Week 10 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

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The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB Justin Fields, CHI
2. QB Deshaun Watson, CLE (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. QB Russell Wilson, DEN (waiver wire: 12-25%)
4. QB Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (waiver wire: 10-20%)
5. QB Jared Goff, DET (waiver wire: 7-15%)
6. QB Daniel Jones, NYG (waiver wire: 10-20%)
7. QB Trevor Lawrence, JAX (waiver wire: 5-10%)
8. QB Jacoby Brissett, CLE (waiver wire: 1%)
9. QB Derek Carr, LV (waiver wire: 1%)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Sam Ehlinger, IND (waiver wire: DROP)
2. QB P.J. Walker, CAR (waiver wire: DROP )
3. QB Aaron Rodgers, GB (waiver wire: HOLD FOR 7-15% OR LOWER)
4. QB Marcus Mariota, ATL (waiver wire: HOLD FOR 3-5% OR LOWER)

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB Jeff Wilson, MIA (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. RB Joe Mixon, CIN
3. RB James Robinson, NYJ (waiver wire: 12-25%)
4. RB Kenyan Drake, BAL (waiver wire: 10-20%)
5. RB Elijah Mitchell, SF (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. RB Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL
7. RB Darrell Henderson, LAR (waiver wire: 7-15%)
8. RB Nyheim Hines, BUF (waiver wire: 7-15%)
9. RB Rachaad White, TB (waiver wire: 7-15%)
10. RB Tyler Allgeier, ATL (waiver wire: 5-10%)
11. RB Michael Carter, NYJ
12. RB Dontrell Hilliard, TEN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
13. RB Alexander Mattison, MIN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
14. RB Deon Jackson, IND (waiver wire: 3-5%)
15. RB Jaylen Warren, PIT (waiver wire: 1%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB Jonathan Taylor, IND
2. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER)
3. RB Eno Benjamin, ARI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
4. RB DOnta Foreman, CAR (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
5. RB Khalil Herbert, CHI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER)
6. RB Aaron Jones, GB
7. RB Raheem Mostert, MIA (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER)

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR George Pickens, PIT (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. WR Marquise Brown, ARI (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. WR Josh Palmer, LAC (waiver wire: 10-20%)
4. WR Mecole Hardman, KC (waiver wire: 7-15%)
5. WR Allen Lazard, GB
6. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (waiver wire: 7-15%)
7. WR Davante Adams, LV
8. WR Rondale Moore, ARI
9. WR Kadarius Toney, KC (waiver wire: 5-10%)
10. WR Christian Kirk, JAX
11. WR Trent Sherfield, MIA (waiver wire: 1%)
12. WR Samori Toure, GB (waiver wire: 1%)

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Romeo Doubs, GB (waiver wire: DROP)
2. WR Parris Campbell, IND (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
3. WR Michael Pittman, IND (waiver wire: HOLD)
4. WR Gabe Davis, BUF (waiver wire: HOLD)
5. WR D.J. Moore, CAR

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE David Njoku, CLE (waiver wire: 15-30%)
2. TE Greg Dulcich, DEN (waiver wire: 10-20%)
3. TE T.J. Hockenson, MIN
4. TE Cole Kmet, CHI (waiver wire: 7-15%)
5. TE Dallas Goedert, PHI
6. TE Noah Fant, SEA (waiver wire: 3-5%)
7. TE Cade Otton, TB (waiver wire: 3-5%)

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE Tyler Higbee, LAR (waiver wire: DROP)
2. TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ (waiver wire: DROP)
3. TE Evan Engram, JAX (waiver wire: DROP)
4. TE Mike Gesicki, MIA (waiver wire: DROP)
5. TE Brock Wright, DET (waiver wire: DROP)
6. TE Logan Thomas, WAS (waiver wire: DROP)

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Jacoby Brissett, CLE - (waiver wire: 1%) - Brissett is going to cede his job to Deshaun Watson in Week 13, and only Miami is a good matchup for fantasy of his remaining three games, but he does get the Dolphins this week, so if you're covering for Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson, he's a fine fill-in coming out of his bye.

