Fantasy Football Waiver Wire NFL Week 10: Keaton Mitchell, Tank Dell, streamers and more

 Posted on June 10, 2024  |  11 minutes  |  2328 words  |  Lourie Helzer

With more byes and injuries, the Week 10 fantasy football waiver wire has a few midseason potential gems. Is Keaton Mitchell a must-start? Are Demario Douglas, Noah Brown and Quentin Johnston top options? All those answers, plus worries over Bijan Robinson, and more below!

HEADS UP

  • Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
  • Listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production
  • No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
  • Streaming QB and TE are grouped together— weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too

** BYES: KC, LAR, MIA, PHI **

WORRY REPORT
More Ducks (and Eggs) = More Concern

  • Lamar Jackson, BAL 🦆🦆🦆 — Jackson has one game of 18+ points since Week 4, with three games of 12 or fewer. Not surprisingly, that comes with two 0-TD games and two 1-TD games. Jackson also has 36 or fewer rushing yards in three of those contests. The touchdowns aren’t there and the rushing isn’t as high as we’d like. Given the offense’s success in the way it is — and the defense’s dominance — there isn’t much need for things to change. Jackson still has weekly top-quarterback upside, but he’s essentially the Gabe Davis of quarterbacks at this point with a weekly bench-worthy floor.
  • Kenneth Walker, SEA 🦆🦆🦆🥚 — Even factoring in a nightmare matchup, the 2022 concerns for Kenneth Walker are back, as he’s struggling again with the same inefficiency — getting through the created holes. Walker continues to struggle between the tackles and using what’s given, especially if that’s narrow holes/creases. With Zach Charbonnet’s ability and Pete Carroll’s history of running back use, we should be rather concerned a timeshare is in the works.
  • Bijan Robinson, ATL 🦆🦆 — After the mysterious Week 7 illness, Robinson has since received 11 and 13 touches, further worrying his managers. Unless Arthur Smith changes his ways (or gets fired), hoping things will change is as fruitful as hoping the Steelers turn to Jaylen Warren… it’s not happening. Robinson has a terrific playoff schedule, which makes him a buy low — especially if this is Smith’s way of keeping Robinson healthy for the stretch run — but don’t pay more than RB2 value, as the concern is valid.
  • Davante Adams, LV 🦆🦆🦆 — Aidan O’Connell peppered Adams previously, and Josh Jacobs was second in targets, with Jakobi Meyers far behind. That was obviously just a small-sample trend, as Meyers was heavily involved in Week 9. To be fair, Adams has just two games without 7+ targets, but he hasn’t topped 57 yards since Week 4, has just one game with over 85 yards, and has scored just three touchdowns (two coming in Week 3 and one in Week 2). Adams is one of the most disappointing players in 2023, especially with his TmTGT%. Of all receivers with 30.0% or more of his team’s targets (just eight WRs), Adams is the second-lowest in points at 100.8 (only ahead of Garrett Wilson), and Ja’Marr Chase is 24.3 points ahead of Adams in sixth (despite Chase getting dinged up).
  • Rams 🦆🦆 to potential ♾🦆 — Sound the alarm. Matthew Stafford went from a game-time decision to an unknown recovery timetable after the game. If Stafford isn’t under center, this offense is toast. Kyren Williams was providing RB1 value but would be a mid-low RB2 when back (Week 12), and Cooper Kupp is a volatile WR2 with Puka Nacua the same, but a WR3. There is an opportunity to sell and buy though. If you can get Top 15-ish value for Kupp, and Top 25 for Nacua, sell due to the risk the Rams rest Stafford for weeks, or even shut him down. If you can buy Kupp for a low-WR2 cost, and Nacua for WR3/4, then buy because of that potential upside.

STREAMING QUARTERBACKS

Emojis and Acronyms

  • 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya — players included for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
  • 🔍 = Check if Dropped — players whose managers might have cut for other needs or impatient
  • 🎯 = Long-Term Target — players with starter+ upside who require patience (stash picks)
  • 🫡 = Backup/Next Man Up — players who have almost no value but starter+ upside if injury ahead of them
  • RBTouch% — RB touch percentage — percent of team total RB touches that player had
  • TmTGT% — Team target percentage — percent of team total targets going to that player
  • G2G and GL — Goal-to-Go (inside the 10-yard line) and Goal-Line (inside the 5-yard line)
  • TmAirYD% — Team Air Yard percentage — percent of team total air yards going to that player

