Fantasy Focus Football

Episode: The BEST Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4
Hosts: Field Yates, Stephania Bell, Daniel Dopp (Mike Clay not present on-mic)
Date: September 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode brings the Fantasy Focus crew together to recap a thrilling Monday Night Football matchup, debate their early-season takeaways, and – most importantly for fantasy managers – break down the top waiver wire pickups heading into Week 4. The show is packed with injury updates, in-depth analysis, priority waiver recommendations, and some friendly banter about both their personal fantasy teams and real NFL performances.

Monday Night Football Recap & Key Takeaways

(Timestamps: 03:47–15:35)

• Mark Andrews Is Back

  • Field and Stefania marvel at Mark Andrews’ explosive return (6 catches, 91 YDs, 2 TDs).
  • “Mark Andrews...caught up to his season long pace in a hurry.” – Field Yates (04:16)
  • All six targets resulted in catches, a perfect night for the previously struggling Ravens TE.
  • Steep drop-off for Zay Flowers (2 catches, 13 YDs), with Field warning he's a “peaks and pits” player.

• Detroit Lions: Statement Win

  • Daniel, the resident Lions fan, celebrates Detroit’s big win at Baltimore with pride.
  • “There might not be a team I enjoy watching...as much as the Detroit Lions. They are unbelievably entertaining.” – Field (01:02)
  • Lions' running game shines: David Montgomery’s 151 rushing yards & 2 TDs; Jameer Gibbs bottles up but still delivers two TDs and passing game production.

• Dynamic Lions Offense

  • Field praises creative playcalling even after Ben Johnson’s departure: “This team is still...talented, but there is some great creativity.” (09:39)
  • Jameson Williams noted as a boom-bust asset.
  • Stefania wonders if both Montgomery and Gibbs can be weekly starters.

• Derrick Henry Troubles

  • Henry’s puzzling fumble streak and declining production discussed.
  • Stefania: “This is a problem he’s never had...now he’s fumbled in three straight games. Two lost.” (11:50)

• Lamar Jackson Fear Factor

  • High praise for Lamar Jackson: “Looked like the best player on the planet to me.” – Field (14:15)
  • Comparison to Mahomes for escapability.
  • Lions' D gets credit for handling Lamar, who was sacked seven times last season too.

Fantasy Focus Show League Update

(17:14–21:29)

• Daniel gloats over his fantasy victory against Stefania, thanks to Lamar Jackson, Jameer Gibbs, and the Lions' D.
• Stefania's team is ravaged by injuries (Jaden Daniels, Jaden Reed, Evan Engram, McLaurin, Marvin Harrison Jr.).
• Discussion on victory points scoring system – rewarding high scores even in head-to-head losses, and vice versa for low-scoring winners.
• Field highlights his history of midseason comebacks: “I’m a second half team, truthfully.” (19:27)

Week 4 Waiver Wire Priority Pickups

(21:49–29:16)

Top 3 Must-Add Players

1. Trey Benson (RB, Arizona)

   • Massive priority after James Conner’s foot injury (likely Lisfranc).
   • “Arizona is going to hand over the keys to Trey Benson. I would spend probably 70% of my FAB right now.” – Daniel (23:17)
   • Out-snapped backup Amari DiMarcado 20 to 7 post-Conner; involved in the pass game; only rostered in ~54% of leagues.
   • Field ranks him as a top-25 RB for Week 4.

2. Bashal Tutin (RB, Jacksonville)

   • Scored in back-to-back games; strong insurance back behind Travis Etienne.
   • Not a lead option, but “dynamic” and worth a bench stash. – Daniel (25:18)

3. Hunter Henry (TE, New England)

   • “Ten fantasy points in two of his three games...leads all Patriots pass catchers in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.” – Daniel (26:15)
   • Reliable low-end TE1 while the position remains volatile.

• Honorable mention: “It’s Trey Benson...and then Bashal Tutin...is farther down.” – Daniel (29:09)

Priority Injury Updates

(29:18–31:49)

• CeeDee Lamb: High-ankle sprain, expected out 3–4 weeks, possible IR.
• Mike Evans: Hamstring, “multi-week injury,” likely out for multiple weeks and may manage riskier comeback.
• Terry McLaurin: Quad issue, no major update yet.
• Tyrone Tracy: Shoulder dislocation, out 2–4 weeks.

Speculative/Deeper League Ads

(31:49–37:54)

Wide Receivers:

• Alec Iomanor – Growing chemistry with Cam Ward.
• Tyquan Thornton – Boom/bust option; flashes with Mahomes; may lose snaps once Rashee Rice/Xavier Worthy return.
• Torrey Horton – Potential No. 2 in Seattle as a deep-league dart throw.
• Luther Burden – Explosive, but low target volume; points per touch upside.