QB Derek Carr, LV - (waiver wire: 1%) - Carr had a great half to open against the Jaguars and then the playcalling fell apart. It was criticized by Davante Adams openly in the media, so it could change, but we still have to consider Carr a volatile play and only suitable for as emergency depth.

QB Justin Fields, CHI - Fields was a week winner and he has the potential to be a league winner. The defensive matchups are getting easier with Detroit up next, but Buffalo and Philadelphia lurk during the fantasy playoffs.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, SF - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Garoppolo should be at worst good emergency depth, but with Arizona, Miami, Washington, and Las Vegas still left on the schedule and Christian McCaffrey adding some passing game juice, Garoppolo could be a lot more.

QB Jared Goff, DET - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Goff was only minimally effective against a game Packers defense, but he did finish two drives with touchdown passes. The Lions don't have many cold weather games left and they should get Jameson Williams back eventually. Goff is a suitable matchup QB1 going forward, with Chicago a matchup to target this week.

QB Daniel Jones, NYG - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - If Jones was dropped during his bye, that should be rectified. He still has rushing upside, Brian Daboll appears to be a rational coach, and they should be able to make better use of the skeleton crew they have on offense against a middling remaining schedule, with the Texans up this week.

QB Trevor Lawrence, JAX - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Lawrence broke off a few runs and looked steady as a high percentage passer in a good matchup against the Raiders. He's only a low ceiling matchup QB1, but games against Detroit and Houston after the bye give Lawrence some value to a QBBC fantasy team.

QB Deshaun Watson, CLE - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Watson's return is close enough now that it's worth carrying him if you have a quarterback problem that you can't solve. All but one of his games should be outdoors in cold weather, so there's an unpredictable element to how Watson will perform with his new team in a new offense, but the Browns offensive ecosystem is healthy and quarterback has been a tough position to solve in fantasy leagues this year.

QB Russell Wilson, DEN - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Don't look now, but Wilson actually played well going into the bye, he should be healthier after having a week off, and the Broncos have a lot of good matchups left after the bye.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Sam Ehlinger, IND - (waiver wire: DROP) - Will Ehlinger keep starting now that Frank Reich has been fired? Probably. Do you want Ehlinger in your lineup, even in superflex? Definitely not.

QB Marcus Mariota, ATL - (waiver wire: HOLD FOR 3-5% OR LOWER) - The up and down nature of Mariota's season continues. He wasn't effective as a passer and Cordarrelle Patterson finished both touchdown drives, so Mariota was a fantasy bust. His upside isn't really enticing enough to risk the floor games, although he might still be good in a pinch against the reeling Panthers on Thursday.

QB Aaron Rodgers, GB - (waiver wire: HOLD FOR 7-15% OR LOWER) - Rodgers actually moved the ball well against Detroit but couldn't execute at the goal line and both the Packers and fantasy teams suffered for it. Now Romeo Doubs is going to be out a while and Aaron Jones is nursing an ankle injury. Rodgers will be tough to put in lineups against the Cowboys, and only matchups against the Bears (potential cold weather) and Dolphins hold promise.

QB P.J. Walker, CAR - (waiver wire: DROP ) - Walker will start Thursday night against Atlanta, but can we count on him to finish any game going forward> You'd rather start a RB/WR/TE in your superflex than Walker.

Running Back Upgrade

RB Tyler Allgeier, ATL - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Allgeier almost had a 100-yard game behind Cordarrelle Patterson. He appears to be ahead of Caleb Huntley, and while Patterson's share of the backfield snaps should increase some, Allgeier has desperation play and Patterson injury upside value.

RB Michael Carter, NYJ - Carter ran the ball very effectively against the Bills and even though he's not getting many targets, the Jets defense will keep games manageable and allow Carter to get 12-15 touches a game and provide at worst valuable running back depth in fantasy leagues.

