Top fantasy pickups for Week 10: Chris Ivory back in mix
Each week throughout the NFL season, we identify six players to target on fantasy waiver wires, plus a lightly owned D/ST. All are available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Add as needed.
Chris Ivory, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, 32%
Ivory delivered the first triple-digit rushing effort of his season on Sunday, obliterating would-be tacklers and generally looking like the player who rushed for 1070 yards last year. Ivory’s day was marred by a goal-line fumble that looked suspiciously like a touchdown, but he still managed to deliver 107 yards on 18 carries, dominating the backfield touches. He should remain Jacksonville’s primary inside-the-5 runner, a serviceable flex in 10-team leagues. Ivory’s season began with illness and disappointment, but he’s rolling now.
FAAB bid: $7
DuJuan Harris, RB, San Francisco 49ers, 33% owned
Many things went wrong for San Francisco in Sunday’s loss to the Saints, but backfield production wasn’t a problem. DuJuan Harris served as the Niners’ featured runner against New Orleans, playing in relief of the injured Carlos Hyde (shoulder), and he was mostly terrific. He rushed for 59 yards on 10 carries, adding five catches for 83 on six targets, with a 47-yard score included. Harris is a journeyman back who’s made several stops in his pro career, producing a handful of nice moments — notably in Green Bay in 2012. It’s clear at this point that Harris has surged past Mike Davis and Shaun Draughn in San Francisco’s backfield hierarchy. Expect him to retain a rotational role after Hyde returns to action. Chip Kelly’s system can certainly support multiple fantasy-relevant running backs.
FAAB bid: $6
Paul Perkins, RB, New York Giants, 6%
As expected, Perkins’ role expanded in a big way following the Giants’ bye week. The rookie saw as many touches as Rashad Jennings on Sunday (14), out-gaining the veteran while serving as New York’s closer, piling up yards in the fourth quarter. Perkins was a buzzy player back in mid-summer, a clear threat to ascend to the top of the Giants’ uninteresting RB depth chart. He was a productive, flashy runner during his collegiate career at UCLA, delivering over 1500 scrimmage yards in back-to-back seasons. It won’t be much of a surprise if Perkins leads New York’s backfield in touches in the second-half of the season; Jennings is a 31-year-old back averaging just 2.6 YPC this year, a droppable player in most fantasy formats.
FAAB bid: $7
Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans, 29%
If you don’t like touchdowns, you can skip this blurb. Move along. But if you can find a use for a receiver who’s produced five scores in as many weeks, then give Rishard Matthews a long look. He found the end-zone twice for the Titans on Sunday, catching six balls for 63 yards on 10 targets. Marcus Mariota has been dealing in recent weeks, and Matthews has emerged as a significant weapon. Tennessee has three friendly matchups remaining on the schedule in November (GB, at Ind, at Chi), so Matthews will continue to rank as a starting-quality receiver for fantasy purposes.
FAAB bid: $8
J.J. Nelson, WR, Arizona Cardinals, 12%
Nelson has clearly leapfrogged Michael Floyd in Arizona’s receiving corps, drawing 19 targets over his last two games, catching 11 balls for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a burner with sub-4.3 speed, an excellent fit for Bruce Arians’ deep-strike passing game, and he’s now seeing the volume necessary to enter the WR3 conversation. Whatever you thought Floyd’s fantasy ceiling might be in the Cardinals’ offense entering the year, that’s essentially Nelson’s upside. He’s at home, facing a user-friendly Niners defense next Sunday. Add and enjoy.
FAAB bid: $10
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens, 25%
With four teams on bye in Week 10, there’s a decent chance you’ll need to find a single-serving fantasy QB on the wire. Flacco gets a home matchup against the Browns on Thursday night, so he’s a strong play in the week ahead. Cleveland’s defense has allowed 8.5 yards per pass attempt this year, ranking dead-last in the NFL, while also giving up 22 passing scores. Steve Smith Sr. is back in the mix for Baltimore, which means Flacco has the receiving weapons needed to exploit a favorable matchup.
FAAB bid: $4
C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Houston Texans, 11%
What exactly does this guy need to do to get his ownership percentage into the 30s, if not higher? Fiedorowicz has averaged seven targets per week over his last five games, hauling in three touchdown passes and producing useful (if not spectacular) yardage totals. He’s a trusted red-zone weapon for Houston, and his rest-of-season schedule isn’t too intimidating. At this stage, it would be an upset if Fiedorowicz didn’t finish as a top-10 (8? 6?) fantasy tight end in the second-half. Go get him if you have a need at the position.
FAAB bid: $5
Houston Texans, 42%
Here’s a free opportunity to pick on Blake Bortles, one of the league’s most sack-prone, turnover-prone QBs. If the Texans D happens to be available in your league, go get ’em. Houston is coming off a bye and facing an exceedingly friendly matchup. This team will see Bortles again in Week 15, during the fantasy playoffs, so they belong in your late-season plans.
FAAB bid: $2
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