Week 9 of the NFL season has just about wrapped up. Whether winning or losing in Week 9, it’s time to make some moves to help your team reach the ultimate goal. In this article, we will talk about the key players worth picking up to help improve your roster. We will discuss what they have done and why they are important players to pick up on rosters. We will also talk about whether they are worth spending that number one waiver claim and how much FAAB percentage you should use on them.
The Week 10 waiver wire is starting to have some names that you will want to pick up to help your fantasy roster. There is a nice mix of players who all produced in Week 9 and should have value moving forward.
Quentin Johnston, WR – LAC
Our first waiver wire pick up for Week 10 is Chargers receiver, Quentin Johnston. The second-year receiver returned to the field this week after a two-game absence due to an injury. He took on a Browns secondary, which was above average, and dominated them. He finished with 4 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Johnston has not been a consistent option but has been an upside FLEX player in lineups this year. He has four touchdowns in six games played this year. While the Chargers have been a run-focused offense, their passing offense has come alive in recent weeks, and pass catchers like Johnston have benefited from it. You want to pick up Johnston as the bigger BYE weeks are starting to come, and the Chargers have promising matchups moving forward. He’ll face BAL, ATL, TB & KC in the next month and a half that may have potential shootouts. Once again, Johnston is a good bench player to pick up and start during BYE weeks.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 8%
Mike Gesicki, TE – CIN
We go back to a familiar face from last week in tight end Mike Gesicki. If you picked up Gesicki the previous week, he rewarded you with 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. The critical factor is that Tee Higgins was inactive once again. In four games that Higgins missed, Gesicki has averaged 15 fantasy points per game. The recent news that rookie Erik All Jr has a significant injury that may help provide Gesicki with even more snaps on the offense. The Bengals are fighting for their season so you’d have to expect the passing game to be relied on. In week 10, Gesicki will face off against the Ravens, allowing the most receiving yards to tight ends this year. Gesicki has already played the Ravens and finished with 31 yards with Tee Higgins on the field. If Higgins misses again, Gesicki could have a high upside for your lineups.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 12%
Ray Davis RB – BUF
At this point of the season, grabbing your handcuffs or your league mates’ handcuffs is very important. Ray Davis is someone I’m trying to pick up, as he has the potential to have a second-half breakout. Davis is coming off a big week with 16 fantasy points against the Dolphins. Granted that most of that came on a 71-yard receiving touchdown, but Davis has had double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games. Davis has continued to shine at moments that will force the Bills to use him more in games. The Bills will want to use their bigger back as the weather gets colder and the snow arrives. Ray Davis comes in at 220 lbs., and James Cook is only 190 lbs. I want to hold on to Davis, and he could potentially be used during BYE weeks as a desperate RB2.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 8%
Daniel Jones, QB – NYG
Our quarterback pick-up this week is Daniel Jones. Before you roll your eyes, Jones has a great matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Germany this week. Jones was able to show up against a Commanders defense that has been playing much better as of late and finish with 28 fantasy points. Jones is a dual-threat quarterback who should be able to gain a higher rushing floor against a bottom-five defense in the Panthers. Jones has been a different quarterback on the road this year. At home, Jones only averages 12 fantasy points, but he averages 19 fantasy points on the road. Jones may be able to provide a safe play as this offense tried to get things going in Germany for Week 10.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 5%
Ray-Ray McCloud, WR – ATL
Our next player is wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. The recent news of Drake London getting injured in Week 9, may be something that we need to watch throughout the week. If so, then McCloud jumps to the WR2 role in an offense with high passing upside. While McCloud’s targets have fallen a big in recent weeks, he remains a fantastic slot receiver for the Falcons. He has three games this year and has double-digit fantasy points in the season. London is averaging eight targets per game, so McCloud could see an uptake in opportunity if something happens to London. He’ll face the Saints in Week 10, and he already finished with 11 fantasy points last time they faced off. McCloud may be able to provide a safe play at your FLEX in Week 10.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 2%
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR – TEN
Our last waiver wire pick-up has to be Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The veteran receiver has a nice four-game streak with a touchdown. Each of the previous 4 weeks, he has seen an increase in production; over the last two weeks, he has been over ten fantasy points. While it’s tough to trust the Titans offense, Westbrook-Ikhine has been a small bright spot in recent weeks, and he is playing a full workload as one of the starters. The Titan’s defense has fallen apart, which has allowed the passing game to continue to work, so getting the opportunity will be essential for Westbrook-Ikhine. The Titans receiver group has the second-easiest receiver schedule for the remainder of the season.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 4%
Photos by Icon Sports Wire and Adobe Stock | Adapted by Carlos Leano