X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Beating The Waiver Wire - Speculative Stashes for Week 10

Steve Rebeiro speculates on players who can be added a week early, in case they emerge in Week 8. His waiver wire stashes and bench fliers to pickup in advance.

It's Wednesday morning. You dropped a player last night expecting to make some moves on the waiver wire, only to wake up and find out you weren't able to get anyone you put a claim in for. What now?

If you've got an open roster spot, its always a good idea to plan ahead for the future. There are plenty of players in the NFL ripe for a breakout game that will fly up the waiver wire in the following week. This column is here to help you anticipate who that's going to be, and stay a week ahead of your competition.

I'll be giving you a couple players who may be worth grabbing before their stock rises. Here are some players that will help you beat the waiver wire ahead of Week 10, in case they emerge this week.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Waiver Wire Stashes and Fliers for Week 10

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, SF) - 12% owned

The 49ers biggest moment this season came eight weeks in the season and it wasn't even a play on the field: they traded a second round pick to New England and were the first team to successfully pry backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo away from Bill Belichick. Garoppolo may be joining a failing offense, but he's also joining Kyle Shannahan, an offensive mastermind who wouldn't have management find him a quarterback if he didn't intend to use him. Expect Garoppolo to make his debut in Week 10. He has potential streaming upside if he can revive this offense.

Paxton Lynch (QB, DEN) - 0% owned

With how bad Trevor Siemian has been, its only a matter of time before Paxton Lynch gets a start this year. The second year player is still recovering from an injury and isn't even a candidate to start in Week 9, so grabbing him would only be viable in deeper leagues, particularly two quarterback ones. Lynch should take over the job at some point before the season ends.

Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) - 34% owned

Damien Williams (RB, MIA) - 21% owned

If either of these guys weren't picked up on the wire, especially Drake, they need to be picked up ASAP. The Dolphins sent Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia this week and aren't bringing in anyone to replace him, meaning Drake and Williams will shoulder the load in the Miami backfield. Most experts believe Drake will be the early down back and Williams will take over on passing downs. Both of these guys are great lottery tickets since we can't predict with certainty which one will get the bulk of the work or if they will end up being a committee. Either way, one of these guys should become a FLEX play at worst, and I think Drake has RB2 upside.

Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX) - 12% owned

After going down with an injury right before the season started, 2016 Heisman Finalist Dede Westbrook is on track to make his debut this Sunday. The Jacksonville passing game could use him. While Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns have been somewhat productive, especially in recent weeks, both guys could benefit from being bumped down a spot on the depth chart. Westbrook has the talent to be the top option in the Jacksonville passing attack and flashed it in the preseason. There's a chance he doesn't even move past the WR3 spot on the Jaguars depth chart, but he has breakout rookie potential.

Corey Davis (WR, TEN) - 31% owned

Speaking of breakout rookie potential, Corey Davis has shown it in an actual NFL game. Davis had six receptions on 10 targets in Week 1 before an injury in Week 2 has kept him out since. Davis should once again become a factor in the Titans passing game upon return. He's worth picking up if available and could break out once again in Week 9.

Corey Coleman (WR, CLE) - 11% owned

Corey Coleman received 13 targets over the first two weeks of the season before being placed on the IR. The 2016 first round draft pick is by far the most talented receiver currently on the Browns roster. He's expected to come back following Cleveland's bye this week and will be thrown right into the fire. Coleman will be a hot add on next weeks wire. The Browns desperately need him back and need him to produce quickly.

Josh Gordon (CLE, WR) - 7owned

After over a year of mindless speculation, we finally have concrete news on Josh Gordon: he met with the NFL this week to discuss his reinstatement. We have no idea if the Browns would even welcome back Gordon or if he can even be productive at this point, but I'd bank on them giving him a chance. Hue Jackson is coaching for his job. If his receiving core can go from Kenny Britt's corpse and Ricardo Lewis to Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon, he has to take that opportunity. It would benefit both him and whoever he's using at quarterback at that point. Gordon is worth a speculative add if you have a roster spot.

Kenny Golladay11% owned

Not much has changed for Galloday since last weeks column. Galloday didn't come back in time for the Lions game last week and missed an opportunity to step back in with a vengeance. Assuming Galloday comes back at the same time or after Golden Tate, he isn't as likely to have a huge statement game. But Galloday is a talented player surrounded by a talented passing game and should build on his great Week 1 performance sooner than later.

Charles Clay (TE, BUF) - 14% owned

Greg Olsen (TE, CAR) - 46% owned

I'm going to group these two together because they represent the same thing: high-end TE1s making their return from injury in the coming weeks.

