Here are this week’s top Waiver Wire players who are owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. Our favorite players are broken down in Top Targets and the best secondary options are in our Going Deeper sections. We’ll also list any players at the top of each position who are above the 50% threshold — or are household names — and are still widely available for those who might be in smaller leagues.
Be sure to check out our weekly Waiver Wire podcast and our Waiver Wire Livestream for more analysis. We’ll also have Streaming articles every Tuesday that focuses on the top quarterbacks, tight ends, and defenses for the upcoming week(s).
Note: The initial Waiver Wire article writeup will be posted every Monday night, followed by in-depth updates Tuesday, and continued additions/updates Wednesday.
Teams on Bye in Week 10
Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets
Quarterbacks
Higher-owned Options
Jared Goff (LAR, 62%)
Top Targets
Derek Carr (LV, 42%) — Carr has attempted just 47 passes the last two weeks to stunt his production, but he’s still playing at a fairly high level after running off multiple TDs in five straight games in Weeks 2-7. He completed 13/23 passes for 165 yards (7.2 YPA) and two touchdowns in a victory over the Chargers in Week 9. Carr was playing a bit undermanned earlier in the season, but he now has a pretty complete cast with Nelson Agholor, Henry Ruggs, and Bryan Edwards lining up with Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. With Ruggs (who almost made a great, leaping play in Week 9) on the field, Carr’s willingness to stand in the pocket for downfield plays has seemingly improved, and that’s one of his biggest negatives throughout his career. Carr has a very solid slate of matchups coming up (Den, KC, @Atl, @NYJ), and he’s firmly in the mid-QB2 range.
Teddy Bridgewater (Car, 41%) — Bridgewater is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season after posting 28.3 FP against the Chiefs in Week 9. Teddy gave the Panthers a crack at the victory by completing 36/49 passes for 310 yards and two TDs while adding 2/19/1 rushing. Bridgewater is loaded with weapons now that Christian McCaffrey is back in the lineup off of his ankle injury, and Teddy has done a good job all season of distributing the rock to all of his receivers. Bridgewater, who has made Curtis Samuel a thing the last month, gets a tough matchup with the Buccaneers this week before fantasy-friendly showdowns with the Lions and the Vikings before Carolina’s Week 13 bye.
Going Deeper
Drew Lock (Den, 9%) — Lock hasn’t played particularly well since returning to the lineup off of his throwing shoulder injury, so he might have more downside than comparable guys like Tua and Baker. But he’s turned in some major production in the second halves of their last two games, thanks to volume. It does help that he has an intriguing group of young skill players (although they have lost his boy TE Albert Okwuegbunam for the season). He completed 25/48 passes for 313 yards, two TDs, and one INT and he added 7/47/1 rushing in a loss to the Falcons. Lock’s supporting cast is starting to get healthier, but he still needs to be helped by his matchups. At least he does have some spots to keep his fantasy season rolling over the next month (@LV, Mia, NO, @KC) if you need some low-end QB2 help. Just know that he’s most likely to be a boom-or-bust option.
Philip Rivers (Ind, 21%) — Rivers had strung together consecutive games with 22+ FP after failing to post 17+ FP in each of his first five starts with the Colts, but he went back to disappointing in Week 9 against a tough opponent. He completed 25/43 passes for 227 yards (5.3 YPA) with an INT for 8.1 PFG against the Ravens. Jonathan Taylor and the Colts rushing attack has been a bit of a disappointment so this offense has been on Rivers’ shoulders a little more than anticipated in recent weeks. He’s not getting a ton of help from his receivers, but Rivers has proven he can’t carry an offense like he once could unless, perhaps, the matchup is good. But Rivers does have a really nice four-game run starting now against some very beatable defenses, so he’s in the conversation for those looking for help, thanks to a fantasy-friendly schedule coming up (@Ten, GB, Ten, @Hou). He will get TY Hilton back in time for Thursday’s game in Week 10, which helps. UPDATED 11/11
Baker Mayfield (Cle, 34%) — Mayfield has a pair of seven-point fantasy performances sandwiching his 30-point performance in Week 7, so he’s volatile with more downside than upside. In his first full game without Odell Beckham (knee, IR), Mayfield completed 12/25 passes for 122 yards without a score against the Raiders in ugly, windy conditions in Week 8. At least Mayfield is expected to get TE Austin Hooper (appendectomy) back this week, but Mayfield isn’t playing well enough to consistently put up fantasy production with his limited cast. He at least has a great slate of games coming up (Hou, Phi, @Jax, @Ten) to give him some life going forward. At least three of those teams (perhaps excluding the Jaguars) are capable of forcing the Browns to throw it 30+ times. The Browns did place Mayfield on the COVID-19 list as a high-risk contact, but he could be cleared for practice later this week if he has negative tests early in the week.
