Week 10 Rankings: Standard | PPR
We usually look to the Waiver Wire to help save your team, especially during weeks when multiple teams are on bye and we're dealing with injuries. That might not be the case in Week 10.
Oh, there are options to add at every position. But the top guys are players like Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco, Chris Ivory, Kapri Bibbs and C.J. Fiedorowicz. I hope that didn't make you throw up.
Now, it's not a total tragedy. We do have some good stash candidates at running back who could make an impact soon, including Dion Lewis, Thomas Rawls and James Starks.
There is also some potential at receiver with John Brown, Steve Smith, J.J. Nelson and Rishard Matthews. And tight end has a couple of good options with Zach Miller and Fiedorowicz, as well as DST choices with the Ravens leading the way.
It's not a star-studded group, and hopefully you can manage with Indianapolis, Oakland, Detroit and Buffalo on a bye, as well as the guys who are hurt. It's amazing that in Week 10 of the 2016 season you could be relying on someone like Cutler to win in your Fantasy league, but here we are.
Quarterbacks
Names of note on bye: Andrew Luck, Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford and Tyrod Taylor
Injuries of note: Alex Smith (concussion) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (knee)
Priority list
* - Add these players in this order, and they are owned in 65 percent of leagues or less on CBS Sports.
Cutler played well in his last game against the Vikings in Week 8 before having a bye last week, but he only scored 16 Fantasy points. You're counting on him to take advantage of his matchup this week at Tampa Bay, and it's a great matchup. The Buccaneers have allowed 857 passing yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions in their past two games against Carr and Matt Ryan, and those two combined for 78 Fantasy points in a standard league. For the season, Tampa Bay has allowed five quarterbacks to score at least 21 Fantasy points out of eight games, and Cutler is a great streaming option for this week.
- Joe Flacco (57 percent): Flacco is 1A to Cutler this week with his matchup against the Browns. Flacco only has two games with at least 20 Fantasy points this season, and one was at CLE in Week 2 with exactly 20. The Browns are bad with every quarterback but Fitzpatrick scoring at least 20 Fantasy points, and Flacco is another great streaming option.
- Trevor Siemian (42 percent): He got lucky with 19 FPTS last week at OAK, and he could be in that range again this week with his matchup at NO. The Saints have allowed six of eight quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points, including Colin Kaepernick last week with 25. It's riskier to trust him over Cutler and Flacco because his job could be in jeopardy, but he should start this week in a good situation.
Drop list
* - If you need to make a move, these are players you can drop for this week.
- Matthew Stafford (97 percent): He has scored fewer than 20 FPTS in three games in a row and isn't worth stashing during his bye week. His one saving grace is he faces JAC and NO in two of three games after Week 10.
- Tyrod Taylor (63 percent): He has scored at least 23 FPTS in three of his past four games, but like Stafford, he's worth stashing during his bye. You can probably get Taylor back if you want him in Week 11 at Cincinnati.
- Ryan Tannehill (50 percent): We thought he'd be good in Week 9 against the Jets, and he let us down with 11 Fantasy points. The Dolphins are just dominating with the run, and Tannehill has little Fantasy appeal heading into Week 10 at SD.
Running backs
Names of note on bye: LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Latavius Murray and Theo Riddick
Injuries of note: Matt Jones (knee), Derrick Henry (calf), Antone Smith (knee), Jacquizz Rodgers (foot), Doug Martin (hamstring), Carlos Hyde (shoulder), Spencer Ware (concussion), James Starks (knee) and Tevin Coleman (hamstring)
Priority list
* - Add these players in this order, and they are owned in 65 percent of leagues or less on CBS Sports.
This could be the week Lewis makes his 2016 debut, but even if the Patriots keep him out another week because of his knee injury, he should be owned in all leagues. And if he does play this week against SEA then he would be a borderline starter in all leagues, especially PPR. We don't know how the Patriots will use Lewis with James White, but Lewis offers more upside based on what we saw last season. It's only a matter of time before Lewis could become a must-start Fantasy running back when he's healthy.
- Chris Ivory (59 percent): In the first game with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett calling plays for the Jaguars he gave Ivory a season-high 18 carries at KC, and he responded with 107 yards. He should have scored a touchdown as well, but instead it was ruled a fumble. Ivory had more touches than T.J. Yeldon (seven carries for 33 yards and five catches for 32 yards and a touchdown), and both running backs are worth a look this week vs. HOU. The Texans have allowed a running back to score double digits in FPTS in six games in a row.
