TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Week 10 Do Not Drop List - Hoping For Playoff Upside

Hey all, Tom Bellucco here. I'm stepping in for Chris Moore this week as he welcomes a new baby to the world. Congrats to Chris! I hope I can at least provide decent advice out of the bullpen.

This week I figured it would be helpful to start looking ahead. As Chris mentioned last week, we pretty much know who's real and who's fake by now. I mean come on; it's Week 10. Even still, the last thing you want to do is drop a guy now and have him come back to bite you in the playoffs, when it really matters.

So, I'll take a look at some recently dropped or likely-to-be dropped names that might just be worth keeping around incase they can make a splash in the fantasy playoffs (typically weeks 14-16). A lot of this will be based on their matchups this week, but we can also think about possible role changes between now and then. Let's get to it.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Do Not Cut - Running Backs

Latavius Murray (RB, MIN)

I'll start with Latavius Murray since he's rolling over from last week's article. Simply put, you shouldn't be cutting running backs with usage in most leagues. I understand that this number was inflated by the recent bye week, but this a guy that received 52 carries in the last three weeks prior to the Vikings' week off.

Sure, the matchups aren't ideal against Carolina, Cincinnati, and Green Bay in the playoffs, but two of those games are ones in which Minnesota should be leading. If that's the case, Murray will have game flow and goalline work in his favor. Don't drop him for the latest flavor on waivers just yet.

Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI)

Here's a pure upside mention. You are probably safe cutting Tarik Cohen in most leagues (especially Standard leagues) thanks to Jordan Howard's recent revival. However, be aware that there probably isn't more upside on your waiver wire than what this guy provides. Without even considering what would happen if Howard were to get injured, think about how explosive Cohen is in the open field.

The Bears play against Cincinnati, Detroit, and Cleveland in the fantasy playoffs, so that take for whatever it's worth. We can all agree that Cohen's floor is impeccably low, but he came out of nowhere thanks to his crazy athleticism, and he certainly could do it again, especially if Howard were to get banged up.

 

Do Not Cut - Wide Receivers

Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT)

My money is certainly on Martavis Bryant never having a good fantasy game in a Steelers uniform ever again. I would guess the majority of football fans feel the same way. However, there's no denying his skill and Cohen-like upside. Take this into account too: his fantasy matchups include the Patriots and the newly-embarrasing Texans secondaries. If something were to happen to Antonio Brown (knock on wood) or JuJu Smith-Schuster, Bryant could become a huge upside play in the money-making weeks.

I understand cutting Bryant if you need the room or if there is more plausible upside on the waiver wire. But I guess I'm saying I wouldn't cut him for no reason just incase he and Mike Tomlin put this feud behind them sooner rather than later.

Aldrick Robinson (WR, SF)

Some of you may have picked up Lord Aldrick Robinson after the Pierre Garcon news late last week. I was one of you! Robinson has shown flashes of superb talent in the past, and this is the biggest opportunity he's had yet in his career. The problem this past week was a unavoidable cloud of awfulness spewing from his quarterback and the rest of the 49ers. But wait... Good news may be on the way.

San Francisco traded for Jimmy Garoppolo last week as well, and the word on the street is they want him to be their QB of the future. If that's the case, they'll likely insert him as the starter sometime in the next couple of weeks. If that happens, I have much more faith in Robinson and the eight targets that he got last week. Juicy matchups against the Texans and Titans in weeks 14 and 15 help my optimism as well.

 

Do Not Cut - Tight End

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)

This one should be obvious, but I'll mention it anyway: Please don't drop Jordan Reed.

Listen, I get it; I'm a Redskins fan. Reed is constantly hurt, even when he's not. And even if he's REALLY not, he's probably going to get hurt in the next 10 plays. However, if he somehow gets healthy for the fantasy playoffs, his value in this offense will be too high to leave on the waiver wire.

Reed showed his upside with two garbage time touchdowns against Philidelphia two weeks ago. The touchdowns could very well happen in the fantasy playoffs against teams like the Chargers, Cardinals, and Broncos. All three teams have plus cornerbacks, naturally funneling targets to the tight end. Don't be that guy that drops Reed now just to get beat by him in four weeks.

 

Do Not Cut - Quarterback

Philip Rivers (QB, LAC)

Phillip Rivers has been frustrating this season to say the least. Now that he's struggled against the woeful Patriots, sat through a bye week, and has dangerous matchups next against Jacksonville and Buffalo, you may be tempted to send him packing. Be careful, though.

Rivers gets some juicy matchups in the playoffs against Kansas City and the New York Jets. Mike Williams is just starting to become a factor, giving Rivers yet another weapon, and we know how much Melvin Gordon is used in the passing game. Rivers is not afraid to air it out, and those two matchups could provide a nice spot for him in the most important time of the year. If you can afford to roster two QBs, keep Rivers on your bench.

 

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

Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Cleared to Suit Up on Saturday Night
Nolan Traoré

Nolan Traore Ruled Out on Sunday
Nicolas Hague

Out Week-to-Week
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Aaron Gordon

Ruled Out Against Memphis
Simon Edvinsson

Misses Second Straight Game
Alexandre Texier

Cleared for Original Six Matchup
Cam Thomas

Won't Play on Sunday Against the Clippers
Anze Kopitar

Still Out Saturday
Drew Doughty

Set to Rejoin Kings Lineup Saturday
Jalen Suggs

Available on Saturday Night
Matt Boldy

Expected to Return Saturday Night
Brad Marchand

Available Saturday
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
Paul George

Set to Suit Up Against New York
Ja Morant

Facing Multi-Week Absence With Elbow Sprain
Joel Embiid

On Track to Play vs. Knicks
Daniel Gafford

Expected to Play Saturday vs. Lakers
Jalen Suggs

Expected Back Saturday vs. Cavaliers
Khris Middleton

to Miss Saturday's Game Against Hornets
Bilal Coulibaly

Ruled Out for Fifth Straight Game
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Franz Wagner

Misses Second Straight Game
Jonathan Kuminga

Will Not Play Saturday vs. Timberwolves
Jalen Green

Suffers Another Hamstring Setback
Nicolas Claxton

Scheduled for MRI on Injured Finger
Aaron Gordon

Dealing with Hamstring Issue Again
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Set for MRI After Calf Issue
Devin Booker

Injures Ankle on Friday, Requires Assistance Off the Court
RJ Barrett

Starting on Friday
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Herbert Jones

is Returning on Friday
Bo Horvat

Rejoining Islanders Lineup Saturday
Dylan Holloway

Out Friday
Ross Colton

Won't Play Friday
Filip Chytil

Ready to End Three-Month Absence
Mason McTavish

Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Anthony Stolarz

Returns to Action Friday
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Available Friday
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Quinn Hughes

Makes History With Three-Assist Effort
Anthony Mantha

Scores Twice Against Oilers
Jet Greaves

Keeps Stars Off Scoreboard With 28 Saves
David Pastrnak

Leads Bruins to Victory With Three-Point Effort
Jonathan Huberdeau

on Track to Return Friday
Darcy Kuemper

Cleared for the Weekend
Zach Benson

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals
Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott

RANKINGS

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