Week nine of the 2025 NFL season, and the fantasy gods giveth and they taketh away. I’m going to give you Brock Bowers back, and it will be wonderful! Unfortunately, now Jayden Daniels has to lose an arm! Why, fantasy gods!?!? WHY!?!? How is a man supposed to survive the ups and downs of fantasy football? Through the waiver wire, that’s how. I’ll provide you with the best options available on the wire. If I don’t mention someone you think I should be talking about, please know that there are many reasons why I may have overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad that I don’t even consider them. Perhaps it’s because your opinions are not trustworthy. After all, you are here. So, let us examine the top week five waiver wire players for your championship run…
Week Ten Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals (46% rostered)
In week nine, Joe Flacco was a better fantasy producer than every quarterback in the league except the guy he was playing against. Flacco threw for 470 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. The fact that Flacco is rostered at only 46% is ridiculous. The Bengals’ defense is so bad that Flacco has to throw to keep up with their opponents. This is a must-add if you need quarterback help. His roster rate has gone down because of the Bengals’ upcoming bye, but if you need QB help, you have to stash him.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (26% rostered)
J.J. McCarthy came back from his theoretical soft benching to the tune of 143 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception. JJM also had 12 rushing yards and a rushing TD. To me, the J.J. McCarthy question is simple. Do we trust Kevin O’Connell to manufacture fantasy production for quarterbacks? Historically, this is a resounding yes. And McCarthy can run, so that increases his overall floor. If you are desperate for quarterback help, J.J. McCarthy is a solid add.
Week Ten Waiver Wire Running Backs
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (3% rostered)
Chris Rodriguez Jr. had 12 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown. Rodriguez was on the field for 36% of the team snaps, compared to JCM’s 47%. The fact is that this rushing attack in Washington is a three-headed monster, and whichever guy you pick will only be worthwhile in fantasy if he gets a touchdown. Chris Rodriguez is clearly the best running back option on the waiver wire. The problem is, he won’t actually help your team. Some weeks, there just aren’t running backs to be had.
Terrell Jennings, New England Patriots (3% rostered)
In week nine, Terrell Jennings had 42 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The only reason we are talking about Jennings is because Rhamondre Stevenson is out with a toe injury, and he scored a touchdown. However, TreVeyon Henderson had a 75% snap share compared to Jennings’ 25%. While Jennings did have 33% of the team’s rushing attempts, compared to Henderson’s 42%, he did no work in the passing game and didn’t do enough to waste FAAB on. If he clears waivers and you are desperate, Jennings is fine. He won’t help you win, but he will at least make you feel like you are doing something to support your team, like moving deck chairs on the Titanic.
Week Ten Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (8% rostered)
In week nine, Parker Washington had eight catches for 90 yards. With Travis Hunter out, Parker Washington clearly established himself as the guy. Washington led the team in routes run and targets, and was second in yards per route run. Washington has a built-in floor that most of the other receivers available do not. This means he should be your number one waiver priority at wide receiver.
Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks (9% rostered)
With Cooper Kupp out, Tory Horton took charge of the Seahawks’ passing game with four catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns. While the passing game in Seattle is running through Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Horton has been making some noise. This is his fourth double-digit fantasy week. Horton is a boom-bust play, but he is also a very talented rookie on a high-powered offense.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (17% rostered)
Over the last four weeks, Alec Pierce has led the Colts in routes run. Pierce is first on the team in yards per route run and is second on the team in targets. In week nine, Pierce had six catches for 115 yards. I love Alec Pierce as a player, but he is a hard guy to get excited about in fantasy football. The receiver room is very crowded, and he will be a boom-bust play. If you need help, you could do a lot worse than Pierce. Just know he will be inconsistent.
DeMario “Pop” Douglas, New England Patriots (11% rostered)
DeMario Douglas had four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in week nine, but don’t let that fool you. Douglas is a trap. Pop Douglas was seventh on the team in routes run. While he tied for the lead in targets, Douglas doesn’t have the usage to be reliable. I need to see at least one more week of similar production before I will grab him on waivers. This performance feels like an outlier.
Week Ten Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (24% rostered)
Coltston Loveland has arrived. In week nine, Loveland had six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, Loveland was second on the team in routes run and targets per route run, and led the team in yards per route run. Colston Loveland has been a disappointment thus far, but he was also drafted coming off an injury and had another one early in the season. Colston Loveland was a top ten pick in the NFL draft this year, and we know Ben Johnson loves to use tight ends. If you need tight end help, Loveland should be a priority add because if you wait a week to see if it is real, he won’t be around.