Charles Clay has been fantastic over the past two seasons. He came on strong at the end of 2016 and didn't let up starting this season, scoring two touchdowns in his first three games and going for over 100 yards in his fourth. Even with the addition of Kelvin Benjamin, Tyrod Taylor is going to love having Clay back in the lineup. He's expected to come back in Week 10 and will surely be a hot add next week. Owners without a real tight end option should pick up Clay now.

Olsen is the flip side of the Benjamin trade. Without Benjamin out of the picture, Cam Newton is going to need Olsen back as soon as he can step on the field, which is expected to be Week 12. Olsen has been Newton's most reliable receiver over the course of his career and if he can come back healthy will be an immediate TE1. Owners in the drivers seat for a playoff spot should take a chance on Olsen if available. He could be great even as a FLEX play for the playoff stretch.

Pittsburgh Defense - 76% owned

76% is way to high for being listed in this kind of column, but Pittsburgh is on bye and was dropped in 12% of leagues Tuesday night. They play Indianapolis in Week 10. Do I need to say anything else? They're the top plan-ahead streamer if available.

Rod Smith (RB, DAL) - 2% owned

UPDATE: The Zeke saga continues, with news this morning that Elliot will be playing in Week 9.

If you missed out on Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden but still want to enter the Zeke replacement raffle, Rod Smith is your guy. The Cowboys are expected to give all three guys a shot to earn the job next week. Cowboys players have been high on Smith and he flashed potential with a 45 yard run against San Francisco in Week 7. It isn't ridiculous to think Smith will become the lead back in Dallas. There's a reason that McFadden, a former first round pick, and Morris, a former All-Pro, are currently backups on a team that uses one running back for almost the entire game. If they were really that good, they would be playing! Smith had to earn his spot on this roster, it wasn't given to him. He could just as easily earn the starting job.

 

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shane Bieber

Staying in Toronto for 2026
Salvador Perez

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Royals
Gustav Nyquist

Jets Move Gustav Nyquist to Injured Reserve
Noah Hanifin

Expected to Return From 10-Game Absence Tuesday
William Eklund

to Remain Out Wednesday
TB

Max Crozier Available Tuesday
Tristan Jarry

Lands on Injured Reserve
Jason Zucker

Placed on Injured Reserve
Trevor Story

Opts in for Remaining Two Years on his Contract
Pyotr Kochetkov

Starts on Tuesday
Luguentz Dort

Available on Tuesday
Yu Darvish

to Miss All of 2026 Following Flexor-Tendon Surgery
Jacoby Brissett

to Start Again in Week 10
Kyler Murray

Given 4-8 Week Timetable for Foot Injury
Anthony Edwards

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Yves Missi

Out Tuesday
Zion Williamson

Expected to Miss at Least One Week
Bradley Beal

Sidelined on Tuesday
Kawhi Leonard

Out Versus Thunder on Tuesday
A.J. Brown

Won't be Traded at Deadline
Garrett Wilson

"Untouchable" in Trade Talks
Jakob Poeltl

Questionable Vs. the Bucks on Tuesday
Kawhi Leonard

Uncertain for Tuesday
Precious Achiuwa

Has Agreed to Sign With the Kings
Darius Garland

Could Make Season Debut As Early As Wednesday
Shota Imanaga

Becomes a Free Agent
Jimmy Butler III

Downgraded to Questionable Against the Suns
Luis Robert Jr.

White Sox Pick Up 2026 Option on Luis Robert Jr.
LaMelo Ball

Will Not Play Tuesday
CFB

LJ Martin Expected to Play in Top-10 Matchup Against Texas Tech
PGA

LIV Golf Expanding To 72-Hole Format In 2026
Rashid Shaheed

Being Shipped to the Seahawks
Sauce Gardner

Colts Acquiring Sauce Gardner From the Jets
Travis Hunter

Not Expected to be Out Long-Term
Brian Thomas Jr.

has Low-Grade Ankle Sprain, has Chance to Play in Week 10
Jakobi Meyers

Jaguars Acquiring Jakobi Meyers
Al Horford

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Chet Holmgren

Back in Thunder Lineup Tuesday
LaMelo Ball

May Remain Out Tuesday
Zion Williamson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Jared McCain

on Track to Make Season Debut Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Available Tuesday
Filip Forsberg

Has Multi-Point Outing Monday
Brock Boeser

Notches Three Points in Overtime Victory
Joey Daccord

Continues Home Success Monday
Connor McDavid

Surpasses 1,100 Career Points
Auston Matthews

Sparks Maple Leafs Comeback
Noel Acciari

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Kyler Murray

Still the Starting QB When Healthy
Atlanta Braves

Braves Hire Walt Weiss as Their Next Manager
Kris Bubic

Cleared to Begin a Throwing Program
Brandon Woodruff

Declines Mutual Option for 2026
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Exercise 2026 Option on Freddy Peralta
Lucas Giolito

Declines his 2026 Player Option
Daniel Gafford

to be Limited on Monday
Jabari Smith Jr.

