Sam Darnold and the Best Week 10 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Pickups

The 2025 NFL season is now past the halfway point, which means the corresponding fantasy football campaign is rounding into the final turn.

With Week 10 approaching and a mere five weeks of regular season play left in most leagues, it's time to start thinking ahead and getting your roster on point for the playoffs.

Shrewd waiver-wire maneuvers are the best way to improve your chances of winning it all. Landing starting-caliber assets at this crucial time of year not only bolsters your lineup, but it also ensures rival managers won't be able to deploy that talent against you.

Whether you are cruising towards the top seed or needing an undefeated run to even have a shot at making the postseason, there are waiver moves for every manager to make. The free-agent pool not only has a couple of plug-and-play starters who can help desperate teams, but there are also plenty of high-upside players who are worth freeing up a bench spot for.

With that in mind, here's a look at the best waiver-wire pickups for Week 10.

Suggestions are available in approximately half or more of all Yahoo! Sports leagues. Fantasy points and rankings courtesy of FantasyPros' PPR data. Suggested free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB) bids are based on a $100 dollar starting budget.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (50 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-7

After notching his third top-10 finish across his last four starts, Darnold should be rostered in nearly every fantasy format. The signal-caller has clearly found his footing with the Seahawks and even started generating MVP rumblings following a monster Week 9 outing.

Darnold dissected Washington's defense on Sunday night, exploding for 28.2 fantasy points after completing 21 of his 24 throws for 330 yards and four touchdowns. While he did toss an interception and contributed nothing as a runner, the 28-year-old still posted his second-best finish of 2025.

If you have been struggling to find a consistent starter, look no further than Darnold. He can be safely locked in as your QB1 for the remainder of the campaign and throughout the fantasy playoffs.

Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (52 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $3-6

The Bengals are heading into a Week 10 bye, opening the door for managers to scoop Flacco off the free-agent scrap heap after a litany of teams inevitably drop the veteran quarterback.

While Flacco obviously won't be useable this week, he's been a top-tier fantasy starter since landing in Cincinnati and should remain as such until Joe Burrow slots back into the starting lineup.

After his latest 32.7-point gem in Week 9, Flacco upped his scoring average to a whopping 25.4 points as Cincinnati's starter. The 40-year-old has ranked as the QB2 since being traded to Cincy ahead of Week 6 and has shown no signs of slowing down. With a fantastic Week 11 matchup with a vulnerable Steelers defense on the docket, Flacco will get right back to putting up week-winning numbers after the break.

While Burrow projects to be back at some point next month, Flacco should still provide managers with top-10 production at the QB position for several more weeks and remains a must-add where available.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (29 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

The Vikings turned their offense back over to McCarthy in Week 9, a move that worked out better than expected. The second-year signal-caller, making his first start since Week 2, made a statement by picking up his second victory (and top-12 fantasy finish) of 2025.

While McCarthy is still extremely raw and inconsistent, he deserves credit for guiding Minnesota to an upset win over the Lions. The quarterback completed 14-of-25 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns while salvaging his fantasy line with a touchdown on one of his nine totes that went for 12 yards.

McCarthy is going to be a volatile fantasy dice roll while he continues adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, but his dual threat capabilities make him a tempting low-floor, high-ceiling play for managers who need a spot starter to get them through a bye.

Running Back

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary

Devin Singletary, New York Giants (5 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $5-8

The Giants revealed what their backfield rotation will look like without Cam Skattebo on Sunday. While many expected Tyrone Tracy Jr. to emerge as a lead back, the team ended up taking more of a platoon approach that involved a heavy dosage of Singletary.

Although his production ultimately left something to be desired—Singletary mustered just 7.1 points in the contest—there should be better days ahead.

With Singletary garnering more touches (he logged 10 to Tracy's eight) and offensive snaps (32 vs. 25) than his counterpart during a double-digit loss to the 49ers, the veteran backup might just be a viable RB3/flex option for desperate fantasy managers.

Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles (26 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-7

After showing out with 104 yards on just nine carries against the Giants two weeks ago, Bigsby could be on the cusp of a wildly unexpected stretch of fantasy greatness.

While much of his value is tied to the health of Saquon Barkley, Bigsby may end up being a week-winning pickup if he goes on to earn his first start since landing in Philadelphia. Barkley exited Week 8 with a groin issue, and the team has yet to provide a clear update on his status for a Week 10 clash with the Packers.

