelce played just 65.8 percent of the snaps, his lowest in a game since early 2023. It’s a real trend.

He’s losing snaps to Noah Gray, and once Rashee Rice is back, the target decline will follow.

Bears 25, Raiders 24

The Jeanty breakout: Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty got 85.7 percent of the snaps this week and paid off fantasy owners’ patience with three TDs and 34 fantasy points. That doesn’t include me, who completely ignored my own advice and benched Jeanty in my biggest-payoff league. Can’t win them all.

Stay with Rome: I know, the stats aren’t as sexy as the bona fide week-after-week breakout y’all want from Chicago Bears wideout Rome Odunze. Not for nothing, 16.9 fantasy points on four catches and seven targets is still great production.

The Bowers dilemma: There was no way Brock Bowers was repeating 2024 with a new QB and a new coaching staff. But the numbers have become so pedestrian that Bowers has gone from a flex superstar to a middling tight end start. A trip to Indy should mean more targets, but against a Colts team thirsty to prove their first loss was a mere speed bump, I’m feeling like this is headed toward a sit recommendation.

Cowboys 40, Packers 40

Stop pickin’ on Pickens: So he may not be a model teammate. But wide receiver George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys are made for each other. With CeeDee Lamb out, Pickens is a must-start as he’s the only receiver showing he’s worthy of Dak Prescott’s attention.

Pickens had a career-reviving turn against the Green Bay Packers, with eight receptions, 134 yards, and two TDs on 11 targets. If the Cowboys could ever find a semblance of clutch-time defense, they could be dang near unbeatable when Lamb returns.