NFL Waiver Wire: Week 10 Pickups

Week 9 was the most upset-laden slate of games this season. That's not to say another week won't have more upsets, but last week will be tough to surpass. There were a lot of fantasy disappointments (especially among quarterbacks) and that usually leads to the underdog finding a way to win. Let's regroup and look at some possibilities for Week 10 on the waiver wire.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

QUARTERBACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Matt Ryan, ATL - Rumors of Ryan's demise may have been exaggerated as he led the Falcons to a win in New Orleans. He finished with 32 fantasy points despite not having top receiver Calvin Ridley. Ryan now goes to Dallas to face a Cowboys team that lost a game in embarrassing fashion to the Broncos. Dallas allows the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Ryan is 55 percent rostered on Yahoo, so it's a coin flip as to whether he's available. FAAB: $4-$8

Baker Mayfield, CLE - Mayfield faces the resurgent Patriots, who have been tough on quarterbacks, this week. He looked fantastic in Cincinnati with 10.4 yards per attempt and threw two touchdowns with no turnovers. After this week he gets Detroit and then Baltimore, both of which are favorable matchups. I'd go with Ryan this week, but consider Baker for the rest of the season. FAAB: $4-$8

Trey Lance, SF - While anything is possible in the NFL, it's hard to see the 49ers making the playoffs at 3-5 and last in their division. At some point it would make sense to hand the keys of the offense to Lance and see what they have in the No. 3 pick in this year's draft. One of Lance's biggest assets as a fantasy player is his scrambling ability, as he showed earlier this season with 27 rushed for 133 yards and a score (4.9 yards per carry). While it might not happen this week, at some point San Francisco is likely to start him and give him a long leash. FAAB: $3-$6

RUNNING BACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Devonta Freeman, BAL - It's hard to get too excited about Freeman, who doesn't get a ton of touches but does play in an offense with the best running quarterback in the league. He's now scored in three consecutive games, and while the volume isn't there, touchdowns and a 5.7-yard rushing average bolster his fantasy value. Games at Miami and Chicago are plus matchups, and even though Le'Veon Bell is still vulturing work, Freeman appears to be the main running back for the Ravens. FAAB: $4-$8

Jordan Howard, PHI - I keep writing up Howard and yet he's only 13 percent rostered on Yahoo. Howard appears to be the main guy in Philadelphia while Miles Sanders is out (at least one more week on IR) and had a team-high 17 carries Sunday. Boston Scott logged 10 carries and none of the running backs managed a target in the passing game. I'd like Howard more but Kenneth Gainwell and Scott should see almost all the work in the passing game and Miles Sanders could be back after this week. The Broncos aren't a good matchup for running backs (9th vs. running backs for fantasy points), so Howard likely will have to rely on volume to have a decent game this week. On the bright side, Howard should continue to see work even after Sanders returns from injury. FAAB: $4-$8

Brandon Bolden, NE - I like Rhamondre Stevenson better in this spot, but both he and Damien Harris are dealing with head injuries. Bolden could be the last man standing. He finished Sunday with eight carries for 54 yards and two catches for 27 yards. Harris and Stevenson had 28 touches before departing, meaning Bolden could be in for a big workload if both players are out. It's unlikely both Stevenson and Harris miss a lot of time, otherwise Bolden would be higher on this list, but the volume could be there this weekend. FAAB: $4-$8

Eno Benjamin, ARI - Chase Edmonds was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain Monday, likely keeping him sidelined 3-4 weeks. This means that James Conner's value is through the roof, but Benjamin should be in line for at least 6-8 touches as his backup while Edmonds is out. Conner has never had a good history of staying healthy, so Benjamin isn't far off from having the starting job for one of the league's best offenses. He had nine carries for 39 yards Sunday and found the end zone. This is still Conner's job, but Benjamin is a new name to know and at the very least have on your radar. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

