CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 4

Welcome back to the college football waiver wire watch. Throughout the college football season, I'll pick two guys from every conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have an upcoming favorable matchup. As always, I'll answer any questions or comments in the comments section below.

First, though, here are the guys who came through last week and may still be available in your leagues:

Kejon Owens, RB, FIU (37.2 points)
Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech (35.7 points)
Ta'Quan Roberson, QB, Buffalo (32.0 points)
Sutton Smith, RB, Memphis (29.0 points)
Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas (23.9 points)
CJ Bailey, QB, NC State (21.9 points)
Illinois D/ST (16.5 points)
Skyler Bell, WR, UConn (16.2 points)
Maryland D/ST (14.5 points)
Trey Butkowski, K, Pittsburgh (10.0 points)

70+ Club in Upcoming Slate: Here are the college games that have opened up with an Over/Under closest to the 70-point mark, which potentially means a plethora of fantasy points. Enjoy these barn burners and roster some players in these games if you can.

66.5 points - UAB at Tennessee
62.5 points - Arkansas at Memphis
62.5 points - SMU at TCU
60.5 points - Tulane at Ole Miss

*Fantasy Points referenced are in DraftKings format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

American Conference Waiver Wire Pickups

Jake Retzlaff, QB, Tulane (22 Percent Rostered)

Retzlaff has the Green Wave undefeated and rolling through their opponents. That's not likely to continue against Ole Miss this week, but I'm confident Retzlaff will put up a fighting effort. He already has two 100-yard rushing games and six rushing scores. It really doesn't matter what he does through the air if he's going to be averaging 13.3 rushing attempts per game. He has lost a fumble in each of the last two games, but that's easily mitigated by 32.6 fantasy points per game. Even if he has a down week against SEC competition, he needs to be snagged up for the upcoming conference schedule.

Sutton Smith, RB, Memphis (28 Percent Rostered)

Smith has been getting better and better with each week. He opened the season with 13.2 fantasy points against Chattanooga on just 10 touches, then rumbled for 21.7 fantasy points at Georgia State, and then exploded for 29.0 last week with a 100-yard rushing performance at Troy. Memphis has a game with Arkansas this week, and it has one of the highest Vegas Over/Unders on the board. This is a great spot to pick him up if you didn't last week, and Smith should be great once American Conference play begins.

Week 3 Rewind: Memphis RB Sutton Smith (29.0 points - 18 ATT, 113 YDS, 2 TD, 2/3 TAR, 7 YDS) & North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker (23.9 points - 24/29, 211 YDS, 4 TD, 2 ATT, -5 YDS)

ACC Waiver Wire Pickups

Tommy Castellanos, QB, Florida State (47 Percent Rostered)

I understand that the Seminoles were on a bye last week, but this is crazy that he's under the 50 percent roster percentage. Florida State has upcoming games with Kent State and Virginia before its epic showdown with Miami. Castellanos could be one of the top performing fantasy quarterbacks over the next month of the season. I'm still shocked he's available for this waiver wire column, so go out and get him if you can. WR Duce Robinson (38 percent rostered) is also a recommendation.

Micah Ford, RB, Stanford (21 Percent Rostered)

Ford ranks ninth in the nation with 55 carries this season. While he did struggle in Week 2 at BYU (3.8 fantasy points), he was a great at Hawaii (22.5 fantasy points) in Week 0 and against Boston College (24.7 fantasy points) in Week 3. At 18.3 rushing attempts and 97.0 rushing yards per game, that's far too much volume to ignore. He's definitely a play at Virginia and against San Jose State the next two weeks.

Week 3 Rewind: NC State QB CJ Bailey (21.9 points - 23/32, 201 YDS, 3 TD, 8 ATT, 19 YDS) & Virginia RB J'Mari Taylor (9.1 points - 6 ATT, 31 YDS, 1 TD, 0/1 TAR)

BIG 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU (20 Percent Rostered)

Not only is Bear an amazing football name, he's also tied for second in the conference with three rushing touchdowns. Add in his three passing scores in Week 1 and the true freshman already has six total touchdowns in two games. While I'm sure he's not going to be consistent each and every week, he's a high upside play in a wild conference with a lot of offense. BYU has one final game at East Carolina before it delves into Big 12 play with Colorado, West Virginia, and Arizona which is a nice stretch for fantasy potential.

