Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 10
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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.
Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.
Week 10 byes- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / GettyDaniel Jones, Giants| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. HOU | 40% | $4 |
Even though the Texans have an underrated pass defense, Jones is still a quality pickup for fantasy managers in need of help at quarterback.
The 25-year-old has overcome average passing stats this season by increasing his rushing production. He sits fourth in rushing yards per game by a quarterback (45.4) and has reached the end zone three times on the ground.
His schedule is also enticing down the stretch, with favorable matchups against the Lions (Week 11), Commanders (Week 13 and 15), and Vikings (Week 16) over the next seven games.
Streaming options: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. LAC (39% rostered), Marcus Mariota at CAR (33% rostered)
Risky streaming options: Andy Dalton at PIT (15% rostered)
Risky streaming options (if healthy): Ryan Tannehill vs. DEN (13% rostered)
Dart-throw streaming options: Kenny Pickett vs. NO (7% rostered), Jacoby Brissett at MIA (7% rostered), Davis Mills at NYG (7% rostered), P.J. Walker vs. ATL (6% rostered)
Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Case Keenum vs. MIN (0% rostered), Malik Willis vs. DEN (3% rostered)
Running backs
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRachaad White, Buccaneers| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. SEA | 34% | $11 |
The waiver wire doesn't offer much in terms of immediate relief for fantasy managers searching for spot starters this week, since no big injuries opened the door for a ball carrier to earn more snaps.
Instead, we'll shift our focus to a long-term approach. White has been consistently mentioned in this article as a high-upside backup, and with Leonard Fournette failing to provide a spark in the Buccaneers' run game, the rookie's usage is on the rise.
Fournette is averaging less than 3 yards per carry over the last month. YPC is a flawed stat, but when the number is that low, it's a troubling sign.
Meanwhile, White handled a season-high 12 touches in Week 9 and could continue to earn more in the second half of the season.
He needs to be rostered as a flex option who has a chance to overtake Fournette if things continue down this path.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. JAX | 30% | $9 |
The Chiefs' rushing attack was stifled by the Titans' defensive front and a surprisingly poor game script, leading to an embarrassing 12 carries for 14 yards by the trio of Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Jerick McKinnon.
Even after Pacheco was named the starter a few weeks back, Kansas City continues to roll out a committee, and some fantasy managers will start to show their frustration by dropping the seventh-round rookie from their rosters.
However, we're approaching Pacheco as a buy or a hold. He's played more snaps than CEH the last two games and would likely distance himself further in a positive game script.
Fortunately for him, the Chiefs' schedule is about to soften. Andy Reid and Co. get the Jaguars and Chargers the next two weeks - two of the 10 easiest matchups for fantasy backs.
As we mentioned last week, the Chiefs also have one of the easiest starts to the fantasy playoffs with the Texans (Week 15) and Seahawks (Week 16), and those are both among the 10 friendliest opponents for fantasy backs as well.
Keep stashing Pacheco to see if he can emerge from the pack in K.C.
Jeff Wilson Jr. is above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in all leagues.
High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (45% rostered), Jaylen Warren (7% rostered), Samaje Perine (6% rostered), and Zamir White (2% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Kenneth Gainwell vs. WAS (14% rostered)
Flex options (if healthy): Chuba Hubbard vs. ATL (33% rostered)
Risky flex options: Jerick McKinnon vs. JAX (14% rostered), Latavius Murray at TEN (31% rostered), Dontrell Hilliard vs. DEN (18% rostered), Travis Homer at TB (1% rostered)
Risky flex options (if healthy): Kyren Williams vs. ARI (42% rostered)
Risky flex options (if starter is out): Zack Moss at LV (4% rostered), Jordan Wilkins at LV (0% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Isaiah Spiller at SF (3% rostered), Chase Edmonds at TEN (48% rostered), Jordan Howard at PIT (0% rostered), JaMycal Hasty at KC (6% rostered), Matt Breida vs. HOU (1% rostered), Rex Burkhead at NYG (8% rostered), Justin Jackson at CHI (0% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Kylin Hill vs. DAL (0% rostered)
Other backups to consider: James Cook vs. MIN (19% rostered), Caleb Huntley at CAR (25% rostered), Tyrion Davis-Price vs. LAC (1% rostered)
Bye-week stashes: Justice Hill (5% rostered)
Wide receivers
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDonovan Peoples-Jones, Browns| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at MIA | 21% | $9 |
The fact that Peoples-Jones is only rostered in 21% of leagues tells you the fantasy community hasn't realized just how productive he's been over the last five games.
Prior to the Browns' Week 9 bye, DPJ posted stat lines of 5-71-0, 4-50-0, 4-74-0, 6-71-0, and 4-81-0.
Peoples-Jones has the 16th-most receiving yards of any receiver over their last five games, but the lack of touchdowns is depressing his overall fantasy numbers.
Capitalize on that situation before he starts finding the end zone and before Cleveland gets a QB upgrade when Deshaun Watson returns in Week 13.
Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| vs. ATL | 6% | $9 |
Marshall is finally getting more opportunity now that Robbie Anderson has left Carolina. And over the last two games, he has delivered.
The sophomore wideout caught four passes for 87 yards on nine targets against the Falcons in Week 8, then followed it up with three grabs, 53 yards, and a touchdown versus the Bengals on Sunday.
Next up is a rematch with the Falcons, making him an intriguing WR4/flex option.
George Pickens and Kadarius Toney are above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.
Flex options: Wan'Dale Robinson vs. HOU (25% rostered), Darius Slayton at HOU (5% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. JAX (44% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. JAX (48% rostered)
Flex options (if Adam Thielen is out): K.J. Osborn at BUF (5% rostered)
Risky flex options: Michael Gallup at GB (39% rostered), Isaiah McKenzie vs. MIN (39% rostered), DeAndre Carter at SF (31% rostered), Zay Jones at KC (24% rostered), Marvin Jones Jr. at KC (6% rostered)
Risky flex options (if healthy): Nico Collins at NYG (12% rostered), Jarvis Landry at PIT (17% rostered)
Risky flex options (if Brandin Cooks/Nico Collins are out): Chris Moore at NYG (0% rostered), Phillip Dorsett at NYG (1% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options: Alec Pierce at LV (34% rostered), Parris Campbell at LV (27% rostered), Mack Hollins vs. IND (11% rostered), Kalif Raymond at CHI (12% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus at CAR (1% rostered), Scotty Miller vs. SEA (0% rostered), Samori Toure vs. DAL (0% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Jahan Dotson at PHI (18% rostered), Josh Reynolds at CHI (18% rostered), Christian Watson vs. DAL (3% rostered)
Dart-throw flex options (if Keenan Allen is out): Michael Bandy at SF (0% rostered)
Injured-reserve stashes: Odell Beckham Jr. (24% rostered), Treylon Burks (17% rostered), Jameson Williams (22% rostered)
Tight ends
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyGreg Dulcich, Broncos| Next Up | Rostered | FAB |
|---|---|---|
| at TEN | 35% | $19 |
Since making his debut in Week 6, Dulcich is averaging 10.1 fantasy points per game in half-PPR leagues. That's the fourth-most among tight ends during that time.
The rookie also has an incredibly easy schedule with mostly advantageous matchups the rest of the way. His only difficult opponent - in terms of fantasy points permitted to tight ends - is the Rams, and they don't appear until Week 16.
Consider Dulcich a low-end fantasy TE1 and a lucky gift if you're in one of the 65% of leagues where he's still available.
Streamer options (if starter out): Cade Otton vs. SEA (11% rostered)
Risky streamer options: Noah Fant at TB (10% rostered), Cole Kmet vs. DET (23% rostered)
Risky streamer options (if starter out): Dan Arnold at KC (0% rostered), Foster Moreau vs. IND (4% rostered)
Dart-throw streamer options: Will Dissly at TB (12% rostered), Juwan Johnson at PIT (12% rostered), Logan Thomas at PHI (0% rostered), Tanner Hudson vs. HOU (0% rostered), Tommy Tremble vs. ATL (0% rostered)
DefensesWeek 10 streamers| Team | Next Up | Rostered |
|---|---|---|
| Giants | vs. HOU | 7% |
| Titans | vs. DEN | 20% |
| Broncos | at TEN | 46% |
| Saints | at PIT | 36% |
| Falcons | at CAR | 7% |
| Raiders | vs. IND | 15% |
Favorable upcoming schedules: Broncos (46% rostered), Jets (19% rostered), Commanders (5% rostered)
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