NFL Waiver Wire: Week 10 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

Primary Target

Jay Cutler, CHI – Cutler is auditioning for a new job as a 2017 free agent, as he knows his days in Chicago are over at season's end, and the odds of any team trading for him and his contract are nearly zero. As has been the case throughout his career, he loves to lock onto the targets he trusts, and he has a pair of excellent targets in Alshon Jeffery and Zach Miller to help keep the offense moving. In addition, the Bears' defense will give up its share of points, so the offense will often find itself in pass-heavy mode. He'll make a nice backup option at quarterback, especially in leagues where most of the solid options have been snapped up. He has an attractive upcoming schedule with the Bucs, Titans, 49ers and Detroit in the next five weeks. FAAB: $3-$5

Secondary Target

Colin Kaepernick, SF - Kaepernick still has the ability to get things done with his legs, and as we've seen in many instances, a running quarterback has increased fantasy value. His passing numbers will vary from week to week, but his floor is clearly raised by his ability to run, and he's already rushed for 173 yards in three games. He's also thrown for at least one touchdown in each of his starts, so he's been a reasonable option, despite playing on a bad 49ers' squad. He's a good player to stash in case your fantasy starter gets injured during the fantasy playoffs, as he'll face the Jets, Falcons and Rams during Weeks 14-16. FAAB: $2-$3

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Dion Lewis, NE - Lewis practiced last week, and with the Patriots on their bye, he could be on the field as early as this week. Lewis is a nightmare matchup for defenses. Whether he lines up in the backfield, run routes out of the backfield or splits out as a wide receiver, he can be a game-changer. Expect him to be a prominent part of the Pats' explosive offense once he gets back into the lineup. It would be smart to pick him up now, as once it's announced that he's set to rejoin the lineup, it'll be too late. FAAB: $20-$30

Kapri Bibbs, DEN - Devontae Booker hasn't exactly begun as the league-winner type of player many fantasy owners hoped for when he took over the starting job two weeks ago. After Booker's recent struggles, Bibbs worked his way into the mix in Week 9 against the Raiders and made the most of his chances by breaking off a 69-yard reception and a 10-yard run on his three touches. Coach Gary Kubiak is already talking about getting Bibbs more heavily involved, and with the long history of running backs coming out of nowhere to have massive success in Kubiak's system, Bibbs is definitely worth adding based on potential opportunity and the successful system he's in. FAAB: $10-$20

Chris Ivory, JAC - Ivory took advantage of his opportunity in his first game since Greg Olson was fired as the offensive coordinator, carrying 18 times for an impressive 107 yards. In addition, he was absolutely robbed by instant replay of a touchdown he clearly had earned. He should continue to see a solid number of carries as the Jaguars hope to lean on the run more than they have, and he's likely to be the Jaguars' primary goal-line runner, making him a player that has the ability to get hot down the stretch. FAAB: $10-$20

Adrian Peterson, MIN - Not that he will, but Peterson is eligible to return as early as Week 11, and the Vikings desperately need him back to have any realistic chance of having a strong late-season playoff push. Sure, the team has an awful offensive line, and Peterson didn't start the season very well, but if he's back on the field, he's a player who must be on a fantasy roster. If your fantasy team is playoff bound, and you have an extra roster spot to burn now that the bye weeks are starting to slow, add Peterson now before while he can still be had cheaply. FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Target

Dwayne Washington, DET - Washington is little more than a speculative add, but he could find himself in the mix for increased carries. With the exception of a run that Theo Riddick broke off for 42 yards against the Vikings, the entire Lions' rushing attack was stuck in neutral Sunday, so Washington's uninspiring 10 carries for 26 yards can be easily written off. Based on last week's workload, he appears in line for more carries. If so, he's someone who can carve out a role as the fantasy playoffs draw near. FAAB: $1-$3

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Sammie Coates, PIT - Coates has just four yards over his last three games while working his way back from a finger injury, and this could be the perfect time to take a chance on him. Ben Roethlisberger clearly wasn't 100 percent healthy in his return from a knee injury last week, but with each passing week, he'll be closer to the big-play quarterback who makes outstanding use of his deep threats. Coates had posted at least 50 yards in each of his first five games to start the season while posting a reception of at least 40 yards in each of those contests. Sure, he drops too many passes for anyone's liking, but the deep threat is a staple of the Steelers' offense, so he'll continue to see plenty of chances to make huge plays. He's the ultimate flex option due to his upside and downside, and he certainly should be rostered in just about every league. FAAB: $15-$25

Jamison Crowder, WAS - Crowder was on fire going into the bye week as he put together a pair of 100-yard games, and he had 22 targets over those two games. He consistently showed the ability to get open early in the down, and once he caught the ball, his excellent run after-the-catch skills were on full display, especially in his last game against the Bengals. Although he comes into this week on a short hot streak, it should be noted that he saw few targets early in the season, so he does carry an element of risk. Despite his inconsistent opportunities, he's already scored a touchdown in five games this year, and that includes one that came on a punt return. He's worth adding to rosters to see if he can pick up where he left off before the bye week. FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Target

Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN - Patterson quietly has become more involved in the Vikings' offense the last few weeks, as he's seen at least six targets in four of his last five games. With former offensive coordinator Norv Turner out of the picture, the offense became much more of a quick-strike passing attack Sunday, which allowed the team to mask the deficiencies along the offensive line. This is exactly the type of offense that plays into the hands of an explosive speedster like Patterson, and if he's used properly, he could see his yardage and touchdown totals soar. Although it's a leap of faith to think he'll be a huge factor, he has enough upside to stash on the end of a roster for a week or two to see if the light goes on for him. FAAB: $2-$5

TIGHT END

Primary Target

Zach Miller, CHI - Miller is coming off a bye week, and he might have been dropped in leagues, as fantasy owners weren't thrilled with his overall production this season. However, it was quickly apparent in Week 8 that as soon as Jay Cutler was back under center, Miller quickly became a heavily targeted, and he caught seven of 10 targets for 88 yards in Week 8. Cutler has never been shy about locking onto players he trusts in the passing game, and this immediately puts Miller in position to be a player who could function as a strong option, especially in a landscape where there are just a handful of weekly options who are reliable and have upside. FAAB: $10-$20

Secondary Target

C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU - Fiedorowicz is coming off of his bye week and could be on more waiver wires than he should be this week. He's developed into Brock Osweiler's most reliable target in the middle of the field, and that's saying something because the quarterback has significant issues getting the ball to his outside receivers. He's been targeted at least seven times in each of the last four games, averaging 55 yards with three touchdowns. He looks like an excellent depth option who can even be a decent starter when there's no better starting option. FAAB: $7-$15