- Kapri Bibbs (13 percent): There was a report out of Denver that the Broncos want to give Bibbs more work at the expense of Devontae Booker, who struggled last week at OAK with 10 carries for 22 yards and one catch for 8 yards. Bibbs had two carries for 11 yards and a 69-yard touchdown catch. We doubt Booker is benched, but Bibbs is worth adding just in case he takes on more work in what still should be a productive rushing offense.
- Thomas Rawls (64 percent): The latest report has Rawls returning to action in Week 11 from his broken leg, which has kept him out for the past six games. He should immediately share touches with Christine Michael and C.J. Prosise, and based on Michael's recent workload, it won't be a surprise if Rawls is back as the starter when healthy.
- James Starks (40 percent): He could be back in action in Week 10 at Tennessee, and if that's the case he should be the No. 1 running back for the Packers and share touches in the backfield with Ty Montgomery. We don't expect Starks to be a dominant Fantasy option, but he could be a starter in deeper leagues and play well in a good matchup. He's worth speculating on just given his potential opportunity.
- Paul Perkins (41 percent): He took on more work in Week 9 against the Eagles, although he did little to separate himself from Rashad Jennings. Both had 11 carries and three catches, but Perkins finished with more yards at 47 to 39. We hope the Giants continue to give Perkins more work, and he could eventually become a flex option for Fantasy owners.
- Rob Kelley (61 percent): Kelley was great in Week 8 against the Bengals in London with 21 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, and coach Jay Gruden has said he will remain the starter ahead of Matt Jones, who was out in Week 8 with a knee injury. But the upcoming schedule is brutal for Kelley, including a matchup vs. MIN in Week 10. And if Jones is back he should still get work behind an offensive line now down left tackle Trent Williams for the next four games(suspension).
- Peyton Barber (39 percent): I would use Barber as a potential flex option this week if Martin and Rodgers remain out. He'll share work with Mike James (2 percent), who is worth a look in deep PPR leagues, but the Buccaneers leaned on Barber in Week 9 against Atlanta with 11 carries for 31 yards and four catches for 24 yards. It's not an easy matchup vs. CHI this week, but his potential workload would make him somewhat appealing.
- DuJuan Harris (27 percent): Speaking of workload, the 49ers leaned on Harris in a big way in Week 9 against NO with Hyde out. He had 10 carries for 59 yards and five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, but this is a change in weight class going from the Saints at home to the Cardinals on the road. And there's also the chance Hyde returns this week. If Harris starts, he's a flex option at best.
- Kenneth Dixon (34 percent): Dixon got more work for the Ravens after their bye with nine carries for 13 yards in Week 9 against PIT, but he again played behind Terrance West and dealt with a chest injury. We hope BAL continues to see what Dixon can do, and this a great matchup in Week 10 against CLE. We like West as the lead back this week, but Dixon is worth a look in deeper leagues in case he plays well on Thursday night.
Drop list
* - If you need to make a move, these are players you can drop for this week.
- Rashad Jennings (92 percent): Perkins should eventually become the main running back for the Giants, and Jennings has minimal upside. He has 66 rushing yards combined in his past three games.
- Ryan Matthews (91 percent): He's become touchdown dependent, and it's clear the Eagles are leaning on Darren Sproles right now. Mathews has 25 rushing yards combined in his past two games.
- Jacquizz Rodgers (83 percent): He's hurt and not expected to play in Week 10, and Martin could be back this week also. Once Martin is back, Rodgers won't get a lot of work.
- Jerick McKinnon (82 percent): McKinnon is now sharing touches with Matt Asiata and Ronnie Hillman, and the Vikings offensive line is awful. There are better running backs to stash at this point.
- Matt Jones (80 percent): We expect him to return in Week 10, but he will be behind Kelley and Chris Thompson on the depth chart. He has minimal Fantasy value in that role.
- Mike Gillislee (71 percent): With LeSean McCoy now healthy, it's not worth stashing Gillislee through his bye week. His main value is as the handcuff for the McCoy owner.
Wide receivers
Names of note on bye: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Marvin Jones, Golden Tate and Robert Woods
Injuries of note: Allen Hurns (concussion), Jeremy Maclin (groin), Kenny Stills (illness), Victor Cruz (ankle), Will Fuller (leg), Travis Benjamin (knee) and Torrey Smith (back)
Priority list
* - Add these players in this order, and they are owned in 65 percent of leagues or less on CBS Sports.
