Week 10 Waiver Wire Top Pickups and Drops After Evaluating Week 9 Box Scores

The 2025 NFL trade deadline was a wild one, and a few fantasy-relevant deals did get done.

The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, bolstered their offensive line by trading fro Trevor Penning. The Jacksonville Jaguars found some receiver help by dealing for Jakobi Meyers. The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, scooped up wideout Rashid Shaheed.

While some fantasy managers seeking help ahead of Week 10 will look to the trade market too, a few fine players should be available on the waiver wire.

Let's dive into what we've seen in recent weeks and identify a few top waiver targets viable drops for point-per-reception (PPR) play.

Add: Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

Browns RB Dylan Sampson

The reality is that there aren't any high-end running backs available on the waiver wire this week. We didn't see the sort of trade that might open the door for a new starter, and backs who have worked their way into significant roles have already been claimed.

However, Cleveland Browns rookie Dylan Sampson is a viable boom-or-bust play in PPR leagues only. While Sampson is firmly behind starter Quinshon Judkins on the depth chart and often plays behind Jerome Ford as well, Cleveland may look to get him more reps coming out of the bye.

Sampson caught five passes and logged 29 scrimmage yards in his last outing.

This week, the Browns will face a New York Jets team that has surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs—and that was before trading defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.

Sampson is available in over 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Add: Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Ella Hall

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't add a wide receiver to help replace Mike Evans, who is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. That should mean good things for rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson.

Egbuka, of course, is already a must-start in almost all leagues. Johnson, a seventh-round rookie out of Oregon, has become a solid matchup-based sleeper.

Johnson has topped nine fantasy points in each of his past four outings. He'll face a good New England Patriots defense this week, but the Patriots have been more good than great against opposing receivers—they have surrendered the 15th-most fantasy points to the position.

Johnson is rostered in just 35 percent of Yahoo leagues and 30 percent of ESPN leagues.

Add: Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland figures to be a popular add this week after scoring the go-ahead touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Loveland finished the game with six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. He also watched teammate Cole Kmet exit Week 9 with a concussion.

This week, Loveland is poised to have a significant role against the New York Jets, and the rookie will have a chance to shine again. The Giants have surrendered over 10 fantasy points per week to opposing tight ends.

Loveland is rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Week 10 Drops

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Texans RB Nick Chubb

Nick Chubb, RB, Houston Texans

It's good to see Nick Chubb on a football field after the significant 2023 knee injury he suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, Chubb doesn't have the pre-injury explosiveness that used to allow him to find unblocked running lanes.

With Woody Marks emerging as the receiving back—and with Houston struggling to open holes in general—Chubb hardly warrants a bench spot.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Cooper Kupp was inactive in Week 9 due to a hamstring injury. However, that's not the only reason to consider cutting the Seahawks pass-catcher.

Kupp simply hasn't been very dependable this season. He has just one touchdown grab and has topped 50 receiving yards only twice. The addition of Shaheed will likely push him even further out of Seattle's game plan.

Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos

There was a time when Evan Engram was a high-end fantasy starter. However, that time was when he was still a healthy starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Engram has just one touchdown grab this season and hasn't reached 50 receiving yards a single time. With young receivers like Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. continuing to show growth, managers should stop holding out hope for an Engram explosion.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.