Raleek Brown, RB, Arizona State (33 Percent Rostered)

Brown has been one of the best running backs in the Big 12 to begin the season at 19.2 fantasy points per game. He's coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances and has even garnered 12 total targets. The Sun Devils start conference play at Baylor this week and that game could be crazy. He's been the primary back with 42 total touches compared to Kanye Udoh's (78 percent rostered) 33 total touches across three games. The wild card for both Brown and Udoh is if Kyson Brown (46 percent rostered) re-enters the mix.

Week 3 Rewind: Iowa State TE/WR Benjamin Brahmer (1.3 points - 1/1 TAR, 3 YDS) & Texas Tech QB Behren Morton (35.7 points - 23/35, 464 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT, 5 ATT, -9 YDS)

Big Ten Waiver Wire Pickups

Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana (13 Percent Rostered)

I guess this is a different type of Indiana team this year. It obliterated Indiana State 73-0 and Cooper had 57.7 fantasy points with 10 catches for 207 yards and four touchdowns. He is now the Big Ten's leading receiver at north of 22 fantasy points per game, ahead of Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith (100 percent rostered). Since Smith and the Buckeyes are on a bye, Cooper could keep the title for another week, although the Hoosiers do go up against a tough Illinois defense. Cooper is not an unknown either as he did have eight total touchdowns last year. QB Fernando Mendoza (43 percent rostered) is also worth a look if they become pass happy.

Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State (30 Percent Rostered)

Chiles has been great in his last two games at 28.3 fantasy points per game. He had five total touchdowns, including a rushing score against Boston College in Week 2. While he took a step back in Week 3 with just one touchdown and an interception, he posted a career-high 76 rushing yards on just eight attempts. If he can rush a bit more which it appears he is doing this year, he should be in fantasy lineups each and every week. Michigan State at USC is a sneaky good fantasy game this upcoming weekend.

Week 3 Rewind: Michigan State WR Omari Kelly (8.9 points - 4/6 TAR, 49 YDS) & Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola (17.6 points - 15/21, 222 YDS, 2 TD, 2 ATT, 7 YDS)

C-USA Waiver Wire Pickups

Kejon Owens, RB, FIU (5 Percent Rostered)

Owens was an absolute beast last week with 19 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a win over rival FAU. On 45 carries in 2025, he's averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Heck, I may even recommend him after this week against Delaware when the team has a bye week in Week 5. Hopefully, the fantasy nation takes notice and he's not eligible next week because he really should be rostered in more than 50 percent of leagues. Delaware's defense is far from good, so he is the top running back recommendation for this next week.

Jekail Middlebrook, RB, Middle Tennessee (11 Percent Rostered)

Middlebrook leads the nation at the running back position with 18 targets while averaging six reception opportunities per game. He's not just a pass-catching back either as he is averaging 11 carries per game. At just 11.3 fantasy points per game, he's likely displaying his floor as it's going to get much better once they start playing C-USA level competition. That starts soon as Middle Tennessee plays Kennesaw State in Week 5 after a game with Marshall where Middlebrook can be played.

Week 3 Rewind: Liberty QB Ethan Vasko (10.3 points - 13/24, 194 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT, 14 ATT, 5 YDS) & FIU RB Kejon Owens (37.2 points - 19 ATT, 173 YDS, 2 TD, 3/3 TAR, 19 YDS)

MAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Chase Hendricks, WR, Ohio (42 Percent Rostered)

Hendricks ranks eighth in the nation at the wide receiver position with a target share of 34.7 percent. He's a big reason why the Bobcats have been able to compete with a highly difficult schedule to begin the year. He's recorded two 100-yard receiving performances and is averaging 23.1 fantasy points per game. Those games were at Rutgers, West Virginia, and at Ohio State. If he can do that against those teams, just imagine what he's going to do to MAC defenses. This is my top recommendation at the wideout position.

