NFL QBs Need Time to Develop

Top-40 RB Rankings - Week 9

5 Starts & 5 Sits - Week 9

Fantasy Football Adds - Week 10

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Colton Peters
NFL

What a strange week for fantasy football. Some of the most promising backs — like Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Indy's Jonathan Taylor — completely fell flat, while unlikely heroes such as Bears' QB Caleb Williams and  WR DJ Moore carried fantasy squads to victory. As we move deeper into the season and trade deadlines approach, it’s more important than ever to plan. Take time to compare the strength of schedules and potential playoff matchups. A strong record doesn’t mean you can afford to coast — stay active on the waiver wire and keep exploring trade opportunities. Make the bold moves now, and even if they don’t all hit, you’ll know you did everything possible to strengthen your roster. This week features some intriguing waiver pickups across multiple positions, so let’s dive in.

For additional potential Week 6 pickups, check out ASL's Chris Hexter's Injuries & Opportunities - Week 10 or ASL Founder Leonard LaPadula's Streamers For The Desperate - Week 10.


Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold (50% Rostered, Yahoo)

Seventeen for seventeen heading into halftime with four touchdowns is absolutely bonkers. We all owe this man an apology for the “seeing ghosts” memes — turns out, situation really does matter. On Sunday night, Seattle QB Sam Darnold marched into the nation’s capital and dismantled the Commanders in one of the most dominant performances we’ve seen in a while. In several of my leagues, he put up over 40 fantasy points. The advanced metrics back it up — Darnold is playing at an elite level, and his remaining schedule sets up favorably for quarterbacks. If your roster includes WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) and you’re streaming QBs, don’t hesitate to spend the rest of your FAB to grab Darnold or swing a trade. That stack could be a league-winner come fantasy playoff time.

J.J. McCarthy (29% Rostered, Yahoo)

Going 14-for-25 for 143 yards and two touchdowns might not jump off the stat sheet, but if you watched the game, you know he balled out. Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy led the Vikings to a statement win over a strong Lions team and showed real poise in a high-pressure spot. He looks most comfortable when he’s allowed to move around and extend plays — and he’s mobile enough to make defenses pay. Now that he’s throwing to WR Justin Jefferson (JJ) and WR Jordan Addison, McCarthy has the weapons to deliver league-winning production down the stretch. He also faces one of the three easiest remaining schedules among quarterbacks, and after Sunday’s performance, it’s clear the entire Minnesota locker room believes they’re playoff-caliber. McCarthy is still rostered in just 29% of leagues, so grab him now — we could be witnessing a second-half breakout similar to Washington QB Jayden Daniels’ surge last season.


Running Backs

Tyjae Spears (45% Rostered, Yahoo)

He’s been mentioned in this article a few times already, and that won’t change until the message sticks — Titans' RB Tyjae Spears needs to be rostered. I’ve always had a soft spot for RB Tony Pollard, but he just doesn’t look explosive right now. Every time Spears steps on the field, good things happen, and it feels like the Titans’ coaching staff is starting to notice. He’s now playing over 50% of the snaps and has finished as a top-24 running back in multiple weeks. Tennessee desperately needs a spark on offense, and Spears might be the answer. The upcoming schedule is favorable, and he’s a solid lower-end flex option for fantasy managers in need of RB help. As the season progresses, Spears could legitimately earn the lead-back role. Don’t wait — grab him before that breakout happens.

Devin Singletary (5% Rostered, Yahoo)

It’s easy to forget that just a season and a half ago, Giants' RB Devin Singletary was a reliable RB2 and consistent fantasy starter. With young rookie RB Cam Skattebo sidelined by injury, this backfield could quickly evolve into a committee. Singletary handled eight carries last week and added two receptions, finishing with three more rushing attempts than starting RB Tyrone Tracy while averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. Tracy didn’t look fully healthy, and the team may still be limiting his workload. QB Jaxson Dart may remain the primary rusher for now, but around the goal line, Singletary could carve out a valuable role given the team’s limited offensive weapons. The Giants face a brutal rest-of-season schedule for running backs, but if you’re looking for a dependable flex play with guaranteed touches, Singletary is worth a look.

55% Discount – 1-year DFS Optimizer: Cutting edge features, multiple projections sources


Wide Receivers

Alec Pierce (26% Rostered, Yahoo)

I love everything about the way Colts' WR Alec Pierce plays the game. He’s one of those receivers who might not draw a ton of attention like Seattle WR Cooper Kupp, but he has all the tools to break out and become a star. Pierce is an intelligent and disciplined player, and while not a true alpha, he’s starting to show just how valuable he can be. Thirteen targets for six catches and 115 yards is elite production — and when that kind of output comes from the waiver wire, it’s pure fantasy gold. Pierce currently ranks second among all qualified wideouts in depth of target at nearly 23 yards. Even if he only hauls in three or four passes per game, the efficiency metrics show you’ll still be thrilled with his flex value. The former Cincinnati standout is heating up, and I expect him to keep that momentum rolling next week against Atlanta.

Brandon Aiyuk (41% Rostered, Yahoo)

It’s time to put San Fran WR Brandon Aiyuk on your radar and check your waiver wire. The 49ers are shaping up to be a legitimate team, and eventually, Aiyuk and QB Brock Purdy will be reunited. If you’re struggling at the wide receiver position, Aiyuk has the potential to be an automatic WR1, similar to what we saw with Kansas City WR Rashee Rice. Looking back at his 2023 season, he stayed healthy all year and finished inside the top 25 among fantasy wide receivers in 10 different weeks. The kicker? He was technically a WR2 while fellow San Fran WR Deebo Samuel dominated the offense. Now that Samuel is in Washington, as long as he remains healthy and regains his rhythm, Aiyuk could be the true alpha in San Francisco. He’s a player capable of making a championship impact, so make sure to check him out in all your leagues.


Tight Ends

Colston Loveland (23% Rostered, Yahoo)

Everyone overreacted when the Bears drafted TE Colston Loveland, and even HC Ben Johnson agrees. Many critics thought the Bears made a mistake by choosing him over TE Tyler Warren. Now that Loveland is actively involved in the offense, he’s proving to be a serious matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. This week, he caught six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Chicago clearly needed a reliable red-zone target, and Loveland has filled that role perfectly. He currently ranks number one among all tight ends in True Catch Rate, which measures the percentage of catchable targets a player actually secures. This demonstrates that he’s not only exceptionally big and physical but also possesses some of the best hands in the NFL. That combination makes him a potential league-winning tight end, and the fact that he’s still available in 73% of leagues is astounding. Pick up this rookie superstar wherever you can.

Luke Musgrave (1% Rostered, Yahoo)

With teammate and fellow TE Tucker Kraft’s ACL injury ending his season, Green Bay TE Luke Musgrave now has a clear opportunity to step up. He has demonstrated the ability to handle a heavy passing workload and produce as a fantasy tight end. QB Jordan Love consistently targets tight ends, and Green Bay’s offense is built around a combination of tight ends and the running game. With no clear alpha wide receiver on the Packers, Musgrave could play a significant role in their pursuit of a Super Bowl. While the remaining schedule isn’t ideal, it’s manageable, and Musgrave is a young, physical athlete capable of making an impact in the passing game. If you’re in need of a tight end, Musgrave is a viable option to consider.