Week 9 in the NFL brought some things to light. First, it showed that just about anybody can get hurt on any play, which gives opportunities to a plethora of players. Second, it showed that no matter who is projected more, who has the better matchup, or who was hot in recent weeks…it doesn’t matter in fantasy football.
The NFL has become increasingly harder to predict and when it comes to fantasy football, and the unpredictability can come back to bite you.
With six teams on a bye this week (Denver, New England, Philadelphia, Washington, Jacksonville, Houston) here are the waiver wire pickups for Week 10:
WR Zach Pascal: 6.8% rostered (ESPN)
With T.Y. Hilton set to potentially miss the next three weeks with a calf injury, Pascal stepped up big on Sunday against the Steelers with a five-catch performance for 76 yards and a touchdown.
He led the team in targets and has quickly proven to have a rapport with both Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer. This matters because it isn’t clear which one will be under center in Week 10.
Pascal has really come to life this season and will be a great number two option once Hilton returns. For now though, Pascal is the number one guy in Indy and with a matchup against the Dolphins coming up on Sunday, Pascal should have a big day.
QB Ryan Tannehill: 8.0% rostered (ESPN)
Say what you want about Tannehill but ever since he came in and relieved Marcus Mariota, the Titans offense has looked increasingly better. With 980 yards and six touchdowns in five starts, the eight-year veteran is getting the job done, for now.
While he is coming off of a two-turnover game, he’s a viable streamer for those in need during this hellish bye week at the quarterback position.
Entering a favorable matchup against Kansas City this week, Tannehill should have a solid performance against the ninth-worst defense in the NFL. With talent around him in Corey Davis and A.J. Brown, Tannehill should have no issue throwing the ball all over the field.
RB Ronald Jones II: 38.1% rostered (ESPN)
Jones got the first start of his career on Sunday against the Seahawks over Peyton Barber and did not disappoint. He finished the day with 18 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also added two catches for 15 yards.
It is likely going to be difficult deciding between the two backs in the Buccaneers running back room, but Jones has had some strong weeks to make an argument that he’s the guy.
Jones could be a solid flex option going forward as the Bucs take on the Cardinals. Look for Jones’ role to increase in Bruce Arians’ offense going forward.
WR DeVante Parker: 22.9% rostered (ESPN)
With the roller coaster Miami Dolphins this season there have been mostly downs, but on Sunday they picked up their first win of the season against the Jets. Not many players have jumped off the page this season for Miami, but one guy quietly having a bounce-back year is Parker.
Last week against the Jets, he finished with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to be the Dolphins quarterback going forward as he has done just enough to keep the job and edge out Josh Rosen. Miami may finally start to figure things out in Week 10 and Parker will be a big part of that.
The fourth-year wide receiver should see more of a target share now that Preston Williams suffered a torn ACL and is out for the rest of the season.
WR Cole Beasley: 26.4% rostered (ESPN)
After Beasley got released by Dallas in the offseason, the Bills picked the veteran slot receiver up rather quickly. With Josh Allen finding his way still in his second year, Beasley has been a nice security blanket to dump it off underneath.
Last week in Buffalo’s win over Washington, Beasley scored again making it the third straight game he has gotten into the endzone. Though the Bills prefer to run the ball, Beasley has been a reliable target in the quick passing game.
He is becoming the Bills’ favorite red-zone target, which makes him a possible flex option this week when Buffalo plays the Cleveland Browns.
RB Derrius Guice: 32.6% rostered (ESPN)
Washington is on a bye this week but when they return, they will finally get to have their 2018 second-round pick in the backfield. After tearing his ACL in the 2018 preseason and injuring his knee in the first half-week one against Philadelphia, it has been a frustrating start to his career.
The Redskins have been committed to the run ever since Jay Gruden was fired earlier in the season. If Guice winds up taking over the backfield during the second half, he could have value.
Washington is hoping he will be a nice complementary option to Adrian Peterson, who has been having a solid season. Guice is a gamble, but he could pay off in the playoff push.
