Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 10

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

It's odd to recommend a Week 10 streaming option who hasn't even finished his Week 9 game yet, but here we are.

The selection of available passers is limited, and Roethlisberger will be the top quarterback to target off waivers as long as he emerges from Monday night's battle with the Bears unscathed.

Before heading into their Week 9 bye, the Lions ranked 28th in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA and gave up three-touchdown performances to Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow in two of their last three outings. Jalen Hurts likely could have done the same, but the Eagles opted to rush for four touchdowns instead.

Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offense should have no problem moving the ball against Detroit, leading to lots of scoring opportunities. That makes him a safe play for those in need of a one-week replacement.

Streaming options: Teddy Bridgewater vs. PHI (28% rostered), Taylor Heinicke vs. TB (9% rostered), Baker Mayfield at NE (37% rostered), Taysom Hill at TEN (18% rostered),

Streaming options (if healthy): Tua Tagovailoa vs. BAL (33% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Mac Jones vs. CLE (30% rostered), Jimmy Garoppolo vs. LAR (28% rostered), Trevor Lawrence at IND (38% rostered), Trevor Siemian at TEN (5% rostered)

Bye week stashes: Justin Fields (26% rostered), Tyrod Taylor (15% rostered)

Long-term stashes: Trey Lance (18% rostered)

2QB/Superflex long-term stashes: Cam Newton (1% rostered)

Running backs

Devonta Freeman, Ravens

Latavius Murray was expected to return from an ankle injury following the Ravens' Week 8 bye. However, Murray didn't even practice last week, and that trend continued Monday ahead of Baltimore's Thursday night game with the Dolphins.

The result will be another start for Freeman, who has quietly climbed to the clear lead spot in the Ravens' backfield. What was once a full-blown committee has turned into a starring role for the 29-year-old.

Freeman has recorded touchdowns in each of the last three games and set season highs in yards from scrimmage (83) and snap share (58.2%) Sunday.

With the Ravens heading to Miami as 7.5-point favorites, Freeman will be a fantasy RB2 in what should be a very positive game script.

Alex Collins/Rashaad Penny, Seahawks

Pete Carroll suggested Chris Carson would attempt to practice leading up to Week 10. It's notable since Carson has been sidelined for over a month with a neck issue that could threaten his season.

Unfortunately, we also know Carroll can be overly optimistic, and there's no guarantee Carson gets cleared to return.

Given the uncertainty, Collins and Penny should both be considered adds if they're still available in your league.

Collins has been the frontman in the Seahawks' RBBC. Although he's consistently led the backfield in carries, Collins lacks involvement in the passing game. That limits his fantasy upside and makes him a touchdown-dependent flex most weeks.

Penny's production has been almost non-existent, and he's purely a bench stash in hopes that he can benefit from the bye and earn a bigger role moving forward.

Jordan Howard, Eagles

Figuring out the Eagles' backfield has been a tricky endeavor the last few weeks. With Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Nick Sirianni has largely leaned on veterans Boston Scott and Howard to power their attack.

After rolling over the Lions in Week 8, Philly's backs got another friendly matchup against the Chargers' weak run defense. Only this time, Howard led the way with 17 carries to Scott's 10.

Scott out-snapped his teammate (25-23), and rookie Kenneth Gainwell vultured a touchdown, but Howard was the most productive overall by totaling 71 rushing yards and a score on the day.

That led to at least one beat writer calling for Howard to be a permanent part of the offense, even after Sanders returns from IR.

Regardless, we know Howard will have at least one more chance to prove himself before Sanders is eligible to be activated. Consider him a flex option for Week 10, and we'll reassess next week.

With Nick Chubb testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Kareem Hunt still on injured reserve, D'Ernest Johnson (40% rostered) should be rostered in all leagues.

