We are already three weeks into the 2025 NFL season, and much has changed within the landscape of fantasy football. Several players have outperformed expectations by a wide margin and are worthy of adding off of waivers this week to your team if you have an open spot on your bench.
If these players continue on their current trajectories, they could end up being weekly starters by the end of the season. There are also a few honorable mentions below for those in deeper leagues.
Let’s go over six players you should be adding from waivers ahead of Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season!
Trey Benson (RB, ARI)
54.8% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
It’s an extreme rarity when I put a player on this list multiple times in the span of just a few weeks. However, Trey Benson’s fantasy outlook is in the midst of special circumstances, so I’ll make an exception.
It was unfortunate to see veteran running back James Conner go down with a serious ankle injury early in the third quarter of Arizona’s 15-16 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. After being carted off, Conner was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Reports have also already surfaced that practically confirm that the Cardinals’ top running back will miss the rest of the 2025 season.
This, obviously, leaves the door open for second-year running back Trey Benson to take on a more expanded role in Conner’s absence. Benson was one of my favorite late-round targets in fantasy drafts this offseason and has already impressed with a limited sample size of touches. With a larger workload on the horizon, Benson could end up as one of fantasy football’s most valuable running backs.
He may be owned in over half of all ESPN fantasy leagues, but the ownership percentage is barely above half. He will be available in many leagues and should be the top priority for any owner to add heading into Week 4.
Rico Dowdle (RB, CAR)
5.5% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle isn’t the flashiest waiver pick-up, but he has the chance to make an immediate impact on your fantasy roster.
After adding Dowdle, a former Dallas Cowboy, in free agency this offseason, many fantasy managers were left wondering how Carolina’s backfield would be split up in terms of rushing volume.
While fellow Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard has gotten plenty of volume on the ground and through the air so far this season, Dowdle has also sneakily been receiving more and more volume with each passing week.
The veteran running back received three carries in Week 1, six carries in Week 2, and ten carries in Week 3 against Atlanta, one of which was converted into a rushing touchdown.
Importantly, Dowdle has begun to receive goal-line carries, meaning his chances at cashing in for touchdowns on a weekly basis have skyrocketed. At the very least, Rico Dowdle is a high-level handcuff capable of putting together a productive outing if Carolina ever needs him for a quick start in Hubbard’s stead.
However, after putting up 1,079 rushing yards in Dallas in 2024, it’s hard to deny Dowdle’s ceiling in fantasy football. He’s a low-risk addition who is currently flying under the radar. His rushing volume has increased every week this season, and I’m willing to bet he’ll score a few more touchdowns before it’s all said and done.
Tre Tucker (WR, LV)
2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Tre Tucker exploded in terms of production in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders’ defense for eight receptions, 145 receiving yards, and a whopping three receiving touchdowns. There’s no doubt that Tucker will be at the top of many managers’ lists heading into waivers this week.
It’s not really fair to say that this breakout came out of nowhere, since Tucker was a solid contributor to Las Vegas’ passing game in both 2023 and 2024. The former Cincinnati Bearcat has developed into a versatile deep threat who is capable of taking the top off of a defense at any given moment. While Las Vegas came away with a loss, Tucker’s performance undoubtedly earned him a larger role in the coming weeks.
There’s a definite chance that Tucker ends up being a one-week-wonder, but if you’re in need of some help at wide receiver, I’d attempt to add Tucker, who presents a boom-or-bust option for lineups on a weekly basis if you’re in a pinch.
Elic Ayomanor (WR, TEN)
21.1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Former Stanford standout wide receiver Elic Ayomanor was selected late in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and is quickly proving many teams wrong for passing up on his talent.
Throughout training camp, Ayomanor played well enough to work his way into Tennessee’s Week 1 starting lineup and has never looked back, registering 107 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns just three games into his NFL career.
The 6’2”, 206 lbs receiver has developed a strong chemistry with 2025 first-overall pick Cam Ward, and the two have now connected in the end zone twice in the last two weeks. If he continues to gain the trust of his quarterback and his coaching staff, he could end up becoming one of the more productive rookie wide receivers in football this season.
Brenton Strange (TE, JAX)
21.3% Rostered in ESPN Fantasy Leagues
In a sloppy offensive performance from the Jaguars as a team, tight end Brenton Strange was a bright spot in an otherwise unreliable Jacksonville receiving room during the team’s narrow 17-10 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.
While other receivers were dropping routine passes from Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Strange was hauling them in for key offensive gains. His consistency in this offense could earn him more targets from Lawrence over time.
The young tight end recorded six receptions off of seven targets for 61 receiving yards against Houston, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards.
The tight end position is important in fantasy football, and every advantage matters, especially in that part of your lineup. Brenton Strange is currently seeing his offensive role grow, so I wouldn’t hold off on adding him to your bench. He could end up becoming a valuable piece at a volatile position for your squad.
Hunter Henry (TE, NE)
48.9% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
While he hasn’t been the most consistent contributor in 2025, veteran tight end Hunter Henry rebounded from a nine-yard performance in Week 2 by putting up eight receptions for 90 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Pittsburgh in Week 3.
He has been a solid option for quarterback Drake Maye in the red zone so far, meaning that Henry could have some real value if he can string some touchdowns together. While he’s not my highest-priority addition, Hunter Henry could be an intriguing asset if he manages to see a more consistent amount of volume each week.
Regardless, Henry has a talented quarterback throwing him the ball, and I think he has the potential to finish as a top-12 tight end in 2025 if he becomes more involved every week.
HM. Ollie Gordon II (RB, MIA)
HM. Blake Corum (RB, LAR)
HM. Luther Burden III (WR, CHI)
HM. Tory Horton (WR, SEA)
HM. Tyquan Thornton (WR, KC)
HM. Chig Okonkwo (TE, TEN)
HM. Oronde Gadsden II (TE, LAC)