RB Kenyan Drake, BAL - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Drake could be the third string back in Baltimore in a few weeks, but there's guarantee that either Gus Edwards or J.K. Dobbins stay healthy. The numbers have been coming when Drake is the lead back, and the Ravens running game is gaining steam. He's a priority bench stash and could still be at worst a what the heck flex after the bye this week.

RB Darrell Henderson, LAR - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Henderson showed again he is the best back on the Rams roster with their longest run of the year (23 yards!), but the team isn't going to truly commit to him, and the offense isn't good enough to support sustained fantasy value. Henderson is just emergency depth, but he's worth a bench spot.

RB Dontrell Hilliard, TEN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Hilliard was quiet in the loss to the Chiefs, but he has had a lot of explosive plays this year in limited duty, and Derrick Henry is getting overworked - not to mention him showing up on the injury report with a foot issue last week.

RB Nyheim Hines, BUF - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Hines was barely involved in the Bills offense in the loss to the Jets, but give it time. The team has no running game to speak of, Josh Allen is banged up, and they have obviously been coveting a player like Hines. He's worth a bench spot to see what develops here.

RB Deon Jackson, IND - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Jackson is a real riddle for fantasy. The Colts offense is atrocious and they have no experienced playcaller on the staff now. Sam Ehlinger is the quarterback, but after the coaching changes, who knows if that will stick? Jackson left with a knee injury but it's believed to be minor. When will Jonathan Taylor return? Jackson could still be a viable RB2/Flex this week, but there are more questions than answers.

RB Alexander Mattison, MIN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Mattison remains of the most valuable backups when you consider the Vikings offense quality and Dalvin Cook's injury history.

RB Elijah Mitchell, SF - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Mitchell should be ready to go coming out of the bye. He's only Christian McCaffrey injury insurance, but if McCaffrey goes down, Mitchell could be a league winner.

RB Joe Mixon, CIN - Mixon had one of the all-time great fantasy football performances in Week 9, after languishing in mediocrity despite lots of opportunity for most of the season.

RB Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL - Patterson was back in Week 9, and he rewarded faith in his abilities. Patterson's points came from two short scores, but he ran over a linebacker on one and he also had a 38-yard score called back by penalty. The Falcons should scale up his workload as we go, making him a solid RB2 with room to grow.

RB James Robinson, NYJ - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Robinson was more integrated into the Jets offense in Week 9, and that offense emphasized the backfield in the big win over the Bills. Robinson's value is back at a flexworthy play with some RB2 application in a pinch because the Jets defense should keep the running backs heavily involved via competitive game scripts.

RB Jaylen Warren, PIT - (waiver wire: 1%) - There has been buzz during the bye that Warren will get more work going forward. Najee Harris isn't going to just go away, and the Steelers offense isn't a robust environment for fantasy production, but we should consider picking Warren in deeper leagues simply because his value is trending up and Harris might not 100% after coming into the season with a foot injury.

RB Rachaad White, TB - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - As long as Leonard Fournette continues to look pedestrian on his touches, there's always a chance that the backfield flips to White's favor. What is that worth? This Bucs offense isn't even feeding the running backs in the passing game the way they were earlier, but there's no doubt that White has a lot of potential for value growth, it just might be modest even with a lead back role.

RB Jeff Wilson, MIA - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - Wilson immediately got more snaps than Raheem Mostert and he appeared to be more capable of doing something that matters for fantasy with them. Mostert's injury history could boost Wilson's value eventually, and in the meantime, he's a solid RB2 as an important piece in one of the NFL's best offenses.

Running Back Downgrade

RB Eno Benjamin, ARI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Benjamin went back to the bench with James Conner in the lineup, and Conner didn't look any worse for the wear. Conner's injury history means we could see Benjamin start again this year, but that's all Benjamin is now - Conner injury upside.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER) - The Chiefs went pass heavy against the Titans, so Clyde Edwards-Helaire was only on the field for 17 snaps. He remains a what the heck flex with upside because of this offense's ability to score, but the ceiling games are small in the rear view mirror.