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (47% rostered) and Sony Michel (35% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Mark Ingram at TEN (38% rostered), Ty Johnson vs. BUF (12% rostered)

Risky flex options: Carlos Hyde at IND (34% rostered), Brandon Bolden vs. CLE (10% rostered), D'Onta Foreman vs. NO (1% rostered), Eno Benjamin vs. CAR (0% rostered), Giovani Bernard at WAS (10% rostered),

Risky flex options (if healthy): Rhamondre Stevenson vs. CLE (6% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Le'Veon Bell at MIA (5% rostered), Salvon Ahemd vs. BAL (6% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell at DEN (40% rostered), Derrick Gore at LV (37% rostered), JaMycal Hasty vs. LAR (2% rostered), Jeff Wilson vs. LAR (31% rostered), Travis Homer at GB (0% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Ronald Jones at WAS (21% rostered), Samaje Perine on Bye (11% rostered), Jaret Patterson vs. TB (2% rostered), Justin Jackson vs. MIN (2% rostered), J.J. Taylor vs. CLE (0% rostered), Ameer Abdullah at ARI (0% rostered)

Wide receivers

Rashod Bateman, Ravens

This is Bateman's third week getting a section of his own, which makes him an early candidate to be the next Tim Patrick - someone who keeps producing but a player who fantasy managers just don't want to roster.

The Ravens' first-round pick has now appeared in three games, turning in stat lines of 4-29-0, 3-80-0, and 5-52-0. He's seen at least three targets in every game, including a season-high eight passes thrown his way Sunday.

The 21-year-old is the clear No. 2 receiver behind Marquise Brown and should maintain that role even when Sammy Watkins returns to the lineup.

It's a promising start for Bateman, and we should see his numbers improve as he gets more experience and becomes more comfortable on the NFL field. He's a WR3 option with breakout potential in the second half of the season.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns

Peoples-Jones was one of the recommended stashes in last week's Start, Sit, Stash, Quit column following the news of Odell Beckham Jr.'s impending release, and he delivered right away with 86 yards and a score.

That's three straight strong performances from the 22-year-old, including 70 yards in Week 5 and 101 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6.

Lack of volume is a concern and could lead to some light weeks, but DPJ is a legit WR3 candidate for the rest of the season now that OBJ is gone.

Brandon Aiyuk, Michael Gallup, and A.J. Green are close to the 50% cutoff line but should be rostered in most leagues.

Long-term upside stashes: Curtis Samuel (11% rostered), Will Fuller (26% rostered)

Flex options: Elijah Moore vs. BUF (27% rostered), DeSean Jackson vs. KC (4% rostered), Marquez Callaway at TEN (34% rostered), Van Jefferson at SF (43% rostered), Russell Gage at DAL (16% rostered), Jamal Agnew at IND (10% rostered), James Washington vs. DET (2% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): T.Y. Hilton vs. JAX (28% rostered)

Risky flex options: Tim Patrick vs. PHI (25% rostered), Jamison Crowder vs. BUF (24% rostered), Rondale Moore vs. CAR (30% rostered), Allen Lazard vs. SEA (7% rostered), Randall Cobb vs. SEA (19% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. SEA (9% rostered), Zach Pascal vs. JAX (5% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Kalif Raymond at PIT (7% rostered), Amon-Ra St. Brown at PIT (7% rostered), Nelson Agholor vs. CLE (23% rostered), Deonte Harris vs. CLE (15% rostered), Mack Hollins vs. BAL (0% rostered), Tajae Sharpe at DAL (5% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus at DAL (1% rostered), Bryan Edwards vs. KC (29% rostered), Preston Williams vs. BAL (0% rostered), Tre'Quan Smith at TEN (3% rostered), Kenny Stills at TEN (0% rostered), Josh Palmer at SF (0% rostered), Byron Pringle at LV (1% rostered),

Bye-week stashes: Darnell Mooney (44% rostered)

Tight ends

Dan Arnold, Jaguars

Arnold has become a reliable part of Jacksonville's offense, and that doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Over the last four games, Arnold has at least five targets in each contest and topped 60 yards three times.

With that kind of volume, he could be this year's Logan Thomas as an unheralded veteran who emerges as a TE1 thanks to a significant target share in a weak offense.

Either way, he shouldn't be on your waiver wire. Pick him up and start him until it's proven wrong.

Logan Thomas is just over the 50% cutoff line but should be rostered in all leagues.

Streaming options: Pat Freiermuth vs. DET (40% rostered), Tyler Conklin at LAC (38% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Mo Alie-Cox vs. JAX (12% rostered), Gerald Everett at GB (21% rostered), Adam Trautman at TEN (5% rostered), David Njoku at NE (8% rostered), Albert Okwuegbunam vs. PHI (4% rostered), Ryan Griffin vs. BUF (0% rostered)

Bye week stashes: Evan Engram (40% rostered)

Defenses

Week 10 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Browns DEF (50% rostered), Raiders DEF (20% rostered), Panthers DEF (40% rostered)