- Add Isiah Pacheco: He started his third straight game for Kansas City, but this time he turned the Chiefs’ three-man backfield into a two-person unit.
- Cut Chase Claypool: The Bears seem intent on keeping five wide receivers involved in the offense, which will make it impossible for Claypool to have fantasy value.
- Look to the playoffs: With fantasy football trade deadlines looming, it is important to look at the schedules for teams during the fantasy playoffs to see who can and can’t help you win a championship.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
This piece is a fantasy manager's one-stop shop for managing their fantasy roster early in the week. For more players to add, check out the weekly waiver wire, and for more on this past week's games in general, check out the fantasy football recap.
5 PLAYERS TO ADD
1. RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco started his third straight game for Kansas City, but this time he turned the Chiefs’ three-man backfield into a two-person unit.
- Pacheco played a clear majority of the early-down snaps, gaining 82 yards on 16 carries.
- Jerick McKinnon remained the receiving back and the short-yardage back.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s playing time has generally declined over the past two seasons, but this is a new low. He didn’t receive a single carry in Week 10.
- The Chiefs have the fifth-easiest schedule over the rest of the season. They should have several more games with scripts that will allow them to go run-heavy late in the game.
- Pacheco can not only be added, but he can also be put in starting lineups when the Chiefs are expected to dominate their opponents.
2. RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
White received his first NFL start, taking over for Leonard Fournette as Tampa Bay's lead back.
- White played every snap on the first drive.
- Fournette started the second drive. After that, the two mainly rotated by drive, although the drives were typically long enough for both to play on most drives.
- White ended the first half and started the second half, which doesn’t typically happen when a backfield has this kind of rotation.
- He set a career-high in rushing attempts before halftime. He ended the game with 105 yards on 22 attempts.
- Fournette suffered a hip injury in the third quarter.
- White played 20 of a possible 25 snaps after the Fournette injury, with Ke’Shawn Vaughn giving White a break at times.
- The Buccaneers have a bye week, so White is more of a long-term option.
- The Bucs are willing to let their lead back take over 80% of offensive snaps, so White has top-10 potential if Fournette is injured or if they opt to give the backfield to White full-time.
3. WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
The Packers rookie was Green Bay’s top target and led the way with a three-touchdown performance.
- Watson was the clear No. 2 receiver in terms of playing time. Of course, part of this was by default, with Romeo Doubs and Randall Cobb out, but it’s notable how much more involved he was than Sammy Watkins.
- The Packers have wanted to get Watson more involved for a few weeks, but he’s constantly been dealing with injuries.
- Watson’s 25% target rate this season is behind only Chris Olave and Drake London among rookies.
- His target share, mixed with increased playing time, could make him a fantasy starter over the second half of the season.
4. QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff threw for 236 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' Week 10 road victory over the Bears.
- The Lions passer ranks top 10 at the position in passing yards (2,277) and passing touchdowns (15) this season. And he’s accomplished this despite several injuries to wide receivers and D’Andre Swift.
- The Lions have the fourth-easiest schedule for quarterbacks going forward.
- Other quarterbacks played well in Week 10 and might be available on waivers, but they either have poor upcoming schedules or are backups who won’t hold their starting jobs.