Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 10

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who is trending up.

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

Quarterbacks

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings

McCarthy returned to the Vikings' lineup against the Lions and delivered a solid outing. He fired two passing touchdowns, added a rushing score, and threw one pick. Even with just 143 passing yards, the showing should energize fantasy managers who are seeking quarterback help to gain confidence in targeting McCarthy.

The Vikings' favorable fantasy schedule is also an advantage. Aside from Week 12 and 13 matchups with the Packers and Seahawks, Minnesota faces bottom-11 defenses in limiting quarterback fantasy points in the remaining games. Next week's contest against the Ravens presents an appealing opportunity for McCarthy, as Baltimore has yielded the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and the seventh-most passing touchdowns.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (21%): Penix performed well Sunday against a strong Patriots defense. But his upcoming matchups are only decent, and the lefty has been inconsistent. I wouldn't spend FAB for him.

• Marcus Mariota, Commanders (10%): We're likely to see lots of Mariota after Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow against the Seahawks. He provides rushing upside, but his week-to-week floor is very low.

Running backs

Kyle Monangai, Bears

We're past the 50% threshold for Monangai, but his 29-touch, 198-yard game against the Bengals deserves a mention. The rookie started in place of the injured D'Andre Swift and confirmed his upside is real. While Monangai will likely share the backfield with Swift upon his return, he's earned more opportunities.

The Rutgers product has a great chance to continue rolling next week when the Bears face a Giants defense that has allowed 11 scrimmage touchdowns and the second-most rushing yards to running backs this season. On Sunday, Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson exposed New York's weakness by combining for 159 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.

Blake Corum, Rams

Corum's usage has seen an uptick in the past two weeks, with 13 carries against the Saints and 12 versus the Jaguars before the Rams' Week 8 bye. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry against New Orleans and could see a decent number of opportunities this week against the 49ers.

Despite Corum getting more action, I wouldn't spend much FAB or prioritize him highly in waiver claims. He's still the clear No. 2 behind Kyren Williams, and these past two games are his only double-digit carry performances this season.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Dylan Sampson, Browns (20%): Quinshon Judkins may not be healthy enough to suit up against the Jets after sustaining an injury prior to the Browns' bye week. Although that could lead to more opportunities for Sampson, he remains a flex option.

• Joe Mixon, Texans (49%): If you've been lucky enough not to need all of your IR spots up to this point and Mixon is available in your league, you can stash him. However, I wouldn't continue to hold him if you need those spots since there's a chance he doesn't play at all this season.

Wide receivers

WR Tory Horton, Seahawks

There's no doubt Smith-Njigba leads Seattle's receiver room, but Horton looks ready to claim the No. 2 spot. The 22-year-old rookie scored twice against the Commanders, boosting his season totals to five touchdowns and 13 receptions in the game. He also has a punt return for a TD this season.

Seattle's low passing rate makes Horton a volatile option, and their schedule doesn't favor wide receivers. Still, the Colorado State product has earned more opportunities moving forward. Horton is a low-floor, high-ceiling flex option.

Parker Washington, Jaguars

Washington has drawn 19 targets in Jacksonville's last two games after just 25 in the previous six outings. The 23-year-old posted a season-high eight catches for 90 yards against the Raiders on Sunday and should keep seeing chances with Travis Hunter on injured reserve.

Unfortunately, a subpar schedule and the Jaguars' inconsistencies will likely hamper Washington's output. Fantasy managers dealing with lots of injuries can consider Washington a solid temporary flex option, but I'd hesitate to start him this week against a Texans defense that's one of the four best at limiting wideouts.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Alec Pierce, Colts (28%): His remaining schedule isn't great, but Pierce has emerged as a bigger part of Indianapolis' offense in recent weeks. He has 28 targets over the last three games, including 13 against the Steelers, and has posted at least 69 receiving yards in each of those matchups.

• Chimere Dike, Titans (48%): Dike has started to emerge as a playmaker for the Titans, but his upside remains on the low end given Tennessee's struggles on offense. Both Dike and Elic Ayomanor (39%) would become bigger priorities if Tennessee trades Calvin Ridley (50%) before Tuesday's deadline.

Tight ends

Colston Loveland, Bears

Loveland's 58-yard, game-winning touchdown clinched the Bears' Week 9 victory over the Bengals. The rookie first-rounder delivered a strong performance even without that play, totaling 118 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. He may have earned the starting job even when Cole Kmet returns.

Looking to build on that impressive performance, Loveland has matchups against the Giants, Vikings, and Steelers on deck. New York's defense notably ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed per game. Minnesota sits tied for seventh in touchdowns surrendered to tight ends, while Pittsburgh is also struggling with the position, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Other TEs to pick up:

• Juwan Johnson, Saints (43%): Johnson has felt like a borderline permanent resident as an option to pick up. He continues to provide upside and has been pretty involved in New Orleans' last three games.

• Cade Otton, Buccaneers (36%): The Bucs host the Patriots this week, and New England has struggled to effectively defend tight ends this season. Otton hasn't been a huge part of Tampa Bay's passing game, but he's seen an uptick in recent usage with 20 targets across his last three contests.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.