RADIO
In fantasy football leagues that use FAAB (free agent acquisition budget), it can be hard to know how much money to spend on key players at QB, RB, WR, or TE. Kev Mahserejian gives fantasy owners his recommendations on how to spend FAAB for Week 10.
As an addendum to our famous waiver wire pickups list, and our weekly waiver wire columns by position, in this column we also present suggested waiver wire bidding percentages for fantasy football owners in leagues using a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB).
As a caveat, these prices do not by any means indicate how much these free agent players will go for. Each league values players differently and will continue to do so. These auction values are here to provide a baseline to understand roughly how much you should be targeting to spend on a particular player. If you want to go wild and blow a chunk of your budget on a guy you believe in, by all means, carry on. However, these players are not a dime a dozen. Guys get injured and other guys replace them and their production all the time, every year. You only have so much FAAB money, spend it as wisely as possible.
With the regular season winding down, it's time for struggling teams to bid high and spend on guys that could help them make that playoff push. Win-now teams should spend as freely as possible. Owners that feel stuck should as well. All it takes is one breakout player to push you over the top sometimes. With that being said, below are our FAAB auction bidding recommendations for Week 10. Good luck, and happy bidding!
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FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN) - FAAB Bid: 2-5%
27% owned
Mariota's health has been the biggest concern regarding his fantasy value thus far. The ulnar nerve issue in his throwing elbow has hindered him throughout the season but now it seems that it is behind him. Mariota threw without a glove on Monday night and he was fairly spectacular against a respectable Dallas defense. With three total touchdowns, 240 yards through the air and 32 on the ground, Mariota channeled his 2016 self and proved that he's still got it. The Titans schedule through the end of the season has some great matchups for Mariota and the offense (NE, IND, NYJ, NYG, WAS in particular) and as a result, a pick up might be justified for those unhappy with their current QB situation.
Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 2-4%
38% owned
With Hue Jackson and Todd Haley out of the picture, Mayfield is now in the hands of offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens. This past week against the Chiefs, Mayfield performed well enough to justify a spot on rosters as a QB2. He should continue to provide borderline starter level numbers throughout the year with the set of weapons he has in play. Not worth splurging on but surely a buy.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
Duke Johnson Jr. (RB, CLE) - FAAB Bid: 15-30%
49% owned
Freddie Kitchens' first plan of action as offensive coordinator in Cleveland was fairly clear. Getting Duke Johnson Jr. the ball was a priority and it paid off. Johnson Jr. had his best game of the year against the Chiefs, and while it may have been driven by the matchup, there's no denying the volume. The Duke is a buy and worth the cost. He's MUCH more valuable in PPR leagues but still worth owning in standard.
Ito Smith (RB, ATL) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
44% owned
Ito Smith is now the complementary back to Tevin Coleman while Devonta Freeman is on Injured Reserve. Smith isn't the most talented running back but he plays in an explosive offense behind a decent offensive line. He is often used in goal-line situations and should be valued as a touchdown-dependent Flex despite his involvement in the passing game. The Falcons love to alternate their backfield drive-by-drive, as a result, Smith has received his fair share of volume thus far. Smith is in play as an occasional flex going forward. If Tevin Coleman were to miss time, Smith would jump into the high-end RB2 territory.
Mike Davis (RB, SEA) - FAAB Bid: 4-8%
26% owned
I hate trying to predict the Seahawks' backfield. This situation is about as random as a game of Minesweeper. Davis is in line to receive a bulk of the carries this coming Sunday against the Rams if Chris Carson is ruled out. However, with Pete Carroll at the helm, you never know what to expect. Rashaad Penny could totally take the game over and ruin Davis's day. Grab Davis as insurance to Carson, just don't bank on him being a trustworthy RB, especially against the Rams.
Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
53% owned
Richard's role did not change too much with Marshawn Lynch on Injured Reserve, however, he could be used more and more given how poorly the Raiders' defense has played. Richard hasn't been utilized as a runner much this year and he likely won't be going forward. He is more valuable in PPR and should be ignored in shallower standard leagues.
Josh Adams (RB, PHI) - FAAB Bid: 2-8%
11% owned
Josh Adams was a beast at Notre Dame. He is a mauler who surprisingly went undrafted. This past Sunday, he carried the ball nine times for an efficient 61 yards and from the looks of it, could take over the Jay Ajayi role in the Eagles' offense. They desperately need a player like Adams and as long as they keep giving him carries, he should continue producing. Adams is a great upside target in standard leagues, would mostly ignore in PPR, bid low in half PPR.
Spencer Ware (RB, KC) - FAAB Bid: 1-3%
5% owned
God forbid if something happened to Kareem Hunt, but if he were forced to miss time, Spencer Ware would be in play as his immediate replacement and jump into the RB1 discussion. Ware is a good pass catcher whose legs have come back to pre-ACL tear life. He has put up double-digit PPR games in two of the Chiefs' last three games and could be a factor going forward. Hunt owners should make sure he's on their bench come playoff time.