Tua Tagovailoa (Mia, 6%) — Tua barely had to do anything to win his professional debut in Week 8, but he made plenty of plays to help Miami knock off the Cardinals in Week 9. He completed 20/28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns and he added 7/35 rushing yards for 21.4 FP in their road victory over the Cardinals. Tagovailoa did lose Preston Williams to a foot injury in Week 9 and he’s currently playing without his top back Myles Gaskin (knee, IR) so he’s not in the best situation to put up massive numbers with a limited cast. At least he showed the ability to run in Week 9, which will help his fantasy bottom line. He also has some fantasy-friendly matchups coming up (LAC, @Den, @NYJ, Cin) to give him some streaming appeal in the coming weeks. He’s not easy to trust, but when he’s healthy, we do think he’s a very good player (as far as rookies go) with a chance to be a top-12 QB with some time.
Kirk Cousins (Min, 31%) — Cousins is teetering on the edge of disaster seemingly every week, especially since Dalvin Cook has turned into an absolute monster in the last two weeks. Cousins attempted just 14 passes in their Week 8 victory over the Packers, but he bounced back with 220/3 passing on 20 attempts against the Lions in Week 9. The Vikings have a pulse after consecutive divisional victories, and Cousins has some beatable matchups (not really @Chi but after that Dal, Car, Jax) if he actually throws the rock in the future. Cousins will be a boom-or-bust QB2 going forward, but with Justin Jefferson already proving to be a brilliant pick and with Irv Smith emerging, he does have some high-end weapons to throw to.
Jake Luton (Jax, 2%) — Luton didn’t waste any time making waves in his first NFL start as he connected with D.J. Chark for a 73-yard touchdown on his second career throw in Week 9. The sixth-round pick out of Oregon State didn’t stop there as he completed 26/38 passes for 304 yards, one TD, and one INT and he added a 13-yard touchdown run against the Texans. Our Greg Cosell turned us onto Luton before the draft, and he showed a strong, accurate arm in his first start. He likely bought himself at least another couple of starts (@GB, Pit, Cle, @Min) with his performance in Week 9. Luton showed some instant chemistry with Chark, and he’s certainly in the low-end QB2 range going forward as they are in “evaluation mode” and Gardner Minshew has mostly likely had enough action for the Jags to form a solid opinion on him.
Alex Smith (Chi, 10%) — He may not be easy to trust, but few low-end QB options are. But Smith is the guy now for the WFT and he did throw for 325/1 off the bench last week against the Giants (but also with 3 INTs). Smith doesn’t have much to work with at receiver, but Terry McClauren is a star, and he does have pass-catching RBs to work with. Perhaps Steven Sims can start producing now that he’s back. If not him, then Cam Sims has flashed and needed only 3 catches to go over 100 yards with Smith in Week 9. More importantly, Smith has a nice slate of games the next three weeks, so he might be able to help you Weeks 10-12 at Det, vs. Cin, and at Dal.
Nick Foles (Chi, 10%) — Foles hasn’t been getting many style points since he took over as the team’s starter in Week 4, but he’s at least getting plenty of passing volume each week with 39+ attempts in each of his six starts this season. They simply cannot run the ball. He needed extreme garbage-time production to post his first 20+ FP day in Week 9 against the Titans. He completed 36/52 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns, but he was playing so poorly early in the game that he may have been pulled if Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) was healthy. The Bears have now lost three straight games and they’re 2-4 under Foles. He’s not guaranteed to play all four quarters if he’s struggling in a given week when Trubisky is available behind him. Foles is an uninspiring low-end QB2 option even with some solid matchups looming (Min, bye, @GB, Det). We have him ranked relatively high in Week 10. UPDATED 11/11
Nick Mullens (SF, 6%) — The 49ers have been ravaged by injuries this season and it continued with Jimmy Garoppolo (high-ankle) and George Kittle (foot) each going down in Week 8 with potentially season-ending injuries. Jimmy G is expected to miss the next six weeks after aggravating his high-ankle injury in Week 8, but there’s a chance we don’t see him again this season. If Mullens or C.J. Beathard get the 49ers back into contention, HC Kyle Shanahan could stick with the quarterback that got them into that position. If the 49ers fall out of contention, Shanahan may not have the motivation to stick Garoppolo back into the fire with nothing to play for. Playing with a shell crew in Week 9, Mullens completed 22/35 passes for 291 yards, one TD, and one INT in a blowout loss to the Packers as much of his production came in garbage time. Shanahan did stick with him despite some ugly moments in Week 9, but Mullens could be pulled at any time for Beathard so be cautious as the 49ers head to New Orleans this week before their Week 11 bye.
