If you’re reading this, chances are you need to find replacements for injuries or for players on bye (CHI, CIN, NYG, HOU). There have been plenty of injuries in nine weeks of action, with top-tier fantasy players out for extended periods of time or were unable to suit up Sunday morning, leaving you scrambling for a plug-in starter. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce the Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
We’re officially onto the back half of the season, so you may want to drop those later-round flyers you’ve been stashing for weeks and start considering other options that have carved out more significant roles. If you need that immediate upgrade now, here are some Week 10 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help move your team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 10 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts (50.4%)
Carson Wentz rebounded with a nice fantasy output of 24.18 fantasy points against the Jets on Thursday night after essentially blowing the game two weeks ago against the Titans. Despite his struggles to close out games, he has only posted one single-digit fantasy performance this season. He also is building some serious chemistry with Michael Pittman Jr. the past few games. Indianapolis still has Jacksonville twice and Houston for easy opponents for the back half of the season and, as long as the Colts balance the pass attack with the run attack, Wentz should continue posting solid fantasy numbers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (44.4%)
Matt Ryan and the Falcons have struggled all season long, but he’s still been able to post solid fantasy numbers. He’s scored single-digit points in two games and recently lost his No. 1 wide receiver, Calvin Ridley, but he could simply score viable fantasy numbers because they’ll constantly be playing from behind and for nothing. Atlanta faces DAL, NE and JAX in their next three games, which could be pretty solid for Ryan to post good fantasy numbers, especially if he develops more chemistry with his weapons outside of Ridley.
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Ty Johnson, New York Jets (20.5%)
Despite rookie running back Michael Carter becoming more involved in the game plan and acting as the lead back, Ty Johnson is still being utilized quite a bit in the passing game. Since Week 5, he’s been targeted 19 times and has scored twice through the air. He doesn’t garner many carries because of Carter’s more significant role lately, but he’s worth the consideration for a low-end running back play in deeper leagues for his receiving upside. It’s unclear whether he’ll still be utilized as much if Zach Wilson returns to the lineup or the Jets stick with Mike White, but his past four performances have been impressive.
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles (8.1%)
With Miles Sanders out with injury, the Eagles have gone with a three-headed approach in the backfield, and it seems like Jordan Howard is leading the charge, especially near the goal-line. Rookie Kenneth Gainwell is utilized in the passing game, but the Eagles’ offense looks very shotty week in and week out lately, so Howard may be a dependable option moving forward as long as Sanders is out. He’s scored three touchdowns in the past two games and has scored double-digit fantasy points in both. He isn’t a must-add waiver target by any means, as Boston Scott could take his role and the Eagles don’t run as much in the first place, but he could be viable for his goal-line opportunities and trust to score from the coaching staff.
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (24.8%)
The Ravens have really shown they want rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman involved in the offensive game plan, as he’s been targeted at least six times in his first three games of his career. He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet, but Bateman has surpassed double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games, and the Ravens face some favorable defenses in MIA, CHI and CLE their next three games. It’s Week 10 already, so there isn’t much time to really stash players anymore, but it’s a good idea to add Bateman and see how much more he’s utilized in the offense moving forward.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons (16.0%)
It’s great for Russell Gage’s fantasy managers that Calvin Ridley is sitting out due to personal reasons because he’ll be a larger focal point in the passing game. But it also means he’ll be drawing top defenders more often. Kyle Pitts will likely have the best opposing cornerback guarding him for the most part. After sitting out with an injury for three weeks early in the season, he’s been targeted at least six times in two of three games and found the end zone in Week 7 against the Dolphins. He’s a solid option in deeper formats.
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings (46.2%)
The Minnesota offense has been a pleasant surprise this season, competing with great teams each week. Tyler Conklin has carved out a solid role in the passing attack. The wide receivers hog most of the usage due to their talent, but Conklin has been targeted at least three times in every game this season but has only found the end zone once. He’s posted nearly double-digit fantasy football points in three straight games. If the Vikings keep up their strong offensive play, he’ll be involved and could find the end zone again. The tight end position is scarce this season, like always, but finding one with consistent targets is pretty tough at this point, so he’s worth the waiver wire add.
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars (16.8%)
Since being traded to the Jaguars, Dan Arnold has carved out a pretty significant role and is developing some chemistry with rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’s been targeted at least five times in four straight games, including a 10-target game in Week 8. When Lawrence can’t find any of his receivers, Arnold is there as his security blanket. The Jaguars will likely always be playing from behind and, if James Robinson misses more time, they’ll need to develop more of a passing identity and Arnold will be a part of that.
