Fantasy football Week 10 waiver wire: Audric Estime could be the cure for your injury-ravaged backfield

NYJ N.Y. Jets • #7
Age: 36 • Experience: 14 yrs.

Smith was bad in Week 9 at Kansas City with 7.4 Fantasy points, but that was a tough matchup, along with Garrett Wilson (concussion) being out. Hopefully, Wilson will play in Week 10 against the Bills, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Wilson had scored at least 22 Fantasy points in each of his two previous games against Miami and Las Vegas prior to facing the Chiefs, and Smith is worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues against Buffalo. He should be added for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB, and Smith also gets the Chargers in Week 11 and Miami in Week 12 if you're looking ahead.

PIT Pittsburgh • #8
Age: 42 • Experience: 22 yrs.

Rodgers hasn't been a great Fantasy quarterback in his past two games prior to Pittsburgh's bye in Week 9 with 15.1 Fantasy points or less in each outing against New Orleans and Cleveland. He faces Cincinnati in Week 10, and Rodgers scored 28.7 Fantasy points in that matchup. The Bengals have only allowed three quarterbacks all season to score at least 20 Fantasy points, and the Steelers have become a run-heavy team of late. That said, I still like Rodgers as a low-end starter in all leagues, and he's worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

BAL Baltimore • #7
Age: 33 • Experience: 11 year

Brissett will make his first start for the Ravens in Week 10 against the Chargers after Baltimore acquired him via trade from Arizona last week. It's been a rough season for Brissett with the Cardinals, scoring 18.5 Fantasy points or less in six of eight games, including three in a row. We'll see how he does with the Ravens, but he should have enough weapons, led by Zay Flowers, to help Fantasy managers as a low-end starter in all leagues. Brissett is worth adding for at least 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

ARI Arizona • #19
Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie

Beck will take over as the starting quarterback for the Cardinals with Gardner Minshew (elbow) out, and Beck is worth adding in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. It's not an ideal situation with Michael Wilson (neck) out for the season, but Beck could be a bye-week replacement if needed over the next several weeks. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB heading into Week 10 against the Rams. And, depending on how Beck does, he has a favorable schedule to close the season against the Jets in Week 15, New Orleans in Week 16 and Las Vegas in Week 17.

NO New Orleans • #30
Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Travis Etienne (hamstring) could return in Week 10 after being out for the past five games, which is something to monitor. But if Etienne remains out against Carolina then Estime is worth using as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. The Panthers are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Estime just had 15 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 5 yards on one target against Cleveland in Week 9. He would continue to share touches with Alvin Kamara, but Estime just had the most rushing yards of any Saints running back this season against the Browns. Estime is worth adding for 10-15 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NE New England • #9
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs.

We don't know how long Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) or TreVeyon Henderson (illness) will be out, and ESPN reported that Stevenson will miss "a short amount of time." The Patriots face Detroit in Week 10 -- and the Lions are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs -- and then have a bye in Week 11. The post-bye schedule is favorable against the Chargers in Week 12 and Buffalo in Week 13, but Stevenson and Henderson could return by then. I like Kiner as a flex in Week 10, and we'll see what happens after that. He's worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

IND Indianapolis • #20
Age: 25 • Experience: Rookie

I'm going to put McGowan in this spot with the chance that the Colts trade Jonathan Taylor at some point Tuesday. This post will be updated once the trade happens, but McGowan would be considered a flex option if he's the lead running back in Indianapolis. He just had his best Fantasy outing of the season in tandem with Taylor in Week 9 against Dallas with six carries for 45 yards and a touchdown and one catch for minus-3 yards on one target for 11.2 PPR points. D.J. Giddens would also have a role in tandem with McGowan if Taylor is gone, but McGowan is worth adding for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

ARI Arizona • #20
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Knight (concussion) didn't play in Week 9 at Seattle, and we'll see if he can return in Week 10 against the Rams. Tyler Allgeier flopped against the Seahawks with Knight and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) out with 17 carries for 46 yards and two catches for no yards on three targets. Knight averaged 10.6 PPR points in the previous two games that Love was out, compared to 6.9 PPR points for Allgeier. This will be a tough offense to trust with Carson Beck now at quarterback, along with Michael Wilson (neck) out, and Knight and Allgeier will continue to split touches. But Knight can be a flex option in all leagues when healthy, and he's worth adding for 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

GB Green Bay • #22
Age: 27 • Experience: 4 yrs.

