Four weeks until the fantasy playoffs and at this point you are likely in one of three camps:
- Camp 1 - are teams that are basically a lock for their league's playoffs. Teams that are 9-0, 8-1, 7-2 and possibly 6-3 (if you have a very strong roster) are pretty much in. If this is you, you can add players that may not help your team now but could potentially be a playoff home run.
- Camp 2 - are teams that are on the bubble. These are your weaker 6-3 teams, 5-4 teams, 4-5 teams and stronger 3-6 teams. If you're in this boat, you need to focus on players who can help you win now. It's not going to do you any good to have a potential league-winner on your team if you aren't in the playoffs.
- Camp 3 - are the sad teams that are out of it. If this is you, well, you probably aren't reading this, so let's just move on.
Because of the playoff implications that waiver wire pickups have at this stage of the game, I will break the sections up into guys for teams who need help now versus guys who can be stashed for potential upside later. Some big fantasy receivers are on bye this week like Jeremy Maclin, Alshon Jeffery, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, not to mention Mike Evans who has been suspended. Let's get to it and help you reach the playoffs!
If you are not exactly sure who you should add (or drop) from your teams, or have a question about your lineups, you can find me on twitter @ChrisMangano and I will be more than happy to help you out.
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Can Help Now and Later - Week 10 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Marqise Lee (WR, JAC) 50% owned (15-20% FAAB)
Lee had been trending towards a breakout performance for weeks and it finally happened. He turned 12 targets into eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Over the last three games he has 28 targets, 230 yards, 366 air yards and 47.7 PPR points. He should have been added weeks ago, but now is the time if he's still available.
Robert Woods (WR, LAR) 34% owned (10-12% FAAB)
While Woods only saw five targets on Sunday, he turned them into four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Over the last three games he leads the Rams in targets and receiving yards. He has a great matchup again this week against a Texans defense that just got torched by T.Y. Hilton.
Marquise Goodwin (WR, SF) 12% owned (8-10% FAAB)
Goodwin tied for the team lead with eight targets, and will enter Week 10 as the lead receiver on a team that will be missing Pierre Garcon, Trent Taylor and George Kittle. Efficiency will be a problem with C.J. Beathard, But Goodwin had 154 air yards, so he really only needs three or four catches for a good fantasy day. A matchup with the Giants certainly helps.
Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) 50% owned (8-10% FAAB)
While the numbers for Lockett don't look good-- two catches for just 10 yards-- the opportunities were there as he saw eight targets, which was second only to Baldwin's 12. Washington has a sneaky good secondary and he should get a boost against the Cardinals corners not named Patrick Peterson. Lockett now has 23 targets over the last three games and is the clear number two behind Baldwin.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN) 45% owned (8-10% FAAB)
Davis returned from injury and played the second most snaps and saw the second most targets among wide receivers. Though he only turned those five targets into two catches for 28 yards, we expect him to be better as he gets back into game shape.
Can Help In A Pinch - Week 10 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Josh Doctson (WR, WAS) 29% owned (3-5% FAAB)
Doctson played 89% of snaps and was targeted five times but outside of one spectacular catch that led to the game winning touchdown, he didn't do much. Still, he remains the number one receiver for as long as Crowder is out and is always one big play away from a nice fantasy day. His value could increase as the weeks go on as well though his tough schedule can't be ignored.
Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ) 50% owned (2-3% FAAB)
Kearse led the Jets with six targets but caught just two passes for 38 yards. He gets a fantastic matchup against the Buccaneers in Week 10 and makes for a solid plug-and-play in PPR formats.
Jordan Matthews (WR, BUF) 28% owned (2-3% FAAB)
Matthews saw eight targets as the Bills were in catchup mode against the Jets, and should be less effected by the addition of Kelvin Benjamin as he primarily plays out of the slot. He should be a solid start in PPR formats despite a somewhat tough matchup against the Saints.
Zay Jones (WR, BUF) 9% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Jones may be impacted by Kelvin Benjamin, but it's impossible to ignore his 21 targets and 268 air yards over the last three weeks. He broke out a bit on Thursday night, catching six of his seven targets and scoring a touchdown. He should retain most of his value even with Benjamin.
