Happy Tuesday! The NFL Trade Deadline is at 4 pm EST...and things are already getting spicy. Jags going all in? The prodigal son, Kirk Cousins, potentially returning to the Vikings? What other chaos will emerge in this final hour that could change the landscape of the league?
As always, we've got the players who matter on the waiver wire, who's climbing the rankings, and the biggest shakeups around the league heading into Week 10.
🏈 TNF reminder: Commanders @ Giants, Thursday, November 12 at 8:15 PM ET.
Let's get into it.
Inside Today’s Roundup:
What We Learned 🧠
Waiver Wire Report 💰
Beliefs Changed 🔄
Injury Fallout 🏥
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🧠 What We Learned
Brett Whitefield & Ryan Heath break down the biggest takeaways from Week 9 - the breakouts, usage shifts, and changing beliefs that matter moving forward.
🚀 Tank Dell Is Back in the Mix for Houston
With Jaylin Noel landing on IR, Tank Dell led Houston with a 24% target share and topped 100 receiving yards in just his second game back. Dell stepped into a significant outside receiving role, while Xavier Hutchinson moved almost exclusively into the slot.
The bigger question is what this means for Nico Collins, who hasn't led Houston in targets since Week 5 and drew only around 10% of the targets in Week 9. Brett Whitefield noted that Collins hasn't looked quite right on film, though there's no confirmed injury explanation. With the Texans leaning heavily on C.J. Stroud and the passing game, Dell is a legitimate waiver-wire target, not just a one-week box-score chase.
📉 Dylan Sampson Is Cutting Into Quinshon Judkins' Fantasy Value
Cleveland's backfield has become much closer to a committee since Dylan Sampson returned from injury. Sampson has handled nearly all the receiving work and ranks among the top seven RBs in target share over that stretch. Meanwhile, Quinshon Judkins has retained all seven of the team's RB carries inside the 10-yard line.
Despite that goal-line advantage, their expected fantasy workloads are nearly identical. Judkins' path to a top-18 RB workload has disappeared, while Sampson has become a potential flex option in games where Cleveland is expected to trail. Judkins still has touchdown upside, but without the receiving work, he's much harder to trust as an every-week starter.
🐴 Dallas Has Completely Changed Its Offensive Approach
The Cowboys opened the season as the NFL's most pass-heavy team, throwing on 68.3% of neutral-situation plays through Week 6. Over their last three games, that rate has dropped to 50%, 51%, and 53.7%, ranking just 27th in the league since Week 7.
That hasn't crushed Dak Prescott or CeeDee Lamb's fantasy production yet, but it creates a real concern for George Pickens, whose value is more dependent on explosive plays than Lamb's. And while the shift hasn't increased Javonte Williams' share of the backfield, it has increased the overall rushing volume: Williams has 74 touches over his last three games, nearly 25 per week. Tyler Goodson remains involved, handling 38% of the carries in Week 9, but Dallas' new approach is worth monitoring closely when valuing both its receivers and running backs.
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💰 Waiver Wire Report
Our team breaks down the best available options, the injury-driven opportunities worth monitoring, and how much FAAB you should actually spend.
🔥 THE PRIORITY ADDS
Seth McGowan, RB, IND | 4–6% FAAB
McGowan could be the most important waiver add of Week 10, but everything hinges on Jonathan Taylor's status at Tuesday's trade deadline. Indianapolis has already started selling off pieces, and McGowan has been getting more involved, including 6 carries for 45 yards and a TD in Week 9.
The rookie is an exceptional athlete, posting a 98.5 SPORQ score, and could inherit 15–20 touches per game if Taylor is moved. But Brett Whitefield has concerns about McGowan's vision, receiving ability, and the Colts' struggling offense.
The Opportunity: A Taylor trade could turn McGowan into a low-end RB2 for the rest of the season.
The Take: Scott placed McGowan in A tier, while Brett was more cautious. He's the highest-upside RB add this week, but don't spend like Taylor has already been traded. If Taylor stays, McGowan is primarily a handcuff.
Tank Dell, WR, HOU | 3–5% FAAB
Dell looked explosive in his second game back, catching 4 passes for 105 yards and a TD on 9 targets (24% target share) against the Chargers. He played just 47% of the snaps, making that production even more encouraging.
Jaylin Noel's season-ending injury has opened opportunities, and Dell's return has shifted Xavier Hutchinson into the slot. Houston still rotates its outside receivers heavily, but Dell is already getting meaningful work alongside Nico Collins.
