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Fantasy football leagues are won on the waiver wire. Our waiver wire tools at Footballguys make it easy.
Every week, our Sigmund Bloom writes about every trending player in the NFL, moving players up and down based on what we’ve seen. For players who are mostly available in fantasy football leagues, he’ll provide an estimated amount of FAAB to bid on the waiver wire.
These waiver wire tips are essential in winning your fantasy football league. In this article, we’ll highlight a handful of noteworthy players. But for deeper leagues and more waiver wire additions, check out our full Upgrade and Downgrades feature.
Check out some in-depth explanations on these waiver wire pickups courtesy of Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey on a new episode of The Audible.
Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
QB Drake Maye, New England (bid 25-50%)
Maye almost had 100 rushing yards almost solely on scrambling ability, and he is starting to riff with his targets. A little better passing downfield and Maye could be cooking as a strong QB1 in fantasy leagues. The Patriots are just letting him play and that's a great thing for fantasy value.
QB Aaron Rodgers, NY Jets (bid 12-25%)
We finally saw shades of the old Aaron Rodgers and the old Davante Adams in Week 9, and against a Texans defense that was hot coming into the Thursday night game. Rodgers could be viable in 1QB leagues against Arizona in Week 10 and going forward if he can stay healthy.
QB Daniel Jones, NY Giants (bid 5-10%)
Jones had his best home start in two years and accounted for three scores and a great fantasy line against the Commanders, who shut down the Bears in Week 8. The Panthers (in Germany) are up this week. Jones could at least be a spot start and might build enough momentum to keep the Giants from benching him to eliminate the risk of his injury guarantee for 2025 kicking in.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas (bid 12-25%)
Dowdle is clearly the best back on the Cowboys roster, and they are finally treating him like it. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb getting hurt will shrink the offensive production pie for at least Week 10, but Dowdle can help as a flex play and maybe an RB2 if they both get back on the field soon.
RB Jaylen Warren, Miami (bid 12-25%)
It's possible that Warren was dropped in a bye-week roster crunch. He could be on the field more than Najee Harris when the Steelers a very tough second-half schedule that could force them to pass more than run.
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo (bid 10-20%)
Davis had a long catch and run score on a busted coverage and he's set up for a big value leap if James Cook gets hurt in the second half of the season.
RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle (bid 10-20%)
Ken Walker III is the clear lead back in Seattle, but Charbonnet showed he can handle a lead-back load and will be very valuable if Walker goes down in the second half of the year.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR DeMario Douglas, New England (bid 10-20%)
Douglas has been up and down along with the Patriots offense, but the outlook is getting brighter with Drake Maye coming into his own and Douglas taking his place as the top downfield target and a volume target-getter, at least at times.
WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco (bid 10-20%)
If Jennings was dropped during the 49ers bye week, rectify that. He should be first in line for Brandon Aiyuk's snaps now that he's over his hip injury and we've seen what his upside can be with Brock Purdy throwing downfield aggressively.
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco (bid 7-15%)
Pearsall probably slots in as the #3 receiver, but Deebo Samuel Sr. has been on the injury report a lot while Jauan Jennings is just getting over a hip injury that cost him some time. Pearsall is a good bench stash to see if he gets more opportunity in a good offense.
WR Quentin Johnston, LA Chargers (bid 5-10%)
It's not clear if Jennings will be the WR2 or WR3 in the 49ers' pass offense once he's healthy enough to play after the bye now that first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is back. Still, Deebo Samuel Sr. has been on and off the injury report all year, and Jennings has shown his ceiling when he's a primary option, so he should be carried through the bye.
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina (bid 5-10%)
Legette scored and could have had an even better fantasy day if he didn't have a reception wrestled away from him downfield. The Panthers quarterback play is improving whether its through Bryce Young playing well enough to earn the starting job or Andy Dalton getting back in because his thumb is better.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans (bid 10-20%)
Hill is all at once the #2 running back, one of the top passing game targets, and a trick play quarterback for the Saints. You can play him at tight end in some leagues, and he's a starting quality play against a Falcons team he usually does well against in Week 10.
TE Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati (bid 10-20%)
Gesicki had one of the biggest tight end games of the year with Tee Higgins sitting and the Raiders defense putting up little resistance in Week 9. Higgins should be out for Week 10 with a Thursday game, so Gesicki is a strong start and could be a solid TE1 for the rest of the season, even when Higgins is back.
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