At this point in the fantasy football season, some teams begin to be eliminated from post-season play. You, of course, know how to work the waiver wire to continually upgrade your roster so that you are not one of those teams. Right? Here are some great pickups for week 10 and beyond. It's way past due to dump some of those bench-warmers that you've been keeping around and trade them out for some real, live fantasy production.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, WAS – Week 10 is a tough bye week on quarterbacks. Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan are all taking the week off. Kirk Cousins is a good streaming option this week if you need a quarterback. While Cousins isn’t a sexy name there are positives heading into week 10; namely the matchup against the Saints defense. Add the fact that DeSean Jackson should be 100% and Cousins has a good ceiling this weekend. He’s only owned in 10% of leagues.
Blake Bortles, JAX – Usually I would avoid putting a guy owned in 52% of leagues on this list, but again this is a tough week for quarterbacks and Blake Bortles deserves some due credit. His cumulative points have him as a top 10 fantasy quarterback right now yet he remains available in almost half the leagues out there. While his ball security is an issue with 10 interceptions this season he also has a knack for multiple touchdown passes per game. 6 of his 8 games this season Bortles has multiple touchdowns. He has a decent matchup with Baltimore in week 10.
Running Backs
James White/Brandon Bolden, NE – The New England Patriots are about the worst team to speculate about. On a healthy week we can’t be sure what Belichick is thinking. That being said Dion Lewis is lost for the season and somebody will see an increased roll. The popular consensus seems to lean towards James White being that player. He only has 9 carries this year so there’s a lot we don’t know about him. Brandon Bolden stepped in this last week when Lewis went down. He only saw one rushing attempt to his 4 passing targets where he caught 3 including on for a touchdown. Both guys should be targeted on waivers this week for teams in need of RB depth.
James Starks, GB – This is not a name Eddie Lacy owners want to see on this list. James Starks has had opportunities to take over the starting gig before and missed that chance. The difference this year is that Eddie Lacy looks BAD. In week 6 Starks proved himself on the ground with 112 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries; this last week he did it through the air catching 6 of 8 targets for 83 yards and a touchdown. It’s getting late in the season and Lacy owners may want to handcuff him. Other fantasy owners may need the depth. Either way Starks is available in 60% of the leagues and drawing interest heading into a week 10 matchup with Detroit.
Wide Receivers
Dorial Green-Beckham, TEN – When Kendall Wright went down it was Justin Hunter stepping up to the starting position. Hunter was unimpressive as Dorial Green-Beckham saw a team high 10 targets. He grabbed 5 of those 10 for 77 yards. This wasn’t exactly a tough defensive match up so there is no reason Hunter should have struggled to get open. I really like the targets DGB saw and with Wright likely to miss week 10 he needs to be taken off waivers.
Michael Floyd, ARI – Arizona faces a tough matchup in week 10 at Seattle. That matchup only makes me like Michael Floyd more heading into week 10. He is unlikely to draw the heavy pressure of the defense and should continue to quietly put up solid WR3 numbers. In his last 3 weeks Floyd has 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. John Brown’s return in week 10 will make for an interesting side bet as Floyd continues to try to earn his job back.
Tight Ends
Crockett Gillmore, BAL – Week 8 reminded me why I am glad the Bears canned Marc Trestman. Steve Smith Sr. is lost for the season and somehow Crockett Gillmore wasn’t used properly. Expect that to change as Baltimore comes off the bye week to play Jacksonville in week 10. They really have no choice but to get Gillmore more involved. I am not saying he has TE1 value, but against Jacksonville in week 10 it’s a favorable match up and players streaming Tight Ends will want to take a hard look.
Kickers
Connor Barth, TB – It wasn’t until week 5 that Connor Barth saw the field. Yet he has accumulated 52 points in 4 weeks of games. Tampa Bay has plenty of weapons to move the ball and have continued to improve this season. Barth’s stats alone prove this. Any time a kicker is perfect on the season and consistently earning double digit points he needs to be owned in more leagues than just the current 14%.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers – I’m going to be honest with you guys. This is a flier pick based on the matchup. Pittsburgh hosts Cleveland in week 10 and while Josh McCown should be back, it’s still the Browns. Honestly, week 10 is a tough match up for streaming defenses and I hope you aren’t that unlucky.
Injuries abound in week 8 of the NFL, so the waiver wire is extra important this week. Make sure to take a long look at some trade options as trading deadlines come up. Also, check out the injuries from Week 8 to make sure you aren't missing anyone.
Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor, BUF – Coming off the bye week Tyrod Taylor will be healthy and ready to go. Before his injury Taylor had 106 fantasy points through 5 weeks. His week 9 match up with Miami is round two for the year with the divisional opponent. When they last faced in week 3 Taylor put up his best numbers of the season going 21 of 29 for 277 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is owned in 39% of leagues right now.