The Opportunity: Dell's routes and snaps could continue climbing as he gets further removed from his knee injury. C.J. Stroud is playing well, and Dell has already shown he can command targets.
The Take: Brett and Scott settled on B tier. The crowded rotation creates volatility, but Dell has more potential to become a weekly fantasy starter than most receivers still on waivers.
Caleb Douglas, WR, MIA | 2–4% FAAB
Douglas is making a strong case to be Miami's most valuable fantasy receiver. He caught 6 passes for 70 yards on 8 targets (31% target share) against Detroit, playing 74% of the snaps.
In his four full games this season, Douglas is averaging 69 receiving yards and 14.2 FPG, both marks that would rank around WR19. Brett has been especially impressed with his film, calling him a legitimate NFL receiver rather than someone simply benefiting from extra opportunities.
The Opportunity: Douglas is earning a larger role in an offense that should continue throwing plenty. His Week 9 target share suggests he could become a consistent fantasy contributor.
The Take: Both Scott and Brett landed on A tier. He's one of the best additions for managers seeking receiver help beyond a single week, even with a tougher matchup against Indianapolis coming up.
👀 THE NEXT WAVE
Not every pickup needs to start right away. Here are a few more players worth adding, streaming, or stashing.
Corey Kiner, RB, NE | 2–4% FAAB: Could handle 15+ carries if Rhamondre Stevenson sits. A short-term RB2 option, though Detroit is a tough matchup and Lan Larison will likely handle passing downs.
Audric Estimé, RB, NO | 2–4% FAAB: Led New Orleans with 15 carries, 72 yards, and a TD. A viable Week 10 streamer if Travie Etienne remains sidelined.
DeMario Douglas, WR, NE | 2–4% FAAB: Has posted 65+ yards and 16.6+ FP in four of his last five games. A reliable PPR option while New England's receiving corps remains depleted.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, NO | 1–3% FAAB: First-round rookie with potential league-winning upside, but he's still ramping up after missing most of the offseason. A speculative bench stash.
Chig Okonkwo, TE, WAS | 1% FAAB: Has reached 4+ catches and 57+ yards in three of his last four games. A solid TE streamer with favorable matchups ahead.
Dylan Sampson, RB, CLE | 1–2% FAAB: Has caught 3+ passes in three straight games. Offers PPR flex value and added upside if Quinshon Judkins misses time.
Terrance Ferguson, TE, LAR | 1–2% FAAB: The Rams desperately need receiving help with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams sidelined. An upside stash, but his hamstring injury makes him a longer-term play.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, NYG | 1–3% FAAB: Draws a favorable Week 10 matchup against Washington. One of the better streaming options if his hip injury allows him to play.
🚫 DON'T CHASE THE BOX SCORE
Kayshon Boutte, WR, HOU: Exploded for 125 yards and 2 TDs, but saw just 5 targets on a 33% snap share. Much of his production came in garbage time, and Tank Dell remains the better add.
Kaleb Johnson / Pierre Strong, RB, GB: Josh Jacobs' injury opens the door, but Green Bay's backfield remains unpredictable. With MarShawn Lloyd potentially returning, neither is worth significant FAAB.
Konata Mumpfield, WR, LAR: Could see more opportunities with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams sidelined, but Stafford's elbow injury and concerns about Mumpfield's talent make him a risky desperation play.
📌 THE TAKEAWAY
McGowan, Dell, and Caleb Douglas are the three players to prioritize this week, but for different reasons. McGowan has the clearest path to a potentially valuable starting RB role if Jonathan Taylor is traded. Dell offers explosive upside as his workload grows, while Douglas has already demonstrated the usage and production to become a regular fantasy starter.
If you need a Week 10 running back, Kiner and Estimé are the practical alternatives, provided the injuries ahead of them keep those opportunities open. And if your lineup is already set, use the bench spot on upside rather than chasing last Sunday's touchdowns.
Read the full Week 10 Waiver Wire Report for our team’s breakdown of every player who could matter this week and what you should spend.
🔄 Beliefs Changed
Week 9 forced Brett Whitefield & Ryan Heath to reconsider a few takes they entered the weekend believing. Here are the biggest changes:
Zach Charbonnet // Brian Polking, USA TODAY Sports
🔄 Zach Charbonnet - Is He Taking Over Seattle's Backfield?
It looked like Jadarian Price might have an opening after Charbonnet's first game back from ACL surgery, but Week 9 told a different story. Charbonnet handled 16 carries and 64% of Seattle's backfield rushing attempts, his largest share in either of the past two seasons. He looked good doing it, too, with Brett noting he may have forced a career-high number of missed tackles.