Danny Amendola (WR, NE) 49% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Amendola has just 14 targets over the last three games but could see a larger share with Chris Hogan expected to miss Week 10 and possibly more. He's a solid PPR start for teams that are in need.
Aldrick Robinson (WR, SF) 0% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Robinson tied Goodwin with eight targets but had just 51 air yards and a pitiful 6.4 aDoT. He should also see an uptick with the Niners' numerous injuries but is another one you likely want in PPR formats only.
Adam Humphries (WR, TAM) 4% owned (1% FAAB)
Humphries is a scary start as he typically doesn't see the volume necessary to be fantasy relevant, but he could be boosted by two things. First, Mike Evans is suspended and second, Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start. As Graham Barfield pointed out, in the second half on Sunday with Fitzpatrick in his target share percentages were Evans 21, running backs 19, and Humphries 17. The Jets are not a scary defense in the middle either. Humphries could be Fitzpatrick's favorite checkdown option and makes a great streaming option especially in PPR formats.
Terrance Williams (WR, DAL) 10% owned, Cole Beasley (WR, DAL) 19% owned (1% FAAB)
Williams and Beasley are worth a low bid in case Dez Bryant's ankle injury is more severe than we have been led to believe and he misses time. I wouldn't go crazy on either, however, and would be totally fine ignoring both. Williams had six targets prior to his nine target Week 9, and Beasley had five before seeing six. Hopefully we'll get more clarity on the status of Dez before waivers clear.
Stash and Hope - Week 10 Wide Receivers Waiver Wire
Corey Coleman (WR, CLE) 12% owned (1% FAAB)
While everyone in your league is likely clamoring to claim Josh Gordon, the real Browns receiver you want to claim is Coleman. Coleman was designated to return from IR and is eligible to play Week 11. Now is the time to stash him as the only skilled receiver on this Browns team.
Kenny Golladay (WR, DET) 8% owned (1% FAAB)
Another week that Golladay couldn't get on the field. If he ever does, we've already seen his upside and it's tantalizing. Each week it seems like he's close to playing so if you are an owner who can wait he could pay off big in the playoffs.
Dede Westbrook (WR, JAC) 28% owned (1% FAAB)
Westbrook was a hot stash prior to Week 9 but was left on IR after Lee was able to go. Westbrook would bring an explosiveness that the Jaguars lack and it would be surprising if they didn't activate him at some point.
Curtis Samuel (WR, CAR) 9% owned (1% FAAB)
Samuel finished third on the Panthers in targets and appears to have the number two role behind Devin Funchess among wide receivers. Samuel had just 40 air yards and an aDot of just 8 so he is better suited for PPR formats. He could begin to become a more trusted asset of Cam Newton's.
Deonte Thompson (WR, BUF) 4% owned (1% FAAB)
Thompson has been coming on of late and saw 10 targets in the Bills Thursday night matchup against the Jets. He turned them into seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he could be hurt the most by Kelvin Benjamin, but he's worth a hold while we see how this plays out.
Dontrelle Inman (WR, CHI) 1% owned (1% FAAB)
Inman has been forgotten, but he is now the number one receiver on the Bears for whatever that is worth. Inman had success with the Chargers and is the Bears best receiver now. Stash him in case he develops a rapport with Mitch Trubisky.
Mike Williams (WR, LAC) 5% owned (1% FAAB)
In Williams' three games since returning from injury his snap counts have increased from 11, to 14, to 22. He should continue to see more snaps coming out of the bye and could eventually become the team's number two alongside Keenan Allen.
Time To Say Goodbye
Kenny Stills (WR, MIA) 47% owned
With Parker back, Stills saw just four targets, which was sixth on the team. Stills was a great fill-in while Parker was out but his value is all but gone now.
Pierre Garcon (WR, SF) 38% owned
In one of the many surprises of Week 9, Garcon was sent to the IR with a neck injury. Obviously owners should cut bait and target a different 49ers receiver.
Donte Moncrief (WR, IND) 32% owned
Moncrief has just three targets over the last two games and is losing work to Kamar Aiken. Time to let him go.