Derek Carr, OAK – Since his week 6 bye, Derek Carr has 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Carr is a good streaming quarterback play as he averages over 30 pass attempts per game. He continues to show improvement in his second year and has outscored players like Ryan Tannehill and Cam Newton, both of whom are owned in over 85% of leagues. Carr’s matchup with Pittsburgh in week 9 is neither really good nor really bad. He did just pick apart the Jets defense though.
Running Backs
DeAngelo Williams, PIT – At 32 years old DeAngelo Williams continues to hold value. LeVeon Bell went down this week and is out for the rest of the season. When Bell went down Williams stepped in and on 9 carries amassed 71 yards. His overall production topped 100 yards as he added 39 yards on 4 catches. He will be a popular pick up this week on the waiver wire. He’s only owned in 24% of leagues.
Jeremy Langford, CHI – The Bears’ Matt Forte suffered an injury this week and will be out at least a couple of weeks. Jeremy Langford stepped in as the every down back when Forte exited. Despite his crucial drop late in the game, Langford was used in a way that makes him valuable to fantasy owners heading into week 9. I will mention that there are rumors of the Bears signing Monte Ball. This is important for two reasons; If Ball is signed this diminishes Langford’s value, and could point to a potential serious injury with Forte. Either way Matt Forte owners will want to add depth at the position on the wire.
Wide Receivers
Kamar Aiken, BAL – Injuries are piling up this season and Steve Smith Sr. couldn’t avoid being bit by the bug either. Kamar Aiken will take over WR1 duties on a brutally thin Baltimore wide receiving corps. That being said there is value in Aiken as he steps into this role. He has value built on his targets this season. He seen 6+ targets in 5 of the 8 games they have played. Baltimore is heading into a bye week for week 9 but you can’t sleep on Aiken. He should be picked up in most formats this week.
Malcom Floyd, SD – Keenan Allen was another casualty this week and all reports indicate he will miss some time. At 34 years old Malcom Floyd is passed his prime, but he will be leaned on in Allen’s absence. At 6’5 Floyd is a huge target and that proved valuable already in week 8. He had 2 TD catches on 6 targets in week 8. Floyd has a decent matchup against Chicago in week 9 before the Charges head into the bye. If you are looking for a guy to plug Floyd is still available in 80% of leagues.
Tight Ends
Benjamin Watson, NO – The Saints are on a 3 game winning streak and Benjamin Watson has had his two best games in those last three weeks. In week 6 Watson had 127 yards on 10 catches and a TD. Last week we saw similar production with 9 catches for 147 yards and a TD. We all know that the Saints famously utilized the TE position and Watson may finally be stepping into that role. He is owned in 53% of leagues, but with tight end production lacking this season Watson is a good add heading into week 9
Kicker
Blair Walsh, MIN – 55 points over his last 3 weeks has Blair Walsh on the waiver radar this week. Minnesota continues to improve as a team behind Teddy Bridgewater. This has been paying off for Walsh in a big way. Double digits are always a welcome sight from your kicker. Three straight weeks in double digits is a good trend and those players streaming kickers should grab Walsh heading into home match up with the Rams.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals – Cincinnati is coming off of a huge game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensively they kept their team in the game which ultimately lead to a victory. They will be riding that high heading into a great match up with Cleveland in week 9. The icing on the cake is Josh McCown being a question mark with a short week ahead. This Thursday night match up give McCown little time to heal which means Johnny Manziel will be the Cleveland QB. The only thing Maziel does better than grabbing negative headlines off the field is turning the ball over on the field. Bengals are widely available and should be picked up for week 9. It should also be noted they have some good match ups coming up with Houston, St Louis and Cleveland again in 3 of their next 4 weeks following week 9.
We step into week 8 with some more major injuries (Arian Foster, anyone?) and some really poor QB play that has called into question a lot of previously assumed starters like Peyton Manning. As always, we're here to make some suggestions for pickups to improve your team's current lineup. Remember, you should always be improving your fantasy football team throughout the season however you can, whether through trade or the waiver wire. This week is no different.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ – Since the Jets' week 5 bye, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a great streaming option at QB during the bye weeks. Four touchdowns and only one interception have led Fitzpatrick to two 20+ point weeks. Next week the Jets have a good match-up against the Raiders. The Oakland pass defense ranks last in yards per game this season. Fitzpatrick is another good streaming option in week 8 and is only owned in 28% of leagues.
Running Backs
Darren McFadden, DAL – The Cowboys have been dealing with injuries all year; Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the most recent being Joseph Randle. Darren McFadden stepped in against the Giants in week 7. He racked up 152 rushing yards on 29 carries and a trip to the end zone. Hot pick Christine Michael only saw 5 attempts for 18 yards. McFadden will have the starting job until he proves otherwise. He is available in 64% of fantasy leagues.
Alfred Blue, HOU – In the lone game that the Texans leaned on Alfred Blue this season, he performed well. That was back in week 3 when Blue had 31 attempts for 139 yards and a touchdown. Arian Foster is out for the year with his torn achilles. Blue is the favorite to get the start in week 8. He’ll be a quick pick off the waiver wire this week so prioritize him high. He’s only owned in 17% of leagues.