The Packers will be without Josh Jacobs (finger) for potentially three weeks, which could only mean two games. Green Bay plays Minnesota in Week 10, has a bye in Week 11 and then plays the Rams in Week 12. Barring a trade, all four backup running backs for Green Bay -- Pierre Strong (1 percent rostered), Kaleb Johnson (5 percent rostered), MarShawn Lloyd (35 percent rostered) and Christopher Brooks (4 percent rostered) -- could be in play, depending on who is healthy. Lloyd missed Week 9 with a knee injury, and Brooks has been on IR since Week 5. Johnson just had his best game of the season in Week 9 at New England after Jacobs was injured with 14 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown for 12.8 PPR points, but Strong might have more upside given the upcoming opponents given his role in the passing game. In Week 6, before Jacobs came off the Commissioner's Exempt List, Strong had 11 carries for 28 yards and five catches for 39 yards on six targets against Dallas. Lloyd and Johnson mostly struggled through the first six games of the season, and Brooks could have an expanded role when healthy. For now, I would prioritize Strong over Johnson and just monitor Lloyd and Brooks. Strong is worth at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB, Johnson is worth up to 5 percent and Lloyd and Brooks are worth 1 percent.

KC Kansas City • #10
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie

Johnson had six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Jets, and he has now scored at least 9.4 PPR points in consecutive games against Denver and New York. We're not at the point where you can play Johnson in tandem with Kenneth Walker III yet, but the Chiefs' upcoming schedule is great, with games against Atlanta in Week 10, Arizona in Week 11 and Buffalo in Week 12. Johnson might be worth using as a flex in deeper leagues in those matchups, and he's a lottery ticket in case Walker were to miss any time. Johnson should be added in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

CLE Cleveland • #22
Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Sampson continues to play well in tandem with Quinshon Judkins, and Sampson is worth adding in all PPR leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB. In his past three games, Sampson has 15 carries for 73 yards and 12 catches for 121 yards on 16 targets, and he scored at least 10.7 PPR points in two of those outings. He should be needed once again in the passing game against Houston in Week 10, and I like Sampson as a PPR flex option against the Texans.

BAL Baltimore • #43
Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Hill broke off a 65-yard touchdown run in Week 9 against Jacksonville to boost his Fantasy production, and he finished the game with nine carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 7 yards on three targets. I'm more interested in his role in the passing game, and Hill has at least three receptions in four games in a row. He should continue to have a prominent role in tandem with Derrick Henry, and Jacoby Brissett might lean on Hill more in the passing game than Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley did, especially if the Ravens are chasing points. Hill is worth adding in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

HOU Houston • #1
Age: 27 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Dell was great in Week 9 at the Chargers with four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on a team-high nine targets in just his second game back from the brutal knee injury he suffered in 2024. Now, everyone played well for Houston in Week 9, with Kayshon Boutte (7 percent rostered) catching four passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns on five targets, and Xavier Hutchinson (6 percent rostered) added three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Hutchinson has now scored 11.9 PPR points in back-to-back games, and he's a good receiver to add for 1 percent of your FAAB. I would also add Boutte in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your FAAB, but this was easily his best game of the season. Dell could emerge as a starter in three-receiver leagues, and I would not be surprised if he is second on the team in targets moving forward behind Nico Collins. It's clearly a crowded receiving corps when you also factor in Marvin Harrison Jr., but we know C.J. Stroud has a great rapport with Dell. He should be added in all leagues for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

HOU Houston • #14
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs.

HOU Houston • #19
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.

NYJ N.Y. Jets • #15
Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

I know Mitchell was horrible in Week 9 at Kansas City with no catches on seven targets, but he should rebound in a better matchup against Buffalo in Week 10. I'm still looking to acquire Mitchell in most leagues, even if Garrett Wilson (concussion) is back from his absence against the Chiefs. Mitchell has 16 targets in his past two games, and he torched the Raiders in Week 8 for 27.2 PPR points. The Bills are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and I'll still start Mitchell in three-receiver leagues in Week 10. He's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

TEN Tennessee • #4
Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs.