PRIMARY TARGETS

Elijah Moore, NYJ - It's a bit of a slow week, so I'll mention Moore for what seems like the 10th time this season. He's come on the last two games, and it's not uncommon to see a rookie wide receiver get stronger as he learns the offense and the nuances of playing in the NFL. Also, starting the season with Zach Wilson probably didn't help; Moore's early season struggles are probably a combination of quarterback play and inexperience. He had an excellent game Thursday, totaling  27.4 fantasy points in PPR formats. That's now three weeks in a row he's had double-digit fantasy points, and he's making a strong argument to be the Jets' No. 1 wide receiver. Just keep in mind this week's matchup against the Bills doesn't look promising. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - DPJ has apparently replaced OBJ and had a nice game Sunday with a 3-2-86-1 against the Bengals. Most of his stats came on a 60-yard touchdown catch, but there was little reason for the Browns to throw. That won't always be the case, and most opponents will stack the box to stop the Browns' running game. Peoples-Jones looks like he's the main outside threat (with Jarvis Landry in the slot), which gives him upside as he should see a lot of 1-on-1 coverage. FAAB: $4-$8

Brandon Aiyuk, SF - I think a lot of other "industry people" (I like using that phrase rather than experts) will be more on Aiyuk than I will this week. He's coming off a great performance (8-6-89-1) from Sunday, so it'll be easy to buy into him. My problem is that this was easily his best game of the season and he's still the third guy after Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in the passing game. He fumbled Sunday, and if he keeps that up he'll be back in Kyle Shanahan's doghouse in no time. He's rostered in 60 percent of Yahoo leagues, so don't be surprised if he's not on the waiver wire. FAAB: $4-$8

Michael Gallup, DAL - It appears that Gallup will return this week off IR and should be ready to go Week 10. Would I start him this week unless I was desperate? Probably not. But should he have a nice "show me game" (high snap count), I'd be fine with deploying him next week. Starting Week 13, the Cowboys' receivers arguably have the best schedule of any team. FAAB: $3-$6

Russell Gage, ATL - Olamide Zaccheaus will get some hype this week coming off a two-touchdown performance, but Gage should be the preferred Atlanta receiver to go after. Gage finished Sunday with a 8-7-64 line. Zaccheaus had the better fantasy day, he only saw three targets. Every day that goes by without seeing him, it seems like Calvin Ridley could be done for the season, meaning the Falcons need someone to emerge in the passing game beyond Kyle Pitts. Gage is the best candidate to be that player. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT END

PRIMARY TARGETS

Dan Arnold, JAC - The Jaguars didn't trade for Arnold to have another blocking tight end. They saw his potential as a receiver and have given him 30 targets in his last four games. There's clearly a rapport between Arnold and Trevor Lawrence and with the lack of receiving options on the outside, Arnold should continue to be a top focus in the passing game. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGETS

Tyler Conklin, MIN - For the second consecutive week Conklin had seven targets, averaging double-digit fantasy points in PPR leagues the last three games. Conklin will continue to see softer coverage running routes over the middle with teams focused on slowing Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen on the outside. He gets the Chargers and Packers the next two games, both of whom are good matchups for tight ends. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Stephen Anderson, LAC - In no way, shape or form do I think Alexander is worth picking up and starting in standard 12-team leagues. However, he had one of the better days for any tight end Sunday with a 4-4-39-1 line. The Chargers other tight ends — Donald Parham and Jared Cook — both contributed too, and it's likely the Chargers attacked the Eagles knowing Philadelphia is not good against tight ends. FAAB: $1-$2

DEFENSE

Tennessee Titans - If you're looking for a streaming defense, here's the best candidate that's actually available. It's tough to know what the Saints will do at quarterback this week between Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian but neither is a great option. The Titans have now beaten four good teams in a row and it makes you wonder how they lost to the Jets. They have a solid defensive line, which should limit the Saints' offense at home. FAAB: $2-$4