Running Backs:

• Ali Gordon – Now goal-line option in Miami, especially with Najee Harris out for season.
• Blake Corum – Deep stash as clear No. 2.

Other Observations

• Waivers overall “kind of a slow start” this season; few “season-altering” players (39:05).

Top Five Leaders Per Position (After Week 3)

(39:51–57:45)

Quarterback

• Lamar Jackson
• Josh Allen
• Caleb Williams
• Daniel Jones
• Jalen Hurts
  • Caleb Williams trending up: “Top eight...is possible for him.” – Field (41:44)
  • Daniel Jones’ rushing: “Second only to Jalen Hurts...that’s not hurting Jonathan Taylor at all.” – Stefania (41:50)

Running Back

• Jonathan Taylor

• Christian McCaffrey

• James Cook (“most surprising,” per Field)

• Jameer Gibbs

• Bijan Robinson (a bit disappointing for a 1.1 pick)

  • Other notables: Derrick Henry (16), Saquon Barkley (13), Chase Brown and Ashton Gentry deemed “busts.”
  • Javonte Williams is a pleasant surprise at RB7.

Wide Receiver

• Puka Nacua

• Amon-Ra St. Brown (“more TDs than any WR since 2023”)

• Rome Odunze (“the most surprising in a positive way...potential to stay around” – Field)

• Trey Tucker (likely not sustainable)

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba

  • Disappointments: Malik Nabers (“just all out of sync...tough to watch” – Stefania), Justin Jefferson and Jamar Chase (“where are those guys?” – Field), Drake London (WR44), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR48, “biggest disappointment of the WR group”).

Tight End

• Jake Ferguson
• Juwan Johnson
• Hunter Henry
• Trey McBride
• Tucker Kraft
  • No Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta, or other preseason favorites in the top 5.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Zay Flowers’ Volatility:

  • “This is part of the devil you dance with when you’re starting Zay Flowers.” – Daniel (07:26)

• On Waivers:

  • “This might be the not-risk-at-all...Arizona is going to hand over the keys to Trey Benson.” – Daniel (23:20)
  • “Top 5 by position is just...incredible how much things can change in less than a month.” – Field (39:51)

• Fantasy Frustration:

  • Stefania: “It’s week four and you already feel like...yeah, but you still had to work to beat me.” (18:31)

Listener Mailbag Highlights

(57:43–64:34)

• Hunter Henry > Sam LaPorta in Week 4: Browns pose tough matchup for Detroit; stick with Henry (58:10).

• Tony Pollard vs. Trey Benson Drop Dilemma:

  • “I’d keep Tony Pollard due to his touch volume; but in nearly any other scenario, Benson is the pickup.” (59:34)

• Stefon Diggs Droppable?

  • “Diggs has more value to me, but understand if you prefer a speculative add.” – Field (61:18)

• Is it time to cut Jaden Blue?

  • “He’s droppable. If you need to, absolutely you can drop him.” – Field (63:14)

Tone & Chemistry

• Friendly, banter-filled, but rich on actionable advice.
• A mix of strategic debate (“How much to spend on Trey Benson?”), commiseration over injuries, and optimism (lots of “don’t quit on your teams yet!”).
• Hosts regularly check and clarify each others’ stats, keeping things accurate and light.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Monday Night Football Recap: 03:47 – 15:35
• Fantasy Show League Recap: 17:14 – 21:29
• Waiver Wire Priority Pickups: 21:49 – 29:16
• Injury Updates: 29:18 – 31:49
• Deeper League Slash Speculative Adds: 31:49 – 37:54
• Positional Top 5s: 39:51 – 57:45
• Listener Mailbag: 57:43 – 64:34

Quick Takeaways for Your Waiver Wire

• Trey Benson is a must-add after Conner’s injury; spend big FAB and expect immediate workload.
• Bashal Tutin and Hunter Henry are the next best priority adds.
• Injuries open doors for new WR and RB contributors – look to Alec Iomanor, Tyquan Thornton, Torrey Horton, Ali Gordon, and Blake Corum.
• Don’t panic-sell on established stars for flavors of the week unless desperate.
• Tight end remains a weekly matchup play after the elite options.

Final Words

Set your waivers, keep an eye on Friday injury news, and “don’t quit yet!” as the hosts emphasize: there’s plenty of time for a second half run, both in fantasy and reality.