Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Key injuries to consider

• Patrick Mahomes (elbow)

• Justin Herbert (finger)

• Malik Willis (groin)

• Drew Lock (oblique)

• J.J. McCarthy (hip)

• Gardner Minshew (arm)

• Josh Jacobs (finger)

• Rhamondre Stevenson (knee)

• Tyler Goodson (knee)

• Puka Nacua (knee)

• Luther Burden III (concussion)

• Jaylen Waddle (concussion)

• Ladd McConkey (back)

• Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle)

• Xavier Worthy (hamstring)

• Jake Ferguson (knee)

Bye weeks

• Chicago Bears

• Denver Broncos

• Philadelphia Eagles

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pickups by position

Top-10 overall pickups for Week 10

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

The quarterback position is very picked over at the moment. Malik Willis was featured in this spot last week, but he’s now playing through a groin injury that’s limited his abilities as a runner and neutered his fantasy potential. So, all that’s left are uncomfortable streaming options. 

The Steelers are coming off their bye week, which should help the 42-year-old Rodgers (turns 43 in December) feel refreshed for a date with the division rival Bengals.

Rodgers hasn’t had many favorable opponents this season, but he did take advantage of his easiest matchup. That just happened to be against the Bengals in Week 3, when the veteran passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns en route to a QB8 finish. 

In his last visit to Cincinnati, Rodgers threw four touchdowns back in Week 7 of the 2025 campaign. He’s not a slam-dunk streamer, but he’s a solid one given the options this week. 

• Malik Willis at IND (34% rostered)

• Geno Smith vs. BUF (19% rostered)

• Carson Wentz at GB (6% rostered)

• Jacoby Brissett vs. LAC (21% rostered)

• Deshaun Watson vs. HOU (19% rostered)

• J.J. McCarthy vs. WAS (13% rostered)

• Drew Lock at LV (15% rostered)

• Michael Penix Jr. vs. KC (25% rostered)

• Daniel Jones vs. MIA (16% rostered)

• Cam Ward vs. JAX (8% rostered)

• Justin Herbert at BAL (42% rostered)

• Gardner Minshew vs. LAR (6% rostered)

• DJ Uiagalelei at BAL (0% rostered)

• Baker Mayfield (25% rostered)

• Joe Milton (6% rostered)

• Fernando Mendoza (4% rostered)

• Shedeur Sanders (3% rostered)

• Carson Beck (1% rostered)

• Anthony Richardson Sr. (0% rostered)

• Jalen Milroe (0% rostered)

Running Backs

Seth McGowan, Colts

Will the Colts trade Jonathan Taylor or not? The good news is that we’ll finally have an answer to that question by Tuesday afternoon when the NFL Trade Deadline finally arrives.

There’s been a variety of reports suggesting every possible outcome, including Taylor staying in Indy, so it’s hard to project this situation. However, we’ll know which jersey he’ll be wearing before the waivers process on Tuesday night. I’ll update this column once a trade occurs or the deadline passes.

For now, McGowan remains a must-stash. As long as Indy doesn’t get a starting-caliber back as part of the return for Taylor, McGowan would be next man up to start — with DJ Giddens as the new change-of-pace option. 

For as bad as the Colts offense has been lately, they still have one of the 10-best fantasy RB schedules in the second half of the season, so McGowan could be a sneaky fantasy RB3 down the stretch.

Emmett Johnson, Chiefs

The elite backup RBs who are one-injury away from stardom should be rostered everywhere and I’ll continue to highlight them in this space until they no longer qualify for this article.

It was clear early in the season that Johnson was one of the best backups to roster, in case anything ever happens to Kenneth Walker III. In recent weeks, Johnson’s value has increased even more now that he’s offering weekly flex production.

The rookie posted a fluky 128 receiving yards and a score in Week 8, but he followed it up with 34 yards and another touchdown on Sunday. Upcoming matchups with the Falcons, Cardinals and Bills are all spots where Johnson could be a viable flex play while also offering league-winning upside if Walker ever misses time. 

Kaelon Black, 49ers

Black is in the same situation as Johnson, you can basically just swap Walker’s name with Christian McCaffrey’s in the previous section.

The 49ers’ rookie plays in one of the best offenses in the league and has flashed his potential with at least 60 rushing yards in three of his first eight games, while serving as CMC’s direct backup. That includes the past two games, when Black turned 12 touches into 63 yards and a TD against the Falcons, as well as Sunday’s outing, which resulted in 11 carries for a season-high 70 yards. 

Next up is the Cowboys defense that’s a top-five matchup for fantasy running backs. The 49ers are 4-point favorites in a game with the highest projected point total in Week 10 at 55.5.

Stashing a talented No. 2 back playing behind a 30-year-old starter who handled 450 touches last year is just an obvious move. Black should be rostered everywhere as a flex option with RB1 upside if McCaffrey were ever sidelined. 

Corey Kiner, Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and was very quickly ruled out. Mike Vrabel didn’t have an update Monday morning, but did acknowledge that his back was undergoing an MRI. With TreVeyon Henderson already sidelined indefinitely, that leaves Kiner as the next man up.

Though Kiner hasn’t been asked to do much as a pass-catcher, the 2025 UDFA has shown some juice in the run game by topping 50 yards in three of his last five outings in a change-of-pace role. 

If Stevenson can’t suit up in Week 10, Kiner immediately becomes a high-end fantasy RB3 with the usual touchdown upside that comes with a starter. We can’t lock that outcome in though until we get a proper update on Stevenson’s injury. 

• Mike Washington Jr. (49% rostered)

• Ray Davis (4% rostered)

• Chris Rodriguez Jr. at TEN (33% rostered)

• Dylan Sampson vs. HOU (28% rostered)

• Audric Estimé vs. CAR (4% rostered)

• Kaleb Johnson vs. MIN (1% rostered)

• MarShawn Lloyd vs. MIN (32% rostered)

• Bam Knight vs. LAR (12% rostered)

• Kimani Vidal at BAL (11% rostered)

• Keaton Mitchell at BAL (21% rostered)

• Justice Hill vs. LAC (5% rostered)

• Austin Ekeler at NYG (8% rostered)

• Samaje Perine vs. PIT (15% rostered)

• Sione Vaki vs. NE (Germany) (2% rostered)

• Ty Johnson at NYJ (2% rostered)

• Pierre Strong Jr. vs. MIN (0% rostered)

• Tyjae Spears (14% rostered)

• Nicholas Singleton (1% rostered)

• Khalil Herbert (0% rostered)

• Kaytron Allen (1% rostered)

• Lan Larison (0% rostered)

• Israel Abanikanda (0% rostered)

• Kenny Gainwell (47% rostered)

• Jonathon Brooks (37% rostered)

• James Conner (5% rostered) 

Wide Receivers

DeMario Douglas, Dolphins

DeMario Douglas has always been a risky receiver to put in your fantasy lineup due to his low floor. We witnessed that occur in Week 7, when he only delivered three catches for 23 yards.

However, Douglas has posted at least 12 fantasy points in his other four outings over the last five weeks, finishing as a top-10 WR three times. After hauling in five of his nine targets for 102 yards in Week 9, he currently sits as the WR23 with just Monday Night Football remaining.

Four touchdowns during this stretch have helped his cause, but he’s come away with very respectable yardage totals in these games with at least 65 in each. 

A.J. Brown’s recovery timeline remains uncertain and with a bye looming, it seems likely we won’t see him until Week 12 at the earliest. Fantasy managers can continue to take advantage by starting Douglas as a WR3/flex option with temporary upside. 

Caleb Douglas, Dolphins

Douglas has played four games this year that weren’t impacted by injury. In those contests, the rookie has posted stat lines of 5-94-0, 2-70-2, 4-43-0 and 6-70-0.

With Malik Willis nursing a groin injury that’s limited him as a runner, Douglas has seen 14 targets over the past two weeks. 

When a first-year player is showing this kind of production early in his career, it’s worth taking notice. Douglas can be started as a WR3/flex, especially given his intriguing matchups against the Colts and Bills the next two weeks. 

Antonio Williams, Commanders

After back-to-back games with at least 50 yards, it was discouraging to see Williams underwhelm with just three catches for 25 yards this week. I’m still holding out hope though. 

The rookie continues to play the most snaps and run the most routes in the Commanders’ receiver room. This was the third straight outing where Williams accomplished that feat, following Terry McLaurin’s season-ending injury. 

It’s possible Williams levels off as a low-ceiling WR4/flex option for fantasy, but I’m holding for at least another week. The talent is evident and Washington has one of the top-10 easiest schedules for fantasy receivers the rest of the way. 

Pat Bryant, Broncos

It’s easy to forget, but Bryant had a growing role in the Broncos’ passing attack during the opening month before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. In those first four games, Bryant topped 40 yards three times. 

So, it was great to see him post a season-high 56 yards and a touchdown on four catches in his first game back since the injury. Jaylen Waddle also suffered a concussion, but he should be cleared after their Week 10 bye. 

Regardless, Bryant was a borderline flex option early in the season and has returned with an even better performance. Given Waddle’s struggles and Courtland Sutton’s age, there’s a non-zero chance Bryant becomes the most valuable fantasy receiver in Denver for the rest of the season.

Jordan Watkins, 49ers

Watkins’ fantasy value is difficult to assess because it’s entirely dependent on the health of the other receivers in San Francisco. 

Deebo Samuel Sr. is nearing a return from a hamstring injury that kept him out for the last month. Mike Evans’ Achilles tendinitis is an ongoing problem with no clear recovery timeline. I’ll be surprised if he suits up in Week 10. Demarcus Robinson is apparently playing at less than 100%, while De’Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk are on IR.

That opened the door for Watkins, who put up four receptions, 86 yards and a touchdown versus the Raiders. That’s his second consecutive quality stat line, after a 56-yard performance versus the Falcons prior to the Niners’ Week 8 bye. 

If everything remains the same with Evans and Deebo sitting out, Watkins will be a very enticing WR4/flex option in a good matchup with the Cowboys this week.

• Tank Dell at CLE (13% rostered)

• Adonai Mitchell vs. BUF (50% rostered)

• Jakobi Meyers at TEN (45% rostered)

• Ryan Flournoy vs. SF (44% rostered)

• Konata Mumpfield at ARI (1% rostered)

• Mack Hollins vs. DET (Germany) (5% rostered)

• Quentin Johnston at BAL (31% rostered)

• Efton Chism III vs. DET (Germany) (2% rostered)

• Ja’Kobi Lane vs. LAC (8% rostered)

• Malachi Fields vs. WAS (6% rostered)

• Jahan Dotson vs. KC (6% rostered)

• Demarcus Robinson at DAL (12% rostered)

• Kayshon Boutte at CLE (5% rostered)

• Xavier Hutchinson at CLE (1% rostered)

• Savion Williams vs. MIN (1% rostered)

• Treylon Burks at NYG (3% rostered)

• Tre’ Harris at BAL (4% rostered)

• Van Jefferson at NYG (0% rostered)

• Tutu Atwell at ARI (0% rostered)

• Travis Hunter (9% rostered)

• Chris Bell (2% rostered)

• Tory Horton (0% rostered)

• Cyrus Allen (1% rostered)

• Chimere Dike (2% rostered)

• Josh Cameron (0% rostered)

• Brian Thomas Jr. (42% rostered)

• Tez Johnson (1% rostered)

• Alec Pierce (47% rostered)

Tight Ends

Chig Okonkwo, Commanders

In the four games since Terry McLaurin’s season-ending injury, Okonkwo has posted stat lines for 4-60-0, 7-69-0, 2-32-0 and 6-57-0. 

While he hasn’t found the end zone, that type of volume (at least six targets in three of the four appearances) makes him the 10th-most targeted tight end on a per game basis during that stretch.

Okonkwo has moved into the high-end TE2 streamer conversation, with a chance to crack the low-end TE1 range moving forward. 

Tyler Higbee, Rams

Puka Nacua is dealing with a knee injury, Davante Adams remains on IR and Terrance Ferguson isn’t expected back for another couple weeks.

Higbee has disappeared from fantasy relevance following his impressive three-game stretch from Week 3 to Week 5, when he posted 8-62-1, 5-67-0 and 5-83-0. Since then, the veteran has been held to 22 yards or less in four straight contests and hasn’t found the end zone. 

However, the Rams will have no choice but to increase his targets if Nacua sits out. That puts Higbee back in the mix as a TE2 streamer with upside. 

• Mike Gesicki vs. PIT (37% rostered)

• Pat Freiermuth at CIN (32% rostered)

• Darren Waller at NO (7% rostered)

• Greg Dulcich at IND (10% rostered)

• AJ Barner at LV (10% rostered)

• Darnell Washington at CIN (3% rostered)

• Kenyon Sadiq vs. BUF (11% rostered)

• Mason Taylor vs. BUF (2% rostered)

• Michael Mayer vs. SEA (13% rostered)

• Eli Raridon at DET (2% rostered)

• Colby Parkinson at ARI (1% rostered)

• Tommy Tremble at NO (0% rostered)

• Jake Ferguson vs. SF (40% rostered)

• Brevyn Spann-Ford vs. SF (0% rostered)

• Terrance Ferguson (17% rostered)

Week 10 streamers

Defenses

Kickers

Drop candidates

• Lamar Jackson is undergoing surgery that will sideline him for 6-10 weeks. If you’re stashing him in hopes that he’ll return for the fantasy playoffs, you’re wasting a roster spot. 

• Despite the Texans making a trade for Marvin Harrison Jr., he’s just part of a big rotation of receivers behind Nico Collins. It’s possible MHJ could carve out a bigger role as the season progresses, but it’s highly unlikely he’ll make a major fantasy impact — unless Collins gets hurt. Even in that scenario, I’m not confident Harrison would step up.  

• With Jordyn Tyson now in the lineup, Devaughn Vele’s days as a fantasy flex option are over.