Fantasy Football Week 10: Nate Burleson and the Top Waiver Wire Pickups

Every week, there is someone new that shines on the waiver wire.

It is important for fantasy owners to make the right pickups, so they can get to their championship. Some guys are picked up and dropped again, but the smart owners hold on to these guys as they may come up big down the stretch.

Week 9 was another example of why the waiver wire is so important. Guys who were previously unheard of stepped up for there teams.

Here are the top waiver wire pickups heading into Week 10.

Josh Freeman

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Josh Freeman has the Buccaneers at a surprising 5-3 record. The second year man has played extremely well for a young quarterback and may be worth starting in some fantasy leagues.

Freeman has thrown a touchdown in five straight games and now has 10 touchdown passes on the season.

The Bucs are at home against Carolina in Week 10 and Freeman makes a solid start at quarterback.

Mark Sanchez

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaa

These may come as a surprise to some fantasy owners, but believe it or not, Mark Sanchez is available on the waiver wire in most leagues. After his performance in Detroit, Sanchez will be a popular pickup.

No. 6 threw for his first 300-yard game while tossing a touchdown, and running in one more. Mark Sanchez is not going to put up the big numbers like the elite quarterbacks, but he has a very good match-up in Week 10 at Cleveland.

Sanchez makes a nice bye-week replacement, so pick him up if available.

Jacoby Ford

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Jacoby Ford #12 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass over Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn

Who? Yes, that's right, Raiders' rookie wide receiver Jacoby Ford. With crucial injuries to Louis Murphy and Zach Miller, the fourth round pick Jacoby Ford stepped up in a huge way.

Not only was Ford big on special teams, but he hauled in six passes for a career high 148 yards. This performance might move Ford up on the Raiders' depth chart so keep an eye on that situation. Ford and the Raiders have a bye in Week 10 but he is not a bad pickup for the remainder of the season.

The Raiders head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in Week 11.

Randy McMichael

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Randy McMichael #81 of the San Diego Chargers rushes during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Randy McMichael only had two receptions for 23 yards in Week 9, but those two receptions went for touchdowns. For Antonio Gates owners, get your hands on McMichael immediately. If Gates' injury is nagging, McMichael can come up big down the stretch.

The Chargers have a bye in Week 10, but monitor Gates' injury over the next week.

Nate Burleson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Nate Burleson #13 of the Detroit Lions gets past the St. Louis Rams defense for a third quarter touchdown on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 44-6. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Nate Burleson, the compliment to Calvin Johnson, had his best game as a Lion in Week 9. Burleson caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, his third of the year. Burleson is definitely worth having since Johnson is double-teamed most of the time. Also, Johnson does get injured so owners might want to get their hands on Burleson.

The Lions have a nice match-up in Week 10 at Buffalo. Snag Burleson off the waiver wire if he is still available.

Brett Favre

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The great Brett Favre on the waiver wire? No way right? Well fantasy owners, Brett Favre is available in a lot of leagues and will be a popular pickup this week. Favre, who has not thrown for 300 yards once this season had a huge day against the Cardinals throwing for 446 yards and two touchdowns.

Can this have possibly been Favre and the Vikings' breakout game? We will find out in Week 10 when they travel to Chicago.

Get your hands on Favre for Week 10.