⁠Fantasy football last-minute pickups for Week 4 - ESPN

At various points during the fantasy football season, injuries, bye weeks and breaking news can cause you to need reinforcements for your fantasy lineup. Every Friday throughout the 2026 NFL season, Matt Bowen will offer some late-week pickup options at each of the primary fantasy positions to help fill those holes, with an emphasis on deeper leagues.

Because of that, this column will focus mostly on players rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with occasional exceptions.

Looking at the Week 4 NFL slate — and the available players — I'll start with the wide receiver position. I have two veteran pass catchers who are seeing consistent volume and producing solid fantasy numbers. There are options at quarterback, too, and one signal-caller could be getting his top target back. We'll also hit on the running backs in line to see an increased role due to injury, plus I have a tight end and a defense to get into lineups.

Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears (48.4% rostered; vs. Jets)

The Bears haven't announced whether Case Keenum or Tyson Bagent will start at QB for the Week 4 home game versus the Jets, but either way I'm still pushing for Raymond based on his route deployment in Ben Johnson's offense. Raymond scored 21 points in the Week 3 win over the Eagles, and he has at least five receptions in all three games played this season. Raymond will see the ball as an outlet on crossers, sit routes and unders, plus he has the speed to create big plays (deep over routes and verticals). Raymond fits as a WR3 this week.

Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts (46.6% rostered; vs. Commanders)

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