Week 10 is in the books and playoff brackets are starting to form. There may be a manager or two already locked in, but for the most part it’s still anyone’s ballgame. Having the proper depth to survive the last few weeks of the fantasy football regular season is key to getting into the playoffs (besides winning of course).
If you’re streaming a position like quarterback or tight end, make sure you look ahead a few weeks for schedules. Think about stashing an extra player at each position on your bench so you don’t get sniped later on. Be sure to do your due diligence when making any transactions. As always, all roster percentages are via ESPN Fantasy Football. The threshold to qualify a player for my weekly waiver list is 65% or less.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa MIA 36.1% Rostered – After coming in for relief of Jacoby Brissett, Tua Tagovailoa performed well and scored the game sealing touchdown using his feet. Facing the Jets in Week 10, he should be starting and looking to make some noise.
Baker Mayfield CLE 33.2% Rostered – Baker Mayfield is dealing with a myriad of injuries, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects Baker to play against the Lions. If he is to play in Week 11, it should be an easy enough match-up for him to be considered a stream.
Daniel Jones NYG 32.5% Rostered – Taylor Heinicke played well versus the Bucs’ dreadful secondary, which leaves me to have high hopes for Daniel Jones. Saquon Barkley is expected back on the field, which boosts DJ towards a top-15 performance in fantasy football for Week 11.
Mac Jones NE 13.9% Rostered – Mac Jones’ ceiling is capped due to his lack of mobility, but he gets to face a below average Falcons’ defense. I don’t expect a huge game, but Jones will suffice as a streamer.
Cam Newton CAR 12.4% Rostered – Cam Newton scored twice in his return to Carolina. I fully expect him to be the starter next week against Washington, who also just lost Chase Young for the season to a torn ACL. Newton should exploit this defense with his strength and running ability.
Running Backs
Mark Ingram II NO 61.9% Rostered – If Alvin Kamara is forced to miss more time, Mark Ingram is a solidified top-15 running back. He saw 18 touches for 108 yards and a touchdown in his first game without Kamara. Make sure you get him on your roster, especially if you have Kamara.
AJ Dillon GB 59.5% Rostered – AJ Dillon scored twice after taking over for the injured Aaron Jones. Jones is suspected to have a sprained MCL, which usually entails a 2-4 week recovery. Dillon will see the bulk of the running back work while Jones is out.
Rhamondre Stevenson NE 9.9% Rostered – Rhamondre Stevenson ran over the Browns defense for 100 yards and two scores in Week 10. He also had five targets, more than Damien Harris has ever had in his entire football career. Stevenson should continue to get the rock as long as Harris is out.
D’Onta Foreman TEN 1.5% Rostered – The running back waiver wire gets thin at this time of the year. D’Onta Foreman seems like the back to roster on the Titans, if you’re willing to roster any of them. He is a shot in the dark if necessary.
Matt Breida BUF 0.2% Rostered – Keep an eye on Matt Breida. He only had six touches, but three were receptions and he was utilized near or in the red zone most of the time.
Wide Receivers
Kenny Golladay NYG 59.2% Rostered – Kenny Golladay hasn’t been himself since 2019; Dealing with injuries have derailed him in a way. After some time off he’s healthy and ready for action against a depleted Bucs secondary. He is a great depth receiver to have on your bench for a potential late season breakout.
Darnell Mooney CHI 45.6% Rostered – Darnell Mooney continues to be overlooked in fantasy football leagues. Mooney has had five or more targets in every game but one, making him a viable flex option given the match-up. Just like the aforementioned Golladay, Mooney is a great depth receiver for your bench to fill in on upcoming bye weeks or flex in a good match-up.
Elijah Moore NYJ 37.2% Rostered – Elijah Moore has had double digit fantasy points in PPR leagues four weeks in a row. Scoring in three of those four games, he has become a staple weapon in that offense. At this point in time, wide receiver waivers aren’t filled with superstars. Rather, the guys needed to push you to fill your roster for a deep playoff run. Moore will help you in that category.
Rashod Bateman BAL 31.6% Rostered – In Rashod Bateman’s first two games he received six targets. His next two games he received eight targets each. Does this mean in his next two games he will get 10 targets in each game? Bateman has lowkey been as consistent as they get; he just hasn’t found the endzone. Some positive touchdown regression is coming his way with some juicy match-ups.
Bryan Edwards LV 14.7% Rostered – Derek Carr was finally forced to air the ball out instead of his usual over the middle sequence to Waller and Renfrow. Carr has a good deep ball, so it only makes sense that he connects with Bryan Edwards. He only had four targets, but he capitalized with 88 yards and a score. The schedule predicts a fair amount of high scoring games, so Edwards may prove to be useful down the stretch.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry NE 52.7% Rostered – The TE4 in PPR leagues, Hunter Henry, has risen as Mac Jones’ favorite target. Henry has seven touchdowns on the season and has been one of the more efficient tight ends since week four. At this point, he is an every week start until further notice.
Zach Ertz ARI 62.9% Rostered – Although not the performance you would have wanted from Zach Ertz, he still showed promise. Playing on over 80% of snaps and averaging five targets, Ertz will return to form when Kyler Murray is back.
Pat Freiermuth PIT 46.4% Rostered – Pat Freiermuth posted a season high in targets during a disappointing week. Not the stat line you wanted, but the volume was definitely there. He will lose some snaps with Eric Ebron returning from injury. The Steelers also run 12 personnel less than 20% of the time, but Freiermuth should be more than capable of producing.
Tyler Conklin MIN 37.5% Rostered – Tyler Conklin is what everyone wanted Irv Smith Jr to be this year. With a decent target share and occasionally finding the end zone, Conklin proves to be one of the better streaming tight ends.
Defense/ST
From here on out, this segment will have the defenses I believe to have the best playoff schedule. At this point in time, your rosters should almost be solidified. This means you probably have an extra bench spot or two to stash a defense ahead of time.
Jaguars – HOU, NYJ, NE
49ers – ATL, TEN, HOU
Chargers – KC, HOU, DEN
Seahawks – LAR, CHI, DET
Kicker of the Week
Harrison Butker used to be number two next to Justin Tucker. Their names rhyme, but Butker will be the one to shin. Harrison Butker is my Kicker of the Week in fantasy football for Week 11.
