The NFL trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. is set to shake up fantasy football rosters as Week 10 approaches, with several players’ fates still undecided. Jonathan Taylor, Tony Pollard, George Pickens, Josh Downs, and Dallas Goedert are among those who could be moved, influencing waiver wire priorities in the crucial stretch before the fantasy playoffs.
At the midpoint of the NFL season, fantasy managers face a narrowing window with five weeks left before postseason matchups begin. Injuries and bye weeks continue to affect lineups, making the waiver wire a valuable resource despite many top options already claimed.
Quarterbacks remain thin on the ground, with 47 different starters already used through Week 9, the second highest total this century. Geno Smith continues to appear as a reliable QB2 option, despite a tough outing against the Chiefs without star receiver Garrett Wilson. The Bills defense awaits next, which will likely force Smith into catch-up mode, but games against the Chargers and Dolphins follow. Aaron Rodgers is another recommended streamer, returning from a bye to face the high-scoring Bengals. Rodgers threw for almost 300 yards and three touchdowns against Cincinnati in Week 6 and could see more receiving help soon.
Other available quarterbacks such as Joe Milton III, J.J. McCarthy, Gardner Minshew II, and the Chargers’ starters lack upside or clarity on their starting status. Carson Wentz’s performance on Monday night is still unknown but he ranks ahead of these options. Jacoby Brissett, set to start for the Ravens against the Chargers, is a potential short-term streamer despite limited faith in his long-term fantasy value.
Running backs could see the biggest shuffle due to trades. Seth McGowan remains available in over half of leagues on some platforms. If Jonathan Taylor moves, McGowan’s value would rise sharply, but even if Taylor stays, McGowan’s increased workload makes him a notable handcuff. The same applies to Tyjae Spears and Nick Singleton with the Titans if Tony Pollard is traded.
Corey Kiner may start for the Patriots in Week 10 if Rhamondre Stevenson misses time after a knee injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Packers. TreVeyon Henderson’s illness sidelined him last week, increasing Kiner’s chances for snaps. The Patriots face only one game before their Week 11 bye, so managers may hesitate to overcommit. Audric Estime could pick up more carries depending on Travis Etienne Jr.’s return timeline. Estime excelled as the early-down back on Sunday, while Alvin Kamara handled third-down and passing duties. Estime’s Week 10 matchup against Carolina is promising.
Kaleb Johnson and Marshawn Lloyd are also worth adding as Josh Jacobs faces a possible stint on injured reserve. Green Bay’s inability to run the ball effectively weighs against their backs, but volume remains valuable for fantasy. Lloyd missed Week 9 due to a knee injury, placing Johnson slightly higher in priority.
Several backs deserve roster spots, including Kenneth Gainwell, Dylan Sampson, Emmett Johnson, and Kaelon Black. Jonathon Brooks is another option to stash on injured reserve if your league allows.
Wide receiver targets have shifted amid injuries to key players. DeMario Douglas has emerged as a top option, filling the void left by A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Though his volume fluctuates, Douglas has posted three Top-10 weekly finishes over the past five weeks. Caleb Douglas, Miami’s leading receiver, has also shown promise with three games of 70 to 95 receiving yards in four full outings.
Kayshon Boutte and Tank Dell both had big games in the Texans’ recent victory, but their boom-or-bust deep-threat profiles make them risky to chase aggressively. The Chargers’ defense showed little resistance against the Texans, but that could be an outlier rather than a trend.
The Week 10 bye list includes the Bears, Broncos, Buccaneers, and Eagles, forcing fantasy managers to adjust lineups accordingly. As the trade deadline nears, closely monitoring transaction news will be essential for owners seeking to strengthen their squads before the playoff push.
According to Yahoo Sports.
