NFL Waiver Wire: Week 10 Pickups

This week there are actually some worthy players on whom to blow your FAAB. Keep in mind, we are back to four teams on the bye this week, but next week (Week 11) six teams have byes, including the entire AFC East. When making FAAB bids this week look at who's available on the wire and keep track of injury reports as the week goes on. Sometimes a gamble will help, and while the bid recommendations have been relatively low this season, this week the ante is upped. Adjust based on your leagues specs and how much you have left. The difference in making the playoffs and a championship might be this week's FAAB, and that hasn't been said yet this season.

And remember, obvious adds not mentioned below (i.e. Elijah McGuire, Marques Valdes-Scantling) were mentioned in previous weeks when it was easier to acquire them.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.

This week's byes: Denver, Minnesota, Baltimore, Houston



This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Alex Smith, WAS - Smith is coming off one of his better performances of the season, throwing for 306 yards and rushing for 22 more Sunday against the Falcons. He's 43 percent owned in Yahoo leagues and would be rated higher for this week except he just lost both starting guards for the season due to injury. Still, it's a prime matchup this week at Tampa Bay as the Bucs' pass defense is atrocious. The Buccaneers have allowed a league-high 22 passing touchdowns and 8.9 YPA, second highest in the league. The good news is Tampa Bay has put up points in every game Ryan Fitzpatrick has started (sans Chicago), so Smith should be called upon to throw more than usual in this one. The Texans (coming off a bye) and at Dallas (Thanksgiving) are on Washington's schedule the next two weeks, so Smith is likely only viable this week. FAAB: $3-$6

Hail Mary

Nick Mullens, SF - Mullens pulled off a stunning victory Thursday night, leading the 49ers to a win over the hapless Raiders. Mullens has been in this offense for more than a year and had a week and a half to practice with the first-string players. Note that coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't named this week's starter, but it's tough to think he'll go back to C.J. Beathard. That said, Mullens has a few red flags. Mullens' game came at home against one of the worst defenses in the league – the Raiders. They have given up 31.5 points per game (second most in the league) and blew a lot of coverages that led to Mullens' big game. FAAB: FCFS or $1 (adjust accordingly in 2-QB/Super-flex leagues)

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Mike Davis, Rashaad Penny, SEA -Chris Carson left Sunday's game with a hip injury, apparently the same issue that plagued him earlier this season. Davis handled the bulk of the workload after Carson left with Penny getting a small uptick in touches. Carson's availability for this week is uncertain (coach Pete Carroll has called him "day-to-day," for what it's worth). Without Carson, Davis would be firmly in RB2 territory this week (possibly higher) and put Penny on the flex radar, considering four teams are on bye. Whether to grab Davis or Duke Johnson (see below) this week is a coin flip; keep in mind Nick Chubb is still the main ball carrier for the Browns while Caron's status will determine if Davis is the lead back. FAAB: Davis $10-$20; Penny $5-$10

Duke Johnson, CLE - Johnson finally had a big game, catching all nine of his targets Sunday for 78 yards and two touchdowns. It's tough to decipher if the uptick in usage was due to the change in offensive coordinator or the game situation with Cleveland playing from behind the whole game in a high-scoring affair. Duke's production was likely a combination of both and he could be in a similar game flow this week against the Falcons. Keep in mind, Johnson hasn't had more than five carries in a game this season and before Sunday didn't have more than four catches in any game this season either. FAAB: $10-$20, bump him up in full point PPR formats

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

John Ross, CIN - News broke Sunday that A.J. Green will miss the next two games and then be evaluated to see when he might return. This will make Tyler Boyd the de facto No. 1 wide receiver and give Ross an opportunity to play second fiddle among the wide receivers. With injuries to the Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft, the receiving tree has narrowed, meaning Ross and Boyd should see plenty of targets the next couple weeks. Ross practiced Monday, and coming off the bye that's an indication he should be over his groin injury. Remember, he was the ninth overall pick last season. FAAB: $8-$16

Maurice Harris, WAS - Harris got as many snaps as the other healthy Redskins' wide receivers in the weeks leading up to Sunday's game against Atlanta. This time he turned that playing time into significant production with 12-10-124. Even though he didn't score, it was his most productive game of the season, and he could be building some trust with Alex Smith. Harris has a great matchup against Tampa Bay this week and could lead the team once again in targets given the lack of healthy options. FAAB: $6-$12

Hail Mary

Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall, free agents - Dez and Marshall are scheduled to work out for the Saints on Tuesday, as New Orleans looks to add some depth with Ted Ginn on IR and Cameron Meredith not producing. This would be fantastic if it was 2014 for Dez (1,320 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns) or 2015 for Marshall (1,502 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns). However, this is 2018, and outside of a miracle it's unlikely either will make a fantasy impact in standard formats. First, they'd have to impress enough to make the team and then take a week or two to learn the playbook (and no, the team isn't going to script the first 15 plays to cater a la Demaryius Thomas this week). Deep formats, grab a lottery ticket, but otherwise ignore any and all noise. FAAB: FCFS or $1

TIGHT END

Hail Mary

Jeff Heuerman, DEN - While all the fuss last week was about Courtland Sutton and his potential with Demaryius Thomas traded, it ended up being Heuerman who had the bigger impact Sunday against Houston. Heuerman had 11 targets that he turned into 10-83-1, helping the Broncos keep the game close. Sutton finished with only five targets but dropped a ball in the end zone on what would have been a long touchdown. The Broncos are on bye this week, but it would be prudent to add Heuerman now, if possible, and beat next week's rush. FAAB: FCFS or $1

Defense

Primary Targets

New York Jets D/ST - This is a case of "who's playing Buffalo?" as the Bills travel to New Jersey to take on the Jets. It sounds as if Josh Allen will be out again, but Derek Anderson could return under center. Whether it's Anderson or Nathan Peterman running the offense, the Bills have given up some big games this season to defenses/special teams. The Jets are only 38 percent owned on Yahoo and are the best streaming option available. FAAB: $4-$8, adjust based on how much FAAB is left