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Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups

These players are generally available in at least 70% of Sleeper leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then, you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

Quarterback

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Maye finished as a top-10 fantasy QB in each of his first two full games and managed a solid QB2 performance this past week.

The rookie threw for 206 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs vs. the Titans, adding 96 rushing yards on 8 carries. 

He has a bit of a rough upcoming schedule with the Bears next week, but the Rams in Week 11 offer an upside starting spot.

Running Backs

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

Davis busted off a 63-yard receiving TD against Miami, one that showed off his tackle-dodging ability.

He saw only 6 total touches, though – nine fewer than James Cook. So he’s not a usable fantasy piece when Cook's healthy.

So, why’s he getting mentioned here? Surprisingly, Davis is only 14% rostered on ESPN; 21% on Yahoo.

That’s simply too low for one of the league’s top fantasy handcuffs.

Trey Benson, Cardinals

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-12%

Benson had 9 touches for 55 yards and a TD last week against the Bears. Benson  showed off his explosiveness and speed and might get more work to keep Conner fresh.

But the real value would come with a Conner injury.

Conner holds a "very high risk" of injury this season, according to our models. If he gets knocked out for the fantasy playoffs, Benson could be a league winner.

With positive fantasy playoff matchups against the Patriots, Panthers, and Rams, Benson is worth stashing.

Wide Receivers

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

Johnston led the Chargers with 118 yards and a score in his return from a two-game absence Sunday. 

The bulk of his production came on one blown coverage. Still, his 5 targets ranked second on the team and constituted a decent 18.5% of QB Justin Herbert’s total attempts.

Johnston has drawn a 19% target share across five healthy games this season, which is a more exciting number with the Chargers throwing significantly more over their last four games. 

His upcoming schedule looks favorable, with matchups against:

• Tennessee
• Cincinnati
• Baltimore
• and Atlanta

Johnston projects as a WR4 the rest of the way.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

Legette caught four balls for 33 yards and a score in Sunday’s win over the Saints. His 6 targets led the team, despite a brief departure for a hand injury.

The improvement of the Panthers’ offense as a whole gives some hope for Legette’s fantasy value.

With Diontae Johnson gone, Legette looks like the best bet to lead the team in targets. He played 83% of the Panthers’ snaps in Week 9, his third highest share of the season.

Legette's playoff schedule is intriguing:

• Cowboys
• Cardinals
• Buccaneers

Tight Ends

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-20%

Gesicki has been Cincinnati’s answer in games without WR Tee Higgins this season. He was averaging 7.0 targets across three games without Higgins entering Sunday – and then exploded for a 5-100-2 line on 6 targets in the win over the Raiders. 

Higgins seems unlikely to play vs. the Ravens this coming Thursday night. If he’s out, Gesicki will be a viable TE1 starter.

Even after Higgins returns, Gesicki’s role could benefit from rookie TE Erick All tearing an ACL in Week 9.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-18%

Hill carried five times for 19 yards and a score against the Panthers, adding 4 catches on 5 targets for 41 more yards. (Hill also threw a pass that fell incomplete.)

He ranked second to Alvin Kamara in touches with 9.

With WR Rashid Shaheed out for the year, WR Chris Olave likely to miss time, and RB Kendre Miller on IR, Hill should remain significantly involved, especially as a potential goal-line weapon.

If Hill is listed as a QB where you play, leave him on the wire. But if he's a TE, the weekly ceiling looks intriguing.

Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

Smith caught five of six targets for 46 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. Not a huge game, but he has now tallied 6+ targets and 4+ catches in four straight games. 

That makes Smith worth rostering for TE-needy teams. He remains available in more than 80% of Sleeper leagues.

Also note that Smith’s next two opponents – the Rams and Raiders – each sit bottom-8 in fantasy points allowed to TEs.

Deep-League Options

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, Cleveland Browns

Blind-bid recommendation: 0-3% 

(*This recommendation is exclusively for superflex leagues.)

HC Kevin Stefanski said this week that Jameis Winston will start following the Week 10 bye.

Winston’s surely on a short leash, though. He was awful on Sunday, tallying 5.1 yards per attempt and 3 INTs.

If you have a bench spot to play with, consider Thompson-Robinson as a speculative stash.

He showed his rushing upside with 44 yards in relief of Deshaun Watson in Week 7. That would come in handy with Cleveland QBs facing one of the toughest rest-of-season schedules.

Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-8%

The Vikings traded for Akers three weeks ago, and he surprised by being the primary backup to Aaron Jones on Sunday night against the Colts.

Ty Chandler played no snaps, while Akers spelled Jones on 22% of snaps.

Akers took advantage of the opportunity rushing six times for 46 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. He also added two catches for seven yards. 

He helped close out the game with four straight runs early in the fourth quarter, showcasing HC Kevin O’Connell’s trust.

Jones has a very high injury risk, so Akers is worth the stash as the backup in a prolific offense.

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

HC John Harbaugh said Monday that Mitchell has a chance to play in Week 10. The second-year back is coming off a December ACL tear.

He’s certainly not usable this week, assuming he’s even active. But he could be one Derrick Henry injury away from becoming a weekly deep-league fantasy starter.

