Top early fantasy football waiver adds for Week 10

With NFL Week 9 almost in the books, now is the time for fantasy football managers everywhere to start looking ahead to the Week 10 waiver wire! (Side note: I can’t believe it’s already almost Week 10 in the NFL.)

With most of the games this week complete, here is an early look at 10 players—all under 50% rostered—who you should be targeting and working hard to get onto your fantasy team for Week 10 (percent rostered in Yahoo leagues).

QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (20% rostered)

Things seem to be clicking for Lock as for the second week in a row, he’s thrown for over 240 yards and 2+ touchdowns. There were reports coming out of Denver last week that the coaching staff simplified the offense and it seems to be working. If you’re in need of quarterback help, Lock is the guy for you, especially with a favorable matchup against the Raiders looming.

RB Wayne Gallman Jr., New York Giants (25% rostered)

Gallman has now scored a touchdown in each of his last three games filling in for the injured Devonta Freeman. And these haven’t been easy matchups for him. He’s totaled at least 50 total yards and scored against the Eagles, Buccaneers, and Washington, all of whom are top 12 in fewest points allowed to opposing running backs. As long as Freeman remains sidelined, Gallman is worth rostering and starting.

RB J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (24% rostered)

You might have forgotten about how good McKissic is in fantasy with Washington coming off their bye, but let Week 9’s performance be the only reminder you need. McKissic carried the ball three times for 17 yards but more importantly caught nine of his 14 targets for 65 yards. Only twice this season has McKissic seen less than four targets in a game, seeing over seven targets three times. He’s a vital part of Washington’s passing game and that shouldn’t be left on your waiver wire, not with games against the Lions, Bengals, and Cowboys next.

RB Duke Johnson, Houston Texans (15% rostered)

David Johnson left Week 9’s game against the Jaguars early with a concussion and Duke Johnson stepped in admirably, carrying the ball 16 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, plus four catches for 32 yards. It’ll be important to monitor David Johnson’s (gotta use full names here since both are D. Johnson) health for Week 10 but if he misses the game, Duke Johnson has another great matchup facing the Browns.

RB Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers (1% rostered)

Just promoted off the practice squad, Ballage filled in for an injured Justin Jackson Sunday against the Raiders to the tune of 15 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown plus two catches for 15 yards. Jackson did return to the game but didn’t record a touch. The Chargers backfield has been influx recently, but there is plenty of production to be had there. If Jackson misses anytime, it seems Ballage might still be the primary ball carrier over rookie Joshua Kelley (poor Josh Kelley).

WR Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers (29% rostered)

Remember last week when I said the Panthers finally figured out how to deploy Curtis Samuel and you should roster him? Well I’m giving you one more shot to heed my words as for the second week in a row, Samuel led the Panthers pass catchers in fantasy points, this time doing his damage mostly through the air. Samuel caught nine of his nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown while also carrying the ball three times for 13 yards. The Panthers have a tough test in the Buccaneers coming up but after that they play the Lions and Vikings before their bye. Yea, you want every last piece of that action.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers (15% rostered)

Can MVS PLEASE figure out what he is and then stick with it? Are you a 6-foot-4, vertical deep threat that can blow past safeties with ease and catch 50 yard bombs from Aaron Rodgers? Or are you a streaky route runner with inconsistent hands who suffers from confidence issues? We’ve now seen two games this season of MVS at his absolute best, including Thursday night’s game against the 49ers in which he caught two of his four targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers still are looking for that WR2 next to Davante Adams and if MVS finally emerges as that, the fantasy potential is huge. Best to stash him and hope for the best.

WR Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (14% rostered)

Against the Titans, Mooney was targeted 11 times. While he only caught five of them for 43 yards, the 11 targets is extremely promising, especially following a game in which he had a little breakout, catching five of his six targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. His snap counts continue to rise and it seems he’s cementing himself as the WR2 next to Allen Robinson in this offense, at times even leading this offense. With the Vikings next on the docket, Week 10 could be the week everything breaks his way.

WR Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts (4% rostered)

I have no idea who you can trust when it comes to the Colts backfield (does anyone?) but I do know who you can trust when it comes to the Colts pass catchers and his name is Zach Pascal. Pascal has seen at least six targets in his last three game, catching five balls Sunday for 55 yards against the Ravens. He has emerged as a reliable weapon for Philip Rivers at the perfect time as the Colts play the Titans, Packers, Titans again, and Texans in the next four weeks.

TE Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (49% rostered)

As weird as it may seem, Jimmy Graham has low key been balling out in Chicago and is currently a TE1 on the season. Yea, you read that right. He’s coming off yet another stellar fantasy performance against the Titans, catching six balls for 55 yards and a touchdown. He’s seen at least six targets in each of his last four games and with the Vikings on deck, his surprisingly strong season is likely to continue.