As the NFL season progresses, fantasy football managers face the challenge of navigating injuries and bye weeks. For Week 10, several players are making headlines as potential late-week pickups. With key quarterbacks like **Patrick Mahomes**, **Dak Prescott**, and **Joe Flacco** unavailable due to bye weeks, fantasy managers must look for reinforcements to maintain competitive lineups.
Quarterback options are limited, but three players stand out for deeper leagues. **J.J. McCarthy** of the **Minnesota Vikings**, rostered in just **42.6%** of ESPN leagues, is coming off a solid performance against the **Detroit Lions**, where he scored **18.92 points**. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and added a rushing score, showcasing his dual-threat capability. This week, he faces a **Baltimore Ravens** defense known for its high blitz rate of **29.6%**, providing an opportunity for McCarthy to excel.
Another interesting option is **Jacoby Brissett** of the **Arizona Cardinals**, who has been impressive in recent weeks. Currently rostered in **15.5%** of leagues, Brissett tallied **24.84 points** against the **Dallas Cowboys** in Week 9, marking his third consecutive game with 19 or more points. The Cardinals’ passing game appears to be gaining momentum under his leadership, making him a viable option against the **Seattle Seahawks** this Sunday.
Lastly, **Sam Darnold**, now with the **Seattle Seahawks**, is slightly over the 50% roster threshold, sitting at **50.4%**. He demonstrated his skill in the previous week, scoring **27.2 points** in a victory over **Washington**, completing **87.5%** of his passes and throwing four touchdowns. With the addition of wide receiver **Rashid Shaheed**, Darnold’s prospects look bright as he prepares to face the Cardinals.
Tight Ends and Wide Receivers to Consider
In addition to quarterbacks, several tight ends and wide receivers present intriguing options for fantasy managers. **Colston Loveland** of the **Chicago Bears** is gaining attention after a career-high **29.8 points** in the Week 9 win over the **Cincinnati Bengals**. With his versatility in route deployment, Loveland, rostered in **40.2%** of leagues, is a promising start against the **New York Giants**.
**Luke Musgrave** from the **Green Bay Packers** is another deep-league consideration, especially following the injury to teammate **Tucker Kraft**. Musgrave, who is only **12.2%** rostered, caught all three of his targets for **34 yards** in his last outing. He will be a key player against the **Philadelphia Eagles**.
Among the wide receivers, **Olamide Zaccheaus** of the Bears, currently rostered in **4.9%** of leagues, has shown potential with **17.8 points** last week. His role in the offense creates opportunities for catch-and-run plays, making him a solid WR3 option against the Giants.
**Darius Slayton** of the **New York Giants**, with a roster percentage of **26.1%**, is also a noteworthy pick. He recorded his best numbers of the season in Week 9, making him a viable candidate against a struggling Bears secondary.
**Alec Pierce** of the **Indianapolis Colts**, who is **30.1%** rostered, has shown explosive potential. He has scored **14 or more points** in two of his last four games, making him a player to watch as the Colts face the **Atlanta Falcons**.
Running Backs and Defensive Options
In the running back category, **Devin Singletary** of the Giants, with a roster rate of **28.4%**, is expected to see increased usage after the injury to teammate **Cam Skattebo**. He recorded **43 yards** on eight carries in a recent game and could provide value against the Bears.
**Isaiah Davis** of the **New York Jets** is another deeper option at **10.7%** rostered. Despite facing a challenging matchup against the Browns, he has shown promise in pass-catching situations, making him a potential dart throw for desperate managers.
On the defensive front, the **Carolina Panthers**, rostered in **24.7%** of leagues, could be a smart play against rookie quarterback **Tyler Shough** of the **New Orleans Saints**. The Panthers’ defense has performed well recently, scoring seven or more points in two of their past three games.
As fantasy football managers prepare for Week 10, these late pickups could prove crucial in securing victories. With injuries and bye weeks reshaping rosters, exploring deeper options will be key to navigating the challenges of the season.
