Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 10: Don't Forget About Kamar Aiken; Jay Ajayi Debuts for Miami

While week 9’s injuries didn’t stack up to the human wreckage of week 8, there is one player who should still see an increased role from one of those earlier injuries, who is largely available. Kamar Aiken should be Baltimore’s top receiver after Steve Smith’s injury. Smith, despite missing one game earlier in the year, received 73 of the 321 targets in Baltimore. Aiken is second at 44, and is owned in only 36% of leagues. Jeremy Ross, who is available in virtually every league, is another option, as he appears to have overtaken Marlon Brown in recent weeks, and was targeted 6 times last game.

As always, I provide recommendations for players likely available in shallow roster leagues (50-69% owned in CBS leagues), average roster leagues (30-49% owned), and deep rosters (players owned in less than 30% of leagues).

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow Leagues: Blake Bortles (65%) has a matchup against Baltimore, who are allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to QB, behind only New Orleans. He should be a top 8 start this week and a pickup if you have Roethlisberger, Rivers, Luck, or Ryan.

Average Leagues: Jameis Winston (49%) has been playing better in recent weeks and is a fallback option against the Cowboys.

Deep Leagues: Kirk Cousins (16%) is playing the worst pass defense in the league in New Orleans, which makes him a start. The Saints are allowing over 300 yards passing per game, and have given up 24 touchdown passes in 9 games. Brian Hoyer (26%) is your other option in deep leagues against the Bengals.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: James Starks (60%) could be at least a flex start, and maybe more depending on Eddie Lacy’s status. The matchup with Detroit has been beneficial for backs (5th most points allowed).

Matt Jones (55%) will also be a flex start possibility against the Saints as Alfred Morris has continued to see his role reduced (11 carries/2 catches for Jones vs. 4/0 for Morris Sunday).

Average Leagues: How will new offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter use the backs? Theo Riddick (48%) is probably the safest bet in passing downs agains the Packers.

Deep Leagues: Dexter McCluster (15%) has been the fallback option if you are in a PPR league. He has averaged 5.5 receptions per game over the last 4 games.

James White (1%) won’t seamlessly replace Dion Lewis by any means, but he might be worth a stash if you have a roster spot just to see if his role can expand.

Latavius Murray suffered a concussion and will be questionable this week. Marcel Reece (6%) and Taiwan Jones (1%) could both become plays if he is out.

Also, if you are mining for sleepers before they awake, Jay Ajayi had 5 carries for 41 yards, and the team released Jonas Gray. Ajayi should be in the mix going forward behind Lamar Miller, and could be a big play if Miller misses a game.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow Leagues: Davante Adams (67%) was targeted 11 times, with 7 catches last week, more than James Jones. He is a WR3 option this week. Rueben Randle (52%) against New England and Marvin Jones (59%) are both starting options in start 3 WR leagues.

Average: Nate Washington (42%) has been healthy for five games this year. He has been targeted 50 times. You normally don’t find that on the waiver wire. He’s also scored 3 touchdowns in his last two games.

Deep: Dorial Green-Beckham (18%) led the team with 9 targets and had 5 catches last week, with Kendall Wright out. The Tennessee offense is better off with Mariota back, and it’s worth a speculative add to see if Green-Beckham picks it up over the second half.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow and Average Leagues: Eric Ebron (38%) would be my top choice among those likely available, at GB. Richard Rodgers (23%) relies on TDs for production but with Aaron throwing them, he’s an option.

Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (47%) has been listed as questionable each of the last two weeks but has not come back yet. He’s the most impactful addition if he can play.

OVERALL

James Starks, RB GB
Davante Adams, WR GB
Kamar Aiken, WR BAL
Blake Bortles, QB JAC
Eric Ebron, TE DET
Theo Riddick, RB DET
Nate Washington, WR HOU
Jay Ajayi, RB MIA
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE TB
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR TEN
Jameis Winston, QB TB
Rueben Randle, WR NYG
Matt Jones, RB WAS
James White, RB NE
Marcel Reece, RB OAK
Taiwan Jones, RB OAK