Wide Receivers
Danny Amendola, NE – The Patriots look to be the lone juggernaut in the NFL to this point. Tom Brady continues to impress despite his age, and as always he makes everyone around him better. Recently Danny Amendola has capitalized on his opportunities. Over the last two weeks, Amendola has 191 yards and 1 touchdown. More important are his 18 targets (9 in each game) of which he has caught 15. That kind of catch percentage is only going to earn Brady’s trust. He’s available in 87% of leagues.
Marvin Jones, CIN – Cincinnati is coming off their week 7 bye with a juicy match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Leading up to their bye Marvin Jones had his best game of the season, catching 9 of 12 for 95 yards and a touchdown. He was a sleeper pick heading into the season and continues to have a high ceiling in this offense. I like the match-up in week 8 against the Steelers. Willie Snead and Michael Floyd owners might want to swap out now for better depth.
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron, DET – At 6’5” 255, Eric Ebron is a great target for Matt Stafford. He has yet to really “break out” but if you are streaming tight ends you will want to look to Ebron in week 8. He gained a lot of trust last week catching all 5 of his targets for 89 yards and scoring his third touchdown of the season. Tight ends have been hard to come by this season, so roll with the hot hand. I also like him a lot in week 8 DFS line ups. He is available in 77% of leagues.
Kickers
Blair Walsh, MIN – Hey everyone, Minnesota is 4-2 and in second place in the NFC North. The way the Bears and Lions have played the latter is not too impressive, but they are continuing to show signs of improvement and Blair Walsh is a good streaming kicker to take advantage of. Last week Walsh had 20 points against Detroit. This week he has a good match-up as Minnesota should be able to move the ball well against the Chicago Bears.
Defense/Special Teams
Green Bay Packers – They are owned in 73% of leagues, but the team to pick from this week goes against my morals (Editor's Note: Bears fan). The Packers have a great match up against the Broncos in week 8. Aaron Rodgers will be tested against one of the best defenses of the season, but he is too good to not find the holes. Peyton Manning will be forced to actually make plays in this one. I am willing to bet this leads to more mistakes that the Green Bay defense will capitalize on.
The waiver wire well runs shallow these days, but we are here to help. Don’t give up on the wire just because the gold is few and far between. Injuries are always a concern and bench depth is important. Stash those guys with upside this week. If you still holding out hope for those late round draft picks, then you have the room on your roster.
Quarterbacks
Blake Bortles, JAX – Second year quarterback Blake Bortles continues to have fantasy relevance. His last 2 weeks he’s thrown for 634 yards and 7 touchdowns. The downside continues to be his accuracy and interceptions. That being said Jacksonville will continue to rely on the passing game and that is only going to increase Blake Bortles’ fantasy value. He’s only owned in 44% of leagues.
Running Backs
Christine Michael, DAL – All reports coming out of Dallas suggests Christine Michael is going to start. He received first team reps on Monday and Joseph Randle has produced little. Some may want to wait for Michael to prove himself, but you’re smart to grab him this week. He has a great matchup against the New York Giants bottom third run defense coming off of a bye week. He’ll also be running behind one of the best offensive lines in football. He’s still available in 60% of leagues out there.
Charles Sims, TB – 2015 seems to be the year of the 3rd down back. Charles Sims is one of the more consistent guys out in that role. His hard work is paying off as he saw an increase in carries last week with 12 for 51 yards. As with all third down back fantasy plays his value resides in his pass catching abilities. Before the bye week Sims posted 85 yards on 4 catches. I am not gonna lie, he is a risky pick, but if you need a flex option Sims has consistency going for him right now. He’s only off the board in 25% of leagues.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs, MIN – This is going to be the most added player by tomorrow morning when waivers clear. In his last two games Stefon Diggs has 13 catches on 19 targets for 206 yards. Mike Wallace is already comparing him to Antonio Brown. While I am not inclined to talk that confidently about Diggs, he certainly has proved enough to be owned in all formats. He has a great matchup this week against the Lions awful secondary.
Michael Floyd, ARI – Its late in the fantasy season and the waiver wire is getting slim. Michael Floyd is a good bet if you need some depth at wide receiver. He saw a season high 8 targets last game, catching 5 of them for 50 yards and a TD. Floyd is more of a stash pick at this point, but it's never bad to stash WR’s playing on elite offenses.
Tight Ends
Benjamin Watson, NO – I will be the first to admit that until last week, Benjamin Watson has done virtually nothing to be considered relevant in fantasy circles. That being said the Saints are struggling and Watson’s size is something familiar to Drew Brees. The last two weeks he has found the end zone. Last week he saw an incredible amount of targets and his best game yet. Optimism says he will settle somewhere in between there.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers defense has been holding their own from a fantasy standpoint. Realistically any time a defense can earn you more than the 10 points they start with it’s a decent day. Pittsburgh has done that in their last four games. They have a good matchup this week against Kansas City without Jamaal Charles.