Waiver Wire Pickups Week 10
It would be nice to get through one week without significant injuries, but that’s probably too much to ask. This week if you had A.J. Brown, Chris Olave, Dak Prescott, or Drake London you may have to make other plans in Week 10. If none of your current options inspire much confidence then look no further. Below are some names I believe can help you this week or, if you’re lucky, for the rest of the season. As we get later into the season, it becomes increasingly more difficult to find true game-changing talent on the waiver wire. But the names on this list have either already shown they can produce at a high level or would be great stashes as you wait and see how their roles grow in their respective offenses. Here are my waiver wire pickups for Week 10.
Russell Wilson (QB)
Pittsburgh Steelers, 24% Rostered
Since entering the Steelers’ starting lineup, Russell Wilson has shown why he was the right choice. In his first two games under center, Wilson threw for 542 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while adding another touchdown with his legs. The team has also totaled 63 points over that span. By any metric, Wilson has exceeded the low expectations the fantasy community had for him coming into the season. His touch on the ball is far more prevalent than it was a season ago as he consistently drops dimes, hitting his receivers in stride. George Pickens, who has always had a ton of potential, appears to have a higher ceiling with Wilson running the offense. The quarterback position has been a bit of a mixed bag this season with players like Kyler Murray and Anthony Richardson disappointing. If you need quarterback help, and Wilson is still on your waiver wire, snatch him up. After how he’s looked, he could be a solid rest-of-season answer. He may not have the upside he once did, but he can still provide a safe floor.
Ray Davis (RB)
Buffalo Bills, 25% Rostered
A few weeks ago, Ray Davis was a popular waiver wire pickup, after he torched the New York Jets for 152 total yards. Since that performance, Davis has continued to be involved, albeit in a limited role behind starter James Cook. But over the last three weeks, Davis has scored two touchdowns and showed his upside with a 63-yard catch and scamper to the house. That play was part of a six-touch, 90-yard outing against the Miami Dolphins. Right now Davis is only seeing between 15-25% of the snaps so his standalone value is limited, but he is simply too talented to leave on the waiver wire. Davis is the type of player that you stash and use as a bye-week fill-in or in the case of a James Cook injury. In that scenario, Davis becomes a potential league-winner. As long as Cook is healthy, Davis should be on your bench. It will be impossible to predict when his big games will come so until his role grows or Cook misses time you shouldn’t count on using him, but he is one of the better wait-and-see stashes available this week.
Jaylen Warren (RB)
Pittsburgh Steelers, 44% Start
Jaylen Warren is a player who may be available to you because the Steelers were on a bye last week. Warren came into the season nursing a hamstring injury, then he hurt his knee in his third game of the season. This means we have rarely seen Warren at full strength this season. But the Steelers were starting to increase his workload before the bye, giving him double-digit touches in weeks seven and eight. With another week to get closer to full health we should expect to see more of Warren going forward. To his credit, Najee Harris has been playing well and will continue to lead this backfield. But as Warren continues to get up to speed (pun intended) he should settle into a 40-50% snap share and get 12-15 touches per game. With Warren’s home run ability, that number of opportunities could lead to solid production and force him into the weekly flex conversation.
Quentin Johnston (WR)
Los Angeles Chargers, 27% Start
After the first few weeks of the season, it was easy to overlook Johnston. While he did have a couple of games with good fantasy production, it was on limited touches and did not feel sustainable. But after Johnston’s four-catch, 118-yard, one-touchdown outing on Sunday, it may be time to take him seriously. This was Johnston’s third game with at least 44 receiving yards and a score. Another positive is that after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, Johnston played 68% of the snaps and showed no signs of being limited by the ailment. He also saw an 18.5% target share and showed his game-breaking upside with a 66-yard score. That was his third touchdown of 25 or more yards this season. Being reliant on big plays for his best fantasy weeks makes Johnston a bit of a boom-or-bust player. Still, he’s linked to a team with a strong run game and great quarterback making him one of the safer boom-or-bust players out there.
DeMarcus Robinson (WR)
Los Angeles Rams, 21% Start
If you were one of the few managers who chose to add DeMarcus Robinson after his two-touchdown performance against the Minnesota Vikings, congratulations. This past week, Robinson followed up that performance with another two-touchdown outing, adding 94 yards on six of nine targets. When a player finishes inside the top 10 at their position each of the last two weeks, it might be time to take him seriously. The one caveat is that much of Robinson’s usage came after Puka Nacua was ejected for throwing a punch at a Seattle defender. But Robinson took advantage of the additional opportunities. Robinson has also been on the field for over 70% of the snaps in every game this season so even when Nacua returns, Robinson should see significant playing time. It’s difficult to rely on someone who is touchdown-dependent when everyone is healthy, but with all the injuries piling up and bye weeks, adding depth with flex appeal is a good move.
Taysom Hill (TE)
New Orleans Saints, 31% Rostered
At some point I expect fantasy football platforms to adjust how Taysom Hill can be used, but as long as he’s tight end-eligible, he will be fantasy-relevant when healthy. Hill is not a traditional tight end. He is often used more in the running game than he is in the passing game and it’s that utility that makes him somewhat of a cheat code at the position. This past week, Hill finished as the TE5 with four receptions for 41 yards and five carries for 19 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers don’t necessarily light up the box score, but most weeks that type of production is likely his floor. Hill also played over 40% of the snaps in each of his last two games and may be called upon more in the coming weeks with Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller banged up and Chris Olave’s timetable to return from a concussion uncertain. If you are struggling at the position, picking up Hill and thrusting him into your lineup could pay huge dividends. This week he’ll be facing a Falcons defense that allowed him to finish as the TE1 in their first meeting.
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