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

  • Khalil Herbert, CHI — 🔍 He’s over 60% rostered but barely, which is why he’s here. Make sure Herbert isn’t on waivers, as Herbert was in full control in Weeks 4 and 5 before his injury, with 28-for-179 rushing (6.4 YPC). D’Onta Foreman has been too good to go away, but Herbert has the upside of an RB2, and would likely be an RB3 even if sharing with Foreman.
  • Keaton Mitchell, BAL — Hopefully, you’ve been able to hold on during byes and injuries, but whether Mitchell is already stashed on your roster or available, be excited, but don’t go bananas. The Week 9 usage still shows Gus Edwards as the lead, but it’s tough to say what the plan is in games where the Ravens aren’t dominating from the second quarter. Justice Hill split with Edwards in the first quarter but then led the backfield in Snap% and RBTouch% the rest of the way. Mitchell’s ability — clearly on display — likely pushes the Ravens for more opportunities, and Mitchell has the highest ceiling. But, he’s likely a timeshare to Edwards at best and part of a three-headed committee at worst. RB3 value with weekly RB1 upside is possible though.
  • D’Onta Foreman, CHI — Even with Herbert eligible to return, Foreman is worth holding until we see the workload. Herbert should be the lead, but it might be a timeshare with Foreman, or the Bears might not even “mess with success” and let Foreman hold the lead. Of course, this could turn into a committee, or Foreman could surprisingly be buried behind Roschon Johnson given similarities to Herbert, but we need to be patient.
  • Zach Charbonnet, SEA — 🫡 As mentioned in the Walker worry report, Charbonnet could start eating into the workload more, which could mean RB3 value with the upside for more.
  • Tyler Allgeier, ATL — 😤
  • Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — 😤
  • Justice Hill, BAL — Mitchell has the higher ceiling, but again, Hill led the Ravens. Until he’s clearly the third option or phased out, any Ravens running back seeing work is worth holding on the off chance one of the others gets hurt.
  • Devin Singletary, HOU — Arguably droppable after doing nothing in the lead role. Even forgiving a bad matchup in Week 9, Singletary had just 10-for-30 rushing and 2-for-13 receiving in Week 8 as well. Still, running back is getting super thin, as it does this time of year.
  • Jeff Wilson, MIA — Raheem Mostert has missed practices to stay healthy-ish and not miss games, but even with the returning De’Von Achane, Wilson is worth holding if either Mostert or Achane (again) were to miss time.
  • Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN — Coming off their bye, the Broncos will continue to lean on Javonte Williams as the clear leader, but it only takes an injury to have McLaughlin back as the slightly better option of the timeshare with Samaje Perine.
  • Ezekiel Elliott, NE — 😤
  • Tyjae Spears, TEN — 🫡
  • Ty Chandler, MIN — With Cam Akers done, Chandler is next up, but I wouldn’t expect usable value unless Alexander Mattison was also out with an injury too.
  • Royce Freeman, LAR — The backfield is worrisome without Matthew Stafford, but Kyren Williams isn’t back until Week 12 at the earliest. Even with the Rams on bye, stashing Freeman for Week 11 is fine for needy teams.
  • Roschon Johnson, CHI — If Herbert doesn’t return, deep stash, and still stashable in case Herbert (again) or Foreman gets hurt.
  • Elijah Mitchell, SF — 🫡
  • Rico Dowdle, DAL — 🫡
  • Tank Bigsby, JAX — 🫡
  • Joshua Kelley, LAC — 🫡
  • Jamaal Williams, NO — 🫡
  • Matt Breida, NYG — 🫡
  • Leonard Fournette, BUF — Wasn’t active, but that could change, and he’s worth a deep stash just because you never know.

    • UNBREAK MY ❤️

    • Antonio Gibson, WSH — ❤️ I’m not ready to give him more than one heart, as Gibson is still only a half/full-PPR option for needy teams in deeper leagues. His opportunities haven’t changed — they’ve fluctuated all year within the same range — and Gibson had his first double-digit fantasy points game of the year. Plus, his best games have come in extremely pass-happy affairs. Gibson would check in as RB13 (above) ahead of Freeman, again, only if you need a handful of points.

    WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

  • Tank Dell, HOU — 😤
  • Quentin Johnston, LAC — With Joshua Palmer shut down, Johnston was the top starter alongside Keenan Allen, actually running the most routes. Johnston’s needed development and rough go against Sauce Gardner were on display, and Justin Herbert didn’t look his way much (three targets). However, he was still second in targets (not saying much), but with better matchups in the future and a top-two role on hand, Johnston has Top 30 potential in this offense and the Mike Williams/Palmer role.
  • Demario Douglas, NE — Douglas’ Week 9 is much of what you can expect, even if DeVante Parker returns. There are Jakobi Meyers similarities in receiving volume reliance with an occasional touchdown.
    — This is where Jahan Dotson would slot in — has upside to be the best here, but a healthy Curtis Samuel could ruin the fun we finally had.
  • Jonathan Mingo, CAR — Ran as many routes as Adam Thielen. Mingo has moved into a top-two receiving role for the Panthers.
  • Michael Wilson, ARI — 😤 Kyler Murray is returning.
  • Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA — The Seahawks offense is a shadow of its 2022 self, but Smith-Njigba is moving from a long-term, upside stash to a potential startable option, as he’s pushing Tyler Lockett for value.
  • Jameson Williams, DET — Maybe he found a consistency cloak during the bye to upgrade his value. There is Top 30 talent here.
  • Romeo Doubs, GB — The only usable Packers receiver, and at this point, that’s not saying much.
  • Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Daniel Jones is done, this team is done, and chasing anyone in this offense is about done. Robinson for a full-PPR deep WR4 play is fine.
  • Darnell Mooney, CHI — Matchup and big-play option who can be worth the boom/bust risk when D.J. Moore is facing a tough one-on-one matchup.
  • Rashid Shaheed, NO — 😤
  • Khalil Shakir, BUF — There was a bit of concern that the Bills would go back to high two-tight-end use with Quintin Morris back, but they stayed with more three-receiver sets. Shakir had 75.0% of the routes run and is an intriguing WR4/5, similar to Tyler Boyd.
  • Marvin Mims, DEN — 🎯 Sean Payton said they will get Mims more involved… again. Believe it when we see it, but… make sure Mims is rostered in case the Broncos aren’t lying this time.
  • Trishton Jackson, MIN — Justin Jefferson is still a few weeks away, so if K.J. Osborn misses time due to the Week 9 injury, Jackson is interesting, playing the outside roll and out-snapping and out-targeting Brandon Powell.
  • Kyle Phillips, TEN — With Treylon Burks out and Will Levis at quarterback, Phillips has the chance to push for a top-two role and WR4 value.
  • Cedric Tillman, CLE — 🎯 Good news. Tillman jumped to 72.7 Route% after the Donovan Peoples-Jones trade. Bad news. He had one target. I’d still deep-stash him where I can, as Tillman has the talent to push for WR3/4 value if the Browns’ passing game clicks.
  • JuJu Smith-Schuster, NE — He did catch six of seven targets for 51 yards, but Smith-Schuster ran just 19 routes (second-least) and DeVante Parker might return.
  • Noah Brown, HOU — Five targets in three straight games, but this was Brown’s first game with over 57 yards and/or a touchdown.
  • Brandon Powell, MIN — As mentioned, Jackson actually stepped up as the No. 2 when Osborn departed, with Powell maintaining his three-wide/slot roll for the most part. Both are still temporary options at best.
  • Isaiah McKenzie, IND — If Josh Downs misses time, McKenzie replaces him. However, I wouldn’t expect similar numbers, and McKenzie will likely frustrate managers by sharing more targets with Alec Pierce than Downs did.

    • MEH 😒

    • Jalen Tolbert, DAL — Fourth receiver on the depth chart and in opportunities this season. These games happen.
    • Odell Beckham, BAL — Birthday and squeaky wheel touchdown hit.
    • Cedrick Wilson, MIA — Would be intriguing if Jaylen Waddle was out, but Waddle returned to the game, and the Dolphins are on a bye.

    DUMPSVILLE 🗑️

    • Christian Watson, GB — Jordan Love has been terrible. Watson can’t get going. You would need at least one good game to trust Watson again, so you miss that performance, and then if Watson doesn’t go back-to-back, you’re benching again — rinse and repeat. Would drop down through his teammate and not mad if chasing the upside of Mims.

    STREAMING TIGHT ENDS

    STREAMING DST

    Week 10

    • SEA vs WSH
    • TB vs TEN
    • NE vs IND
    • CIN vs HOU
    • ATL at ARI
    • LV vs NYJ
    • TEN at TB
    • IND at NE

    Week 11

    • JAX vs TEN
    • MIA vs LV
    • DET vs CHI
    • SEA at LAR
    • DEN vs MIN
    • LAC at GB
    • CIN at BAL

    (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

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