Wednesday is usually the first day in most fantasy football leagues where free agents get snatched up off waivers and players get added from the free agent pool. With owners still looking for ways to improve their teams early on in the season, Week 4 is a week full of transactions. Here's a look at the most popular players added prior to the start of Week 4 games.
All add numbers are recorded for all Yahoo! fantasy football leagues for Wednesday, September 26.
Quarterback
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals - 74,200 adds
Dalton threw his second straight three touchdown game in the Bengals' 38-31 win over the Washington Redskins. As he builds rapport with his young receiving core, Dalton has become a more productive fantasy option this season. With a favorable matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed a solid outing by Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck, Dalton would be a solid starting option for owners seeking a bye-week replacement for Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger.
Honorable mentions: Minnesota Vikings' Christian Ponder (64,229 adds), Buffalo Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick (38,155 adds), Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco (32,070 adds)
Running back
Tashard Choice, Buffalo Bills - 161,402 adds
With C.J. Spiller leaving the Bills' Week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns early, Choice received 20 carries for 91 yards. Added as a potential starter for Week 4 against the New England Patriots, Choice looks to still be the backup this week as Fred Jackson is expected to play. While there's no guarantee that he'll play or do well, Jackson's return greatly affects Choice's value.
Honorable mentions: Detroit Lions' Mikel LeShoure (125,153 adds), Arizona Cardinals' Ryan Williams (125,035 adds), Miami Dolphins' Daniel Thomas (97,268 adds)
Wide receiver
Andrew Hawkins, Cincinnati Bengals - 144,745 adds
While Dalton was the most-added quarterback on the waiver wire, Hawkins was the most-added receiver thanks to his back-to-back games with a touchdown. With no receiver standing out yet as the starter opposite of A.J. Green, Hawkins has started to emerge as a dynamic wide receiver with his ability to stretch the field and create big plays. Since his role has yet to grow into some more prominent with more targets, Hawkins is more of a flex option for Week 4.
Honorable mentions: New York Jets' Jeremy Kerley (70,045 adds), Minnesota Vikings' Jerome Simpson (58,431 adds), New York Giants' Ramses Barden (46,912 adds)
Tight end
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings - 96,345 adds
A big sleeper at the start of the season, Rudolph has earned his spot as one of the most popular tight ends this year as a prominent red zone target for Ponder. Playing alongside playmakers Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, Rudolph has carved his niche as one of Ponder's primary targets and had developed great chemistry with his fellow draft class teammate. Facing a susceptible Lions' pass defense, Rudolph should be big once again in Week 4.
Honorable mentions: Pittsburgh Steelers' Heath Miller (90,318 adds), New York Giants' Martellus Bennett (50,218 adds), Baltimore Ravens' Dennis Pitta (45,095 adds)
Kicker
Lawrence Tynes, New York Giants - 92,482 adds
In Week 3, Tynes made a career-best five field goals against the Carolina Panthers. A huge scorer for the Giants in the past two weeks, he has already made 10 field goals this season and will continue to be valuable as long as the team struggles to convert in the red zone. Up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, Tynes putting up another solid fantasy performance would be no surprise.
Honorable mentions: Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker (42,203 adds), Detroit Lions' Jason Hanson (20,124 adds), Minnesota Vikings' Blair Walsh (15,822 adds)
Team defense
Arizona Cardinals team defense - 218,517 adds
The Cardinals continued their dominance as a top defense with an impressive performance against Michael Vick and the Eagles. Facing an even better opportunity in Week 4 against the Dolphins, this team defense could once again be a top-scoring fantasy option against rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill and injury concerns with running back Reggie Bush.
Honorable mentions: Atlanta Falcons team defense (171,359 adds), Seattle Seahawks team defense (79,681 adds), Tampa Bay Buccaneers team defense (36,760 adds)
Sources:
Transaction Trends Yesterday All Positions, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Andy Dalton Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Bills RB Jackson expected to play against Patriots, AP
Andrew Hawkins Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Lawrence Tynes News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
2012 Fantasy Football Week 4 Over/Under Predictions: Fan's Take
2012 Fantasy Football Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 3 Ten Top-Scoring IDPs: Fan's Review
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 3 Top Performers by Position: Fan's Review
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 3 Most Surprising Performances: Fan's Take
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow this Featured Contributor on Google+ and Twitter @_austinchang.