We highlighted Mitchell’s strong 2023 (and more) in this recent article.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Robinson delivered a big 6-94-2 receiving line vs. the Seahawks, highlighted by the game-winning 39-yard TD in overtime. 

It was his second straight two-score game, following his 2-35-2 line against the Vikings.

It’s wise not to overvalue him. Robinson still stands behind Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. He benefited from Nacua getting ejected at the end of the second quarter at Seattle.

Robinson drew 6 of 9 targets and made 4 receptions after Nacua left (plus an accepted defensive PI that wiped out another target).

But Robinson seems to perform better with at least one of those two on the field, which consistently finds him drawing single coverage.

Robinson's big-play ability and the Rams’ use of 3-WR sets makes Robinson a worthy stash and emergency flex play.

Mike Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

Williams got moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the trade deadline, a team that tried to bring him in for a visit during Williams' free agency period.

With the Jets trading for Davante Adams along with Aaron Rodgers disdain for Williams, his fantasy value was dead in the water.

This breaths new life for Williams on a team that is significantly shallow at the position.

Williams should be able to beat out Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin when he gets up to speed on the offense. With Russell Wilson showing some promise for the Steelers passing game, Williams is a great stash.

Williams gets the Browns and Ravens twice and the Bengals once during the fantasy season, all positive match-ups where he could have some flex appeal.

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Drake London is considered “day to day” with a hip injury. 

McCloud managed just 3-28-1 on a 12.5% target share, despite London missing most of Sunday's game. But if London sits out Week 10, McCloud could step into 5+ targets vs. a Saints secondary that’s dealing with multiple injuries.

McCloud would likely be a one-week rental, with Week 11 turning up the Broncos. Atlanta goes on a Week 12 bye.

Josh Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Palmer caught two of four targets for 63 yards and a TD against the Browns. Though Quentin Johnston rightfully gets the hype from the game, Palmer had consistent usage.

He had a 61% snap rate, and with the Chargers 54% pass rate, there is value in the receivers despite the stereotype of HC Jim Harbuagh’s run first gameplan.

The Chargers pass rate has increased from 30th in the league just three weeks ago to 24th. They are 5th in neutral pass rate over the last four games, and up from 23 attempts per game over first four to 33 over that span.

His targets have been in line with Quentin Johnston, so in a deep 14 or 16 team league ravaged by injuries and byes, Palmer gives flex appeal.

He was used as a deep option on about half his targets last week, and paired with one of the best deep passing QBs in the league in Justin Herbert, he is worth an end of the bench spot.

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

Johnson is the clear top TE for the Giants, leading the group in snaps in every game this season. The athletic rookie is starting to develop his skill set and gain some trust, too.

He drew 6 targets vs. Washington, second on the team. Johnson caught three of those for 51 yards and a TD on a play where he was the first read for QB Daniel Jones.

Johnson’s fantasy-playoffs schedule ranks fifth-best among TEs by our adjusted fantasy points allowed, including positive matchups with ...

• Baltimore
• Atlanta
• Indianapolis

Worth stashing in case you need him down the stretch.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Sanders tallied 87 yards against New Orleans, the second-most among Week 9 TEs.

It could have been even more if you include the pass interference he drew.

Carolina played without TE Tommy Tremble against the Saints. Sanders has proven usable with Tremble sidelined this season, so keep an eye on his status ahead of a Week 10 meeting with the Giants.

Top Streaming Defense for Week 10

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers

The Giants defense carries the team week to week, leading the NFL in sacks. This week brings one of the best matchups possible: the Bryce Young-led Panthers.

In the four games Young has started, the Panthers have averaged only 12.5 points. He has also thrown 2 INTs in three of those games.

Carolina is down at 28th in offensive DVOA, while the Giants have risen to 16th in defensive DVOA.

If you want other defenses to stream this week, check out ourstreaming defense guide for Week 10.

Drop Candidates

Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals

NFL Network reported Tuesday -- in the wake of the Khalil Herbert trade -- that Moss is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

Devin Singletary, New York Giants

Singletary was just out-carried by Tyrone Tracy, 16-7. We wouldn’t chase a handcuff/change-of-pace back given the state of New York’s offense.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Elliott was benched for disciplinary reasons against Atlanta. After that one, HC Mike McCarthy said he’d like to feed Rico Dowdle more touches.

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Chandler played 0 offensive snaps this past week, losing the backup job to Cam Akers. Falling to third on the depth chart makes Chandler an easy drop.

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

Winston followed a magical Week 8 with a massive Week 9 dud. HC Kevin Stefanski said Winston will start the next game, but the veteran may be week to week moving forward. Cleveland enters a Week 10 bye.

Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys

Brandin Cooks is eligible to return when healthy, and the Cowboys just traded for WR Jonathan Mingo. On top of that, Dallas will miss Dak Prescott for at least the next four weeks. Tough to imagine Tolbert helping fantasy lineups the rest of the way.

Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers

Here are Wicks' yardage totals since Week 5: 

• 20
• 9
• 48
• 11
• 0

With bye weeks kicking in – Green Bay included – Wicks is fine to drop.

Find the Best Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups for Your Fantasy Team

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Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.