That's a pretty surprising workload for someone just two games removed from an ACL recovery… what looked like Price's chance to take over might actually be Charbonnet's. It's too early to call this a permanent shift, but Charbonnet is looking like the back Seattle will trust, while Price's path to reliable fantasy production is getting murkier.
☀️ Amon-Ra St. Brown - Is This the Buy-Low Window?
St. Brown has now gone five straight games without a receiving touchdown, a frustrating stretch for someone drafted to be a weekly difference-maker. But he's still averaging 16.4 FPG during that span, and his underlying usage remains strong. He ranks top six in red-zone targets, even though those opportunities haven't translated into touchdowns lately.
That's what makes this interesting. St. Brown's fantasy production has dipped without a corresponding collapse in his role, suggesting the disappointment is more about scoring variance than a fundamental change in Detroit's offense. If his manager is frustrated by the touchdown drought, this could be a rare chance to acquire an elite receiver at a discount. The volume and high-value targets remain.
🎯 Shedeur Sanders - Could He Change Cleveland's Fantasy Outlook?
Sanders gave Cleveland's passing game a much-needed spark in Week 9, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Brett Whitefield was encouraged by his willingness to attack downfield, a notable change for an offense that has struggled to create consistent opportunities for its young receivers.
The bigger fantasy implications may be for Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion. Both have the talent to become relevant down the stretch, but their upside depends heavily on Cleveland getting competent quarterback play. One promising start isn't enough to declare Sanders the answer, and his hold on the job still matters. But if he keeps starting and pushing the ball downfield, Cleveland's rookie receivers become much more interesting speculative adds rather than players fantasy managers can safely ignore.
Listen to the full Week 9 recap for more on which players are rising and falling in their evaluations.
Injury Fallout
Jeff Mueller breaks down every notable situation in this week’s Injury Report, but these are the ones with the biggest fantasy fallout heading into Week 10.
Puka Nacua // Daniel Kucin Jr, AP Photo
Puka Nacua, WR, LAR - Right Knee Hyperextension. Nacua injured the same knee that cost him significant time in 2024. Initial ACL testing was encouraging, but an MRI will determine whether his PCL was affected.
Fallout: Plan for Nacua to miss Week 10, especially with the Rams' Week 11 bye approaching. An aggravation of his old PCL injury could extend the absence considerably. But he's likely going to make a trip to the IR.
Projected Return: Week 10–12 if mild; Week 12–15 if PCL aggravation.
Josh Jacobs, RB, GB - Right Ring Finger Fracture. Jacobs fractured his finger when it caught in a defender's facemask. Surgery could be necessary, potentially costing him multiple weeks.
Fallout: Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong could see expanded roles, with MarShawn Lloyd another factor if he returns. It's a backfield worth monitoring, but not one to assume will produce a clear replacement for Jacobs.
Projected Return: Week 10–12.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE - Knee Injury. Stevenson exited Week 9 and was ruled out, with concerns about the severity still unresolved.
Fallout: New England's backfield could open up in Week 10, making the next injury update especially important. With a Week 11 bye looming, Stevenson managers should prepare for a possible absence through Week 12.
Projected Return: Week 12.
Drew Lock, QB, SEA - Oblique Strain. Lock injured his throwing-side oblique, and Mueller is skeptical he'll be ready for Week 10.
Fallout: With Sam Darnold also dealing with a quad injury, Jalen Milroe could be forced into action. That adds uncertainty to Seattle's passing game and makes the quarterback situation one to monitor before setting lineups.
Projected Return: Week 12.
Xavier Worthy, WR, KC - Hamstring Strain. Worthy suffered a late-game hamstring injury that could sideline him for multiple weeks.
Fallout: Kansas City's receiving corps is getting thin, and Mueller expects the Chiefs to explore a trade. Any addition could reshape the target distribution and complicate Worthy's role when he returns.
Projected Return: Week 11–13.
Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL - Left Knee Injury. Ferguson's knee bent awkwardly on a play, raising concern for an MCL injury.
Fallout: Fantasy managers should prepare to stream a tight end in Week 10 while awaiting imaging results. Mueller anticipates Ferguson missing time rather than making a quick return.
Projected Return: Week 11–13.
Read the full article to be up to date on every injury that happened in Week 9.
📝 A Note from Scott Barrett
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Best of luck out there…hope the waiver wire treats you well.
See you this weekend 🤝
- Sean
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