We're expecting Carnell Tate (shoulder) to play in Week 10 against the Jaguars, but if Tate remains out, then Robinson should be started in all three-receiver leagues. Tate missed Week 8 at Cincinnati, and Robinson responded with six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. He has now scored at least 11 PPR points in four of his past six games, and I would still pick up Robinson if Tate were healthy. Robinson should be added in all formats for at least 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

PHI Philadelphia • #9
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Lemon is on bye in Week 10, and we don't know if DeVonta Smith (hamstring) or Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) will return to action in Week 11 after missing the past three games. Lemon has taken advantage of both being out with at least 11.1 PPR points in each of his past three outings against Dallas, Washington and the Giants. He has at least eight targets in each game, and he has performed well enough to be a starter in three-receiver leagues with Tanner McKee and Joe Milton III at quarterback. Keep an eye on any news for Smith and Wicks, but Lemon is worth stashing through his bye for at least 5-10 percent of your remaining FAAB.

WAS Washington • #14
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Van Jefferson (1 percent rostered) had the best game of any Commanders receiver in Week 0 against the Rams with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and he took advantage of Terry McLaurin (knee) and Treylon Burks (foot) being out more than Stefon Diggs and Williams. I still want to add Williams first, but Jefferson is worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB, especially if Burks remains out in Week 10 against the Giants. Williams had three catches for 25 yards on six targets against the Rams. Still, he has more upside than Jefferson, as evidenced by his Week 8 performance against Philadelphia with five catches for 54 yards on seven targets. Williams is worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

WAS Washington • #12
Age: 30 • Experience: 7 yrs.

DAL Dallas • #19
Age: 27 • Experience: 3 yrs.

I had high expectations for Flournoy in Week 9 at Indianapolis when George Pickens (hamstring) was ruled out, but Flournoy finished with just two catches for 53 yards on three targets. It was his fewest targets of the season and least amount of catches since Week 3. That game also ended a four-game streak of scoring at least 11 PPR points. We'll see if Pickens can play in Week 10 against San Francisco, but I would still add Flournoy in all formats for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB. He could be a starter in three-receiver leagues in what should be a shootout against the 49ers.

SF San Francisco • #17
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Watkins had a career game in Week 9 against Las Vegas with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on four targets for 18.6 PPR points. Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) were out against the Raiders, and Watkins stepped up as the go-to option in the receiving corps. He could be needed again if Evans and Samuel can't play in Week 10 against Dallas, and I would start Watkins in three-receiver leagues if he remains atop the depth chart. Watkins is worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NE New England • #86
Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs.

It doesn't appear that A.J. Brown (knee) will play in Week 10 against Detroit, which means Chism and Mack Hollins (12 percent rostered) are worth a look in three-receiver leagues. Demario Douglas (82 percent rostered) is my favorite New England receiver, but Chism has done well of late with Brown out, scoring at least 10.9 PPR points in three of his past six games, including 15.9 PPR points in Week 9 against Green Bay. Hollins missed four games prior to Week 9 with a calf injury, but he returned against the Packers with three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown on six targets. In five games this season, Hollins has scored at least 12.6 PPR points in two of them. Chism and Hollins are both worth adding in all formats for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

NE New England • #13
Age: 33 • Experience: 10 yrs.

LAR L.A. Rams • #8
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs.

Puka Nacua (knee) could be headed to IR, which means he might be out until Week 15, and Davante Adams (hamstring) isn't eligible to return from IR until Week 12. It seems unlikely that Adams will be back that soon, but keep an eye on his recovery. The Rams don't have the best depth at receiver, but Atwell and Konata Mumpfield (8 percent rostered) seem like the best options to add as fliers for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB. In deeper leagues, you can add Jordan Whittington (1 percent rostered) or CJ Daniels (1 percent rostered) to see if either of them will benefit with Nacua and Adams out, but most likely the Rams will lean on their tight ends. Nacua missed two games earlier this season with a hip injury while Adams was still healthy, but Mumpfield had a huge game in Week 3 at Denver with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. He hasn't come close to replicating that level of production with Adams out, but Mumpfield could emerge as the leader of the receiving corps now that Nacua is hurt. In 2024, before Adams was with the Rams, Nacua missed five games with a knee injury, and Atwell scored at least 11.1 PPR points in four of those outings and averaged 6.8 targets per game over that span. Atwell has nine targets in his past two games, and I would add him first of any Los Angeles receiver given his history with Matthew Stafford.

