Sometimes, identifying the top waiver pickups in a given week is very easy. Other times, it’s much harder.

Week 10 is one of those much harder weeks. I feel pretty strongly about this week’s gold medalist, but the group thins out very quickly. And as you’ll see, the running back group is largely stagnant, driven by under-rostered effective backups. Even with a slower week, let’s see if we can mine some gems.

Quick reminder: I’m primarily going to discuss players with below 50% ownership on Yahoo, with possible exceptions if the number is very close.  There will be a section for players closer to 75-80% owned later in the article, which will include names to make sure aren’t owned in your league, but those names likely won’t be available in most cases.

The Podium

Gold Medal: Chargers WR Quentin Johnston (16% rostered)

Johnston had an early season mini-breakout, then got hurt and disappeared for a while. He re-emerged explosively in Week 9, punctuated by a 66-yard TD catch. The jury is still out on Johnston as an NFL WR, but he’s definitely taken a step forward. The biggest thing helping his stock at the moment is Justin Herbert is playing absolutely out of his mind.

Johnston is by far the most attractive new development on this week’s waiver wire. You’re running out of weeks. FAAB Suggestion: 20%

Silver Medal: Panthers WR Xavier Legette (27%)

It was a rocky Week 9 for Legette, and it could have been much more purely good had he not cost Bryce Young another turnover by letting a defensive back steal the ball from him. Young showed improvement and chemistry with Legette, and with Diontae Johnson gone and Adam Thielen still working his way back, the rookie looks like the clear No. 1 in Carolina. FAAB Suggestion: 15%

Bronze Medal: Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (13%)

I feel very conflicted recommending Gesicki, a perennially frustrating player who has so rarely consistently broken through in his career. It’s tough to ignore 5-100-2 from a tight end, though. Plus, the Bengals like deploying multiple tight ends, and the most talented of that group, Eric All Jr., tore his ACL in Week 9. Gesicki is compelling enough if you’re struggling at TE. FAAB Suggestion: 10-15%

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