Fantasy Football: Week 10 Waiver Wire
We’re headed into Week 10, so it’s time to make that playoff push and get that #FootclanTitle! Check out today’s podcast for the full Week 10 Waiver Wire breakdown or jump straight to it on YouTube. Here are the top adds for this week.
Wide Receivers
Widely Owned (but worth checking):
PIT JuJu Smith-Schuster (77% owned)
NYG Sterling Shepard (71% owned)
ATL Mohamed Sanu (65% owned)
BAL Jeremy Maclin (62% owned)
NYJ Robby Anderson (54% owned)
Week 9: 4/48/1 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
Robby Anderson is the number 1 wide receiver in an offense that currently features a QB1 in Josh McCown. I can’t believe those words just passed my brain and landed in this article. The truth is, Josh McCown, is a QB1 through 9 weeks and Robby Anderson is the WR15. This Jets offense is much better than anyone has given them credit for and they have some favorable matchups coming up to end the season. Jermaine Kearse has been another consistent and solid option for fantasy owners as well. Regardless of game script, the Jets will likely be throwing more to move the chains and that makes both Anderson and Kearse appealing options.
NYJ Jermaine Kearse (51% owned)
Week 9: 2/38/0 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
See Robby Anderson above.
TEN Corey Davis (45% owned)
Week 9: 2/28/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Cin, @Pit, @Ind, Hou, @Ari, @SF, LAR, Jax
Corey Davis had a great game in his first NFL game in Week 1. He had 6 receptions on 10 targets for 69 yards in his debut. Davis was finally active this past week for the first time since Week 2. He had just 2 reception on 5 targets for 28 yards receiving so you may have a good chance at acquiring him from waivers should he be available. I expect Davis’ targets and opportunities to increase as the season progresses. He is worth a pickup but I’d wait to see his workload increase before starting him.
SF Marquise Goodwin (12% owned)
Week 9: 2/68/0 on 8 targets
Remaining Schedule: NYG, Bye, Sea, @Chi, @Hou, Ten, Jax, @LAR
49ers quarterback, CJ Beathard didn’t look terrible last week but I still would trust any wide receiver on this offense. With Pierre Garcon out for the season, Goodwin gets a slight bump here but Carlos Hyde is heavily involved in the passing game and is the only 49er worth rostering at the moment. That could change if/when Jimmy Garoppolo takes over.
LAR Robert Woods (34% owned)
Week 9: 4/70/2 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Hou, @Min, NO, @Ari, Phi, @Sea, @Ten, SF
Robert Woods has quietly been one of the safest wide receiver options this season. He has double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats in 6 of 9 games so far on the season. His monster, two-touchdown game this past week will have a lot of people targeting him. Those 2 touchdowns were his first touchdowns on the season. Unlike his teammate, Cooper Kupp, Woods is not targeted much in the red zone. Kupp has been targeted 15 times in the red zone which is the best in the NFL. Woods has just 3 targets. Robert Woods is about 1/3 owned in fantasy leagues and should be rostered. He will provide you a safe floor but besides last week, doesn’t have much of a ceiling. With the way, Jared Goff has been playing, Woods could end up as a great WR3/flex option on a weekly basis but if you are looking for the bigger upside, Kupp is likely that guy given his red zone target volume.
LAR Cooper Kupp (55% owned)
Week 9: 3/54/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Hou, @Min, NO, @Ari, Phi, @Sea, @Ten, SF
See Robert Woods above.
NE Danny Amendola (49% owned)
Week 9 Bye
Remaining Schedule: @Den, @Oak, Mia, @Buf, @Mia, @Pit, Buf, NYJ
Danny Amendola began the season catching 6 of 7 targets for an even 100 receiving yards. Since Week 1, Amendola has been pretty quiet with the emergence of wide receiver, Chris Hogan. Brandin Cooks has been a big playmaker for the Patriots as well and Rob Gronkowski is always gobbling up targets. There are a lot of mouths to feed in New England and I haven’t even mentioned the running backs. With Chris Hogan out for a few weeks due to a shoulder injury, Amendola could see an increase in targets, but it may not be enough to start him. He does have some appeal to some so you could always add him and package him in a trade offer.
JAX Marqise Lee (37% owned)
Week 9: 8/75/1 on 12 targets
Remaining Schedule: LAC, @Cle, @Ari, Ind, Sea, Hou, @SF, @Ten
If his name isn’t Allen Robinson then owning a Jaguar wide receiver isn’t typically something you want to do. Marqise Lee, however, has 17 receptions on 28 targets for 230 yards and a touchdown in his last 3 weeks. He has provided a safe floor as his lowest receiving yards total in those 3 weeks is 72. Lee has 2 fewer targets in the red zone than his teammate, Allen Hurns but has been the more consistent wide receiver of the two. Only 37% owned, Lee would be a good add given down the stretch as his schedule looks favorable for fantasy purposes.