LAR L.A. Rams • #4
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs.

LAR L.A. Rams • #88
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs.

LAR L.A. Rams • #6
Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie

BUF Buffalo • #10
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Shakir had a down game in Week 9 at Minnesota with four catches for 58 yards on four targets, but the Vikings are a tough matchup. Prior to Week 9, Shakir had scored at least 11 PPR points in four games in a row, and he remains a consistent starter in three-receiver leagues as a go-to option for Josh Allen. Shakir's upcoming schedule is difficult on paper, with matchups against the Jets, Dolphins and Chiefs, who all rank in the top eight in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, but Shakir should be fine with his production. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

DEN Denver • #13
Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Bryant returned from a four-game stint on IR with an ankle injury in Week 9 at Carolina and caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on five targets. He took advantage of Jaylen Waddle (concussion) leaving the game, and we'll see what happens with Waddle after Denver's bye in Week 10. Prior to his ankle injury, Bryant only had one game with double digits in PPR in the first four games of the season, so he'll be tough to trust if Waddle and Courtland Sutton are both active. Bryant is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

LAR L.A. Rams • #89
Age: 33 • Experience: 11 year

The Rams are in crisis mode with Puka Nacua (knee) and Davante Adams (hamstring) out, and the tight ends are likely going to benefit the most. I wish Ferguson (26 percent rostered) were healthy, but he injured his hamstring in practice last week after coming back from a six-game stint on IR with an ankle injury. I would stash Ferguson for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB. Higbee has struggled in his past four games with 4.2 PPR points or less in each outing, but he should see a spike in targets with the injuries at receiver. Higbee has three games this season with at least six targets, and he scored at least 11.7 PPR points in all three outings. Parkinson has scored at least 9.8 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he also should get more chances with the injuries. I would add Higbee for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB, and Parkinson for 1 percent. Hopefully, both tight ends become go-to options for Matthew Stafford with Nacua and Adams out.

LAR L.A. Rams • #84
Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs.

LAR L.A. Rams • #18
Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs.

WAS Washington • #85
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Keep an eye on Okonkwo's hip injury heading into Thursday's game against the Giants, but if he can play as expected, then he's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. He played well in Week 9 against the Rams with six catches for 57 yards on seven targets, and he now has at least 10 PPR points in three of his past four games. Terry McLaurin (knee) is on IR, and Treylon Burks (foot) missed the Rams game. Okonkwo could be a low-end starter for the remainder of the season, and he's worth adding for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.

CAR Carolina • #88
Age: 34 • Experience: 9 yrs.

Waller was a star in Week 9 against Denver with eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets, but that game came out of nowhere. Prior to facing the Broncos, Waller had only two targets in each of his previous three games and combined for two catches for 61 yards and a touchdown over that span. We'll see if Waller continues to get featured for the Panthers moving forward, but he's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB to find out. Waller should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues in Week 10 at the Saints, who are No. 7 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends.

LV Las Vegas • #87
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Mayer only had three catches for 37 yards on three targets in Week 9 at San Francisco, but he lost two touchdowns in that game. He lost a fumble at the goal line on one play and had another touchdown called back on a questionable offensive pass interference penalty. Prior to Week 9, Mayer had scored at least 10.3 PPR points in four of his previous six games, and I would use him as a low-end starter in Week 10 against Seattle. He's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.

PIT Pittsburgh • #80
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

It will be tough to trust Washington in most leagues, but he scored three touchdowns in his past five games prior to Pittsburgh's bye in Week 9 and has scored at least 9.7 PPR points in four of his past six outings. In Week 8 against Cleveland, Washington had three catches for 94 yards on five targets, and he had three catches for 67 yards on four targets in Week 3 against the Bengals, whom he plays in Week 10. In deeper leagues, Washington is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAAB.