Top-50 WR Rankings - Week 17

5 Starts & 5 Sits - Week 17

Streamers for the Desperate - Week 17

Week 10 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds

Alex Ciulla

Scoring took a dip in the first weekend of November compared to the previous week, with the combined average point total across 14 games falling by 3.6 points, down to 48.6. Despite the slight slowdown in offensive production, there were still plenty of noteworthy performances and intriguing storylines heading into Week 10. But first, let's run through the latest injury updates.

Key Injury Updates

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. The Cowboys could also be without top receiver CeeDee Lamb in Week 10 after he sprained his AC joint in the same game. On a positive note, Lamb has been labeled week-to-week, but his availability will likely depend on his pain tolerance. He may be a game-time decision when Dallas faces the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London is also nursing an injury, having left the game with a hip pointer. Though painful, it’s expected that he’ll be able to play in Week 10.

In additional injury news, New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave was carted off the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in the Saints’ narrow 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Though he was seen in the locker room afterward, his status for next week is uncertain, and there’s a real chance Olave could miss additional time.

In a non-injury-related update, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua was ejected from Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks for throwing a punch at a defender. While it's unclear if Nacua will face further discipline, it's not expected to impact his future availability.

Lastly, Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown was forced to leave the Eagles' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a knee issue. However, early reports suggest the injury isn’t serious, so keep an eye on his status as the week progresses.

This column always focuses on PPR scoring and highlights players rostered in 50% or fewer of Yahoo! leagues. With injuries impacting rosters across the league, now is the perfect time to dive into the waiver wire and make key additions for the upcoming week. Let’s get started with this week’s top picks!

For waiver suggestions for deep roster leagues check out Streamers For The Desperate - Week 10, by Leonard LaPadula, Founder of ASL.

Quarterback Streamers

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (60% Owned) 

Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa performed well this past weekend in a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills despite his team losing 30-27. Tagovailoa was excellent Sunday, completing 25-of-28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and was sacked just once. 

 It's a far better outing than his first time against Buffalo (when he threw three interceptions), and he may have shaken the rust off after his trip to injured reserve. The 26-year-old will get a far easier matchup in Week 10 when Miami travels to SoFi stadium to take on the Los Angeles Rams. With QB's Jordan Love and Geno Smith on bye next weekend, you could require a solid streaming option. What's nice about the Alabama product is that with another solid performance, he could evolve into a starting option for the remainder of the year.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (44% Owned) 

Over the past four weeks, the Los Angeles Chargers have significantly increased their passing volume, and QB Justin Herbert is proving once again that he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. After failing to surpass 179 passing yards in the first four games of the season, Herbert hasn’t thrown for fewer than 237 yards in any of the last four. During this stretch, he’s averaging 33 passing attempts per game—an eye-popping increase compared to the 22.75 attempts per game he averaged before the bye week.

Herbert and the Chargers will line up against the Tennessee Titans in Week 10, which should be a great matchup for him.  Tennessee has been one of the best-rushing defenses in the league, so the former Oregon duck has an excellent chance to continue his pass-happy ways.

Aaron Rodgers,  New York Jets (43% Owned) 

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers finally got the monkey off his back Sunday (at least for one week, anyway),  when the Jets beat the Houston Texans 21-13 on All Hallow’s Eve. It was one of the 40-year-old’s better performances as he threw three touchdown passes for the first time since Week 10 of 2022. 

While Week 9 showed a vintage Rodgers, in Week 10 he will get an easier matchup when the Jets face off against the Cardinals in Arizona.  While Arizona's offense has been hot and cold, their defense has been terrible against the pass. The Redbird's rush defense hasn't been great either, so I like the long-time Green Bay Packer as a sneaky start in this matchup.

Running Backs

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (44% Owned) 

Tyjae Spears (hamstring) hasn’t seen action since Week 6, so his recent performance is not catching attention here. Instead, an intriguing development emerged early Monday suggesting he could have a more prominent role in Tennessee's offense moving forward. RB

On Monday, Titans head coach Brian Callahan mentioned that he plans to scale back RB Tony Pollard’s workload, citing concerns that "all the carries are wearing on him." This comment is notable given Pollard's strong season, but it also echoes some of the challenges he faced as the lead back in Dallas. If Pollard's carries are reduced, second-year back Tyjae Spears could be the beneficiary. While it’s unclear exactly when Spears will return from his injury, now might be the perfect time to stash him if you need running back depth.

Wide Receivers

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (58% Owned) 

I'll keep this one short and sweet: if you needed receiver help and Browns WR Cedric Tillman was available, you should've grabbed him. Tillman just barely qualifies to be highlighted here again, but he's worth noting as he has yet to hit 60% ownership and had another strong outing in Week 9.

Since Cleveland traded WR Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, the 24-year-old has thrived, posting at least six catches, nine targets, and 75 yards in each of the three games since. If you’re looking for a reliable flex option, why not add a solid WR2 and plug him right into your lineup?

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (51% Owned) 

While WR Jauan Jennings hasn’t been cleared to play yet, with the 49ers coming off a bye he’s expected to be good to go when San Francisco faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

Additionally, with WR Brandon Aiyuk out for the season, Jennings is now the de-facto WR2 for QB Brock Purdy and the rest of the 49ers' offense. Plus, with superstar running back Christian McCaffrey returning, San Francisco is gearing up for a second-half push. Although Jennings hasn’t posted a notable fantasy performance since Week 4, he could be worth adding if a league mate dropped him—especially with his increasing involvement in this ascending offense.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (48% Owned)

Much like teammate Cedric Tillman, WR Jerry Jeudy is an intriguing option to add to fantasy teams right now. Over the last two games, Jeudy has impressed with 12 receptions for 152 yards on 19 targets.

With new QB Jameis Winston now under center for Cleveland, the outlook for the Browns’ pass-catchers is improving. While Tillman may be the higher-priority pickup, Jeudy offers solid value as well. He could provide high-end WR3 production for the rest of the season and is worth adding as a potential fantasy asset.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (27% Owned) 

Xavier Legette’s yardage totals might not jump off the page, but he’s been consistently productive since former teammate Diontae Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Over the past two weeks, the rookie wideout has led his team in targets and seen his snap share rise. While he’s totaled just 67 yards on eight catches, Legette has found the end zone twice and could remain a reliable scoring option, regardless of who starts at quarterback for Carolina.

Legette’s athletics are off the charts, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching his college tape. Additionally, former wide receiver Steve Smith scouted the 23-year-old as “DK Metcalf 2.0.” Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen. Still, I think the South Carolina product is in store for a solid second half.

***Side note: if you haven’t heard this man speak at a presser – that’s your homework for this week.***

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (16% Owned)

After missing two games, L.A. WR Quentin Johnston made a strong return in the Chargers' 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, delivering the best performance of his career. The second-year wide receiver hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 118 yards and a touchdown.

This was the most impressive I’ve seen Johnston look since his draft day, and with a reliable underneath option in WR Ladd McConkey, Johnston should have plenty of chances to stretch the field. While he remains more of a wait-and-see option, his college tape was impressive and there’s a real chance he’s turned a corner after a tough rookie season. He’s worth keeping an eye on as he gains more opportunities.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (1% Owned) Deep League Option

This week’s theme seems to be wide receivers stepping up to fill the void left by a teammate’s departure, and Titans WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine certainly fits that narrative.

Since WR DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, Westbrook-Ikhine has become a full-time player, posting solid performances in back-to-back games. He’s caught a touchdown in four straight contests, and his target share has been increasing over the past two weeks. A strong route runner, the fifth-year veteran is finally getting the chance to showcase his skills. If you’re in a deep league and need a spot start, he’s worth a look.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (36% Owned) 

I’ve been a consistent advocate for New England TE Hunter Henry, and I’m not stopping until his roster percentage climbs. The veteran tight end has been outstanding since the Patriots’ trip to the UK, and his strong play coincides with rookie quarterback Drake Maye taking the reins of the offense.

Over the past four weeks, Henry has been a reliable fringe TE1. The only thing missing from his stat lines are touchdowns, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a consistent contributor. If you need a tight-end streamer, Henry is one of my top recommendations for this week. 

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (13% Owned) 

Cincinnati TE Mike Gesicki has stepped up in a big way over the Bengals' last two games, taking advantage of wide receiver Tee Higgins’ (quad) absence. While Higgins is expected to return soon, Gesicki’s role could see continued growth, especially with rookie tight end Erick All Jr. (knee) now out for the season. With increased opportunities, Gesicki is worth a look in deeper leagues.

Over the past two weeks, Gesicki has been on fire, piling up 12 receptions, 173 yards, and two touchdowns, and could continue to be a strong contributor due to these strong performances. Additionally, QB Joe Burrow has been airing it out all season as the Bengals have the sixth-highest pass-centric offense in the NFL.

As we head into Week 10, injuries are taking their toll on some key players, but there are still plenty of opportunities to boost your fantasy squad. Keep an eye on the waiver wire for emerging players who could step into larger roles, whether it's a backup running back like Tyjae Spears or a breakout wide receiver like Cedric Tillman. With the right pickups, you could gain a competitive edge that propels your team through the second half of the season.

It’s also important to monitor players like Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki, who are performing well in favorable matchups. Don’t wait too long to add them to your roster if you need a tight end or streaming quarterback. Week 10 promises to have some intriguing matchups, so make your moves early and stay proactive—your fantasy playoff hopes may depend on it!