Brown and J.J. Nelson are worth adding this week with the Cardinals coming off their bye, and both played well in their last game against the Panthers in Week 8. While Nelson was better, I still think Brown has the higher ceiling moving forward, especially since Nelson could still get demoted from his No. 3 role if Michael Floyd turns things around. Brown has suffered with injuries and a down year for Carson Palmer, but he faces SF this week and ATL in Week 12. That's a good situation for the entire ARI passing attack.
- Steve Smith (52 percent): Smith returned in Week 9 from a two-game absence with an ankle injury and had four catches for 47 yards on seven targets. He should do well in Week 10 vs. CLE, and prior to getting hurt in Week 5 against WAS he had two games in a row with at least eight catches for 87 yards. We hope he picks up where he left off prior to getting hurt.
- J.J. Nelson (21 percent): He had eight catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns at CAR in Week 8, and he's now starting over Floyd, although he's behind Larry Fitzgerald and Brown in the pecking order. We hope he stays in this No. 3 role, and the Cardinals have two enticing matchups coming up against SF and ATL. He's worth adding in the majority of leagues.
- Rishard Matthews (12 percent): Matthews is touchdown dependent, but he's scored in four of five games, with five touchdowns over that span. The problem is he only has one game with more than four catches for the season, which was Week 9 at San Diego when he had six. And he's been at 40 yards or less in six of eight games. He has a good matchup in Week 10 against GB, which makes him a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues.
- Dontrelle Inman (14 percent): Inman could see a boost in targets and production if Benjamin is forced to miss any time, and he just had six catches for 56 yards on nine targets in Week 9 against TEN when Benjamin got hurt. He's not a bad streaming option in deeper leagues in Week 10 vs. MIA if Benjamin is out as expected.
- Marqise Lee (9 percent): Lee could also see a boost in targets and production if Hurns is out for Week 10 vs. HOU. Lee had four catches for 84 yards on eight targets in Week 9 at Kansas City and now has at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in two of his past three games. He's a potential No. 3 receiver if Hurns is out against the Texans.
- Eli Rogers (7 percent): Rogers had his first productive game since Week 1 with six catches for 103 yards on 10 targets against the Ravens in Week 9. The Steelers should have success throwing against DAL in Week 10 at home, and slot receivers have done well against the Cowboys, who are banged up in the secondary. He's a sneaky sleeper in Week 10 and hopefully he can string together some good games in a row.
- Taylor Gabriel (0 percent): He's been productive two games in a row, and it might be time to add him in deeper leagues since he's playing in an explosive offense with a great quarterback in Ryan. He had three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against GB and five catches for 52 yards and 24 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 9 at TB. It might not be consistent, but Ryan has targeted him eight times in the past two weeks, which is encouraging.
- Robert Woods (20 percent): He's off this week, but Woods might be worth stashing during the bye after a great game at SEA in Week 9 with 10 catches for 162 yards on 13 targets. He now has at least eight FPTS in three of his past four games and should be the No. 1 receiver for BUF until Sammy Watkins (foot) is back.
- Sammy Watkins (34 percent): Speaking of Watkins, we'll keep mentioning him here with the chance he can return in Week 12. If you have an open roster spot, stash him now.
- Adam Humphries (25 percent): He scored in garbage time last week against ATL, but the Buccaneers are decimated at receiver with Vincent Jackson (knee) out for the season and Russell Shepard (hip) likely out again in Week 10. Humphries had seven targets in Week 9 and should continue to be involved if you're looking for someone in deeper leagues.
- Tyreek Hill (32 percent): We'll see what happens with Maclin this week, but if he's out then Hill should see a boost in targets and production. He struggled in Week 9 against JAC with three catches for 11 yards on five targets, but prior to that he had at least 11 FPTS in two games in a row. He doesn't have much appeal because of Alex Smith, but in deeper leagues the increased attention could help his Fantasy value.
Drop list
* - If you need to make a move, these are players you can drop for this week.
- Marvin Jones (97 percent): He's scored single digits in FPTS in a standard league in six games in a row, and he's had four catches or less in five of those outings. He's completely fallen off after a hot start and is not worth stashing during his bye week.
- Travis Benjamin (77 percent): He's dealing with a sprained PCL in his knee, and the Chargers could keep him out through their Week 11 bye. He's not going to help your Fantasy team much if he's injured.