RB DOnta Foreman, CAR - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - Foreman was waylayed by a game script that saw the Panthers losing 35-0 at the half. He wasn't involved after that, but he should be startable as a flex again on Thursday against the Falcons defense he hung three scores on in Week 8.

RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER) - The Bears offense had a great day, but Khalil Herbert's hand never got hot, so he wasn't very useful in fantasy. He's still a fine what-the-heck flex, but it's clear that he'll need a David Montgomery injury to really matter in fantasy.

RB Aaron Jones, GB - Jones left with an ankle injury in Week 9. It isn't serious, and there's hope Jones will play this week, but it could affect his effectiveness and there's risk of re-injury.

RB Raheem Mostert, MIA - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 12-25% OR HIGHER) - Mostert fell behind Jeff Wilson in Wilson's first game as a Dolphin. He still has Wilson injury upside and he's still in a great offense

RB Jonathan Taylor, IND - Taylor wasn't able to play in Week 9, it's unclear if he'll be able to go in Week 10, and now you have to wonder if he'll be shut down at some point as the franchise player for a team that is tearing down their coaching staff.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Davante Adams, LV - Adams has had a rollercoaster season and then some, but he and fantasy teams that took him were riding high... until the playcalling marginalized him in the second half. Adams criticized the coaches in public, which can be a squeaky wheel or can be something that turns the coaches against you. Either way, it's undeniable what happens when Adams gets targeted.

WR Marquise Brown, ARI - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - When will Marquise Brown return? It could be as early as Week 11, but a Week 13 bye could affect calculations here. How big will his role be with DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore out there? These questions make Brown a priority, but not the priority to pick if he was dropped after he got hurt.

WR Mecole Hardman, KC - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Hardman was once again one of the primary weapons at the goal line and he was a strong fantasy play coming out of the bye. The team did have an inordinate number of passing plays and Kadarius Toney should get more involved, but the recent usage pattern is undeniable, and it's creating fantasy value where there was none before.

WR Christian Kirk, JAX - Kirk's slot role was productive against a poor defense in a pass-heavy come from behind game script. He's a boom/bust play, but the team should have to pass a lot against the Chiefs this week.

WR Allen Lazard, GB - Lazard is the Packers #1 receiver and not just by default. He's making tough plays for Aaron Rodgers and he has less competition for targets going forward with Romeo Doubs out and Christian Watson back in concussion protocol.

WR Rondale Moore, ARI - Moore has found a role in the pass offense and he is inhabiting it well. The PPR floor is high and he can always add value after the catch, so consider him a WR3/Flex against the Rams and the most valuable wide receiver named Moore.

WR Josh Palmer, LAC - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Palmer had a big game against a depleted Falcons secondary, and he'll get a lot of targets until Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are back, which might not be for a few more weeks. He's a WR3/Flex against the 49ers.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Peoples-Jones has been a consistent 9-12 point play in PPR leagues, and he has the potential to do more in Week 13 and beyond when Deshaun Watson returns. He is also a good WR3/Flex play against the Dolphins this week.

WR George Pickens, PIT - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - If Pickens was dropped during his bye week, pounce. The trade of Chase Claypool should free up targets and we know Kenny Pickett isn't shy about challenging defenses, so Pickens should have plenty of chances to make a fantasy impact in the second half of the season.

WR Trent Sherfield, MIA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Sherfield is the #3 receiver for the Dolphins and could see a massive value leap if one of their top two options go down. He's worth a bench stash in deep leagues.

WR Kadarius Toney, KC - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Toney is being eased into the Chiefs offense, but his role should grow as he becomes more acclimated to the playbook, and he has the talent to accelerate that role growth. We'll play wait and see with him, but the payoff could matter in fantasy this year.

WR Samori Toure, GB - (waiver wire: 1%) - Toure has four targets in each of the last two weeks, and his role should grow after Romeo Doubs went down and Christian Watson went back into concussion protocol.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Parris Campbell, IND - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - There was some hope that Campbell could take up some of the slack left by the Nyheim Hines trade, but the whole offense went limp instead. Campbell is still a hold in deep leagues to see if this can get on track after Frank Reich was fired.