WAS Jamison Crowder (56% owned)
Week 9: Out
Remaining Schedule: Min, @NO, NYG, @Dal, @LAC, Ari, Den, @NYG
Crowder finally broke out for a productive fantasy game in Week 8 but missed last week with a hamstring injury. He showed promise in that game but it truly was an outlier given his production so far this season. Josh Doctson has shown his potential as well in a few games this season but has yet to really break out. Kirk Cousins has spread the ball around so much this season that it would be difficult to trust any wide receiver in the offense. As promising as Josh Doctson looks, Ryan Grant and Terrelle Pryor have more targets than he does on the season. Stay away from the Redskins wideouts.
WAS Josh Doctson (29% owned)
Week 9: 3/59/0 on 5 targets
Remaining Schedule: Min, @NO, NYG, @Dal, @LAC, Ari, Den, @NYG
See Jamison Crowder above.
DAL Terrance Williams (10% owned)
Week 9: 9/141/0 on 9 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Atl, Phi, LAC, Was, @NYG, @Oak, Sea, @Phi
Terrance Williams had his best game of the season last week. He caught all 9 of his targets for 141 receiving yards. Yes, Dez Bryant did sprain his ankle and left the game but the majority of Williams’ production came with Bryant on the field. Cole Beasley scored twice in this game and had not been a stranger in the red zone for the Cowboys this season. Brice Butler has had a couple of decent games this season but his target volume hasn’t been there for him. Should Bryant miss some time or is limited in any way, Williams would be the guy to add here but I wouldn’t be too thrilled as Dak Prescott loves to spread the ball around.
DAL Cole Beasley (18% owned)
Week 9: 4/24/2 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Atl, Phi, LAC, Was, @NYG, @Oak, Sea, @Phi
See Terrance Williams above.
DAL Brice Butler (1% owned)
Week 9: 1/6/0 on 3 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Atl, Phi, LAC, Was, @NYG, @Oak, Sea, @Phi
See Terrance Williams above.
Running Backs
NYG Orleans Darkwa (63% owned)
Week 9: 16/71/0 — 2/8/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @SF, KC, @Was, @Oak, Dal, Phi, @Ari, Was
Orleans Darkwa is a name I’ve been talking about since before his breakout game against the Chargers in Week 5. Given the talent scarcity in the position, Darkwa should be owned in all leagues. He is a decent RB2 if you need to fill that spot or flex. He provides a safe floor and has some nice matchups in the second half of the season.
MIA Damien Williams (33% owned)
Week 9: 7/14/0 — 6/47/1 on 6 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Car, TB, @NE, Den, NE, @Buf, @KC, Buf
The great debate between who is the Miami Dolphins running back to own once Jay Ajayi left. The assessment after the Sunday night game would tell you that Damien Williams should be a decent option in the passing game and Kenyan Drake as the early-down back. Drake did look like the better back in that game but both had a fair share of work. Both are solid flex options going forward with Williams being more valuable in PPR formats.
MIA Kenyan Drake (53% owned)
Week 9: 9/69/0 — 6/35/0 on 6 targets — 1 fumble lost
Remaining Schedule: @Car, TB, @NE, Den, NE, @Buf, @KC, Buf
See Damien Williams above.
IND Marlon Mack (49% owned)
Week 9: 9/29/0
Remaining Schedule: Pit, Bye, Ten, @Jax, @Buf, Den, @Bal, Hou
Marlon Mack continues to be a stash on your bench until the Colts finally decide to see what they truly have in their rookie running back. With Andrew Luck now officially out for the season, it would only make sense to test the waters with their young talent and give Mack a full workload. With that said, the Colts continue to heavily feature 34-year-old, Frank Gore. Who knows if they will make the switch this season but you’ll want Mack in the event that happens.
BAL Danny Woodhead (33% owned)
Out since Week 1
Remaining Schedule: Bye, @GB, Hou, Det, @Pit, @Cle, Ind, Cin
This backfield has seen so much transition this season so why not add Danny Woodhead to the mix. The truth is, Danny Woodhead has the potential to produce RB1 numbers in PPR as he has done in the past. He will be returning soon and could play a big factor on your fantasy teams down the stretch. If you can afford the bench spot, grab Woodhead while you can.
NYJ Matt Forte (42% owned)
Week 9: 14/77/2 — 4/19/0 on 4 targets
Remaining Schedule: @TB, Bye, Car, KC, @Den, @NO, LAC, @NE
Matt Forte has been a very effective all-around running back since his return from injury in Week 6. Forte does have some tough matchups and a bye week in the second half of the season but he is utilized in the passing game as well which makes him game script proof. Bilal Powell gets his fair share of work in this offense as well but Forte has been the better option.
WAS Rob Kelley (32% owned)
Week 9: 14/18/2
Remaining Schedule: Min, @NO, NYG, @Dal, @LAC, Ari, Den, @NYG
Kelley had one decent game in Week 2 before leaving with a rib injury. Since then, he has not rushed for more than 23 yards in a game. Chris Thompson has been the more explosive RB. He adds more appeal as a pass catching back. Kelley did get the goal-line work last week and did have 2 touchdowns but did so on 14 rushes for just 18 yards. You can’t rely on touchdowns from Kelley. He hasn’t shown much of anything the entire season so it may be time to leave him on waivers or let someone else have him. There are better options out there.
