Week 10 Start 'Em Tips and Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio

In NFL Week 9, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a major fantasy football headliner as he came through with the best performance of his career so far. The second-year Seahawk was the No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy football last week. His seven receptions for 180 yards and two TDs were good for 37 fantasy points in Points Per Reception (PPR formats).

"JSN" will certainly merit strong fantasy WR3 consideration when the Seahawks return from their Week 10 bye. The Browns, Packers and Raiders are also on byes this week. We set you up for success this week with recommended options to start when faced with tough lineup calls, and our full waiver wire rankings. The analysis is based on PPR formats.

NFL Week 10: Wide Receiver Starters

START Josh Downs: The Buffalo secondary presents a challenge for opposing passing games, but Pro Football Focus indicates that Downs has a good matchup as a slot WR against the Bills. His Week 10 WR/CB matchup grade in the slot is 94.0, which rates as "Excellent" on PFF. Joe Flacco is set as the starting QB for Indianapolis and will help Downs remain productive fantasy-wise.

START Tank Dell: Because of WR injuries, Dell has regained prominence in the Houston passing game. Dell caught six passes for 126 yards against a usually stout Jets pass defense last week. The Lions rank 30^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to WRs.

START Jameson Williams: Detroit's downfield artist will return to action in NFL Week 10. The Lions offense can impose its will on any opponent, and Houston ranks 27^th in FFPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks.

START Jordan Addison: Justin Jefferson will always command heavy defensive attention, and now T.J. Hockenson is being eased back into the mix for Minnesota. Addison can benefit as a complementary pass-catcher. Jacksonville ranks 30^th in receiving yards allowed to WRs.

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Quentin Johnston: The Chargers are passing the ball more recently, and Johnston is emerging as a prime downfield target for Justin Herbert.
2. Xavier Leggette: Carolina has traded two WRs, and Leggette can be the No. 1 pass-catcher for the Panthers going forward.
3. Ricky Pearsall: The rookie's production might progressively increase during the rest of the season.
4. Mike Williams: After being traded to Pittsburgh, Williams should immediately become the Steelers' No. 2 WR.
5. Jalen McMillian: When he returns from a hamstring injury, the first-year WR can be a top WR target for Baker Mayfield
6. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: He has caught TD passes in four consecutive games.
7. Rome Odunze: Chicago's rookie registered his second 100-yard game in NFL Week 9.
8. Jerry Jeudy: In the last two games, Jeudy caught 12 balls on 19 targets.
9. Christian Watson: He has been targeted 13 times in the last two weeks, so Watson remains relevant in the Green Bay passing game.
10. Sterling Shepard: Injuries at WR for Tampa Bay have pushed the former Giant into a prominent role in the passing game.
11. Demarcus Robinson: A frequent TD threat for the Rams, Robinson is a viable fantasy depth add.
12. Jalen Coker: Another possible beneficiary of recent WR trades by Carolina.
13. Noah Brown: Starting to gain some momentum as a No. 2 WR for Washington.
14. Demario Douglas: In Week 9, the Patriots WR caught seven passes.
15. Jonathan Mingo: The former Panther was traded to Dallas, where he will have an opportunity to vie for an important role in the passing game.

NFL Week 10: Running Back Starters

START James Conner: Arizona has reeled off three consecutive victories and will take on the Jets in Week 10. Establishing the run against New York will be a key to a potential fourth straight win. The Jets rank 24^th in rushing yards allowed to RBs.

START Najee Harris: He has been an engine of Pittsburgh's three-game winning streak heading into a highlighted Sunday matchup with Washington. Harris has rushed for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games. The Steelers' offensive line has a top 7 run blocking grade against the Commanders' defensive front for NFL Week 10.

START Chuba Hubbard: I do note a Panthers RB to add in the waiver wire rankings below, but Hubbard remains an essential part of the Carolina offense for now. He eases pressure on second-year QB Bryce Young, and the matchup is a good one this week. The Giants rank 31^st in rushing yards allowed to RBs over the past four weeks.

START J.K. Dobbins: The Chargers have won three of their past four games and should boost their record to 6-3 with a win over Tennessee. The Titans defense will spend a lot of time on the field and Dobbins can roll up good rushing yardage numbers while also finishing off a TD drive or two with a scoring run.

Running Back Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Audric Estime: Sean Payton has indicated that the Denver rookie will start to see more work. Add Estime, as his contributions might grow progressively in the weeks ahead. The waiver wire is thin at RB this week, so Estime is a priority fantasy pickup.
2. Jonathon Brooks: Carolina's rookie RB may make his NFL debut in Week 10 and is worth stashing for the fantasy playoffs if you have the roster room.
3. Ray Davis: A 63-yard TD reception in NFL Week 9 was another signal that the Buffalo rookie will make the most of his opportunities.
4. Khalil Herbert: If you roster Chase Brown, Herbert becomes the essential fantasy football insurance add after he was traded to Cincinnati. It is possible the former Bear could function in a complementary role that leads to a decent amount of work for fantasy purposes.
5. Roschon Johnson: The No. 2 RB for Chicago should continue to see meaningful reps in goal line and third down packages.
6. Zach Charbonnet: If you roster Kenneth Walker III, we remind you that Charbonnet must be on your team as a fantasy football insurance option. The second-year Seahawk has registered five TDs from scrimmage.

NFL Week 10: Quarterback Starters

START Brock Purdy: The 49ers may get Christian McCaffrey back this week, which can only help Purdy operate the offense more optimally. Tampa Bay ranks 30^th in passing yards allowed to opposing QBs.

START Sam Darnold: The Vikings QB registered his third three-TD game of the season in NFL Week 9. Jacksonville allows the most FFPG to opposing QBs.

Quarterback Waiver Wire

1. Aaron Rodgers: The addition of his longtime Green Bay teammate Davante Adams has helped the outlook of the Jets QB. Rodgers passed for three TDs in NFL Week 9.
2. Bo Nix: The Broncos rookie is a legitimate dual threat QB.
3. Jameis Winston: I expect the new Cleveland starter to remain aggressive, and that approach can lead to good fantasy output at times.
4. Joe Flacco: Another veteran streaming option for the rest of the season.
5. Justin Herbert: He has passed for two TDs in each of the past two games and 275-plus yards in each of the last three.
6. Drake Maye: New England's first-year QB has been showing he can post respectable fantasy totals.
7. Daniel Jones: If you need a one-week plug-in option, consider that Jones has a good matchup against Carolina in Munich on Sunday morning. He passed for two TDs and rushed for another last week.

NFL Week 10: Tight End Starters

START Mike Gesicki: He is also featured in the TE waiver wire rundown below. The Bengals may engage in a high-scoring affair with the Ravens in an important NFC North matchup, Gesicki is operating as a top target for Joe Burrow right now.

START Dalton Kincaid: The Buffalo TE can be streamed when the matchup is right. This week, he has a top 5 TE matchup advantage grade on PFF against the Colts.

Tight End Waiver Wire

1. Mike Gesicki: In Week 9, the Bengals TE led all players at his position in fantasy scoring. He has stepped forward in a big way for Cincinnati while Tee Higgins has been out, and he will be a prime pickup for Week 10.
2. Hunter Henry: He will be a dependable target for Maye and Henry is always a TD threat.
3. Taysom Hill: The weekly upside is always there. Hill can be started if you do not roster a TE that can be considered a regular starter.
4. Ja'Tavion Sanders: Here is another young Carolina player who might see increased playmaking opportunities going forward.

Week 10 Defensive Streamers: New York Giants (vs. Carolina), Chicago (vs. New England), Washington (vs. Pittsburgh).