Week 10 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates

The waiver wire continues to decide fantasy leagues outright. Not that a ton of proof is needed, but Week 9 reinforced this notion.

Those who threw support behind Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer were rewarded with 19 points, his fourth straight trip to double digits.

Those who thought enough of Cincinnati Bengals rookie back Jeremy Hill cashed in with 27 points, better than a host of names, including but certainly not limited to, LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles and more.

So yes, hard work on the wire immediately after Sunday's contests can pay dividends down the road. What follows is a list of names to monitor closely going into Week 10.

Bobby Rainey, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (42.7 percent owned)

STEVE NESIUS/Associated Press

The definition of a short-term add, Bobby Rainey has some immediate value for owners in need.

Rainey was the lead back in Week 9 against Cleveland and took 19 carries for 87 yards on the way to totaling a cool 11 points. As Rotoworld's Raymond Summerlin points out, Rainey continues to outplay supposed starter Doug Martin, who was inactive Sunday:

It is important to note, though, that the one-win Buccaneers will be on the hunt to play younger players from here on out, meaning the eventual arrival of rookie Charles Sims somewhat hurts Rainey's long-term value.

Even if Sims does start next week, Rainey is worth a nod against the Atlanta Falcons as a flex play—the team gives up the most points of any team to running backs this season.

After that, Rainey is a week-by-week play as the Buccaneers hierarchy in the backfield continues to develop.

Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings (27.0 percent owned)

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Like it or not, Matt Asiata will continue to find his way onto lists such as this for the rest of the season.

The Minnesota Vikings running back has scored in double digits just three times this season, and his Week 9, 25-point outburst against Washington broke a spell of four straight games with five points or less.

Why? Three touchdowns, of course. ESPN Stats & Info puts his big day into perspective:

Owners will cry foul at that note—Asiata is wildly inconsistent. But his role in the Minnesota offense as the passing-down back and the man near the end zone is cemented.

Asiata is by no means an every-down back, as the early down work goes to the dynamic Jerick McKinnon. But in a wild running back environment this season, owners would be wise to stock up on any and all help, especially to combat the environment that pairs with untimely bye weeks.

Keep in mind that Asiata is a bit of a long-term add with a bye on the horizon, but he then gets favorable matchups against Chicago, Green Bay and Carolina. That, in tandem with a favorable role that is much better than most waiver-wire gambles, means Asiata is one to keep in mind on the wire.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (31.2 percent owned)

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Fantasy owners seem hesitant when it comes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans.

It made sense, too, given his rookie status and unstable quarterback situation. But not so much anymore, as Evans has reached double-digit production in three of his last five games, most recently scoring a pair of touchdowns in Cleveland against the likes of Joe Haden.

At 6'5" and 231 pounds, Evans is the type of wideout that makes the lives of quarterbacks and owners easier each week, as ESPN's Louis Riddick muses:

Right now, Evans is on pace to surpass 900 yards and eight scores as a rookie, so try to forget about the miserable surroundings and gobble him up in all leagues. Keep in mind that Evans' next three weeks come against defenses that rank in the bottom half of the league in terms of points surrendered to wideouts.

Rookies are difficult to trust, but Evans has surefire WR2 upside given his current trajectory.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (10.9 percent owned)

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Remember Allen Hurns?

Hurns was that guy in Week 1 who exploded for 23 fantasy points by way of four catches for 110 yards and two scores. After owners ate him up, he fell off a cliff and reached double digits just once more through the first eight weeks of the season.

Now Hurns is back at it, though, thanks to 23 points against a strong Cincinnati defense in Week 9.

As Bleacher Report's Matt Miller notes, an ability to bail out his quarterback led to the strong production:

That same ability should have owners rushing to the wire. Hurns has been wildly inconsistent, yes, but there is something to be said for his team-high nine targets on the day and gradually developing rapport with rookie quarterback Blake Bortles.

Hurns has a juicy Week 10 matchup against Dallas and is worthy of a stash. Cecil Shorts continues to struggle with injuries, meaning fellow rookie Allen Robinson would be the only other wideout to soak up targets. Hurns' most recent outburst is certainly not his last this season.

Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins (20.2 percent owned)

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Feel free to jump on Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay, as it appears the coaching staff is finally willing to get the ultra-talented specimen involved in the game plan.

ESPN's James Walker put it best:

Thanks to 12 points in Week 9 against San Diego—keep in mind the Chargers entered the game allowing the fewest points to tight ends—Clay now has double-digit performances in two of his last three outings.

Not only is all of that great, Clay also dropped a second touchdown. Perhaps that is a good thing, as the drop makes the sprint to the waiver wire less crowded.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 2. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.