Terry Lockett, WR, Eastern Michigan (6 Percent Rostered)

It does feel weird to go with two wideouts in the MAC, but it's still very warm in the Midwest. We'll definitely go double running backs in this conference once it starts to get cold and the snow enters the calculus. Lockett is well on his way to a career year with per game averages of 15 fantasy points on 5.3 catches (on 10.3 targets) and 78 yards. He impressed me against Kentucky in Week 3 with three catches for a season-high 90 yards and his first touchdown of the year. He's available in nearly all leagues too.

Week 3 Rewind: UMASS WR Jacquon Gibson (8.7 points - 5/10 TAR, 37 YDS) & Buffalo QB Ta'Quan Roberson (32.0 points - 28/40, 318 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 10 ATT, 63 YDS, 1 FL)

Mountain West Waiver Wire Pickups

Jaxxon Warren, TE, Colorado State (25 Percent Rostered)

Warren ranks third in the nation at the tight end position with a 25 percent target share. This can mostly be attributed to the 11 targets he had in the season opener against Washington. With just three targets in Week 2, he didn't follow up the big opener, but he remains a top-passing option for QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (17 percent rostered). Moreover, he's the next best thing since New Mexico's TE Dorian Thomas (54 percent) is on a bye. Thomas leads the nation at the position with a 31 percent target share.

Rayshon Luke, RB, Fresno State (28 Percent Rostered)

Over his last three games, Luke has six total touchdowns and a combined 74.9 fantasy points. The crazy part of all that is that not many fantasy rosters benefited from this explosive play with a lower roster percentage. That's what happens when you play on the west coast and not many people see your games. The Bulldogs travel to Hawaii in one of those late west coast games and Luke will attempt to make it four straight games with a touchdown.

Week 3 Rewind: New Mexico TE Dorian Thomas (7.1 points - 3/4 TAR, 41 YDS) & Nevada QB Chubba Purdy (11.1 points - 5/7, 88 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 9 ATT, 46 YDS)

SEC Waiver Wire Pickups

Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee (30 Percent Rostered)

If you can put up 37.0 fantasy points against a Georgia defense, you need to be rostered in more than 50 percent of leagues. Although he did have a pair of interceptions against the Dawgs, he dazzled as well with 371 passing yards and four touchdowns. He even added a rushing score in the thrilling overtime loss. With the next three games against UAB, Mississippi State, and Arkansas, Aguilar is a lock in fantasy lineups for the next month. Chris Brazzell (27 percent rostered) also needs a look with 27 targets and five touchdowns across three games.

Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma (14 Percent Rostered)

If you want some consistency at the tight end position, you can't go wrong with Kanak who leads the nation at the position with 245 receiving yards. The next closest tight end is Syracuse's Dan Villari (26 percent rostered) at 199 receiving yards. Kanak has at least four catches in all three games this year and is averaging 81.7 yards per contest. He should keep cooking in a competitive game with Auburn this week.

Week 3 Rewind: Texas WR Parker Livingstone (4.3 points - 2/3 TAR, 23 YDS) & Missouri TE Brett Norfleet (1.2 points - 1/3 TAR, 2 YDS)

Sun Belt Waiver Wire Pickups

Shelton Sampson, WR, Louisiana (12 Percent Rostered)

It's not often that I'm going to recommend a player that recorded zero fantasy points last week. The Ragin' Cajuns were clearly outmatched at Missouri and Sampson did receive four targets. In fact, he has been the team's top receiver with a 32.8 percent target share. It just hasn't shown up in the production numbers quite yet. If all goes according to plan, the LSU transfer should be quite good in conference play later this season. It will be interesting to see if he can begin heating up when it plays at Eastern Michigan this week.

