Benjamin Ashford|Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 10

The Benjamin AshfordNFL trade deadline has arrived ‒ and the fantasy football one isn't too far off.

So it's very nearly do-or-die time for fantasy managers looking to bolster their rosters for a final playoff push. Byes are still an issue, with over half of the league yet to take their prescribed week off. So whether you're desperate for wins right now or looking ahead to fortify your team for later, there are plenty of players who might be able to help. Here are our suggestions to get you through this important period.

Want to win your fantasy league? Sign up for The Huddle

Fantasy football players to add for Week 10

Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here are in the lowest to highest availability rates in Fantrax leagues, which may or not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

RB Trey Benson (33%) and Emari Demercado (89%), Arizona Cardinals

Judging from past history, James Conner might not make it through the season without missing at least one game due to injury. If he does, Benson and Demercado would see a significant increase in workload. Both scored their first touchdowns of the season in Week 9 as Conner was checked and then cleared for concussion symptoms. Your choice depends on league size/depth. FAAB bid: $5

WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (38%)

Back after missing two games with an ankle injury, the speedy second-year man led the resurgent Chargers on Sunday with 118 receiving yards. He also scored on a 66-yard bomb for his first touchdown since Week 3. Teammate Joshua Palmer (39%) could be a decent pickup, too. FAAB bid: $7.

TE Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (60%)

The veteran had 100 receiving yards and two of QB Joe Burrow's three touchdown passes to tight ends in Sunday's rout of the Raiders. Rookie Erick All is lost for the season with a torn ACL, so the athletic Gesicki should have a more prominent place in the pass-catching hierarchy – especially with WR Tee Higgins seemingly questionable every week. FAAB bid: $6.

RB Khalil Herbert, Cincinnati Bengals (62%)

An intriguing deadline-day acquisition, Herbert gets out of the doghouse in Chicago to become Chase Brown's presumptive backup in Cincy now that Zack Moss is likely out for the rest of the season with a neck injury. He's a solid pass-catcher too, which helps his value in PPR formats. FAAB bid: $6.

RB Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens (65%)

Mitchell is purely a speculative pick for his unspecified future role in the NFL's top-rated offense. He hasn't played since blowing out his knee last December, but he's expected to be activate this week from the PUP list and possibly play Thursday against Cincinnati. Derrick Henry isn't losing any playing time, but Keaton could split duties with pass-catching back Justice Hill. FAAB bid: $2.

WR Ray-Ray McCloud, Atlanta Falcons (65%)

Star wideout Drake London suffered a hip pointer on Sunday, giving McCloud the opportunity to catch his first touchdown pass of the season. If London hasn't fully recovered, McCloud could be a sneaky flex start against the ailing New Orleans Saints defense. FAAB bid: $8 (pending London's status).

WR Noah Brown, Washington Commanders (69%)

Showing he's not just some guy who caught a crazy Hail Mary pass, Brown followed up his heroic performance with a solid five catches for 60 yards in Week 9. The Commanders offense is firing on all cylinders under rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who seems to have a pretty good rapport with Brown. FAAB bid: $4.

TE Theo Johnson, New York Giants (79%)

If Gesicki isn't available on your waiver wire, Johnson may be the next best option at tight end. The rookie fourth-rounder has firmly established himself as the Giants' starter, amassing a season-high 51 receiving yards on Sunday and scoring his first NFL touchdown. A date with the lowly Carolina Panthers is up next. FAAB bid: $3.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (86%)

The Titans trading DeAndre Hopkins to Kansas City has given Westbrook-Ikhine the opportunity to shine. Although he has just 10 receptions on the season, four of them have gone for touchdowns – with one in each of the last four weeks. Calvin Ridley is still the team's No. 1, but Westbrook-Ikhine outsnapped Tyler Boyd on Sunday 71-21. FAAB bid: $5.

Also, remember to check out last week's waiver wire suggestions. Some of those players mentioned – including Week 9's WR5, Demarcus Robinson of the Rams (57% available) – could still be free agents in your leagues.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.