Many a fantasy football championship has been won with the waiver wire. Following Week 10 action, these are the names that should be on owners' radars going forward. And fear not if your waiver priority is low-we have some sneaky pickups for you as well.
Quarterbacks
Drew Stanton, Arizona Cardinals
It appears, sadly, as if Carson Palmer's season is done after he tore his ACL on Sunday. The injury puts Drew Stanton back in the driver's seat. Stanton's played in four games this season and thrown three touchdowns and no interceptions. Hopefully your fantasy fortunes weren't resting on Palmer, but if you relied on him in two-QB formats Stanton will be serviceable.
DEEP OPTION: Ryan Mallett, Houston Texans
Stanton is a known commodity for the most part, and that's not necessarily a compliment. Mallett has been given the keys to the Houston offense, and there's almost no body of work for him to have been judged on.
He's spent his whole career learning from Tom Brady, been a part of a perennially successful Patriots team, and has solid weapons surrounding him, as well as a competent defense.
Running Backs
Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings
It looks like Adrian Peterson will miss several more weeks, and if that's the case Asiata remains the running back of choice near the goal line. The eye test favors rookie Jerick McKinnon, but the Vikes coaching staff clearly sees value in Asiata's presence that outsiders can't perceive. You may think McKinnon's better-you might even be right-but Asiata's going to get carries.
Benny Cunningham, St. Louis Rams
Cunningham's a clear No. 2 in the Rams offense behind Tre Mason, but his role is defined. That's valuable in obvious committees. He is their third-down back, he gets chances in the passing game weekly, and it appears as if Zac Stacy has fallen completely out of favor. Should Mason go down, Cunningham looks like the next in line.
DEEP OPTION: Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions
The touchdown on Sunday inflated what was really a nothing performance. He is a deep option because when given opportunities in an admittedly crowded (and talented) backfield, Riddick jumps out. He looks like what Reggie Bush did in the early stages of his career, and if Bush's nagging injuries persist Riddick will be featured more.
If Riddick can get steady work, there will be big plays galore.
Wide Receivers
John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
Yes Carson Palmer's hurt. John Brown is also still really fast. This man has been making highlight reel plays week after week, and while relying on 50-plus yard touchdown strikes is typically a recipe for failure, Brown's role is designed to keep feeding those opportunities. He is the No. 3 priority right now for opposing defenses, but is proving a handful for nickelbacks. Last week he was given nine targets. Go get this explosive talent-he can win you a week.
Marqise Lee, Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Hurns left Sunday's game with a concussion, which opens the door for second-round pick Marqise Lee to establish control of that role. Hurns has been solid, but they're much more invested in Lee, and will likely hope that he and fellow second-rounder Allen Robinson are their WR-corps of the future.
DEEP OPTION: Preston Parker, New York Giants
Really desperate? Preston Parker's received 13 targets in the past two games, and torched the Seahawks Sunday with seven catches, 75 yards and a touchdown. Don't count on too many scores, but he may be a sneaky solid option if you have a ton of injuries when he faces soft secondaries.
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