Fantasy football last-minute pickups: Twelve who can help in deep leagues

Fantasy Football managers heading into Week 10 face several lineup challenges, with four NFL teams on bye and multiple important players dealing with injuries. The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not play this week, leaving managers searching for reliable replacements and potential fantasy point producers.

Finding quality options becomes even more difficult in deeper leagues, where available players often come with limited production histories or uncertain roles. However, injuries and changes in backfield responsibilities have created opportunities for several running backs, wide receivers and other fantasy options.

Week 10 also offers a few interesting quarterback choices for superflex formats, along with tight end and defensive streaming options. Here are 12 fantasy football pickups who could help managers fill roster gaps and improve their chances of producing competitive lineups.

Fantasy Football Week 10: Running Back Pickups

1. Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints

Rostered: 48.2% | Matchup: Carolina Panthers

Audric Estime is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season and could be in line for another productive workload in Week 10. He scored 14.7 fantasy points in New Orleans’ victory over the Cleveland Browns, recording 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while adding one reception for five yards.

Alvin Kamara should continue to receive opportunities as a receiving option and change-of-pace back, but Estime is expected to lead the backfield in carries again. The matchup also works in his favour, as Carolina has allowed 27.6 fantasy points per game to running backs, the second-highest figure in the league.

With a favourable opponent and an opportunity for consistent touches, Estime is an appealing pickup for managers looking for running back production in Week 10.

2. Corey Kiner, New England Patriots

Rostered: 38.6% | Matchup: Detroit Lions

Corey Kiner could receive an expanded role against Detroit because of uncertainty surrounding New England’s backfield. Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a knee issue, while TreVeyon Henderson is unavailable because of an illness.

Kiner showed what he could offer in the Week 9 loss to Green Bay, scoring 11.5 fantasy points with 55 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries. His opportunities could increase significantly if the Patriots continue to deal with injuries at running back.

Detroit presents a difficult matchup, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Nevertheless, Kiner’s expected workload makes him a potential flex option for managers in deeper formats.

3. Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers

Rostered: 12.0% | Matchup: Minnesota Vikings

Josh Jacobs’ hand injury could create additional opportunities for Kaleb Johnson in the Green Bay backfield. Johnson took advantage of his workload in the Week 9 victory over New England, finishing with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for 12.8 fantasy points.

The upcoming matchup against Minnesota is not particularly attractive, but Johnson could still provide value through early-down carries and potential goal-line opportunities. His role becomes especially interesting if Jacobs remains limited.

Johnson is a deeper-league option worth considering for managers who need running back depth and are willing to accept some matchup risk.

4. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns

Rostered: 20.4% | Matchup: Houston Texans

Dylan Sampson offers a useful combination of rushing opportunities and receiving ability heading into Week 10. He has scored at least 10 fantasy points in two of his previous three games and recorded three or more receptions in each of those contests.

His involvement in the passing game gives him an advantage over running backs who depend entirely on rushing production. Sampson could handle approximately eight to 10 touches against Houston, providing managers with a reasonable opportunity for flex production.

Although the matchup against the Texans could limit his rushing efficiency, his receiving work gives him another route to fantasy points. Sampson is an appealing option for deeper leagues, particularly in formats that reward receptions.

Fantasy Football Week 10: Wide Receiver Pickups

5. Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints

Rostered: 41.2% | Matchup: Carolina Panthers

Jordyn Tyson made his first appearance of the season in Week 9 after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during training camp. The rookie immediately showed encouraging signs, catching all four of his targets for 30 yards against Cleveland.

Tyson ran 16 routes in that game, suggesting that his role could grow as he becomes more comfortable in the offence. His playmaking ability gives him an opportunity to produce if the Saints increase his involvement against Carolina.

The Panthers matchup provides another opportunity for Tyson to build momentum. Managers in deeper leagues can consider him a flex option, especially if his route participation and target share increase.

6. Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys

Rostered: 27.4% | Matchup: San Francisco 49ers

Ryan Flournoy remains a potential option for managers searching for wide receiver depth, although his production in Week 9 was not as high as expected. With George Pickens sidelined by a hamstring injury against Indianapolis, Flournoy caught two of his three targets for 53 yards.

CeeDee Lamb dominated the passing opportunities in that game, receiving 16 targets. Pickens’ availability will be important to monitor before Dallas faces San Francisco, as his return could limit Flournoy’s involvement.

The matchup is also challenging, making it difficult to trust Flournoy as a dependable starter. He is best viewed as a deeper-league WR3 rather than a high-upside automatic selection.

7. Caleb Douglas, Miami Dolphins

Rostered: 30.6% | Matchup: Indianapolis Colts

Caleb Douglas could benefit from a major change at quarterback in Miami. Kyle McCord is expected to make his first professional start after Malik Willis was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.

McCord has the arm strength and touch to attempt deep passes, which could create opportunities for Douglas down the field. The receiver has already demonstrated his fantasy potential, scoring at least 13 points in two of his previous three games.

Douglas can make plays at different levels of the field, giving him several ways to contribute. His connection with a new starting quarterback remains an uncertainty, but his recent production and potential downfield opportunities make him an interesting deeper-league pickup against Indianapolis.

8. Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams

Rostered: 10.3% | Matchup: Arizona Cardinals

Tutu Atwell could receive an opportunity to become a more important part of the Rams’ passing attack with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams both on injured reserve. Their absences leave a significant need for perimeter targets in Matthew Stafford’s offence.

Atwell’s vertical speed and ability to create opportunities after the catch give him an appealing upside. He could benefit if Stafford looks for more downfield passing options against Arizona.

The matchup is favourable, as the Cardinals have allowed 11 touchdowns to wide receivers, the second-most in the league. However, Atwell’s limited production so far means managers should treat him as a speculative fantasy option rather than a guaranteed starter.

9. Konata Mumpfield, Los Angeles Rams

Rostered: 8.9% | Matchup: Arizona Cardinals

Konata Mumpfield is another Rams receiver who could benefit from the injuries to Nacua and Adams. While Atwell offers more vertical speed, Mumpfield could become a possession target for Stafford through play-action passes and shorter throws.

The opportunity is there, but his fantasy outlook remains uncertain. Neither Mumpfield nor Atwell has recorded more than 15 receptions this season, making it difficult to predict how the remaining targets will be distributed.

Arizona’s struggles against wide receivers create an attractive matchup, but managers should monitor the Rams’ offensive plans before relying on Mumpfield. He is a low-rostered option for those who need a potential replacement in deeper formats.

Fantasy Football Week 10: Quarterback Options

10. Geno Smith, New York Jets

Rostered: 21.7% | Matchup: Buffalo Bills

Geno Smith is coming off a disappointing Week 9 performance against Kansas City, scoring a season-low 7.4 fantasy points. However, his previous performances provide some reason for optimism, as he recorded at least 18 fantasy points with multiple touchdown passes in both Weeks 7 and 8.

Smith’s consistency remains a concern, and he should not be treated as a reliable high-end quarterback option. His current projection places him in the middle tier of QB2 options for Week 10.

For managers playing in superflex leagues, Smith offers enough potential passing production to deserve consideration against Buffalo. Expectations should remain controlled, but he could provide useful depth when starting quarterbacks are difficult to find.

11. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Rostered: 36.4% | Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals

Aaron Rodgers is another quarterback worth considering in superflex formats, particularly because of his previous performance against Cincinnati. In the Week 4 meeting with the Bengals, Rodgers scored 22.68 fantasy points after throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns.

The Pittsburgh passing offence has struggled to produce explosive plays in recent weeks, so managers should not automatically expect a repeat of that performance. However, the matchup could give Rodgers opportunities to attack downfield and generate meaningful fantasy production.

Rodgers is a potential superflex starter for managers who need another quarterback option. His value will depend heavily on whether Pittsburgh can create a passing-friendly game script.

Fantasy Football Week 10: Tight End Pickup

12. Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers

Rostered: 21.3% | Matchup: New Orleans Saints

Darren Waller delivered his strongest fantasy performance of the season in Carolina’s Week 9 loss to Denver. He finished with 23 fantasy points, eight receptions, 10 targets and 90 receiving yards.

Managers should be careful about expecting another performance at the same level, but Waller has shown encouraging consistency recently. He has recorded at least 12 fantasy points and a touchdown in two of his last three games.

The matchup against New Orleans also offers some encouragement, with the Saints ranking among the bottom 10 teams against tight ends. Waller is a useful pickup for managers looking for help at a position where dependable weekly production can be difficult to find.

Fantasy Football Week 10: Defensive Pickup

Miami Dolphins D/ST

Rostered: 3.2% | Matchup: Indianapolis Colts

The Miami Dolphins’ defence could be a useful streaming option for managers looking for a low-rostered unit in Week 10. The Dolphins have recorded at least two sacks and forced a turnover in three consecutive games, showing signs of improvement in recent weeks.

They now face an Indianapolis offence that has traded away wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen. Those departures could affect the Colts’ passing options and give Miami opportunities to adjust its defensive coverage.

The Dolphins could use more single-high coverage and commit additional defenders near the line of scrimmage to limit running back Jonathan Taylor. If that approach works, Miami could generate pressure and create turnover opportunities.

Given its recent defensive production and the upcoming matchup, Miami D/ST is a worthwhile pickup for managers in deeper fantasy leagues.

Final Fantasy Football Advice for Week 10

Week 10 presents several difficult roster decisions because of bye weeks and injuries across the NFL. Running backs such as Audric Estime, Corey Kiner and Kaleb Johnson could benefit from increased workloads, while Dylan Sampson offers additional value through his receiving role.

At wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson and Caleb Douglas are intriguing options, while Tutu Atwell and Konata Mumpfield could receive more opportunities because of injuries in the Los Angeles Rams’ receiving group. Ryan Flournoy remains a deeper-league option, although his role depends partly on George Pickens’ availability.

Managers in superflex formats can consider Geno Smith and Aaron Rodgers, while Darren Waller offers a potential solution at tight end. Miami Dolphins D/ST also provides a defensive streaming opportunity.

The key for fantasy managers is to prioritise expected playing time and workload rather than chasing last week’s points. Checking injury updates and final team news before kickoff will be especially important when making Week 10 lineup decisions.