- Will Fuller (76 percent): Fuller is also dealing with a leg injury, and he might not play in Week 10. He's also scored a combined four FPTS in a standard league since Week 4.
- DeVante Parker (73 percent): Parker is battling a nagging hamstring injury, and he's combined for 13 FPTS in a standard league since Week 4. He only has one touchdown on the season, and the Dolphins are running too much to help Parker at this point.
- DeSean Jackson (67 percent): Jackson is battling a nagging shoulder injury, and he's combined for 15 FPTS in his past five games. Since he faces MIN this week on the road, he's an easy guy to cut in the majority of leagues.
Tight ends
Names of note on bye: Eric Ebron, Jack Doyle, Dwayne Allen and Charles Clay
Injuries of note: Hunter Henry (knee) and Jacob Tamme (shoulder)
Priority list
* - Add these players in this order, and they are owned in 65 percent of leagues or less on CBS Sports.
Miller was great against the Vikings, and we hope that carries over to this week at TB after Chicago's bye. We thought there might be some drop off for Miller from Brian Hoyer (broken arm) to Cutler, but Miller was the top target against MIN and should be heavily involved again this week. The Buccaneers have allowed a tight end to score at least nine FPTS in three of four games, and we like Miller as a No. 1 tight end this week.
- C.J. Fiedorowicz (26 percent): He has scored at least 10 FPTS in a standard league in three of his past five games, including his last outing in Week 8 against DET. He has at least seven targets in four games in a row, and he could get a boost if Fuller is out this week against JAC. The Jaguars have allowed just one touchdown to an opposing tight end, but Fiedorowicz is still worth trusting as a low-end No. 1 option this week given his recent level of play.
- Eric Ebron (60 percent): We would stash Ebron during his bye week because he's been great in his past two games against HOU and MIN. He has 14 catches for 171 yards on 18 targets over that span, and he has at least seven catches for 79 yards in each outing. It would be nice if he found the end zone on a more regular basis since his last touchdown was in Week 1, but he's been a stud for PPR owners the past two games.
- Zach Ertz (51 percent): He's alive! Ertz finally showed up with his best game of the season in Week 9 at the Giants with eight catches for 97 yards on eight targets. Where has this been all year? He came into that game with seven combined Fantasy points in a standard league in his past four games, and we hope he can build on that success in this matchup against ATL. The Falcons have allowed six tight ends to score at least nine FPTS this year.
- Lance Kendricks (33 percent): He's been a nice surprise for Fantasy owners of late with seven catches in each of his past two games against the Giants and Panthers, and he had seven receptions for 90 yards against CAR in Week 9 on 12 targets. Since it's the Rams, and Case Keenum is the quarterback, you never know what to expect, but Kendricks faces the Jets this week, which is a favorable matchup.
- Austin Hooper (31 percent): Hooper was a great streaming tight end last week against TB with three catches for 46 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he should be involved again if Tamme is out. But this is a tougher matchup in Week 10 against the Eagles, who have allowed just two touchdowns to tight ends this year,
Drop list
* - If you need to make a move, these are players you can drop for this week.
- Gary Barnidge (87 percent): He hasn't scored a touchdown this season and has combined for six catches in his past two games against the Jets and Cowboys. In Week 2 vs. BAL, he had three FPTS, and he's not worth trusting in the rematch Thursday night.
- Coby Fleener (84 percent): He has two games with at least 16 FPTS in a standard league and six games with four FPTS or less. He's just not getting the job done, and it will be hard to trust him in Week 10 vs. DEN. Although he's been better at home this year than on the road, DEN has allowed just two touchdowns to tight ends this year.
- Julius Thomas (64 percent): Thomas is touchdown dependent, and he's scored twice in his past four games. But he's scored a high of eight FPTS over that span, and he hasn't had more than 30 yards since Week 2. He has a tough matchup this week vs. HOU, and his numbers will be minimal if he doesn't find the end zone.
DST streamers
* - If you need a DST for this week, these teams have favorable matchups are worth starting.
- Ravens (55 percent) vs. CLE
- Jets (58 percent) vs. LAR
- Texans (48 percent) at JAC
- Redskins (28 percent) vs. MIN
K streamers
* - If you need a kicker for this week, these guys have favorable matchups are worth starting.
- Will Lutz (55 percent) vs. DEN
- Chandler Catanzaro (26 percent) vs. SF
- Graham Gano (46 percent) vs. KC
- Connor Barth (2 percent) at TB
