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Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Targets

Published Nov. 4, 2014 3:00 p.m. ET

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Ryan Fowler

Adrian Peterson reached a plea deal with prosecutors and will avoid jail time in his child abuse case.  Depending on your moral compass, this development does impact fantasy football strategy the rest of the season.  Although his legal battle is over, Peterson still needs to be reinstated by the NFL as he’s currently on the NFL’s exempt list and only commissioner Roger Godell can remove AP from said list.

Peterson is available in nearly 70 percent of leagues on FOXSports.com and like Josh Gordon of a few months ago is worth the waiver wire claim if only for a chance at him playing later this season.  Fantasy football running backs have been picked over each Wednesday the last two months and despite Jerick McKinnon’s and Matt Asiata’s best efforts, Peterson will earn his starting gig back if/when reinstated by the league and the Vikings.

An early guestimate is that Peterson’s ownership on FOXSports.com creeps above 50 percent by tomorrow afternoon following the first wave of claims.  So, even if you are hesitant to buy into the chance AP returns in 2014, you may be able to buy a little time.  I wouldn’t wait, but time is still on your side with him exempt.

Also from the fantasy football legal and moral compass department comes Ray Rice news.  His indefinite suspension appeal hearing is set for the next few days.  Most believe Rice’s suspension could be lifted by mid-November.  His fantasy football future then depends on a franchise ready to invest in a toxic PR asset.  One would have to believe Rice’s return to the NFL may be delayed until 2015 season as front office’s let the dust settle around Rice’s turbulent off-the-field issues.

This is a Josh Gordon public service fantasy football announcement.  He’s set to return in a few weeks and is available in 50 percent of leagues on FOXSports.com.  Add him now.  While, I think it’ll be near impossible for him to immediately rank as a WR1 upon return, rest of season Top 24 WR is reasonable.  The fear of disappointment fantasy point totals falls to Brian Hoyer’s ability and offensive line issues since Alex Mack’s injury.  Gordon isn’t going to be a fantasy messiah, but will start on most fantasy rosters starting in Week 12.

Tre Mason – available in 57 percent of leagues

He was worthy of the add-and-stash a few weeks ago.  Now, Mason is creating distance between himself, Benny Cunningham and second-round fantasy bust Zac Stacy.  Over the last three games here’s the breakdown of action:

Bobby Rainey – available in 63 percent of leagues

Three fumbles lost in September pumped the breaks of Rainey’s opportunity to push Doug Martin out of the backfield equation.  Now, he has Charles Sims and Martin, when healthy, to contend with each Sunday.  Rainey’s ceiling is one of the great what-ifs in fantasy football because when afforded the opportunity has performed well when the backfield is solely on his shoulders and legs.

Over the last two seasons, Rainey is averaging 104 total yards with five touchdowns when he carries the ball more than 15 times (span of 7 games).

Mike Evans – available in 63 percent of leagues

This was shocking to me, but the Buccaneers issues as a whole may have deterred interest from fantasy football owners.  Bottom line is Evans is averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues.  With Atlanta on the schedule next (25 FP allowed per game to opposing WR) Evans is a must-start this week.  Whereas Sammy Watkins has erupted over the past few weeks, Evans has been steady Eddie in a not-so-sexy offense – still flying under the radar in many leagues.

Martavis Bryant – available in 64 percent of leagues

Did you listen to my fantasy waiver wire advice last week?  Among all receivers who have been active the last four weeks (including those who may have had a BYE week), Bryant ranks WR17 in PPR leagues – averaging 19 fantasy points per game.  But the best part is, he’s only played in three games over the four-week stretch.

Odell Beckham Jr. – available in 52 percent of leagues

The Giants are maddening on offense and defense, but the silver lining has been Beckham over the past month.  He’s now posted back-to-back 20-plus fantasy point performances in PPR leagues and has three touchdowns in the first four games of his career.

Davante Adams – available in 56 percent of leagues

Looking for a solid second-half of the season investment, pick up Adams.  We’re not in must-start territory yet, but if you are in a leagues where you must start three wide receivers and are dealing with BYES the next few weeks, I’d roll the dice on Adams with Aaron Rodgers working him into the offense and targeting him in the red zone.

Kyle Rudolph – available in 74 percent of leagues

With Rudolph near return following an early-season groin injury, tonight would be the time to strike while the iron is heating up.  For those owners who have been streaming tight ends and, in turn, pounding antacids as part of their diet, Rudolph could qualm some late-season worries.

Mychal Rivera – available in 99 percent of leagues

The math on this waiver add is simple: 15 receptions on 20 targets for 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns.  Plus, this week’s opponent, the Broncos, rank 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends at more than 10 fantasy points allowed per game.  Derek Carr and the Raiders are going to need to pass the pigskin to keep pace with Peyton Manning with underneath routes to Rivera paying off over four quarters.

Oh, and Rivera’s sister was on my waiver wire last season.

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