5 breakout fantasy football stars to pick up for Week 4

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Alexander Mattison #2 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Packers 23-7. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Wide receiver DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots catches a pass in the end zone as cornerback Sam Webb #48 of the Las Vegas Raiders defends during their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The touchdown was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty on Parker. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

A pair of injuries to starting running backs make Khalil Herbert and Alexander Mattison some of the top fantasy football pickups for Week 4.

Injuries are the bane of your existence as a fantasy football player since perfectly planned lineups can go down in flames with one bad step. Last week’s top pickup, New York Jets’ wide receiver Garrett Wilson, gave his new owners a scare with a rib injury but was able to return to action in the second half. Other stars weren’t so lucky.

Two key running back injuries have added some intrigue to this week’s waiver wire, so we will focus on the top adds to help bolster your lineup with that in mind. All roster percentages are based on the equivalent data from Yahoo leagues.

5. Top Fantasy Football Pickups For Week 4 – New England Patriots WR DeVante Parker

The biggest move for a skill position player in New England this offseason was the trade for Parker from the Miami Dolphins. The idea here was to add a deep threat to bolster Mac Jones’ weapons but New England’s notoriously complicated playbook led to minimal returns from Parker over the first two weeks of the year.

That changed in a big way in Week 3 as Parker busted out for a five-catch, 156-yard effort in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Jones looked Parker’s way 10 times in the game, a significant increase over his four combined targets entering the week, which is a good sign for his outlook going forward.

A late-game injury to Jones could throw this development in flux so keep an eye on reports out of Foxboro before you go all in on Parker. Rostered in just 25 percent of Yahoo leagues, Parker is a good flex play if Jones is good to go for New England in Week 4.

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