Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Sleepers Who May Be Available After Box Score Analysis
It's almost time for the playoff push, fantasy fans! After Thursday night's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, we're officially past the halfway point in the 2024 NFL season.
We might see the return of fantasy standouts Christian McCaffrey and Nico Collins this week, though their statuses might not be known until game day. Other injuries and bye weeks will still have some managers scrambling for reinforcements.
The Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks will be off in Week 10.
With this in mind, let's dive into a few deep sleepers who may be available on the waiver wire late in the week. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
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To be clear, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye doesn't project as a high-end starter in Week 10. He lacks a strong supporting cast and will be up against a Chicago Bears defense that has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Managers who need a replacement for Jordan Love or Geno Smith, however, may find some sneaky value by targeting Maye.
Against the Tennessee Titans last week, Maye threw for only 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. However, the Patriots have been willing to use the rookie as a runner, which boosts his fantasy floor significantly.
Maye also fumbled twice in Week 9 (losing one), but he scrambled eight times for 95 yards. He could have a similar rushing performance against Chicago, which hasn't been good against the run.
The Bears have allowed an average of 5.0 yards per carry this season, and New England should look to capitalize with designed quarterback runs.
There's plenty of boom-or-bust potential here, but Maye should be available heading into the weekend. He's still available in more than 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
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James Cook remains the lead back for the Buffalo Bills, but rookie Ray Davis has played a very significant role in three of the past four weeks.
Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, Davis logged two receptions, 90 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, he tallied one reception, 47 yards and a touchdown.
Davis also had three catches and 152 scrimmage yards against the New York Jets in Week 6, but Cook missed that game with a toe injury.
This week, the Bills will visit the Indianapolis Colts, who have been a middle-of-the-road unit against opposing RBs in fantasy (16th-most points allowed). There's certainly no guarantee that Davis will shine, but he has a high upside and is still the top handcuff for Cook.
Davis is still available in 70 percent of Yahoo leagues and over 80 percent of ESPN leagues.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams
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The Los Angeles Rams will host the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, and that won't yield the best matchup for Rams receivers. Miami has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the position this week.
This doesn't mean that managers should bench Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua, but Miami's defense could force L.A. to lean on ancillary receivers like Demarcus Robinson. And when the Rams have needed Robinson, he has delivered.
If anything, the return of Kupp and Nacua has boosted Robinson's fantasy stock. He's caught two touchdown passes in each of his past two games and delivered the walk-off overtime score in Week 9.
Robinson is still available in over 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He could be an extra valuable addition in Week 10 for Collins managers. The Houston Texans probably won't finalize Collins' status until game day, and Houston will play on Sunday night.
By grabbing Robinson, managers can have a backup plan if Houston announces that Collins won't play on Sunday afternoon.
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Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers
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With tight ends David Njoku, Brock Bowers and Tucker Kraft on bye this week, some managers may need a tight end replacement. Carolina Panthers rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders might be available.
Sanders is rostered in less than five percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
The Panthers are set to play the New York Giants in Germany on Sunday morning, which makes for a less-than-ideal situation. Overseas games are often sloppy, and New York has been fairly solid against opposing tight ends.
Only the Texans and Detroit Lions have allowed fewer fantasy points to the position this season.
However, Sanders is beginning to establish himself as a go-to target in Carolina. In his first game following the Diontae Johnson trade, the Texas product caught four of five targets for 87 yards.
Given the matchup, Sanders should be viewed as an emergency option only, but there's an extremely good chance that he'll be available. For those looking ahead, Sanders will have a favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs (second-most fantasy points allowed to TEs) in Week 12—a week in which Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram and Taysom Hill will be on bye.
*Fantasy scoring and roster information via FantasyPros.
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