The 2026 NFL trade deadline is in the rearview mirror. While the deadline was not as exciting as some NFL fans wanted, it did include some big moves at the wide receiver position. Most notably, the Chiefs pounced on Josh Downs to give Patrick Mahomes another young rising star at wide receiver.
That Downs trade may not have an immediate impact on fantasy football this week. But it is certainly a situation for fantasy managers to keep their eyes on. However, there were a few trades involving defensive players that have created some nice opportunities for a few wide receivers in Week 10.
The Bears, Broncos, Buccaneers, and Eagles are all on their bye in Week 10. That means fantasy stars like Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden III, and DeVonta Smith will be unavailable this weekend.
So which receivers should be the best options in fantasy this weekend?
These are the wide receivers you can count on in Week 10 of the 2026 fantasy football season.
Week 10 Top Fantasy Football Picks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (at LV)
It's been a minute since JSN has had a truly spectacular fantasy performance. Will he get back on track in Week 10?
Drew Lock is set to start at quarterback in Week 10. Lock is a surprisingly talented backup quarterback, so the drop-off from Sam Darnold may not be so bad.
The matchup has boom potential for JSN, as the Raiders have allowed 23.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season per ESPN. Smith-Njigba is the only Seahawks receiver playing well this season, so he projects to get a lot of targets. The volume of those targets could be absolutely massive if the running game struggles once again.
Start the fantasy WR1 this week, even with a backup quarterback under center.
Malik Nabers, NYG (vs. WAS)
Don't read too much into last week's dud against the Eagles.
Prior to that game, Nabers had four consecutive performances with over 100 receiving yards with three of them taking him over 20 fantasy points. It turns out that the trade for J.J. McCarthy was an excellent move by New York.
Meanwhile, the Commanders have one of the worst coverage units in the NFL. In fact, they've allowed 16 passing touchdowns this season, which ranks 25th in the league. We all know that touchdowns are gold in fantasy football, so that's great news for Nabers.
If McCarthy is consistently able to deliver the ball to Nabers, the pair could have another electric fantasy performance.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs. NE)
Another pretty chalky pick, but there are a few reasons why St. Brown could have a truly special game in Week 10.
On paper, the Patriots have a very similar defense to the Lions. They excel at stopping the run, averaging only 96.7 rushing yards allowed per game this season. Beyond that, it is practically guaranteed that New England will sell out to stop Jahmyr Gibbs from taking over the game on the ground.
If the Patriots devote that much attention to Gibbs, then St. Brown could be set up with some easy matchups. Especially coming off play-action passes.
Don't forget, St. Brown's mother is German and the wide receiver speaks the language fluently. This international game will simply mean more for St. Brown than anyone else on the field.
Fantasy managers can count on Detroit feeding St. Brown the rock early and often.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Parker Washington, JAX (at TEN)
It has been several weeks since Washington popped off with a big game.
Jacksonville's WR1 exploded for 30.4 fantasy points in Week 5, but has yet to surpass 15 fantasy points in any matchup since then.
The Titans have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL and they just lost Amani Hooker at the trade deadline. Tennessee is a bit better at stopping the run, so Washington gives Jacksonville the best opportunity to gain easy yards.
Forget about the slump that Washington has been in over the past few games. He has a real chance to go nuclear and score 20+ points against a plucky Titans squad.
Rashee Rice, KC (at ATL)
Rice has not become the fantasy football star that he once was back in 2023. That said, he is still capable of putting up a solid performance every now and then. Perhaps he can strike gold in Week 10.
One reason for optimism is the matchup. Atlanta ranks 19th in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. The Falcons also just traded Jessie Bates III to the Jaguars, so their secondary should be even weaker.
If the Falcons can slow down Kenneth Walker III and the running game, then Rice will be set up for plenty of targets.
This is a somewhat risky choice, but Rice could have an incredible game if Kansas City decides to slowly pick apart Atlanta's secondary.
Chris Olave, NO (vs. CAR)
Article Continues BelowOlave can be a stressful watch for fantasy football purposes this season. But there are quite a few underlying metrics that show why fantasy managers should continue placing their faith in him.
The veteran wide receiver has only received fewer than 10 targets twice this season. He's dipped below 10 fantasy points only once and logged 19+ fantasy points in four games. Best of all, this production is not touchdown dependent as Olave has only found the end zone twice in 2026.
The Panthers are not a team the Saints can afford to ignore. After all, divisional matchups always feature an extra edge. Fortunately, the Panthers are ill-equipped to slow down Olave if he gets rolling.
Remember, both of Carolina's top cornerbacks are on injured reserve. They are forced to start guys like Malcolm DeWalt IV in their absence. No offense to DeWalt, but he does not have the track record of slowing down receivers like Olave.
Olave could be an excellent start in Week 10 so long as the Saints can keep Shough upright in the pocket.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Injuries
There is one hugely important wide receiver injury that has already sent shockwaves around every single fantasy football league.
The Rams placed Puka Nacua on injured reserve after he suffered a PCL/MCL sprain against the Commanders in Week 9. That means Puka will miss at least the next four games. LA has their bye in Week 11, so the earliest that Puka can return is Week 15. Coincidentally, that just so happens to be the first week of the fantasy football playoffs.
LA did not pull off a trade before the deadline for a wide receiver. As a result, Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, and Jordan Whittington will be the next men up. Though realistically, this is great news for the fantasy stock of both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Hopefully Puka heals up quickly and can return for the fantasy football playoffs.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings – 2026
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (at LV)
- Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (vs. PIT)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs. NE)
- Tee Higgins, CIN (vs. PIT)
- Malik Nabers, NYG (vs. WAS)
- CeeDee Lamb, DAL (vs. SF)
- Matthew Golden, GB (vs. MIN)
- Christian Watson, GB (vs. MIN)
- Chris Olave, NO (vs. CAR)
- Justin Jefferson, MIN (at GB)
- Drake London, ATL (vs. KC)
- Tetairoa McMillan, CAR (at NO)
- Zay Flowers, BAL (vs. LAC)
- Nico Collins, HOU (at CLE)
- Parker Washington, JAX (at TEN)
- Garrett Wilson, NYJ (vs. BUF)
- Jameson Williams, DET (vs. NE)
- Rashee Rice, KC (at ATL)
- George Pickens, DAL (vs. SF)
- Deebo Samuel, SF (at DAL)
- DJ Moore, BUF (at NYJ)
- Denzel Boston, CLE (vs. HOU)
- Jakobi Meyers, JAX (at TEN)
- DeMario Douglas, NE (at DET)
- Carnell Tate, TEN (vs. JAX)