Fantasy Football News & Views posts twice weekly: Warmup kick-starts your fantasy football planning, and Last Looks makes sure you’re ready to roll out your rosters.
Thursday night did not disappoint in terms of exciting games. From a fantasy perspective, it was a mixed bag.
If you had Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, or the Raiders’ defense in your lineup, then congratulations, as your Week 10 is off to a great start. If you hoped for a bounce-back performance from Raiders tight end Darren Waller or a strong showing from Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams, you were left disappointed.
Now, it’s time to focus on the rest of the Week 10 games. First, let’s get some housekeeping items out of the way.
Teams on Bye
New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans
Injury Update
Notable players to replace or monitor include:
Out
- UPDATE: Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy (healthy scratch) is inactive versus Tennessee Titans
- Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (knee)
- Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (hamstring)
- Falcons running back Ito Smith (neck)
- Steelers running back James Conner (shoulder)
- Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (ankle)
- Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (calf)
- Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell (hand)
- Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks (concussion)
- Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring)
- Browns tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (knee)
- Giants tight end Evan Engram (foot)
- Titans tight end Delanie Walker (ankle)
Doubtful
- UPDATE: Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (hip/back) is not expected to play against the Bears Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
- UPDATE: 49ers tight end George Kittle (knee/ankle) is not expected to play versus the Seahawks Monday night.
- UPDATE: Titans wide receiver Corey Davis is not expected to play against the Chiefs Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Questionable
- Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (foot)
- Vikings wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee, ankle)
Probable
- Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness)
- Jets running back Le’Veon Bell (knee/ankle)
- Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (ankle/thigh)
Active
- Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (kneecap)
- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (ankle)
- Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
- Saints tight end Jared Cook (ankle)
Waiver Wire Pickups
With injuries and bye weeks, chances are you’ve been scanning the waiver wire for last-minute pickups, or analyzing your league’s depth charts to see who might be open to trading.
Who should you add? Who should you drop? Some of the players listed are relatively new options. Some are repeats who peaked earlier in the season, then came crashing back to earth after one breakout week. Or injury. Or both. And fickle fantasy owners’ interests turned elsewhere. But now they’re back, perhaps to get you through the rest of the season. The possibilities may not be limitless, but there are options out there if you know what you’re looking for.
Quarterback
If you’ve been streaming quarterbacks, or your elite quarterback is injured or on bye, there are a number of viable options for your Week 10 lineup, including:
- Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (vs. New York Jets)
- Bills quarterback Josh Allen (vs. Cleveland Browns)
- Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Running Back
Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels (vs. Los Angeles Rams) is available in just under 30 percent of leagues. Pick him up if he’s still out there.
Owners who dropped Bills running back Devin Singletary (vs. Cleveland Browns) have been scrambling to get him back. His availability on the wire is declining as you read.
Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (vs. Arizona Cardinals) is available in over 30 percent of leagues. He has been named the Buccaneers’ starting running back going forward.
Packers running back Jamaal Williams (vs. Carolina Panthers) is still available in over 40 percent of leagues.
Wide Receiver
Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (vs. Miami Dolphins) is owned in less than 25 percent of leagues. With T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell out, Pascal should be among the team’s top receivers.
Remember Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)? Despite his reality check after a monster Week 1 game, an injury and a bye week, experts are suggesting he may be in for a big Week 10. Brown is available in almost 40 percent of leagues.
Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (vs. New York Jets) has been a solid option since his return from suspension, especially with wideout Sterling Shepard and tight end Evan Engram sidelined. Folks have taken notice, though. Grab him if you still can.
Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (vs. Minnesota Vikings) has had a modest few weeks, but he’s still worth owning. Gallup is available in over 25 percent of leagues.
Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder (vs. New York Giants) could be a sleeper this week. They’re playing the Giants. It might get ugly, but that may bode well for Crowder. He’s extremely available on waivers.
Tight End
In a tight spot with your tight end? This position has been thin this season. Sparse. Think really bad comb-over. If you are in need this week, there are players out there who could offer some coverage for that bald spot on your roster.
- Rams tight end Gerald Everett (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
- Colts tight end Jack Doyle (vs. Miami Dolphins)
- Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
- Saints tight end Jared Cook is returning from a two-week absence (ankle) and is available in almost 30 percent of leagues. Drew Brees is back, which is an automatic upgrade for all Saints offensive players, but this could be a touchdown-or-bust situation for Cook.
Do your research. Trust your skills. Listen to your gut. Throw in a bit of luck, and have a great Week 10. Oh yeah, and try to have fun.
