Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Scott was a top 10 player ranker for Week 2 on FantasyPros.

We have completed three weeks of fantasy football matchups, and it wasn't an easy beginning to the season. Some notable players are not performing up to projected statistical expectations, and key injuries to regular starters added to the usual challenges of setting a winning lineup.

Next week, we must deal with NFL teams on byes, so team management is going to become even tougher. Peering ahead on waiver wire pickups make sense at this point, and several forward-looking recommended adds are highlighted here this week.

We supply the prime fantasy football free agent adds for Week 4, with analysis based on PPR formats. Players are featured in preferred order of adds at each position.

Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans: He won a starting job with the Titans based off a good preseason. Ayomanor caught TD passes in each of the last two games, and he was targeted five-plus times in all three of his outings this season. As the Tennessee offense eventually stabilizes, the fantasy production of Ayomanor may rise. Add the rookie now with an eye on potentially increased fantasy output in the weeks ahead.

Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders: Geno Smith might have a new weapon with his Las Vegas. Tucker provided some glimpses of his downfield playmaking ability in his first two NFL seasons. Now he might function as a more frequent pass-catcher with Smith taking over at QB.

Tucker caught three TD passes in Week 3 and now has totaled four on the season so far. He caught eight of nine targets for 145 yards last week, and if Smith continues to work Tucker into the regular offensive flow, he'll deliver more spike statistical weeks.

Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay is trying to work through some WR injuries, and Shepard might have to play a larger role on offense in the shorter term. He caught five passes for 80 yards in Week 3, and he may provide adequate fantasy output if needed to start vs. Philadelphia in Week 4.

Tyquan Thornton, Kansas City Chiefs: K.C. has been dealing with some key WR absences and the ex-Patriot is stepping forward to post respectable fantasy numbers. He has caught TD passes in each of the last two games and finished with five receptions for 79 yards last week. Thornton is worthy of fantasy consideration as at least a shorter-term WR4/5 type.

Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears: As fantasy players, we should not overreact to one impressive performance, but we should at least take a chance on a player who is coming off a good game and can build on it. That is certainly the case with Tucker, and to a lesser degree, applies to Burden.

The rookie caught a 65-yard TD pass on a flea-flicker last week. He finished with 101 receiving yards on three receptions. Take a flier on Burden, as he could continue to operate as a bigger-play type for the Bears. The Chicago offense is crowded with many options, though, so stay patient with Burden if you pick him up.

Other Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire WRs To Add: Romeo Doubs, Christian Kirk, Calvin Austin, Jalen Tolbert, Luke McCaffrey, Parker Washington, and Tory Horton of the Seahawks.

Horton was a star of the Seahawks' victory over New Orleans in NFL Week 3. The first-year WR caught his second TD pass in the last two games, gaining more notice among fantasy players. Of course, his franchise record 95-yard punt return for a TD greatly benefited fantasy players in leagues where individual players get credit for punt return TDs.

Horton's outstanding play as a returner further boosts the appeal of the Seahawks special teams/defense as a top unit. The D/ST ranks second in fantasy scoring after two weeks, with 38 points, per FantasyPros. Horton should be picked up in all 12-team and larger leagues if you have the roster room. He can at least be a possible streamer when the bye weeks hit.

Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Running Backs

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: The second-year RB will now take over as the lead guy for Arizona with James Conner out for the season. He will be the most coveted waiver wire pickup of the week for sure. Benson was already sharing some work with Conner early in the season.

Over the first three games of the season, Benson averaged six yards per carry and caught eight passes on 11 targets. He should be an instant starter as a fantasy RB2. This situation where the backup must step up to be a starter is a reminder: You should always roster the immediate NFL backups of any regular fantasy RB starters.

In leagues where you use a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) you may have to spend well over half of the remaining FAAB dollars to have a shot at landing Benson. The fantasy price must be paid for an RB that can be an every-week option and a key piece of a winning team in fantasy football.

Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins: Those who roster De'Von Achane must add Gordon as a fantasy insurance backup. Gordon is seeing enough touches that he is making his presence known in the Miami offense early in his rookie year. He rushed for his first NFL TD in Week 3.

Gordon may continue to see a respectable amount of rushing TD opportunities for the Dolphins and he is a good depth add. If he is needed at any point to take on a larger role in the Miami offense, Gordon will figure to be a quality fantasy starting option.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans: Spears could soon return from an ankle injury that landed him on Injured Reserve to open the season. The Titans can use a spark in their offense, and Spears is an ideal complement to Tony Pollard as an RB who can operate well in space with some bigger-play potential. He is a versatile playmaker with certain fantasy flex promise.

Kareem Hunt/Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City needs to get its ground game to improve, as Patrick Mahomes is the team's leading rusher with 125 yards. Hunt logged 10 carries last week. The rookie Smith has receiving potential out of the backfield. It is possible that each of them might see more touches in the near future.

Hunt would be the safer add of the two, but with more reps, Smith might flash some upside.

Chris Rodriguez/Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders: The Commanders are currently using a pure committee approach. You should consider rostering both Rodriguez and/or McNichols to see if one emerges as the most productive fantasy RB from the team.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt played the most snaps last week, while Rodriguez started and McNichols ripped off a 60-yard TD run. Add who you have roster room for, and continue to monitor the situation.

Other RBs to consider adding as fantasy insurance for your starters: Blake Corum, Woody Marks, Miles Sanders, Braelon Allen.

Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have won two consecutive games, and Darnold passed for two TDs in both of those victories. Fantasy leaguers who are scrambling for a replacement QB should consider Darnold, who can provide a respectable statistical floor.

There might be even better fantasy performances ahead in a few spike weeks for Darnold. He proved to be a quality fantasy option with Minnesota last season and should be considered for streaming purposes this year.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants: Very soon, and maybe by the time you read this, the 0-3 Giants could make a QB change, in effort to hopefully return the offense to regular respectability. Dart looked poised and confident in the preseason. Add him if you are struggling at QB, as Dart can at least progressively show promise.

Other Fantasy Football QBs to Add in NFL Week 4: Matthew Stafford, Geno Smith, Marcus Mariota, Carson Wentz (in superflex leagues) Kirk Cousins (superflex).

Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Tight Ends

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns: Fannin was quiet in Week 3 against a top-level Green Bay defense. He caught three passes for 25 yards. Someone in your league may cut him based on that outing, and Fannin may still be available in other leagues. He has fantasy TE1 potential, and his best outings could be ahead in the next few weeks.

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers: He made his pro debut in Week 3 and was targeted seven times. Gadsden caught five passes for 46 yards. The Chargers have been searching for a dependable TE target, and Gadsden could be the answer. Take a flier on him to see if the fantasy production is sustainable.

Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Defenses To Stream

Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee), Buffalo Bills (vs. New Orleans), Los Angeles Chargers (vs. New York Giants), Detroit Lions (vs. Cleveland), Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati).