Week 10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Top Pickups & Adds

Week 10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Top Targets

1. Jordyn Tyson
2. Corey Kiner
3. Audric Estime
4. Ryan Flournoy
5. Aaron Rodgers

Welcome to Week 10 of the waiver wire.

Recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.

The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in fewer than 5% of ESPN leagues, for all you “not in my league” degens.

I do not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because a much better resource for researching what you need to bid is available, thanks to our friends at FAABLab.

Finally, I do not rank kickers and defenses because, frankly, I don't care about them and would like to see them disappear from the game.

With those caveats out of the way, let's get to it.

Week 10 Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Geno Smith

Week 10 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Corey Kiner
2. Audric Estime
3. Mike Washington
4. Bam Knight

Week 10 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Jordyn Tyson
2. Ryan Flournoy
3. Mack Hollins
4. Tutu Atwell
5. Konata Mumpfield

Week 10 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Chig Okonkwo
2. Colby Parkinson
3. Brevyn Spann-Ford

Week 10 Quarterback Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers — Available in 67.1% of ESPN leagues

The Steelers have leaned more into the run the last two games, but they remain sixth in pass rate over expected for the season. The Bengals lead that metric, and it is not even close. This game has a 49.5-point total, and that has already been climbing early this week. The Bengals quieted Michael Penix last week, but they are still a defense I want to target for streaming quarterbacks, especially since the Cincy offense can create fun game environments. Rodgers threw for 292 yards and 3 scores in his first meeting with the Bengals this season.

2. Geno Smith, Jets — Available in 77.5% of ESPN leagues

I guess? The real answer is Rodgers is the only streaming option I really feel comfortable with, but I wanted to give a second option. Buffalo's defense has put up good numbers the last two weeks, but the competition was lacking. Baltimore lost two quarterbacks to injury in the first half two weeks ago, and Minnesota's offense looked lost on Monday night. I would feel better about Smith if Garrett Wilson returned for this game, but he should be pushed to throw against a defense I think is still a target for fantasy production.

Watch List

• Fernando Mendoza is now the starter in Las Vegas. Kirk Cousins was a reliable fantasy option for much of the season, so perhaps the rookie could be useful in 1QB formats at some point. The problem is he opens his career against the Seahawks, then has away games against the Broncos and Browns before the bye week.
• J.J. McCarthy has a good matchup against the Commanders on Thursday night, but he is entering that short-week game after suffering a hip injury on Sunday. There is a real risk of reinjury, and the Giants will likely try to run the ball as much as possible to protect him.
• Jacoby Brissett is expected to start for the Ravens this week against a Chargers defense that was just lit up by C.J. Stroud. I don't want to chase that matchup in Brissett's first start with the team, especially since I do not trust the Chargers to push back on the other side even if Justin Herbert is healthy enough to suit up.

Week 10 Running Back Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Corey Kiner, Patriots — Available in 94.5% of ESPN leagues

The waiver wire is very weak right now, but Kiner would be a priority add even in more fruitful times. Rhamondre Stevenson appears headed toward an extended absence, and TreVeyon Henderson is dealing with what sounds like a serious illness. It is interesting that the Patriots did not put Henderson on injured reserve last week, suggesting they expect him back before Week 14, but every indication is that Kiner will get the start this week against the Lions in Germany.

2. Audric Estime, Saints — Available in 91.6% of ESPN leagues

Estime immediately sparked the Saints' rushing attack, rushing 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown. Given how much the Saints have struggled to run all season, that kind of performance should earn Estime more snaps moving forward. That is, if Travis Etienne remains on injured reserve. Etienne is eligible to return, and while there have been no solid reports on his progress, it would not be surprising if he is back at practice this week. That could make Estime a one-week wonder. Even if Etienne does not return, Estime could get scripted out this week against the Panthers, making him a risky FAAB spend.

3. Mike Washington, Raiders — Available in 70.8% of ESPN leagues

The concerns raised about Washington last week proved valid. Washington split the carries evenly with Ashton Jeanty, but he played just 15 snaps with the Raiders in a trailing game script all day. Jeanty ran 23 routes to just 3 for Washington. That type of usage means Washington is just a handcuff, especially since he has not kicked the door down with his performance on the ground the last two weeks, but we have already seen this situation turn once this season. That makes Washington a better stash than most of the handcuff tier.

4. Bam Knight, Cardinals — Available in 93% of ESPN leagues

Tyler Allgeier handled all of the running back work in Week 9 with Jeremiyah Love and Knight sidelined. Knight should be back this week, though, and the last time he and Allgeier led the backfield together, it was an even split with Knight looking like the better back. That makes him worth stashing in deeper leagues to see what happens, but the Arizona offense is also down to zero viable wide receivers and starting a rookie at quarterback. We also could see James Conner return at some point.

Watch List

• Josh Jacobs is out for at least a few weeks. Perhaps that means someone like MarShawn Lloyd or Kaleb Johnson should be a priority add this week, but what is the upside in this running game? Johnson had success last week, but the Packers have already chosen Lloyd and Pierre Strong over him once this year. They should also get Chris Brooks back soon. More importantly, they played the Vikings this week before going on bye. I am not going to push too hard against anyone taking a shot on Johnson after his success, especially since it is not a great week on the wire, but this really feels like a low-reward situation.
• With Jonathan Taylor staying put at the trade deadline, Seth McGowan goes back into the handcuff group. Kaelon Black, Emmett Johnson, Ray Davis, Samaje Perine, and Chris Rodriguez remain my favorites in that group.
• Chuba Hubbard has played well enough in the lead role to keep the job no matter what, but Jonathon Brooks is set to return from injured reserve in the near future. I believe that will be in a complementary role, but he could be worth stashing to see how the situation plays out.

Deep Cuts

• Dylan Sampson ran a route on 71.4% of the dropbacks in Week 9. He now has 3, 7, and 6 targets since returning to the lineup.
• With Brian Robinson Jr. on injured reserve, Khalil Herbert now looks like the handcuff for Bijan Robinson.
• I have no idea when James Conner is coming back. I don't know if the Cardinals know when Conner is coming back. I am not sure it matters either way. Still, it would not be shocking to see Conner contribute to the Arizona backfield down the stretch this season.

Week 10 Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Jordyn Tyson, Saints — Available in 60.9% of ESPN leagues

It is an awful week on the wire, but Tyson stands out as the clear best addition. He was limited to a 34.8% route rate in his first taste of NFL action, but that should quickly rise as he gets back into playing shape. More importantly, he was targeted on 31.3% of those routes, earning 5 targets and 4 receptions on just 16 routes. One of those catches ended in a costly fumble, which is less than ideal, but Tyson is a first-round talent who should be a full-time player in the near future.

2. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys — Available in 70% of ESPN leagues

George Pickens was not moved at the trade deadline, but he is currently managing a hamstring injury that has him questionable to face the 49ers in Week 10. If he sits, Flournoy would once again be an every-route player for the Cowboys. That did not result in much last week before a massive, game-saving catch in the fourth quarter, but Flournoy has a long history of being a viable fantasy option when he gets the snaps.

3. Mack Hollins, Patriots — Available in 92.7% of ESPN leagues

A.J. Brown will travel with the team to Germany, which leaves open the chance of him playing against the Lions. If he sits again, though, Hollins will once again be a viable bye-week fill-in. Hollins ran a route on 73.9% of the dropbacks in Week 9, finishing second on the team with 6 targets.

4. Tutu Atwell, Rams — Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues
5. Konata Mumpfield, Rams — Available in 98.3% of ESPN leagues

I genuinely am not sure what to do with the Rams' receiver situation. Davante Adams is already out and might not be back until December. Puka Nacua is also expected to miss multiple weeks, and he could also be headed to injured reserve. With Adams sidelined over the last three games, the Rams have simply not targeted any receiver aside from Nacua. Atwell has 9 targets and 4 receptions in 3 games, and Mumpfield has 6 targets with 3 receptions. Three tight ends and a running back have more receptions over the last three weeks. Atwell did make a big play two games ago and was more involved last week, so he would be my dart throw, but that is all this is. The Rams will likely try to sit on the ball as much as possible this week against a rookie quarterback and then figure things out during the bye.

Watch List

• I was ready to be back in on Caleb Douglas, who is averaging 2.26 yards per route run (WR16), but Malik Willis is now headed to injured reserve. Kyle McCord will make his first NFL regular-season appearance this week against the Colts.
• Houston receivers are coming off a massive day. Tank Dell had his second big play of the season in just two games, and Kayshon Boutte went for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. The problem is there are just so many guys getting snaps. Xavier Hutchinson led the team with an 85% route participation rate, followed by Nico Collins (77.5%), Dell (55%), Boutte (35%), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (35%). Projecting this receiver room week to week will be a nightmare.
• I have no idea what will happen with Brandon Aiyuk, but there are a lot of receiver-needy teams.
• Ja'Kobi Lane gets a lifeline with Jacoby Brissett joining the Ravens.
• Dontayvion Wicks should be back after the bye week.
• The 49ers traded for Keenan Allen, and they could get a couple of receivers back this week. Still, it should be mentioned that Jordan Watkins has been turning his good route participation rate into targets the last two games.

Deep Cuts

• Michael Wilson‘s season-ending injury opens up opportunity in Arizona. Reggie Virgil sticks out as the primary target for deep leaguers, though Simi Fehoko, Devin Duvernay, and Zay Jones (practice squad) could also be worth a look. It is important to remember, though, that these receivers are likely to have rookie Carson Beck at quarterback the rest of the way.
• Unless there is some incoming Alec Pierce news, Laquon Treadwell is seemingly the No. 1 receiver in Indianapolis with Ashton Dulin, Deion Burks, Anthony Gould, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine behind him. All can be chased in deep leagues, and at least Burks has youth and speed on his side, but you are buying into what could be the worst offense in the league the rest of the way.
• It looks like Xavier Worthy‘s injury is serious, and Cyrus Allen‘s two highest route participation rates have been the last two weeks. Unfortunately for anyone excited about adding Allen, the Chiefs traded for Josh Downs ahead of the deadline.
• Savion Williams is still not running enough routes, but the Packers get him the ball when he is on the field.
• Malachi Fields has taken over as the No. 2 receiver for the Giants.
• Tez Johnson was a full-time player against the Bears.
• I don't want to invest in the Chargers offense, but Tre Harris is at least interesting if Ladd McConkey is forced to miss more time.

Week 10 Tight End Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

1. Chig Okonkwo, Commanders — Available in 86.3% of ESPN leagues

I'm continuing to buy into Okonkwo. Since returning from injury, Jayden Daniels‘ 6.9 air yards per attempt ranks 20th among 32 qualified quarterbacks, and he has thrown between 0 and 10 yards on 47.3% of his attempts (8th). Okonkwo lives in that part of the field, so it is not surprising he leads the team in targets over those four games. Okonkwo has just 1 end-zone target this season and has scored 8 career receiving touchdowns, so he is a much better bet in PPR formats.

2. Colby Parkinson, Rams — Available in 96.6% of ESPN leagues

This would have been Terrance Ferguson, but he looks set to miss another few weeks after injuring his hamstring in practice. Puka Nacua is set to miss some time, and the Rams do not have any other viable receivers on the roster. They should lean as hard as possible into the run this week, but when they throw, it will likely be to a tight end. Tyler Higbee got more targets last week, but Parkinson was returning from injury in that game. More importantly, Parkinson has a long history of being targeted at a high rate per route in this offense.

3. Brevyn Spann-Ford, Cowboys — Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues

Jake Ferguson managed to play last week, which kept Spann-Ford as a part-time player, but Ferguson then suffered a serious knee injury that is likely to knock him out for several weeks. The Cowboys have a tough matchup with the 49ers this week, so Spann-Ford might be more of a stash than an immediate streaming option. Still, he has run a route on 68.5% of the dropbacks without Ferguson on the field this season, seeing a target on 19.1% of those routes.

Watch List

• Hunter Henry recovered faster than expected, but Eli Raridon still ran a route on 41.3% of the snaps and logged 3 catches for 52 yards. That type of usage is not enough to keep Raridon viable in standard-sized leagues, but he remains a name to keep tabs on.
• Darren Waller had a big game against the Broncos, but as we have seen from him before, that came attached to a spike in target rate per route rather than more routes overall. He still was more of a part-time player, and he has strong competition at receiver for targets even when he is on the field.
• I am not sure it will matter for most fantasy leagues, but Elijah Higgins could see a big bump in routes given all the injuries at wide receiver in Arizona. He set a season-high for route participation in Week 9.