Managers in need of backfield help will want to roster Bigsby (whose handcuff value alone makes him a fine addition in deeper leagues) and keep an eye out for Barkley news. If the starter can't go, Bigsby will have borderline RB1 value for Week 10 based on his immense production in limited action before the bye.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns (16 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-3

Sampson could be in line to lead Cleveland's backfield again if Quinshon Judkins is sidelined for a stretch. The starter exited early in Week 8 with a shoulder injury, and while he's had a bye week to heal up, there is still a possibility Judkins won't be able to give it a go against the Jets on Sunday.

Although Sampson didn't do much following Judkins' injury against the Patriots (finishing the blowout loss with a pedestrian 7.9 points), he's shown he's perfectly capable of lead back duties. The rookie finished as the RB9 in the opener, amassing 17.3 points before being relegated to backup work over the last seven games.

While Sampson won't be startable if Judkins is active, he's worth a speculative waiver claim until the team provides more clarity on the starter's status. Sampson will be on the RB2 fringes in any contest Judkins misses.

Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (35 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Gainwell came back to earth following his eye-popping RB3 finish during Pittsburgh's Week 4 trip to Ireland, but he could reemerge as a fantasy asset over the next few weeks.

With teams like the Chargers, Bengals and Bears on the schedule between Weeks 10-12, Gainwell will have ample opportunity to put up flex-worthy marks as the Steelers' preferred receiving back. He's not going to put up top-10 marks without a Jaylen Warren injury, but Gainwell could get managers through in a pinch if their usual starter is missing.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (31 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

After flirting with a breakout early in the season, Tuten has been struggling to log enough volume to be fantasy relevant. He made some rumblings following Jacksonville's Week 8 bye, however, putting up the second-best point total of his fledgling career.

While Tuten still can't be trusted as anything more than desperation flex option following his 9.6-point outing, he did log a personal-best nine totes and scored during Sunday's win over the Raiders. He's still well behind Travis Etienne Jr. (27 touches in Week 9) in the pecking order, but getting goal line work and a workload bump makes him an intriguing pickup.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (26 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $4-6

The Colts have been leaning heavily on Pierce to stretch the field for their offense. While the wideout didn't generate a much-needed touchdown in a narrow loss to the Steelers, he still finished the day with a season-high 17.5 points and his first top-20 finish of 2025.

Pierce was Daniel Jones' preferred weapon against Pittsburgh (his 13 targets and 115 receiving yards paced the team) and he's a strong bet to lead Indy in those categories again with the Falcons coming to town in Week 10.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (18 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $3-5

The Jaguars have a ton of issues to deal with within their receiving corps. While injuries to stars like Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. aren't ideal for the club's chances of contending, they have opened the door for Washington to break out as a fantasy stud.

With Hunter on the IR, Washington is poised to work as Jacksonville's primary wideout in any game Thomas misses and could remain a startable asset even upon the struggling sophomore's return.

Washington notched a clean 17 points by recording eight catches and 90 yards on nine targets in Week 9—securing his first top-20 finish of 2025—and could flirt with similar production with more volume against the Texans in Week 10.

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (29 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Watson is finally healthy and his reemergence couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the ailing Packers. The 2022 second-rounder has quickly rounded into form after missing the first six games of the season, racking up six catches on eight targets for 143 yards across his first two appearances.

While Watson is still hunting his first touchdown since Week 6 of last season, the 6'4", 208-pound wideout should get ample opportunity in the red area with Tucker Kraft likely to be out the remainder of 2025 with a torn ACL.

Watson was already becoming a key factor in Green Bay's passing attack prior to Kraft's knee injury. He projects to rack up season-high numbers and ring up a touchdown with the superstar tight end sidelined and emerging rookie Matthew Golden nursing a shoulder injury.

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Douglas failed to live up to his sleeper potential early in the season, but the third-year wideout has started to make some noise over the past month.

Although he was quiet in the two games that followed a 16.1-point showing in Week 6, he just capped off his second top-20 finish of the last four weeks with a 20-point outburst against the Falcons.

Coming off an outing where he saw a promising six targets—his highest target volume since the opener—Douglas could work as a serviceable fantasy spot starter. He'll likely need to score a touchdown against the Bucs to truly move the needle, but managers could do worse than slotting him in as their WR4 in Week 10.