Running Backs
Higher-owned Options
Deejay Dallas (Sea, 62%), Latavius Murray (NO, 60%)
Top Targets
Duke Johnson (Hou, 15%) — David Johnson left Week 9 in the second quarter after suffering a concussion against the Jaguars, and the Texans turned to Duke the rest of the way. Dookie finished 16/41/1 rushing and he caught all four of his targets for 32 yards in Houston’s victory over Jacksonville as no other Texans back saw touched the rock. David is now expected to miss Week 10, so Duke is in line for a bell-cow role. Check our projections for projected points for Week 10 up until Sunday’s kickoff. UPDATED 11/11
Tony Pollard (Dal, 34%) — The Cowboys are on bye in Week 10 but Pollard is a great player to stash for the stretch run. Ezekiel Elliott struggled through a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Steelers, averaging 2.8 YPC to bring his 2020 average to a career-low 3.8 YPC. Meanwhile, Pollard continues to look like he’s been shot out of a cannon when he gets the rock. Playing 32% of the snaps, he posted 9/57 rushing against the Steelers to bring his YPC average up to 4.4. Pollard has seen 8+ touches in five straight games so he’s built up some standalone fantasy value, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Zeke’s touches are scaled back or if they even rest him down the stretch if they fall out of contention by December. It wouldn’t be shocking if Pollard is on some league-winning teams in Weeks 15-16 so now is the time to add him if he’s still sitting on your waiver wire.
Wayne Gallman (NYG, 2%) — Gallman has excelled as the lead back for parts of the last three games, posting 13+ FP in each game since Devonta Freeman injured his ankle in Week 7. Playing a healthy 57% of the snaps, Gallman finished with 14/68/1 rushing and 1/9 receiving on two targets in New York’s victory over Washington in Week 9. We’ll see about Freeman's availability for a critical showdown with the Eagle this week, but Gallman will be ready to lead a three-man backfield with Alfred Morris and Dion Lewis if Freeman can’t play. And if they feel Gallman is their best option, and he’s made that case, they may stick with him as their primary back. It would make sense to evaluate him over the veterans Freeman, Morris, and Lewis who are not long for the roster after this season. Freeman, though, was tending toward playing Week 10 so check out projections all weekend for our preferred order of the Giants RBs. UPDATED 11/11
J.D. McKissic (Was, 28%) — He’s a real pest when it comes to Antonio Gibson, but that’s been the case all season and it doesn’t look to be changing in the near future. McKissic has been operating as the 1B in Washington’s backfield and he led this passing game in targets (14) in Week 9 with Alex Smith taking over for Kyle Allen (ankle). McKissic finished with 9/65 receiving with a 35.9% target share and he added 3/17 rushing in a loss to the Giants in Week 9. He played a whopping 83% of the snaps compared to 43% for Gibson. McKissic is clearly dependent on a negative game script, which won’t be a problem most weeks in Washington since they’re one of the worst teams in the league. McKissic’s upside is limited, but he’s good for about 8-to-12 FP most weeks because of his passing game production, He might have a little more upside too if Smith continues to start after Allen’s Week 9 injury. Also, Gibson was on the injury report with a shoulder injury, which could help JDM. UPDATED 11/11
La’Mical Perine (NYJ, 36%) — After playing 70% of the snaps in Week 7, he was down to only 49% in Week 8 and 46% in Week 9. He’s still competing with Frank Gore (but at least not Ty Johnson these days) for snaps and touches, and the touches were hard to come by in Week 9 (only 6/9 rushing and 2/19 receiving). The Jets did use a fourth-round pick on him this spring, and apparently they have finally gained a clue. Reports are that they will commit to him as their lead back coming out of the bye and for the rest of the season in order to evaluate him. He’s very solid with “a higher-level sustaining skill set,” per Greg Cosell’s Draft Guide here on the site. He’s a solid receiver as well, so it would be a shock to see Perine settle in as a top-20 PPR option - IF they truly commit to him (potentially a big if). UPDATED 11/10
Cam Akers (LAR, 30%) and Malcolm Brown (LAR, 26%) — Darrell Henderson has clearly played his way ahead of Brown and rookie Akers through the first nine weeks of the season, but Henderson did leave Week 8 early with a thigh injury. Brown led the backfield with 10/40 rushing and 2/17 receiving against the Dolphins while Akers posted 9/35 rushing and he added a 19-yard catch in the loss. Henderson does look iffy for Week 11 through Wednesday’s practice, so check out projections all weekend for the latest. Even if he goes, it still might be worth adding Akers just in case HC McVay plans on getting the rookie more involved in the offense in the second half of the season. It would be very 2020 for Akers to emerge and deliver for fantasy down the stretch after being one of the biggest busts of the first two months of the season. UPDATED 11/11
Rex Burkheard (NE, 19%) — The Pats do have Sony Michel currently on IR and he could return at any time. However, he’s no lock to play Week 11 unless he can get in 1-2 practices this week. We shall see about that, but Michael may need another week. If so, and if Damien Harris’ chest injury keeps him out of action (he’s also dealing with an ankle issue), then Rex is in the driver’s seat for 10+ touches. He can be used in the passing game and near the goal, so he has clear fantasy potential. Playing 42% of the snaps, Burkhead had a healthy role in the running game in Week 9, putting up 12/56/1 rushing and 3/11 receiving on 3 targets. It does look like Harris will play Week 10, but it also appears Rex has secured a solid role with 8-10 touches. UPDATED 11/11
Gus Edwards (Bal, 37%) — Mark Ingram has missed the last two weeks after initially suffering his ankle injury against the Eagles in Week 6. Edwards and Dobbins once again split up the work in Week 9 as Gus finished with 11/23/1 rushing and 2/11 receiving against the Colts on 38% of the snaps while Dobbins totaled 12/30 rushing and 2/5 receiving with 56% of the snaps. Edwards is worth an add to grab a piece of this Ravens backfield, which could be a bit thinned out once again this week after Ingram failed to practice before Week 9. Edwards has the chance to get 10-14 carries once again this week if Ingram is out against the Patriots.
Going Deeper
Jordan Wilkins (Ind, 26%) and Nyheim Hines (Ind, 41%) — The Colts backfield has devolved into an ugly three-man committee with Jonathan Taylor playing like a rookie. Wilkins led the backfield with 13 touches for just 38 scrimmage yards with 34% of the snaps against the Ravens while Taylor had 8/34/1 scrimmage with 31% of the snaps and Hines added 4/38 scrimmage and 34% of the snaps. So they ended up splitting the snaps up evenly between the three backs. The Colts invested a second-round pick in Taylor and he gives this offense their best chance of reaching their full potential, but his mediocre play — he lost a fumble in Week 9 — has opened the door for more snaps for Wilkins and Hines for the time being Reich isn’t very down on Taylor but he will likely keep using the hot-hand approach going forward unless Taylor starts playing like a second-round pick, so Wilkins and Hines are very much in the mix. Just keep in mind that neither is a lock to do a damn thing any given week.
Joshua Kelley (LAC, 42%), Kalen Ballage (LAC, 1%), and Troymaine Pope (LAC, 1%) — This Chargers backfield has devolved into a complete mess for fantasy after Justin Jackson left Week 9 early with a knee injury. Ballage (39% of the snaps) went from the team’s practice squad to being the lead back against the Raiders as Kelley (54% of the snaps) continues to disappoint in recent weeks. Ballage finished with 17/84/1 scrimmage and Kelley had 14/59 scrimmage against the Raiders. Pope came out of nowhere to post 95 scrimmage yards against the Broncos in Week 8 before suffering a concussion and missing Week 9. This is an extremely difficult backfield to break down, but we do know Jackson is likely out. But Pope is likely back. The like order from the depth chart was: Kelley, Pope, Ballage. This backfield is completely unpredictable. UPDATED 11/11
Jordan Howard (Mia, 34%), DeAndre Washington (Mia, 2%), and Salvon Ahmed (MIa, 0%) — If you’re desperate for help, Howard (34% of the snaps Week 9) is the “best” option for the time being since he could fall into the end zone as he did against the Cardinals in Week 9. He finished with just 10/19/1 rushing (1.9 YPC) while Ahmed played much better on his limited chances, posting 7/38 rushing (5.4 YPC), and he did lead them in RB snaps with 46%. Washington will be allowed to join the team next week against the Chargers but he’s unlikely to come in and dominate touches in his first game. Patrick Laird (20% of the snaps) also mixed in last week so cross your fingers if you’re going to use one of these RBs this week. You’re probably best to just avoid this Miami backfield for the time being while Myles Gaskin (knee, IR) is out of the lineup, but it looks like Matt Breida (hamstring) will return in Week 10. If so, he’s probably the best overall option in PPR followed by Howard. UPDATED 11/11
Ryan Nall (Chi, 0%) and Cordarrelle Patterson (Chi, 5%) — Starting RB David Montgomery left late in Week 9 to be evaluated for a concussion. The Bears play on Monday Night Football in Week 10 so he’ll have an extra day to clear the concussion protocol this week. His owners may want to pick up either Nall or Patterson this week for insurance. Nall would likely be used as the team’s primary runner while Patterson would get more snaps in passing situations and as a change-of-pace back against the Vikings in Week 10.
Best Handcuff Stashes
Alexander Mattison (Min, 37%) — Mattison is the top back when Dalvin Cook misses time like he did earlier this season with his groin injury. We did learn in Week 6, though, that OC Gary Kubiak will use Ameer Abdullah in passing situations so Mattison isn’t a bell-cow back when Cook is out of the lineup.
Brian Hill (Atl, 13%) — Hill has emerged ahead of Ito Smith as the #2 RB in this backfield behind Todd Gurley. The Falcons would likely use a committee between Hill and Smith if Gurley missed time, but Hill is the preferred handcuff for anyone looking to grab the backup to the mediocre Gurley.
Devontae Booker (LV, 1%) — The Raiders have built a large part of their offense around stud RB Josh Jacobs, and they also use Jalen Richard as a hurry-up and change-of-pace back. Booker is likely the handcuff for the early-down work in Las Vegas if Jacobs misses time, and he’s even starting to get more opportunities behind Jacobs.
Wide Receivers
Higher-owned Options
Sterling Shepard (NYG, 51%), John Brown (Buf, 62%), Emmanuel Sanders (NO, 52%), Cole Beasley (Buf, 59%)
Top Targets
Curtis Samuel (Car, 29%) — Samuel has been mostly a disappointing fantasy asset through his first four seasons, but he’s shown some signs of life with 11+ FP in each of his last four games. Christian McCaffrey returned to the lineup in Week 9 but Samuel stayed heavily involved against the Chiefs. He caught all nine of his targets for 105 yards and a touchdown and he added 3/13 rushing, along with a solid 72% of the snaps. Samuel has now posted 39+ scrimmage yards in every game and he has 3+ catches in six straight games. He’s also posted 17+ FP in three straight contests. OC Joe Brady is scheming Samuel touches every week so he suddenly has some upside as a WR3, and Teddy Bridgewater is looking for him more often than DJ Moore lately, especially on third down. CMC could also miss more time with a shoulder injury, which could give Samuel extra opportunities while he’s out of the lineup.
Jalen Reagor (Phi, 25%) — Reagor returned to the lineup in Week 8 after a five-game absence after needing thumb surgery. He came through in his first game back with 3/16/1 receiving on six targets (21.4% share) and he added a two-point conversion for good measure against the Cowboys. The Eagles are dying at WR with DeSean Jackson (ankle, IR) and Alshon Jeffery (Lisfranc) unable to stay or get healthy, and they’ve also been without Zach Ertz (ankle, IR) recently. Travis Fulgham has been a real success story the last couple of weeks, but there’s certainly room for Reagor to challenge him to be the top option in this passing attack in the second half of the season. Reagor is an upside add off the waiver wire with the potential to be a fantasy difference-maker down the stretch. Jeffery is expected to return in Week 10, but it’s not that big of a deal for Reagor. UPDATED 11/11
Jakobi Meyers (NE, 12%) — The Patriots have been dying for a WR to step up for Cam Newton in recent weeks, and the second-year pro Meyers has been the one to do it over the last three games. Meyers led the Patriots in receiving for the third straight game in Week 9, posting an insane line of 12/169 on 14 targets while impressively playing 99% of the snaps. We really don’t know when or if Julian Edelman (knee, IR) will return, and they don’t have a TE, so Myers, as long as Edelman is out, is looking like a must-start for most in PPR, as crazy as that sounds. He’s a very consistent possession receiver for Cam, who is clearly comfortable throwing it to Myers. N’Keal Harry and Damiere Byrd haven’t cut it on the perimeter this season, so Meyers is the guy until proven otherwise. UPDATED 11/10
Allen Lazard (GB, 38%) — Lazard has been out of the lineup since he needed core-muscle surgery after Week 3, but he’ll likely return to the lineup against the Jaguars this week after. He traveled with Packers last week but the training staff ultimately decided to give Lazard 10 more days of recovery. Even though Marquez Valdez-Scantling actually made two plays last week, MVS tends to disappear for weeks at a time and Aaron Rodgers could certainly use Lazard at his disposal since the secondary receivers in this offense have been inconsistent since Lazard went down. Lazard posted 18+ FP in two of his first three games before needing surgery so he should be scooped as a WR4 option going forward if he’s been dropped.
Going Deeper
Tim Patrick (Den, 22%) — Patrick started to emerge earlier this season with 14+ FP in three straight games from Weeks 3-6 before suffering a hamstring injury. He returned to the lineup in Week 9 after a one-week absence and he posted 4/29/1 receiving on nine targets in a loss to the Falcons. Patrick will likely stick in the X receiver spot going forward with Courtland Sutton done for the year, and he’s actually the most-seasoned receiver for Drew Lock in his fourth season at 26 years old. He’s a good red zone threat and he’s playing well enough to stick in the WR4 conversation or the WR3 convo in larger leagues. Patrick will duke it out with Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant for the most targets each week.
Nelson Agholor (LV, 24%) — Agholor has turned his career around out in the desert and he now reeled off touchdowns and 13+ FP in four out of his last five, and his only down game came in windy, sloppy conditions in Cleveland in Week 8. Agholor got back on track with 2/55/1 receiving on three targets against the Chargers in Week 9 as he scored on a 45-yard bomb. Agholor’s track record suggests he won’t be able to keep up his strong play, and you’d like to see more targets, but there’s a chance he’s finally starting to live up to his first-round draft status from back in 2015. Henry Ruggs has been used more like a shot-play specialist and Bryan Edwards was a non-factor in his first game back so there’s a chance Agholor is developing into the #1 WR for Derek Carr.
Michael Pittman (Ind, 7%) — Pittman turned into the Colts’ top receiver in Week 9 with T.Y. Hilton out of the lineup with a groin injury. Pittman tied for the team lead in targets with seven (16%) against the Ravens, which he turned into 4/56 receiving. Pittman was starting to get more involved in this passing attack when he suffered his injury back in Week 3, and Philip Rivers could certainly use some additional help Hilton’s career is trending downward. Pittman has a chance to be the #1 receiver in this passing attack by the end of the season so feel free to stash him if you have the roster space.
Rashard Higgins (Cle, 28%) — Higgins was a hot pickup after Odell Beckham’s season-ending knee injury in Week 7, but he bit the dust (1/14 receiving) with the rest of this Cleveland offense in ugly conditions in Week 8. He still played on 85% of the snaps as a full-time player next to Jarvis Landry, but he’s been dropped in a ton of leagues during his bye week. He should be given serious consideration once again with an ideal schedule coming up (Hou, Phi, Jax, Ten). He’s also shown plenty of chemistry with Baker Mayfield when he’s been given the chance to play over the last few seasons so he could turn into a serviceable WR4 in the second half of the season.
Darnell Mooney (Chi, 14%) Anthony Miller (Chi, 21%) — Mooney has been operating as the #2 WR behind Allen Robinson, and he led the team in targets in Week 9 with 11 looks from Nick Foles. He turned his 21.2% target share into just 5/43 receiving against the Titans. Mooney has seen 5+ in each of the last six weeks, and he has 3+ catches and 35+ yards in four straight games. Mooney will continue to get big-play chances and he’s trending in the right direction even with sporadic QB play. Miller has also been trending upward with 13/132 receiving on 19 targets over the last two weeks. The Bears are slinging it a ton every week since they don’t have a consistent running game so Mooney and Miller are WR4/5 options.
K.J. Hamler (Den, 2%) — Hamler has managed to string together multiple healthy games in a row and his production is starting to pick up with double-digit FP in consecutive games. He posted 6/75 receiving on 10 targets (20.8% share) with the Broncos in catch-up mode against the Falcons in Week 9. The Broncos should continue to roll with a combination Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, and Hamler in three-WR sets going forward. The speedy second-round pick has played both outside and more lately inside and he should be stashed in deeper leagues since the Broncos should continue to get him more involved going forward.
Sammy Watkins (KC, 43%) and Mecole Hardman (KC, 37%) — Watkins has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, but he’ll likely return to the lineup in Week 11 when the Chiefs emerge from their bye. Watkins reached double-digit FP in three of his first five games this season. Hardman will go back to more of a secondary role, but he at least started to emerge a bit ahead of Demarcus Robinson the last couple of weeks to give him some hope for the final seven games of the season. Watkins will be the more consistent WR4 option going forward while Hardman will be a boom-or-bust WR4/5. Hardman was placed on the Covid list, but they are off Week 10. UPDATED 11/11
Jakeem Grant (Mia, 2%) — The Dolphins traded Isaiah Ford before their Week 9 game and they may be without Preston Williams going forward after he left their game against the Cardinals with a foot injury. Grant could be looking at a bigger role behind DeVante Parker as the team’s #2 WR, and he posted 4/35 receiving on five targets against the Cardinals. Mack Hollins could also get a longer look on the perimeter after scoring a touchdown on his only target. Grant has shown some game-breaking ability as a returner over the last couple of seasons and he can play outside or inside, and he may get to show that ability as a receiver moving forward.
David Moore (Sea, 3%) — Moore is a player to consider on the low end if you’re looking for an all-or-nothing option off of the waiver wire. He’s posted three straight games with 3+ catches and he’s scored in consecutive games as the #3 WR in this high-flying offense. He actually has 3+ catches in six of his eight games and he’s scored a touchdown in half of his games, usually playing about 50% of the snaps, so you can do much worse off the waiver wire.
{Danny Amendola|WR|DET}} (Det, 2%) — Amendola benefitted from Kenny Golladay’s absence in Week 9, posting a season-best 7/77 receiving on 10 targets for 14.9 FP against the Vikings. Amendola has now posted 50+ receiving yards in three straight games and he should be a little more active for as long as Golladay is out of the lineup for those looking for help in deeper PPR formats.
Randall Cobb (Hou, 21%) — Cobb has seen a steady diet of targets in the middle of the field from Deshaun Watson most weeks. He disappointed in a great matchup against the Jaguars in Week 9, catching all three of his targets for 21 yards. Cobb should stay active in this passing attack, but he’s clearly the third-best option, at best, behind Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks. It’s also only a matter of time before Fuller and/or Cooks misses time with an injury, and his role would grow in that scenario.
Auden Tate (Cin, 1%) — Tate received rave reviews for his performance in training camp, but HC Zac Taylor had him buried behind the other Michael Thomas until Week 8. Tate saw his first real chance for playing time against the Titans, and he took advantage by catching a team-best seven passes for 65 yards on seven targets (18.9% share). Tate has played fairly well when given the chance to play since last season, and he should see more opportunities going forward behind top option Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.
Richie James (SF, 1%) — We feel obligated to list James this week after he hung 9/184/1 receiving on 13 targets as the top target for Nick Mullens. The problem is that the 49ers will likely get Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and maybe Kendrick Bourne (who was re-added to the Covid list on 11/9) back this week against the Saints so James is likely to move back toward the back end of the depth chart. Still, keep an eye on him this week just in case he would have a prominent role Week 10, since he showed his playmaking ability last week. It does look like Deebo will not return Week 10, but we’ll see. UPDATED 11/11
Josh Reynolds (LAR, 2%) — Reynolds has emerged a bit ahead of Van Jefferson in the #3 WR role in Los Angeles, which has helped him post 44+ receiving yards in four straight games. He posted 4/44 receiving on nine targets against the Dolphins in Week 8 with Jared Goff attempting 61 passes. Reynolds is worth consideration in deeper formats, especially this week against the Seahawks.
Tight Ends
Higher-owned Options
Dallas Goedert (Phi, 55%), Jimmy Graham (Chi, 49%), Mike Gesicki (Mia, 60%)
Top Targets
Austin Hooper (Cle, 38%) and Harrison Bryant (Cle, 3%) — Bryant had a breakout performance against the Bengals in Week 7 with Hooper out of the lineup, but he came back to earth in ugly conditions with 3/25 receiving with a lost fumble against the Raiders. With Odell Beckham done for the season, Bryant and David Njoku will have bigger roles in this passing attack when Hooper (appendectomy) returns to the lineup in Week 10 out of their bye. Bryant has a chance to stay involved in this passing game going forward since Baker Mayfield is lacking in playmakers at receiver right now. But Hooper still has the edge going forward since he was playing well before his appendectomy with exactly five catches in three straight games. There’s a chance these TEs cannibalize each other’s fantasy production, but they’re worth a look at a thin fantasy position since the Browns have an appealing upcoming schedule (Hou, Phi, Jax, Ten).
Going Deeper
Logan Thomas (Was, 38%) — Thomas saw six targets in Week 9, which was his most targets since Week 3, but he turned those looks into just 3/28 receiving. He posted 7/102/2 receiving in Week 6-7 with Kyle Allen but it looks like he’ll be rolling with Alex Smith and Dwayne Haskins moving forward after Allen suffered a small fracture and he dislocated his ankle in Week 9. Thomas still has a chance to come through with captain checkdown Smith, but his ceiling isn’t nearly as high as it would be with Allen.
Irv Smith (Min, 7%) — Smith has slowly been getting more involved in the Vikings offense since Week 5, and he made his most noise against the Lions in Week 9. He caught just two passes on four targets against the Lions but they went for a one-yard score and a nine-yard score. Mike Zimmer ideally wants his team to be a low-volume passing attack every week so we’re at least a bit skeptical Smith’s role will consistently carry over to the future since Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are going to command targets. Smith has shown he deserves to see a steady diet of targets every week, but the Vikings are getting back to dominating opponents with Dalvin Cook and their running game. Smith is worth an add if you’re looking for a player with upside potential at a position that’s sorely lacking for quality upside options.
Jordan Reed (SF, 26%) — San Francisco really needs Reed going forward with news that George Kittle is looking at an eight-week absence for a broken bone in his foot. The 49ers activated Reed from the injured reserve but he played just 23% of the snaps with the 49ers getting blown off the field against the Packers in Week 9. He caught one of his two targets for three yards while Ross Dwelley caught all three of his targets for 52 yards while playing 74% of the snaps. Reed is never guaranteed to stay healthy for too long, but he’s always been productive for fantasy when he’s given a sizable role in a decent or better offense. He has looked good in spots this year, and his snaps and role should grow as long as the 49ers are competitive against the Saints, but he’s tough to completely trust after his dud last week.
Dalton Schultz (Dal, 22%) — Schultz is still hanging around after a couple of solid performances with the likes of Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert in Weeks 8-9. He posted 10/103 receiving on 15 targets against the Eagles and the Steelers. Schultz will be a low-end PPR option when the Cowboys come out of their Week 10 bye, and he could get Andy Dalton (COVID-19 list) back to give him a little more hope for the rest of the season. Between Dalton and Gilbert, he has a chance with capable QB play.
Gerald Everett (LAR, 4%) — Everett has been a more reliable option over Tyler Higbee over the last month of the season with 3+ catches in four straight games. Everett posted 5/32 receiving against the Dolphins in Week 8 with Jared Goff attempting 61 passes. Everett is difficult to completely trust since Higbee is still seeing some weekly targets, but his role could continue to grow out of their Week 9 bye since he’s actually making plays compared to Higbee.
Place Kickers
Higher-owned Options
Wil Lutz (NO, 97%) Justin Tucker (Bal, 99%)
Top Targets
Matt Prater (Det, 81%) - Prater has a strong leg and 12 of his 20 field goal attempts have come from 40 yards or more. This is one of the reasons fantasy owners have him rostered. This week, the Lions face a decent defense in Washington. Nonetheless, Washington has allowed two or more field conversions in all three of their road games this year.
Mason Crosby (GB, 26%) - Green Bay faced a down-and-out 49ers team last Thursday night and Crosby benefitted from this as he posted four extra points and kicked two field goals from 19 and 53 yards. The Packers now come home to face a Jaguars team that is allowing close to 31 points a game and nearly 34 points a game on the road. If this continues, Crosby could produce up to four extra points and get two or three field goal opportunities.
Going Deeper
Jason Sanders (Mia, 17%) - Sanders is quietly having a career season. Through eight games, he has been perfect on 24 extra points and 17 field goal attempts. Of his 17 field goals made, Sanders has converted ten of them from the bonus range and four of them from 50 yards and beyond.
Kai Forbath (LAR, 1%) - Forbath took over for PK Sam Sloman who was released shortly after the Rams Week 7 game. Forbath hit on one of two field goal attempts and added two extra points in his first game. His missed field goal went wide left from the bonus range of 48 yards. The Rams face division rival Seattle at home this week. Their offense should do well against the Seahawks and that bodes well for Forbath and his opportunities.
Defense/Special Teams
Higher-owned Options
Saints (NO, 46%)
Top Targets
Dolphins (Mia, 31%) — What a difference a corner makes. Since Byron Jones returned in Week 5 (giving Miami two top corners), Miami’s D has been a top-10 unit. In those four games, the Phins have 11 sacks, 5 INTs, 2 TDs (thanks in part to elite returner Jakeem Grant), and 2 fumble recoveries. Over the last two weeks, they’ve stifled the Rams and Cardinals and now get a soft spot in their schedule (LAC, @ DEN, @NYJ, Cin). Tua Tagovailoa should keep this offense rolling enough to allow this Brian Flores defense to remain aggressive and downright dangerous.
Going Deeper
Vikings (Min, 23%) — The Vikings have been largely a bend-don’t-break defense this year, as they lack elite corners and are missing Danielle Hunter. They’ve managed to keep the Seahawks - 27 points - and Packers - 22 points - offenses at (green) bay, but as we saw last week, they can do damage against weaker opponents. Minnesota held the Lions to just 20 points while securing 3 INTs and 2 sacks. They’ll continue their run against turnover-prone offenses over the next month (@Chi, Dal, Car, Jax).
