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.

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

 

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

Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
Jrue Holiday

Unlikely to Play Tuesday
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
LeBron James

Officially Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Exits Monday's Game With Groin Injury
Julian Strawther

Out on Monday
Cameron Johnson

Cleared for Action Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available Against Bulls
Zaccharie Risacher

Considered Questionable for Tuesday's Game
Onyeka Okongwu

Iffy for Tuesday
Kristaps Porzingis

May Miss Another Game Tuesday
Jalen Suggs

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Paolo Banchero

to Remain Out Tuesday
Ayo Dosunmu

Playing on Minutes Restriction Monday
Tre Jones

Still Out Monday
Saddiq Bey

Won't Play Against OKC
Zion Williamson

Still Out on Monday Night
Jamison Battle

Available Monday
Ochai Agbaji

Remains Out Monday
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Ausar Thompson

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Jalen Duren

Returns Against Pacers
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Cade Cunningham

Remains Out Monday
Coby White

Sits Out Monday's Game
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Could Do 11-on-11 Work This Week in Practice
Michael Penix Jr.

Heads to Injured Reserve, Could Need Full Knee Reconstruction
Tyrod Taylor

Taking Over as Jets' Starting QB
Josh Jacobs

' Knee Injury is Not Serious, but he Could Miss Week 12
Lane Johnson

Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With Foot Injury
Drake London

Could Miss Extended Time With PCL Sprain
Michael Penix Jr.

Knee Injury is "Potentially Season-Ending"
Jaxson Dart

Remains in Concussion Protocol, Status for Week 12 Unclear
Ja'Marr Chase

NFL Will Review Week 11 Scuffle Between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

Dealing With a Wrist Fracture, Pushing to Play Sunday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

Leads Red Wings to Victory at MSG
Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
Ryan Hartman

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Adrian Kempe

Agrees to $85 Million Extension With Kings
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Clears 100-Yard Mark Again in Loss to Rams
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
Scott Mayfield

Available Sunday
NYI

Max Shabanov Returns From 12-Game Absence Sunday
Samuel Honzek

Out Week-to-Week
Kirby Dach

Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Thatcher Demko

Considered Week-to-Week
Filip Hronek

Good to Go Sunday
Quinn Hughes

Back in Action Sunday
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year
CFB

Still No Update on Jermod McCoy's Return Timeline
Sami Valimaki

Riding Momentum Into Bermuda
Matthieu Pavon

Struggling Through a Rough Season
Taylor Montgomery

Hopes to Get Back on Track at Port Royal
Ben Martin

a Risky Play at Bermuda Championship
Mark Hubbard

Primed for a Bounce-Back Week in Bermuda
Lee Hodges

Searching for a Spark in Bermuda

RANKINGS

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