Waiver Wire: Week 10

Whether you are looking for a replacement for an injured player, have underperforming stars, or trying to find a bye-week filler, Fighting Chance Fantasy has you covered for your Week 9 waiver wire needs. This week the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Eagles are all on bye, so this may be an important week to hit the waiver wire hard. Hopefully, you can find some answers here to get you back in the win column.

Here at Fighting Chance Fantasy, we will have a collective effort to bring some options to improve your team. Seth Quinn (@SethFQuinn) will cover quarterbacks, Michael Chasco (@ChascoFCF) will cover running backs, Matt Miles (@DirtyAirFC) will cover wide receivers, and Leo Grandio (@smooth1074) will cover the tight ends and defense streamers.

 

Quarterbacks (Seth Quinn)

Check if these quarterbacks are available to add first: CJ Stroud 76% Rostered, Sam Howell 62% Rostered, and Kyler Murray 59% Rostered.

Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 48%

I feel like I'm repeating myself, but Baker Mayfield is a consistent fantasy option for teams in need of a quarterback, and it is surprising he is under 50% rostered at this point. He still has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and even got Cade Otton heavily involved against the Texans. Rachaad White has also been good in the passing game, giving Mayfield plenty of support. He has some good matchups and some not-as-good matchups remaining, so he's worth adding at least as a backup for his good weeks.

Joshua Dobbs | Minnesota Vikings

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 19%

Another guy who has been here before, Joshua Dobbs is an intriguing option. Despite weird circumstances in Arizona that led to Dobbs being traded to Minnesota, and now suddenly thrust into the starting role in the last game with the Vikings, Dobbs has now put up 20+ fantasy points in four games so far this season. He immediately impressed the Vikings coaching staff with his ability to pick up the playbook. Combine that with the Vikings' good weapons and a potential return for Justin Jefferson near, and you've got a quarterback who is only 19% rostered with top-12 potential in fantasy.

Taylor Heinicke | Atlanta Falcons

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 12%

Arthur Smith may hate his good players, but that doesn't mean Taylor Heinicke can't be a solid fantasy option. Taking over for Desmond Ridder, Heinicke is a more experienced quarterback who should be more consistent, and do a better job of taking advantage of the numerous weapons at his disposal, such as Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Tyler Allgeier. While Heinicke isn't some high-upside guy, he's a solid option as a backup and in deeper leagues for teams who need a new quarterback. 

Running Backs (Michael Chasco)

Keaton Mitchell | Ravens

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 4%

In the locker room after Sunday's blowout win, John Harbaugh called up undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell in front of his Ravens teammates to receive the first game ball of his professional career. They demanded a speech. Mitchell, who moments earlier gashed the Seahawks for 138 yards in the first nine attempts of his career, held his new prized possession high above his peers and proclaimed it was only the beginning. A beginning for a new weapon in the Baltimore backfield and a beginning on more fantasy rosters when waivers run this week.  

Mitchell's journey to Baltimore started with a humble beginning. Despite running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash in the pre-draft process, the 21-year-old would never receive the call on draft day last April. That call came later and he would sign with the Baltimore Ravens as a UDFA. He would need to prove himself buried behind a group of veterans in J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. Mitchell's draft profile was as deceptive to tackle as he was on the field at East Carolina last year. Mitchell was one of the most explosive running backs in the nation and led all FBS backs with 54 carries of 10-plus yards. Mitchell set a program record for consecutive 100-yard rushing performances with seven in 2022. He also never lost a fumble in his 463 rushing attempts at ECU and caught at least one pass in 25 of his 33 career games (17 games with multiple catches). His lightning speed was NFL-worthy, but his lack of size kept scouts unsure of his long-term prospects. Harbaugh and the Ravens knew Mitchell was worthy of a roster spot, even with his slight 5'9'' 184-pound frame. He ultimately flashed enough potential in the preseason to make the initial 53-man roster.  

Even though Mitchell wouldn't make his NFL debut six weeks into the regular season, his path to playing time became clear once the Ravens lost Dobbins for the season. Nursing a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason, the Ravens finally activated Mitchell before Week 6 action. The UDFA got his feet wet with some unceremonious special team snaps but saw his role expand the following week with a nine-yard catch before suffering another setback - this time to his hamstring. By this time, Mitchell was most likely picked up and dropped in your league. He may have been a cut casualty due to multiple teams on their bye week. With half the fantasy season gone, some managers simply didn't have the luxury to stash a rookie with the dreaded hamstring issue. That issue cost Mitchell Week 8, and it wasn't until the second quarter last week that we saw Mitchell make the most of his opportunities. He showed why he belongs in the NFL. 

So what does this breakout performance mean to the Ravens backfield? Did Baltimore go from a timeshare to a three-way committee with the addition of Mitchell? Edwards and Hill rotated evenly in the first quarter on Sunday, Johnson running eight plays to Hill's seven. Entering Sunday, Edwards was dealing with a toe injury to start the week. He was a full participant in practice on both Thursday and Friday but only played three snaps in the second and third quarters and didn't appear in the fourth. He's not going anywhere, especially after scoring five touchdowns in two games. This backfield needs to be monitored closely going forward. If Mitchell can eventually earn the lead role in Baltimore's committee, you may have an every-week top-15 play with his big-play ability as a runner and receiver down the stretch. 

Zach Charbonnet | Seahawks

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 45%

Zach Charbonnet has been featured here for multiple weeks, and the second-round pick played in 50% of Seattle's snaps again last Sunday. Charbonnet's role in the passing game expanded as well, as he completely took over the third downs and two-minute situations. Charbonnet had been splitting passing situations with DeeJay Dallas this season, but it's trending to be Charbonnet's role in this offense going forward. 

The Seattle run game has struggled the last couple of weeks, and those same struggles continued Sunday. Starter Kenneth Walker had just 16 yards on nine carries, and Charbonnet gained 13 yards on four attempts. 13 carries for an entire game is unlikely to continue for this dynamic duo. Charbonnet could earn an increased role as we get into the second half of the season. 

Roschon Johnson | Bears

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 41%

Despite some good play early on, it looks as though Roschon Johnson will become less fantasy-relevant once Khalil Herbert returns to the lineup. D'Onta Foreman has been a consistent contributor since Herbert was lost to injured reserve. On Sunday, Foreman ran the ball 20 times for 83 yards in a losing effort. Johnson added two carries for six yards and didn't factor much in the offense. Foreman had been a healthy inactive when Herbert was healthy, but based on the recent play of Foreman, both backs should receive touches while sharing time. Johnson will resort to being a deep-league stash in case Herbert or Foreman miss time.   

Wide Receivers (Matt Miles)

Check if these tight ends are available to add first: Tank Dell 48% Rostered, Jaxon Smith-Njigba 64% Rostered, and Jahan Dotson 65% Rostered.

Demario "Pop" Douglas | Patriots

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 38% 

Last week, Kendrick Bourne landed on IR, and the Patriots tried throwing to everyone they could to see what could stick. Demario Douglas popped with five catches for 55 yards. Douglass has 20 targets over the past 3 games.  A DeVantae Parker return could cap Pop Douglas, however, Mac Jones is establishing trust with this outside receiver.

Jayden Reed | Packers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 20% 

To say Green Bay's offense has been underwhelming is an understatement. Christian Watson's injury list is growing. Jordan Love has been abysmal as a quarterback.  In a week where you're looking for players with underlying solid metrics, take a look at Jayden Reed. Reed has run the most routes of all Packers wide receivers in the past two weeks. Reed is separating from defenders and getting open. Love is starting to find Reed and it's entirely possible Jayden Reed is a budding WR2 for the rest of the season.

 

 

Darnell Mooney | Bears

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 14% 

In the past four seasons, Darnell Mooney has popped up on waiver articles like this several times, and it looks like it's time for the evergreen blurb. The speedy deep threat had a solid game against a tough New Orleans defense, with a five-catch, 82-yard performance.  Over the past four weeks, he has 12 catches for 201 yards on 18 targets.  The Bears are certainly trying to use Mooney, and he's worth a grab for the weeks ahead.

 

 

Tight Ends (Leo Grandio)

Check if these tight ends are available to add first: Dalton Schultz 69% Rostered, Taysom Hill 64% Rostered, Trey McBride 63% Rostered, and Logan Thomas 63% Rostered.

Hunter Henry | Patriots

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 38% 

After being non-existent for fantasy managers over the last several weeks, Hunter Henry has finally returned with a productive game. With Kendrick Bourne on IR, the Patriots tried to get everyone involved in the offense. This led to Henry being targeted seven times and bringing in four receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. Henry should continue to be involved in the offense moving forward and could be added in 12-team leagues.

 

Jonnu Smith | Falcons

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 28%

With new starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke behind center, Jonnu Smith’s season was brought back to life in Week 9. Heinicke targeted Smith six times and the veteran tight end turned that into an explosive performance. Smith caught five balls for 100 yards and a touchdown. This was highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown, that demonstrated Smith's athleticism. Even though Kyle Pitts is still getting targets and Smith faces a tough tight end defending Cardinals team in Week 10, Smith should be considered an add in deeper league formats.  



Luke Musgrave | Packers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 22%

Luke Musgrave is coming off his best career performance in his rookie campaign. Musgrave produced three receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown on four targets. Musgrave does have a difficult match-up in Week 10 versus the Steelers but after that, he has two juicy contests against the Chargers and Lions who both are in the top four for allowing fantasy points to tight ends this season. If you are in a bind at the tight end position consider adding Musgrave in deeper leagues.



Cade Otton | Buccaneers

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 6%

Over the last three weeks, Cade Otton has received a total of 21 targets in the Buccaneers’ offense. In the previous two weeks, Otton was hovering just under 10 fantasy points per contest, which kind of left him unnoticeable for fantasy managers. But after his six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns outburst Otton is now standing up a saying to fantasy managers are you not entertained? Otton should be a hot waiver wire pick-up this week and rightfully so. If most of the names mentioned above are gone, look to add Otton as he should continue to build on the rapport he has developed with Baker Mayfield going forward.



Irv Smith Jr. | Bengals

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 4%

Welcome to the 2023 Season Irv Smith Jr. After struggling with injuries and hardly being used in the Bengals offense, Smith Jr. has finally received some looks from Joe Burrow. Burrow targeted Smith four times and the veteran tight end brought in three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown against a tough Bills defense. This week, Smith faces a Texans team that is allowing the nine-most fantasy points to tight ends this season making Smith a possible option to add in deeper league formats, especially tight end premium leagues.  

 

 

Defense (Leo Grandio)

Seattle Seahawks Defense

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 41%

The Seattle Seahawks Defense face the Commanders at home and Washington is allowing the fifth most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season. 

 

Indianapolis Colts Defense

Yahoo! Roster Ownership: 14%

The Indianapolis Colts Defense will battle the Patriots in London. The Patriots are shockingly allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses in 2023.

 

 

What players are you looking to add this week? If you have any fantasy questions feel free to reach out to us on X at @FCFantasySports.

 

 

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