NE Dion Lewis (51% owned)
Week 9 Bye
Remaining Schedule: @Den, @Oak, Mia, @Buf, @Mia, @Pit, Buf, NYJ
Dion Lewis has been the best option in this backfield and should continue to be. The Patriots love to switch things up week to week so it is always risky owning running backs from this team. Rex Burkhead, who has been injured for the majority of the season, was heavily featured in the passing game during the last Patriots game. Lewis is the safer option here as his volume seems to be most consistent. Burkhead is someone to keep an eye on as we haven’t seen much of him this season to know if he can sustain the production we saw from him a couple of weeks ago.
NE Rex Burkhead (8% owned)
Week 9: 4/15/0 — 7/68/0 on 7 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Den, @Oak, Mia, @Buf, @Mia, @Pit, Buf, NYJ
See Dion Lewis above.
PHI Corey Clement (1% owned)
Week 9: 12/51/2 — 1/15/1 on 1 target
Remaining Schedule: Bye, @Dal, Chi, @Sea, @LAR, @NYG, Oak, Dal
Heading into the Eagles bye week, the running back situation is complicated. They already had LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, and Corey Clement. Now, the Philadelphia Eagles add Pro Bowl running back Jay Ajayi to the mix. Clement is only 1% owned and shouldn’t be a priority on the waiver wire this week for many reasons. The Eagles are on their bye, Clement was productive last week but the Eagles were blowing out their opponent. Jay Ajayi will be the feature back with the other 3 running backs to divide the rest of the snaps amongst each other. Leave Clement alone unless you know of another owner in your league who is high on him, then pick him up and use him as trade bait.
SEA Thomas Rawls (13% owned)
Week 9: 9/39/0 — 2/31/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Ari, Atl, @SF, Phi, @Jax, LAR, @Dal, Ari
For the first time this season, Thomas Rawls showed some potential out of the backfield for the Seahawks but his opportunity increased with an injury to Lacy and his production wasn’t something to write home about. I’m not sure why people are holding onto hope that this run game is going to turn into something. It has been 9 weeks and it’s clear, you don’t want to own a single option in this backfield.
MIN Latavius Murray (45% owned)
Week 9 Bye
Remaining Schedule: @Was, LAR, @Det, @Atl, @Car, Cin, @GB, Chi
Latavius Murray‘s carries have increased every week since week 4. The Vikings trust Murry as their early-down back and compliment him with Jerick McKinnon as the pass-catching back. Even though Murray’s workload has increased, he has only 1 fantasy relevant game this season. He is difficult to trust on a week to week basis. The Vikings are away 5 of their last 8 games and could see plenty of negative gamescript which would benefit McKinnon more than it would Murray.
Tight Ends
Widely Owned (but worth checking):
OAK Jared Cook (81% owned)
CAR Greg Olsen (50% owned)
Has been out
Remaining Schedule: Mia, Bye, @NYJ, @NO, Min, GB, TB, @Atl
Grab Greg Olsen now if he’s available in your league. He is the worth the stash more than any player in this article. Cam Newton‘s favorite target will be a sight for sore eyes as Newton no longer has Kelvin Benjamin to target. Greg Olsen is matchup proof and will undoubtedly get the volume. The tight end position is a crapshoot outside of the top 5 and Olsen belongs in that conversation once healthy.
BUF Charles Clay (12% owned)
Has been out
Remaining Schedule: NO, @LAC, @KC, NE, Ind, Mia, @NE, @Mia
Ironically, I want to echo a lot of the same sentiments I have for Olsen for Charles Clay. Clay was Tyrod Taylor‘s favorite option before he went down with an injury a few weeks ago. What makes this ironic is Charles Clay will have a new teammate to compete with for targets in wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin. The good news for Clay is Tyrod doesn’t target the wide receivers often. I’ve said it in another article, I think the addition of Benjamin helps everyone else on the team more than it helps Benjamin. I can see that being the case for Charles Clay and we can see that as soon as this week vs New Orleans.
BAL Ben Watson (17% owned)
Week 9: 7/41/0 on 10 targets
Remaining Schedule: Bye, @GB, Hou, Det, @Pit, @Cle, Ind, Cin
Watson had a season-high in targets last week with 10. He has not been a viable option this year and is on bye Week 10. There are better options out there.
CIN Tyler Kroft (41% owned)
Week 9: 2/79/0 on 2 targets
Remaining Schedule: @Ten, @Den, Cle, Pit, Chi, @Min, Det, @Bal
This Bengals offense looks awful. Yes, Kroft had 79 yards last week but it was on just 2 receptions. He was only targeted twice in a game where the Bengals trailed the whole time. It was against Jacksonville, a very tough matchup, but the schedule doesn’t lighten up for the Bengals making Kroft a volatile option.