Nyheim Hines (RB, IND) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
26% owned
Hines showed some life during the Colts' last game. He earned 11 carries and turned them into 78 yards. His role with Marlon Mack around is that of a scat-back and should continue as such unless Mack gets hurt again. Hines is worth a look in PPR/half PPR leagues but should be ignored in standard leagues.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, GB) - FAAB Bid: 15-20%
38% owned
With the news of Geronimo Allison being placed on IR and out for the season, Marquez Valdes-Scantling pops out as the wide receiver to buy this week. Aaron Rodgers seems to love throwing to this guy - and when they connect, it goes deep. MVS has double-digit PPR points in his past four games, and will look to continue that streak going forward. His volume should be safe with Allison out.
Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
45% owned
Tyrell Williams has not received more than five targets in a single game this season. Do not blow your budget on him but feel free to buy in on the booming hype. He will have his duds these next few weeks but it's always worth adding a player with Williams' variance onto your roster just in case you need a big-time FLEX play in a farfetched matchup. He's worth a grab thanks to his production over the past two games.
Tre'Quan Smith (WR, NO) - FAAB Bid: 5-10%
28% owned
With Ted Ginn on Injured Reserve, Tre'Quan Smith will come in as the WR2 in this high-powered Saints' offense. Smith was incredible against Washington before New Orleans' BYE. He is worth an add in shallower leagues and especially in PPR just as an upside bench piece. Smith is talented as a deep threat and managed to score once again versus the Rams on Sunday. He doesn't see too many targets due to the presence of the Saints' backfield and Michael Thomas but he should be effective when he is thrown to. Smith is flex-able going forward, especially at home.
Christian Kirk (WR, ARI) - FAAB Bid: 4-8%
26% owned
Christian Kirk and Josh Rosen have a great connection and they should continue to build on it as the season progresses. Kirk has been productive despite just having one touchdown an no 100-yard games. He's worth buying in PPR formats but can be ignored in standard leagues for now. There are brighter days ahead for this Cardinals offense with the talented youth in place and Mike McCoy officially fired.
Danny Amendola (WR, MIA) - FAAB Bid: 2-3%
48% owned
Amendola has been Brock Osweiler's go-to guy since taking over the offense four weeks ago. The former Patriots' slot receiver has some new-found relevance in Miami and as long as Osweiler is slinging it he should keep eating. 31 targets over the past four weeks are hard to ignore but should not be bought for much given the mediocre production. With Albert Wilson out long-term, Amendola has found himself fantasy relevant again (mainly in PPR, would not bother in standard).
Adam Humphries (WR, TB) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
2% owned
Adam Humphries has received 27 targets over the past three games. Garbage time has served him well to say the least. Humphries is not someone I want to add, let alone start but he deserves a mention for his recent production. Humphries is mostly irrelevant, but given the state of the Buccaneers, he continues to be thrust into the spotlight with force-fed targets late in the game to try and come back. The Buccaneers have so many talented mouths to feed that they continually end up feeding the least covered one. Humphries's production is unsustainable and he should only be owned in very deep leagues (16+).
Maurice Harris (WR, WAS) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
1% owned
With Paul Richardson out for the year, Maurice Harris looks to replace him in the slot. Harris received 12 targets this past Sunday and caught 10 for 120 yards. He’s likely going to be used plenty going forward as Alex Smith loves the short-passing game. Harris provides him a safe target. Josh Doctson also gets a boost here with Richardson’s target share likely to get split but he’s more touchdown dependent for production.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - FAAB Bid: 3-10%
39% owned
Jack Doyle finally got healthy and blew the doors off Oakland with six catches, 70 yards, and a touchdown. Regardless of how much Eric Ebron has produced over the course of the season, Doyle is the primary TE for the Colts. Given the snap counts we've seen while he's been active, it's fair to say that there will be a lot of Doyle going forward if he can stay healthy.
Chris Herndon IV (TE, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
1% owned
Chris Herndon has strung together four successful fantasy outings in a row. He seems to be earning the coaching staff's trust, along with Sam Darnold's as he has seen much more play time of late. He is not someone you should run to the wire to grab but could be a decent buy for TE needy teams or anyone stuck in a bye.
Jeff Heuerman (TE, DEN) - FAAB Bid: 0-1%
1% owned
More like Jeff WHOerman, am I right?! I kid, I kid. Heuerman balled out on Sunday against the Texans and while he probably won't replicate that stat-line again this season, he is worth consideration for TE needy teams. Heuerman has been receiving fairly consistent targets the past few weeks and even has touchdowns in back-to-back games. With the absence of Demaryius Thomas in the offense, the targets from quarterback Case Keenum are likely to be peppered around, and it seems Heuerman is one of the beneficiaries.
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense/Special Teams
New York Jets D/ST - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
38% owned
They play the Bills this week.
Buffalo Bills D/ST - FAAB Bid: 1-2%
5% owned
They play the Jets this week.
