Last week was full of more surprising big passing performances which put more quarterbacks and wide receivers on the waiver wire radar ahead of Week 10. Once again, there was limited additional injury attrition at running back, with just Cam Akers (Achilles) going down. Daniel Jones, Christian Watson, Josh Downs, Dallas Goedert, and K.J. Osborn were the notable injuries at other positions, and there also are four more byes in Week 10 with the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Eagles off. All of that creates more need for fantasy football owners to dip into their FAAB budgets and splurge on some reinforcements.
Josh Dobbs looked good in relief with the talented Vikings' offense around him, the Patriots and Texans are offering the most attractive receiving help past midseason, and there are plenty of streamable TEs and D/STs to consider.
Whether you're thinking short- or long-term, how should you prioritize the pickups, either through the running of waivers or allocation of your free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB)? Here's your advice and buying guide for the latest week of the fantasy open market:
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Full waivers list | Trade advice
Week 10 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
1. Josh Dobbs, Vikings (Yahoo league availability: 84%). Don't fight this feeling anymore, much like the Taysom Hill sensation at tight end. Dobbs was a compiler of stats with his legs and arm in Arizona in more games than not. Now, he has better weapons in Minnesota to become the ultimate plus-streamer, especially with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) on his way back soon He has been one of the most amazing fantasy stories at QB, much like the next guy. Projected FAAB bid: 4-5% of total budget
2. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (Yahoo league availability: 52%). Mayfield has delivered two nice fantasy games in succession with the solid two-TD floor against the Bills and Texans, not the easiest pass defenses vs. QBs. He is playing well within the offense, being helped by good protection, getting the ball out quickly, and versatile weapons. He also is now benefitting more from a much-improved running game to boost his downfield play-action passing. He can come through against the Titans at home. Projected FAAB bid: 3-4% of total budget
3. Will Levis, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 55%). Levis wisely was a sit and an obvious cool-down candidate against the Steelers on a short week in Week 9, but he'll get revved up with his big arm with extra time to prepare to try to match C.J. Stroud's rookie record performance against a reeling Tampa Bay pass defense back on the road. Projected FAAB bid: 3-4% of total budget
4. Mac Jones, Patriots (Yahoo league availability: 87%). Jones is hard to trust even in good matchups, but here comes another one against the Colts' pass defense on the neutral field in Frankfurt. It won't be pretty, but there's enough around him to get it done with volume for a week. Projected FAAB bid: 1-2% of total budget
5. Taylor Heinicke, Falcons (Yahoo league availability: 89%). Heinicke was his usual wild, wacky self against the Vikings with no Drake London (groin), posting a 268-1-1 line with 20 rushing yards. He gets to go after the Cardinals as the Falcons keep passing more than expected because of defensive woes. He might get it done with volume with Kyler Murray (knee) on the other side. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
6. Bryce Young, Panthers (Yahoo league availability: 83%). Young started poorly against the Colts and didn't get the pleasing garbage despite his defense putting the team down early. He should be pumped to pick on the Bears' shaky pass rush and secondary on Thursday night, making him streamable if you're desperate. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 10 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
1. Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (Yahoo league availability: 96%). Mitchell broke out in a big way with 138 yards and a TD on just nine carries against the Seahawks. The dynamic rookie was still operating as Baltimore's third-string back and did most of his damage after Baltimore got out to a big lead, but his talent can't be ignored. Gus Edwards is still the No. 1 in this backfield, but Mitchell can jump Justice Hill for second-team reps, giving him potential flex value going forward. Projected FAAB bid: 8-10% of total budget
2. Devin Singletary, Texans (Yahoo league availability: 49%). Singletary had a healthy 15 touches with no Dameon Pierce (ankle) available against the Buccaneers but it added up to just 26 yards. Houston quickly abandoned a weak rushing attack and went nuts passing in Week 9, but as long as Pierce (ankle) is out, he will get the key volume over Mike Boone and others. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
3. Royce Freeman, Rams (Yahoo league availability: 74%). Freeman was their most productive rusher in Green Bay over Darrell Henderson, but like the rest of the offense, he was dragged down by Brett Rypien starting. Los Angeles gets a bye in Week 10, which hopefully means Matthew Stafford (thumb) will heal before Week 11 against the Seahawks, which might be the last week for the replacement committee before Kyren Williams (ankle) returns. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 10 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
1. Tank Dell, Texans (Yahoo league availability: 53%). Dell was a bit forgotten for a few weeks with Houston going through a bye week and him being concussed before that. He exploded again with C.J. Stroud going off in a pass-happy attack vs. Tampa Bay, catching six of a team-high tying 11 targets for 114 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner. He was helped by Robert Woods (foot) not playing, but he was once again locked in all over the field with Stroud. Projected FAAB bid: 8-9% of total budget
2. Demario Douglas, Patriots (Yahoo league availability: 65%). As expected, he was their best wide receiver by default with an injury pileup against Washington. That added up to five catches for 55 yards on seven targets to lead the team Douglas should be rostered in PPR-leaning leagues, as his usage is bound to stay on the uptick with his efficiency. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
3. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots (Yahoo league availability: 81%). Smith-Schuster was doing nothing until Kendrick Bourne (knee) went down for the season in Week 8. He scored later in that game against the Dolphins and followed that up with six catches for 51 yards on seven targets vs. the Commanders. He has more TD potential than Douglas, but he's on the same level of a pickup. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
4. Noah Brown, Texans (Yahoo league availability: 98%). A healthy Brown was anomalous with his usage with no Woods against the Buccaneers, as he caught all six of his targets for 153 yards and a TD, making big plays all over the field. It's hard to believe Houston can sustain Dell, Brown, Dalton Schultz, and Nico Collins all producing in the same game again, especially with a tough road game at the Bengals next. However, his Week 9 performance puts him on the streaming radar. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
Week 10 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
1. Gerald Everett, Chargers (Yahoo league availability: 71). Everett proved to be healthy for Week 9 against the Jets and gets another good TE matchup at home against the Lions in Week 10. His value is helped by Josh Palmer (knee) joining Mike Williams (knee) on the shelf at wideout behind Keenan Allen. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
2. Michael Mayer, Raiders (Yahoo league availability: 88%). The rookie is volatile playing with fellow rookie Aidan O'Connell at QB, but the Jets present a nice spot for him to get going at home, as they tend to funnel things away from the cornerbacks with their zone defense. Mayer should be more involved to get streaming consideration. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
3. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (Yahoo league availability: 63%). Freiermuth (hamstring) isn't ready or eligible to return from the IR in Week 10 vs. the Packers, but he's on track to be ready for Week 11 vs. the Browns. That's not a great spot, but he can be a key part of their offense when back in the lineup. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
4. Hunter Henry, Patriots (Yahoo league availability: 62%). Henry popped up again in the passing game out of necessity with four catches, 39 yards, and a TD against the Commanders, working as a top-four target behind Douglas, Smith-Schuster, and Rhamondre Stevenson. He needs to keep up the usage, but the Colts are beatable in Week 10. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
Week 10 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire D/ST pickups, streamers
(Note: Do not spend any of FAAB budget on D/ST! Get them for $0 after waivers run!)
1. Las Vegas Raiders (Yahoo league availability: 52%). They are playing well around Maxx Crosby under defensive-minded interim coach Antonio Pierce. They should be game for what should be a low-scoring, prime-time affair at home vs. the Jets.
2. Indianapolis Colts (Yahoo league availability: 87%). The Colts have a leaky pass defense and can also break down against the run, but they're worth a shot in Frankfurt against the turnover- and sack-prone Mac Jones.
3. Carolina Panthers (Yahoo league availability: 95%). The Panthers do go on the road on a short week, but they did play well vs. C.J. Stroud two weeks ago and get to attack either turnover-prone Tyson Bagent or a rusty Justin Fields (thumb).
4. Seattle Seahawks (Yahoo league availability: 59%). The Seahawks' defense got ripped in Baltimore — especially against the run — so that might give you pause, but they should have a shot to rack up some sacks and pressure the Commanders' Sam Howell into takeaways back at home.
5. Atlanta Falcons (Yahoo league availability: 47%). The Falcons fell apart in a great matchup that turned bad in a hurry once Jaren Hall (concussion) was out of the game for Minnesota in Week 9. They're worth considering in Arizona against a volatile Cardinals' offense.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Yahoo league availability: 72%). The Buccaneers' defense fell apart against the pass with no Jamel Dean and the Titans should be aggressive throwing on them with Levis. However, it's still a rookie behind a shakier offensive line on the road.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (Yahoo league availability: 72%). It might seem ludicrous to play them vs. the Texans with a red-hot Stroud, but the Bengals tend to play better defense at home and their pass rushers and secondary depth (except for safety) can give the rookie road issues.