Sidelined on Monday Night
Josh Hart

Available to Play on Monday
Kyler Murray

Officially Inactive on Monday Night
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Sixth at Procore Championship
PGA

Matti Schmid Finishes Tied for 46th at Baycurrent Classic
Keith Mitchell

Finishes Tied for 10th at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied for 21st at Genesis Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Misses The Cut at Sanderson Farms Championship
Max Greyserman

Finishes Second at Baycurrent Classic
Austin Eckroat

Finishes Tied for 56th at Baycurrent Classic
Luke Clanton

Finishes Tied for 56th at Bank of Utah Championship
Morgan Barron

Out Week-to-Week
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Don't Think Terry McLaurin Will Play in Week 10
Jayden Daniels

to be "Out for a While" With Dislocated Elbow
Adam Lowry

Ready for Season Debut Tuesday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

to Miss "Extended Period of Time"
Omarion Hampton

Not Expected to Return to Practice Until After Week 12 Bye
Robert Thomas

Set to Return Monday
Quinn Hughes

Available Monday
Justin Brazeau

Remains Out Monday
William Nylander

Rejoins Maple Leafs Lineup Monday
Pete Alonso

Officially Opts Out of his Contract With Mets
Alex Bregman

Opts Out of his Contract With Boston
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz on the Open Market This Winter
Cody Bellinger

Becomes Free Agent After Opting Out
Robert Suarez

Opts Out, Becomes Free Agent
Kyle Larson

Wins His Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney

Concludes the 2025 Season with A Win at Phoenix
William Byron

Strong Championship Effort Ends With Late-Race Flat-Tire Crash
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Optimistic Quinshon Judkins Can Play in Week 10
Tucker Kraft

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Denny Hamlin

Overtime Four-Tire Call Costs Denny Hamlin the Championship
Chase Briscoe

Championship Bid Never Really Started After Two Tire Failures
Brad Keselowski

Nearly Steals Phoenix Race
David Onama

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Steve Garcia

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Ante Delija

Suffers His First UFC Loss
CFB

Dylan Raiola Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Gets Knockout Win
Themba Gorimbo

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 110
Jayden Daniels

Suffers Dislocated Elbow on Sunday Night
Jeremiah Wells

Gets Back In The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Remains Undefeated
Jayden Daniels

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Jayden Daniels' Left Arm, MRI to Come
Jaelan Phillips

Gets Dealt to Eagles for a Third-Round Pick
Isaac Dulgarian

Cut By UFC Following Submission Loss
Daniel Frunza

Still Winless In The UFC
Charles Radtke

Dominates Daniel Frunza
Allan Nascimento

Gets Submission Win
Philipp Kurashev

Stays Hot on Sunday
Cody Durden

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Jaylen Warren

Records First Career Two-Touchdown Game in Week 9 Win Over Colts
Michael Pittman Jr.

Leads Colts With Nine Catches in Week 9 Loss at Pittsburgh
Max Scherzer

Doesn't Plan on Retiring
Michael King

Becomes Free Agent After Declining Mutual Option
Austin Cindric

is A Driver to Avoid for Phoenix DFS Lineups
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Named World Series MVP
Alex Bowman

Could Alex Bowman be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Phoenix?
Noah Gragson

Should DFS Players Roster Noah Gragson At Phoenix?
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering for DFS at Phoenix?
Michael McDowell

an Easy Recommendation for DFS at Phoenix
Chase Briscoe

Probably Won't Win the Title
Joey Logano

Could Play Spoiler in Championship Battle at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Seeking to End Winless Drought, but Probably Won't Have the Speed
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looks to Protect Top-10 Points Finish at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Hasn't Been Fast at Phoenix With RFK Racing
Daniel Suarez

With Nothing at Stake, Expect Little From Daniel Suarez
Kyle Busch

Qualifies Well, but Will Probably Finish Worse Than he Starts
Chris Buescher

Ryan Preece has a Shot to Overtake Chris Buescher as RFK Racing's Lead Driver
Austin Dillon

Looks to Avoid Finishing Last in NASCAR Playoffs
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Might be a Worthy DFS Option
Shohei Ohtani

to Start Game 7 of World Series
Alejandro Kirk

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Alejandro Kirk's Hand
David Onama

Set For UFC Vegas 110 Main Event
Steve Garcia

Returns At UFC Vegas 110
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Set For Co-Main Event
Ante Delija

In Search For His Second UFC Win
Themba Gorimbo

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 110
Jeremiah Wells

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Arizona State Quarterback Sam Leavitt Out for the Season
Isaac Dulgarian

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Frunza

Looks For His First UFC Win
CFB

Arch Manning Listed as Questionable for Vanderbilt Matchup
CFB

Arion Carter Listed as Questionable Ahead of Oklahoma Matchup

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP