Teams on BYE: Browns, Packers, Raiders, Seahawks
Here are some early targets that are of interest. For purposes of this article, I will assume your league uses $1000 FAAB. The newer names to each position are on the bottom of each positional listing. Please note that these names are not in order of preference so look over the list carefully.
Russell Wilson, Steelers
I am convinced Russ is back and very startable after his BYE. Look for the Steelers to likely add a receiver before the trade deadline, too. FAAB: $15-20
Jameis Winston, Browns
Jameis is maddening in that he will throw three TDs and three INTs in the same game. FAAB: $10-15
Derek Carr, Saints
Carr made his return against Carolina and looked out of sync. It’s hard to get behind him with Chris Olave, who is likely out for a game or two after that horrible concussion, and the team reeling with the in-season firing of Dennis Allen. FAAB: $5-7
Joe Flacco, Colts
Flacco was a MAJOR disappointment against Minnesota, but he should get another chance to start in Week 10. FAAB: $5-8
New for Week 10:
Cooper Rush, Cowboys
Dak Prescott will miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury, and I am not sure that Cowboys fans are too broken up about it. Rush looked solid when he filled in for Prescott before, so it might not be a bad idea to take a shot on him if needed. It can’t be worse than Dak! FAAB: $10-12
Bryce Young, Panthers
Young won a home game against New Orleans, which should give him a little bit of confidence. Maybe he can build on it? FAAB: $2-4
Braelon Allen, Jets
Allen is Hall’s backup, and if he’s available in leagues, you need to pick him up RIGHT NOW! He’s difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam going. FAAB: $100-125
Ray Davis, Bills
He is the perfect complement for James Cook and would easily be productive if he needed to start. FAAB: $100-125
Justice Hill. Ravens
He will be relied upon when the Ravens are in the two-minute drill or obvious passing situations. FAAB: $45-50
Kimani Vidal, Chargers
If JK Dobbins gets injured, they won’t get Vidal out of the lineup. FAAB: $80-100
Blake Corum, Rams
He is likely rostered in 99% of leagues, but if he is miraculously available in your league, he is a must-add. He is the RB2 to Kyren Williams, who regularly sees 20+ touches each week. Corum might be a top 15 play if he happens to start. FAAB: $100-125
Zamir White, Raiders
Alexander Mattison has been solid over the past three games, but something tells me that Antonio Pierce is going to give White another shot to be the starter after the BYE. It might be worth a few dollars in case that happens. FAAB:$15-20
New for Week 10:
Khalil Herbert, Bengals
The Bengals traded for Herbert right before the trade deadline, signifying that Zack Moss is likely done for the season. Herbert has Moss-type skills in that he is a power runner who is good at short-yardage situations. Look for him to spell Chase Brown, but Brown’s spot as RB1 feels very secure. FAAB: $80-90 if you are desperate
Trey Benson, Cardinals
James Conner has looked outstanding thus far, but when any running back gets over 20 touches a week, freak injuries can happen. Benson is the future in Arizona and has looked very good when given the opportunity. FAAB: $35-40
Cam Akers, Vikings
Akers out-snapped Ty Chandler by a significant margin against the Colts. Kevin O’Connell knows him from their time together in Los Angeles, so he could be the starter if anything happens to Aaron Jones. FAAB: $5-10
Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley
Saquon Barkley looks like an MVP candidate, but he had 30 touches against Jacksonville. Barkley has broken down before, and as the season moves forward, I can see the Eagles lowering his touches to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Gainwell is better in PPR formats, while Shipley would be better in standard and half-point PR leagues. FAAB: Gainwell $5-10, Shipley $5-10
Troy Franklin, Broncos
He was Nix’s main target in college, and it seems like they are trying to get him in the mix. I like him a lot against man coverage, FAAB: $15-20
Noah Brown, Commanders
There are a lot of bodies in Washington, but Brown is good against man coverage, and it appears like Daniels likes throwing to him. FAAB: $5-10
Mason Tipton, Saints
Tipton will get about 50-60% of snaps, with Olave likely sidelined. FAAB: $10-15
Ricky Pearsall, 49ers
Pearsall is a fantastic young receiver with terrific speed and excellent hands. I expect a lot of playing time for him, especially with Aiyuk out for the season. FAAB: $60-65
Jalen Coker, Panthers
He is the new WR2 for a team that throws a lot in garbage time. FAAB: $35-40
Kayshon Boutte, Patriots
There’s a chance that Boutte might be the new starter. He excels against man coverage. FAAB:$5-10
Marques Valdez-Scantling, Saints
Shaheed is out. Bub Means and Ced Wilson are injured, and Olave is likely out with a concussion. MVS might have some sneaky upside. FAAB: $5-10
Parker Washington, Jaguars
He has flashed in previous seasons when given the opportunity. Assuming Thomas and Davis are healthy, he should likely be the WR3 and potentially useable during the upcoming BYE weeks. FAAB: $30-40
Jermaine Burton, Bengals
The rumor is that the team was counting on him to play against Las Vegas, but he missed a meeting and was made inactive. Joe Burrow refused to sit next to him on the sideline. He’s talented but a knucklehead. FAAB: $10-15
John Metchie, Texans
He is young and was the talk of training camp. Is now the time? Worth a shot for sure. FAAB: $25-35
Robert Woods, Texans
Old reliable in that he runs good routes. FAAB: $15-20
Xavier Hutchinson, Texans
Was thought to be the WR3 but hasn’t emerged as of yet. I still think Metchie is way more talented. FAAB: $15-20
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans
They seem to look for him in the red zone, giving him more value than Boyd. FAAB: $20-25
New for Week 10:
Mike Williams, Steelers
Pittsburgh goes out and gets a great complement to Pickens. Williams is a force on the outside, and so long as he can stay healthy, he gives them a bookend that will make defenses pay if they try to double Pickens. Pittsburgh still won’t throw a ton, but Williams does have value. FAAB: $90-100
Jalen Brooks, Cowboys
With Dallas playing so poorly, don’t be shocked to see CeeDee Lamb miss some time with an “injury”. If that happens, Brooks will slot into the WR2 alongside Jalen Tolbert. FAAB: $1-2
Jonathan Mingo, Cowboys
Jerry Jones seemed very pleased with himself for prying Mingo from the Panthers. If Mingo was any good, don’t you think the Panthers would have kept him? Mingo might be a dynasty play, but not for redraft leagues. FAAB: $15-20
Jahan Dotson, Eagles
It was very concerning to see A.J. Brown leave the game with a knee injury. I expect that Brown will play in week 10, but if he doesn’t, Dotson is the likely replacement. FAAB: $1-2
Ray-Ray McCloud, Falcons
If Drake London misses any time, McLoud becomes someone who Kirk Cousins will pepper with targets. Even if London doesn’t miss time, I still like McLoud, as the Falcons are aggressive on offense. FAAB: $45-50
Adam Thielen, Panthers
Thielen practiced last week, and it feels like he’s about a week or two from returning. Now is the right time to stash him. FAAB: $15-20
Demarcus Robinson, Rams
I was a big fan of Robinson in the preseason when I thought he was going to be the WR3 for the Rams. He still has value even with Kupp and Nacua back healthy. Stafford likes looking at him in the red zone. FAAB: $15-20
Noah Gray, Chiefs
Gray is a solid pass catcher and runs good routes. If Kelce were ever to get hurt, he would easily be a top-ten player at the position. FAAB: $25-35
Taysom Hill, Saints
The Saints are in shambles so Hill will be used often in a multitude of ways. Carr even threw to him a few times, giving him even more value. FAAB: $50-60
Mike Gesicki, Bengals
Still showed he’s a receiving threat. If Higgins is going to continue to miss time, he might turn into Burrow’s second receiving option. Even if Higgins returns, Erick All left the game with a knee injury, and Gesicki might be the TE1 again. FAAB: $35-40
New for Week 10:
Theo Johnson, Giants
Johnson is a very good athlete who seems to be getting better with each game. Moreover, Daniel Jones likes throwing to him and I think he’s a very sneaky pickup. FAAB: $15-20
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers
Sanders is way more of an offensive weapon than Tommy Tremble and Bryce Young went to him a lot against New Orleans. FAAB: $5-10
New York Giants (vs. Carolina)
This is the Brian Burns revenge narrative spot where he should probably have three sacks against his old team. FAAB: $10-12
Minnesota (vs. Jacksonville)
Minnesota’s defense looked a lot better on Sunday night than it has in the past two weeks. Look for them to continue the good play against a Jaguars offensive line that has been below average. FAAB: $5-10
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tennessee)
The Chargers played suffocating defense against Jameis Winston and I always like to pick the defense who plays against Tennessee. FAAB: $10-15