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (11 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Tillman has had a trying 2025 season, but he could turn a corner and become a valuable addition to fantasy rosters during the final two months of play.

After opening the year with a promising 16.2-point performance, he went on to finish outside the top 45 three consecutive times before landing on the IR with a hamstring issue. He's expected to appear in his first game since Week 4 when the Browns visit the Jets on Sunday and could play a large role for a receiving corps that sorely needs playmakers.

With Cleveland's wideouts accounting for just two catches in the team's final game before a Week 9 bye, Tillman will have ample opportunity to emerge as Gabriel Dillon's go-to weapon in the passing attack.

It may be risky to start Tillman in Week 10, but picking him up before a potential breakout day will save you serious waiver priority or FAAB dollars at this point next week.

Tight End

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (23 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $3-5

The breakout game that Loveland managers have been hoping for finally occurred in Week 9. The rookie tight end was unstoppable during a shootout against the Bengals, turning his seven targets into six receptions for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

With that TE2 showing in the books, Loveland should remain ahead of Cole Kmet as Chicago's preferred pass-catching tight end going forward. While Kmet was active on Sunday, he contributed just one reception for 10 yards on two targets before exiting with a concussion.

Loveland is firmly on the TE1 radar regardless of Kmet's status for Week 10. He's the best streaming option available by a good margin and will cement his status as a weekly fantasy starter if he can ring up a second consecutive top-10 finish when the Giants visit the Windy City on Sunday.

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Suggested FAAB Bid: $2-4

Fannin has been having a sensational rookie season but is still surprisingly up for grabs in over half of all leagues. While Cleveland's Week 9 bye is partially responsible for that rostership dip, he should be added in just about every format based on his steady production at a position largely devoid of consistent contributors.

After ranking as the TE5 in Week 8 and posting three top-16 finishes in his last four outings, Fannin is perfectly positioned to come out of the break with another big performance. He's emerged as a massive part of Cleveland's passing game (evidenced by an average of nearly eight targets per game over the last three contests) and his chemistry with Dillon Gabriel should only improve with an extra week to prepare for Sunday's clash with Gang Green.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

Schultz has been coming on strong after a disappointing start to the 2025 campaign. The veteran tight end has garnered 21 targets over the last three games and has finished in the top six twice in that span.

While he still hasn't scored a touchdown yet this year, he's inevitably going to find pay dirt if he continues to see the type of volume he started garnering in October.

Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

Managers reeling from the loss of Tucker Kraft may want to consider Green Bay's backup as a replacement. While it will be tough to replicate Kraft's immense production in 2025 (he rated as the TE3 over the first nine weeks of the season), Musgrave has the potential to pick up a good portion of the targets that are now up for grabs.

Although his 6.4 points during a disappointing Week 9 loss to the Panthers represented a season-high for Musgrave, the 2023 second rounder in line for a signficant workload increase. He's the next man up in Green Bay's offense and is worth keeping tabs on for his immense potential at a position that can be difficult to find much upside at this deep into the season.

D/ST

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns (29 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $1-2

The Browns may not be the most exciting defense to deploy for fantasy, but they've been red-hot with 34 points in their last two games. They now have a juicy matchup against a wildly inconsistent Jets offense that should result in this becoming one of the top units of Week 9.

New York has allowed over eight points per game to opposing D/STs in 2025. Justin Fields has proved to be extremely vulnerable to sacks, an issue Cleveland should be able to capitalize on after racking up 10 across its last two outings.

Buffalo Bills (43 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

The Bills D/ST wasn't meeting expectations for much of the season, but it's turned a corner and is emerging as one of the best plays on the board.

Buffalo held the line with five points in a difficult clash with the Chiefs in Week 9 and should have little issue getting right back to putting up huge marks against lesser foes. The Bills D/ST dropped 17 points on the lowly Panthers in Week 8 and is in line to feast against a collapsing Dolphins on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens (46 Percent Rostered)

Suggested FAAB Bid: $0-1

No one expected the Ravens to fall apart the way they did to start the year, but there's still hope for this unit to return to elite form. Baltimore got back to playing good defensive football in Week 9, beating up on the beleaguered Dolphins offense for 15 D/ST points.

With more time to get healthy and their issues sorted, the Ravens will be a fine streaming choice against a J.J. McCarthy-led Vikings squad in Week 10.