Waiver Wire Watch: Week 10

Nov 09, 2015

Editor’s Note: We’re happy that 4for4 Contributor Pat Fitzmaurice (formerly of Pro Football Weekly) is back on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He will continue to work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile this list of the top pickups each week.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 10. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Titans QB Marcus Mariota ($12)

Mariota figures to be a popular addition this week after a tour-de-force performance against the Saints in which he completed 28-of-39 passes for 371 yards, with four TDs and no INTs, in his return from a sprained MCL. Granted, Mariota did all of that damage against the New Orleans pass defense that quite possibly is the NFL’s worst. The going will be more difficult this week against the Carolina defense, which includes stud CB Josh Norman and some other competent cover men. Mariota’s rookie season has been pretty encouraging so far, and despite his mediocre supporting cast, he’s startable most weeks. I’m just not sure if this is one of those weeks.

Next up: Panthers, @Jaguars, Raiders

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor ($12)

An easy 33-17 win over the Dolphins on Sunday allowed the Bills to take an almost comically run-heavy approach in Tyrod Taylor's first game back from a sprained MCL.Taylor threw only 12 passes, completing 11 of them for 181 yards and a TD (with no INTs). Taylor also ran 10 times for 44 yards. Sammy Watkins returned from an ankle injury in Week 9 and accounted for all but 13 of Buffalo’s receiving yards. Watkins’ good health and productivity bodes well for Taylor’s value going forward. Taylor has a less-than-ideal matchup against the Jets in Week 10, but he should be a solid play against the Patriots in Week 11 and the Chiefs in Week 12.

Next up: @ Jets, @ Patriots, @ Chiefs

Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick ($8)

Fitzpatrick’s broken left thumb appears to be a non-issue. Well, that’s probably a poor way of putting it, since it no doubt hurts like hell. But #FitzMagic performed quite capably against the Jaguars in spite of the injury, throwing for 272 yards and two TDs Sunday in a 28-23 Jets victory. Fitz’s schedule is favorable in the short term, and it’s hard to quibble with a pair of weapons like Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Fitz is worth a couple of bucks if you need QB help.

Next up: Bills, @ Texans, Dolphins

Eagles QB Sam Bradford ($7)

Bradford’s ownership rate has fallen to 50%, largely because he’s thrown as many INTs as TD passes (10 of each) in his eight starts. He’s on pace to throw for more than 4,000 yards, however, and he has some very favorable matchups coming up over the next few weeks. In fact, Bradford doesn’t really have a bad matchup the rest of the way. It’s hard to gin up much enthusiasm for him, but Bradford is usable in a pinch and deserves consideration if he’s available in your league.

Next up: Dolphins, Buccaneers, @ Lions