The Week 10 waiver wire is thinner than it was a month ago, but it isn’t empty. Week 9 handed fantasy managers a new starting running back in New Orleans, a possible backfield shake-up in Indianapolis, a tight end who suddenly looked like a top target in Carolina, and an injury in New England that could open the door for a cheap add.
There’s one more wrinkle this week. Four teams are on bye in Week 10: the Bears, Broncos, Buccaneers and Eagles. If you roster players from those teams, you’ll need a fill-in, and the names below can help. Note that Monday night’s Bills-Vikings game hasn’t been played yet, so check injury news from that game before your waivers run.
Rostership numbers come from Yahoo and ESPN leagues as reported by Pro Football Network, Yahoo Sports and Roto Street Journal.
Week 10 waiver wire: running backs
Corey Kiner, Patriots (about 4% rostered)
This is the priority add at running back if he’s available. Rhamondre Stevenson hurt his knee in Sunday’s loss to Green Bay and was quickly ruled out, and TreVeyon Henderson is likely done for the season. That leaves Kiner as the most likely early-down back when New England faces Detroit in Munich on Sunday.
The length of Stevenson’s absence decides how much to spend. If the news is good, Kiner is a one-week fill-in. If it’s bad, he could hold a starting job into December. Bid accordingly, and watch the Patriots’ injury report Wednesday.
Audric Estimé, Saints (about 4%)
New Orleans released Kendre Miller and signed Estimé before Week 9, and he went straight into the starting lineup. He led the team in carries and punched in the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ 23-22 overtime win over Cleveland. He still shares the backfield with Alvin Kamara, but a featured role against Carolina in Week 10 makes him a reasonable flex play.
Seth McGowan, Colts (about 32%)
McGowan scored the first touchdown of his career and ran six times for 45 yards against Dallas. On his own, that’s a modest line. The reason to add him is Jonathan Taylor’s future. The Colts are still taking calls on Taylor ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, and if he’s moved, McGowan becomes the lead back right away, with Miami up next. Our trade deadline guide has the latest on those talks.
Even if Taylor stays, McGowan is one of the best handcuffs on the wire.
Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (about 31%)
Johnson ran six times for 34 yards and added a late touchdown in Kansas City’s 35-12 win over the Jets. He isn’t a weekly starter while Kenneth Walker is healthy, but he’s the clear handcuff in an offense that just got good news on Patrick Mahomes’ elbow. If Walker ever misses time, Johnson becomes a must-start.
Week 10 waiver wire: wide receivers
Tank Dell, Texans (about 13%)
Dell caught four of nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 as C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five scores, his best game of the season. Dell is still working his way back from a serious knee injury, so expect some ups and downs, but nine targets is real usage. Houston visits Cleveland in Week 10.
Omar Cooper Jr., Jets
With Garrett Wilson out because of a concussion, Cooper became New York’s top target and caught eight of 11 passes for 58 yards against Kansas City. He has earned at least five targets in three of his five games. His Week 10 matchup is against Buffalo, and if Wilson stays out, Cooper’s floor rises.
Pat Bryant, Broncos (about 1%)
Bryant posted 15.6 fantasy points in Week 9, according to DraftKings Network, but Denver is on bye in Week 10. This is a stash, not a start. Only add him if you have an open bench spot.
Week 10 waiver wire: tight ends
Darren Waller, Panthers (about 7%)
Waller was the surprise of the afternoon. After three straight games with two or fewer targets, he caught eight of 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s loss to Denver, leading the team in catches, targets and receiving yards. It was his fourth touchdown of the season.
Not every analyst is convinced, and Pro Football Network left him off its list of recommended adds. One big game after three quiet ones is a fair reason for caution. Still, with four teams on bye and divisional games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay coming up, Waller is a solid streaming option.
Chig Okonkwo, Commanders (about 22%)
Okonkwo caught six of seven targets for 57 yards and has reached double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games. Washington is missing several of its top receivers, which keeps his target share stable. The Commanders play the Giants on Thursday night, so decide on him early.
Week 10 waiver wire: quarterbacks
Shedeur Sanders, Browns
Sanders threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints and finished as one of the top fantasy quarterbacks of the week. The problem is job security. Deshaun Watson has cleared the concussion protocol and could return against Houston, his former team, in Week 10. Add Sanders only if you can afford to wait for that decision.
Geno Smith, Jets (about 23%)
Smith is the best available streamer in many leagues. His Week 10 matchup is against Buffalo, a defense that ranked 26th in both EPA per dropback and dropback success rate according to Roto Street Journal’s numbers. That’s a rare soft spot for a Bills team that’s been winning. Smith’s outlook improves if Wilson returns from his concussion.
Jacoby Brissett, Ravens
Brissett was traded from Arizona to Baltimore last week with Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley both out. He should start Monday night against the Chargers in Week 10. He’s a deep-league or superflex add rather than a streamer.
Week 10 waiver wire: defenses
The Saints D/ST against Carolina sits at the top of RotoBaller’s streaming list. The Ravens D/ST, at home on Monday night against the Chargers, is another option. If you need a defense for Week 10 only, these are the two to look at first.
Quick priority list
If you only have one claim, here’s how we would rank the top adds for Week 10:
| Rank | Player | Team | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corey Kiner | Patriots | Likely starter with Stevenson hurt |
| 2 | Seth McGowan | Colts | Lead back if Taylor is traded |
| 3 | Audric Estimé | Saints | Starter’s role vs. Carolina |
| 4 | Tank Dell | Texans | Nine targets and a 100-yard game |
| 5 | Darren Waller | Panthers | Best TE stream with four teams on bye |
| 6 | Geno Smith | Jets | QB stream vs. Buffalo |
What’s next after the Week 10 waiver wire
Two things can still change this list before Wednesday. First, the trade deadline. If Taylor or another starting back is moved Tuesday, the waiver picture shifts immediately. Second, Monday night’s game in Minneapolis. Any injury on either side could create a new add.
FieldPylon will flag any changes before waivers clear. Good luck with your claims.
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