WR Gabe Davis, BUF - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Davis couldn't reel in a deep ball to keep his team alive in Week 9, but he was also interfered with and had a tough matchup all day. His quarterback is banged up, but Davis's upside is still worth a WR3/Flex start against the Vikings.

WR Romeo Doubs, GB - (waiver wire: DROP) - Doubs left with a high ankle sprain that will cost him multiple weeks.

WR D.J. Moore, CAR - It was a nice couple of weeks of effective play from P.J. Walker, but that's over now. Moore gets to face the Falcons defense he lit up in Week 8, so keep him in lineups while we hope that Walker regains form or at least gets benched more quickly if he looks the way he did on Sunday at Cincinnati.

WR Michael Pittman, IND - (waiver wire: HOLD) - The Colts offense made Pittman look like a player we wanted no part of in our lineups. Things could change at quarterback with the upheaval in the Colts organization, but if it's Sam Ehlinger from here on out, Pittman could be droppable in short bench leagues.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Greg Dulcich, DEN - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Dulcich has already proven his fantasy value, but he could have been dropped in a bye week crunch. He should be considered a high floor TE1 until we see otherwise in a Broncos offense that should improve going forward.

TE Noah Fant, SEA - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Fant was mainly a target on dumpoffs, but one of them went for a long gain as the Cardinals defense reliably allowed a big game to a tight end again. Consider him a viable streamer with some momentum against the Bucs this week.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI - Goedert led the team in targets and actually had more targets than A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combined against the Texans. He'll be a great play this week against a Commanders defense that just gave up a big line to T.J. Hockenson.

TE T.J. Hockenson, MIN - So much for Hockenson being eased into the Vikings offense in his first week with the team. He was basically a full-time player, and Hockenson caught all nine of his targets. He's a solid to strong TE1 going forward as this trade looks like it will be very good for Hockenson's fantasy value.

TE Cole Kmet, CHI - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Kmet scored twice and appears to have his value rising as part of the Justin Fields tide. He'll get Detroit this week, so he's a plug and play if he's out there.

TE David Njoku, CLE - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Make sure Njoku wasn't unwisely dropped during his bye. He could be back this week and should be back in the next 2-3 weeks at the latest. He'll also get a value bump when Deshaun Watson gets back on the field in Week 13.

TE Cade Otton, TB - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Otton came up big as the Bucs passed a lot in the play from behind game script against the Rams. Cameron Brate could be back soon, maybe even this week, but as long as Brate is out, Otton has streaming tight end fantasy value.

Tight End Downgrade

TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ - (waiver wire: DROP) - Conklin was back down this week with the Jets focusing on keeping the ball safe and relying on their backfield and defense to beat the Bills. He's too inconsistent to be worth carrying through his bye.

TE Evan Engram, JAX - (waiver wire: DROP) - Engram is day-to-day after leaving the game with a back injury. He hasn't been a major fantasy force and merely adequate, so he can probably be dropped unless he's your only tight end and the waiver wire is bone dry.

TE Mike Gesicki, MIA - (waiver wire: DROP) - Gesicki's role is going to back to the fantasy irrelevant size it was for most of the early part of the season and the Dolphins are winning. He didn't get traded and now the Dolphins are scaling back his usage.

TE Tyler Higbee, LAR - (waiver wire: DROP) - Higbee is like a solid rocket booster who helped fantasy teams early with his struggle target short catches in bunches, but the Rams have moved on to different struggle targets, so his zero this week is the last straw if you've been waiting to drop him.

TE Logan Thomas, WAS - (waiver wire: DROP) - Thomas is back on the field and his snap count is going up, but he put up a goose egg in the loss to the Vikings and isn't worth carrying.

TE Brock Wright, DET - (waiver wire: DROP) - There was some hope of Wright having fantasy value after T.J. Hockenson was traded. After all, he did a decent Hockenson impression in his best game this year. Wright was instead an afterthought in the offense and didn't catch a pass.