News

1. Oct 4
   Fantasy football last-minute pickups for Week 4: Raymond, Waller among top options

   At various points during the fantasy football season, injuries, bye weeks and breaking news can cause you to need reinforcements for your fantasy lineup. Every Friday throughout the 2026 NFL season, Matt Bowen will offer some late-week pickup options at each of the primary fantasy positions to help fill those holes, with an emphasis on deeper leagues. Because of that, this column will focus mostly on players rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with occasional exceptions. Looking at the Week 4 NFL slate — and the available players — I'll start with the wide receiver position. I have two veteran pass catchers who are seeing consistent volume and producing solid fantasy numbers. There are options at quarterback, too, and one signal-caller could be getting his top target back. We'll also hit on the running backs in line to see an increased role due to injury, plus I have a tight end and a defense to get into lineups. Wide receivers Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears (48.4% rostered; vs. Jets) The Bears haven't announced whether Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent will start at QB for the Week 4 home game versus the Jets, but either way I'm still pushing for Raymond based on his route deployment in Ben Johnson's offense. Raymond scored 21 points in the Week 3 win over the Eagles, and he has at least five receptions in all three games played this season. Raymond will see the ball as an outlet on crossers, sit routes and unders, plus he has the speed to create big plays (deep over routes and verticals). Raymond fits as a WR3 this week. Dontayvion Wicks (44.7% rostered) and Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles (47.6% rostered; vs. Rams) DeVonta Smith (hamstring) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's home game versus the Rams, so managers can pivot to Wicks or Lemon, as both should see a bump in target volume. Wicks scored 12 or more points in each of his first two games, with at least four targets in all three this season, while Lemon caught three of four targets for 29 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Bears. I'm really interested in seeing how Lemon performs with an expanded role. The rookie out of USC has the traits to win at the top of the route and he accelerates through the ball. Mack Hollins, New England Patriots (11.2% rostered; at Bills) The Bills have been zone-heavy under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, and they play from a two-deep safety look on 49.2% of opponent dropbacks. That works for Hollins, as he has the coverage awareness to find open voids on short-to-intermediate throws. Hollins caught six of nine targets for 87 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Jaguars (14.7 points), and he has seen at least five targets in two of three games played. He's a deeper-league option this week. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins (23.3% rostered; at Vikings) You can take a shot on Washington because of his versatility and expanding role. Washington caught five of a season-high 10 targets for 56 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Chiefs, plus he had two carries for five yards from backfield alignments. Washington has seen five or more targets in all three games this season, with at least one rushing attempt in the past two. The Vikings' pressure defense will create conflict for quarterback Malik Willis and Miami's protection schemes, but that unit is giving up the 10th-most points per game to opposing wide receivers. Quarterbacks Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (18.4% rostered; at Colts) I didn't see Mariota scoring 20.42 points on the Seahawks defense in Week 3. The veteran quarterback delivered the ball with timing and location, finishing with 183 yards and three touchdown passes. While I would like to see Mariota deployed more on designed carries, there is a clear connection here with Terry McLaurin (six receptions, 77 yards, one touchdown in Week 3), and we can't pass on this matchup versus Indianapolis. The Colts are allowing 276 yards passing per game (third most). Mariota is a solid QB2 in Week 4, while Jayden Daniels (elbow

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2. Oct 1
   Wright (foot/stinger) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

   Wright wasn't available for the Dolphins' Week 3 loss to the Chiefs while he tended to a pair of injuries, but after turning in a limited practice Wednesday and then upgrading to full activity Thursday, he looks like he'll be good to go for Sunday's game against the Vikings. With De'Von Achane (knee) out for the season, Wright and Ollie Gordon should both be in store for expanded opportunities out of the backfield, but it's not immediately clear which of the two will rank as the Dolphins' preferred option. Miami also plans to elevate one of Jarquez Hunter or Carlos Washington from the practice squad to give the team a third running back in Sunday's contest.

   RotoWire via ESPN
3. Sep 30
   Wright (foot) officially was limited at Wednesday's practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

   Wright didn't play in Week 3 against the Chiefs due to a stinger and foot injury, but stinger has been axed from the practice report to begin Week 4 prep, meaning only the foot issue is bothering him at the moment. If he's able to put all health concerns behind him and return to action Sunday at Minnesota, he'll be in line for a significant bump in playing time in the aftermath of De'Von Achane's torn ACL. Moving forward, Wright and Ollie Gordon are expected to pace the Dolphins backfield.

   RotoWire via ESPN
4. Sep 30
   Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that Wright (foot/stinger) will practice Wednesday, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

   Wright sat out the Dolphins' Week 3 loss to the Chiefs while tending to a foot injury as well as a stinger, but the running back is now being viewed as day-to-day and seemingly has decent odds of making it back in action for Sunday's game against the Vikings. The third-year player earned just three touches over the first two contests of 2026, but with lead back De'Von Achane (knee) out for the season, both Wright and Ollie Gordon should be in store for added opportunities moving forward. Following Achane's early departure in Week 3, Gordon finished the game with 20 touches (17 carries, three catches), but he totaled just 55 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Prior to sitting out against the Chiefs, Wright had been working ahead of Gordon, so the former could end up being the Dolphins' preferred option once he gets back to full health.

   RotoWire via ESPN
5. Sep 29
   Rest-of-season rankings: Purdy joins top five QBs, Sadiq impresses among TEs

   Each week, Eric Karabell ranks players by position based on their fantasy football value for the rest of the 2026 season. Use the information to optimize the players for their future potential and/or to gauge their value in trade. Eric's top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.  Quarterback Rankings changes: It was an odd Week 3 for quarterbacks, as stalwarts Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were not among the top 10 fantasy scorers, but Case Keenum was. Four of the top five scorers (Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, Jacoby Brissett, Keenum) did not enter the week among our top 20 in these rankings. Darnold and Brissett force their way in. The top 10 sees minimal change, although Brock Purdy rises to fourth and Matthew Stafford is thriving. Drake Maye and Justin Herbert continue to slide. Baker Mayfield (thumb) slides due to injury, though he will return soon. Now with the New York Giants, J.J. McCarthy enters the rankings, barely. Running back Rankings changes: The season is over for Dolphins star De'Von Achane (knee), so Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright (though barely) enter the rankings. Achane leaving the top 10 is the major rankings adjustment, though Jeremiyah Love and Kyren Williams pass Chase Brown to move into RB1 status, and Jaylen Warren and Quinshon Judkins look like potential RB2 options. Patriots TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, and disappointing David Montgomery, do not. Wide receiver Rankings changes: Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba, averaging better than 34 points per game, takes the No. 1 overall spot. The top 10 at wide receiver sees minor adjustment, with injured Puka Nacua (hip) and Nico Collins (hamstring) falling a bit, though perhaps each will play in Week 4. Drake London looks like a WR1 again, and top Packers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden feel reliable. Tre' Harris, Kalif Raymond and Keenan Allen join the rankings. Tight end Rankings changes: Welcome back, Brock Bowers! The Las Vegas star led the position with 27.6 points, followed by George Kittle and Harold Fannin Jr. Jets rookie Kenyon Sadiq is a big riser, closing in on TE1 status. Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts Sr. continue to slide. Defense/special teams Overall top 100

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