Jaylen Raynor, QB, Arkansas State (25 Percent Rostered)

While not great the last two weeks, Raynor put up a respectable fight with 10.8 fantasy points at Arkansas and 22.2 fantasy points in a close game with Iowa State. Best of all in those games where the Red Wolves were outmatched, Raynor rushed 31 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. If he can do that against power conference competition, he'll have a lot of success against Kennesaw State and Louisiana-Monroe the next two weeks. I love watching for breakout players who have decent weeks against tougher competition.

Week 3 Rewind: Texas State QB Brad Jackson (18.3 points - 25/36, 184 YDS, 1 TD, 13 ATT, 9 YDS, 1 TD) & Georgia Southern WR Camden Brown (11.3 points - 2/5 TAR, 33 YDS, 1 TD)

INDEPENDENTS & PAC-12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame (29 Percent Rostered)

Two games for the Fighting Irish and Raridon is averaging 13.6 fantasy points per game. The senior tight end ranks fifth in the nation at the position with a target share of 21.7 percent. With a young quarterback in CJ Carr (27 percent rostered) and an offense that's not as good as it's going to be by the end of the year, this is a good time to invest some fantasy shares with Notre Dame playmakers. The schedule will get much easier over the next two weeks with Purdue and Arkansas.

Week 3 Rewind: UCONN WR Skyler Bell (16.2 points - 7/12 TAR, 92 YDS) 

DEFENSE & KICKER RECOMMENDATIONS

Defense

Florida State (vs. Kent State) - Rostered in just 22 percent of leagues because of a bye week in Week 3. The 'Noles have three sacks in each game against their first two opponents, one of them being Alabama. The defensive line should dominate against Kent State.

Louisville (vs. Bowling Green) - The D/ST has a touchdown in two straight games. Not sure if they can do it again, but they'll have a chance. The Cards are available in 92 percent of leagues.

LSU (vs. South Alabama) - Rostered in 43 percent of leagues. The Bayou Bengals turned over Florida five times, it's mind-blowing that they qualify for this list!

Week 3 Rewind: TCU vs. Abilene Christian (2.0 points - 21 PA, 4 SK), Maryland vs. Towson (14.5 points - 17 PA, 3 SK, 2 TA, 1 TD) & Illinois vs. Western Michigan (16.5 points - 0 PA, 3 SK)

Kicker

Will Ferrin, BYU - Ferrin leads the nation with 14 fantasy points per game. He's rostered in just 39 percent of leagues because the Cougars were on a bye last week.

Sean O'Haire, Maryland - Available in 92 percent of leagues, and he is averaging double-digit points through the first three games this year. Maryland should have FG opportunities at Wisconsin this week.

Will Bettridge, Virginia - Averaging 10.67 fantasy points per game and rostered in just one percent of leagues. Excellent pick-up against Stanford this week.

Week 3 Rewind: Pittsburgh Trey Butkowski (10.0 points - 3/4 FG, 1/1 XP), Boston College Luca Lombardo (8.0 points - 2/2 FG, 2/2 XP) & Arkansas Scott Starzyk (5.0 points - 0/2 FG, 5/5 XP)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: ARKST Jaylen Raynor, FSU Tommy Castellanos, TENN Joey Aguilar

RB: FIU Kejon Owens, AZST Raleek Brown, MEM Sutton Smith

WR: OHIO Chase Hendricks, IU Omar Cooper, EMU Terry Lockett

TE: ND Eli Raridon, CSU Jaxxon Warren, OU Jaren Kanak

D/ST: LSU (vs. SouAL), Florida State (vs. Kent St), Louisville (vs. BG)

K: BYU Will Ferrin, UVA Will Bettridge, UMD Sean O'Haire

Be sure to check out our college football custom rankings and our player rankings cheat sheet for up-to-date season-long rankings, as well as our college football weekly rankings to help guide your lineup decisions. During the season, our college football DFS optimizer and value report are powerful tools to help build DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.