Week 10: Pickups of the Week

QB Alex Smith, ---

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More than three out of ten fantasy leagues contain no owners who believe in Alex Smith. Even after taking his team to within a game of the Super Bowl last season, the guy continues to get no respect. And while it's true his team's defense-oriented, run-heavy style limits his scoring potential, we find it hard to believe so many leagues can't find room for a guy who is fourth in the NFL in QB rating. Smith has a modest 12 touchdown passes this season, but he has also largely managed to avoid turnovers. Fresh from a week of rest, he'll be looking to pick up where he left off following his 3-TD performance against Arizona in Week 8. He should find similar success against the Rams, who have allowed nine TD passes during a streak of three consecutive losses. Owners of Aaron Rodgers and Robert Griffin III should make the temporary add. And if by chance Smith is available in leagues where Brandon Weeden or the Skelton/Kolb combo are owned, by all means make this move a permanent upgrade.

QB Ryan Tannehill, ---

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The Dolphins' young franchise quarterback has been playing through a knee injury for the past two weeks. It didn't show on Sunday as he completed 22 of 38 passes for 290 yards and a TD with no turnovers. Though he was outshone in the game by fellow rookie Andrew Luck, Tannehill continues to be an efficient, if moderately low-scoring fantasy option. Owners hard up at QB during the upcoming bye weeks should consider looking his way. He hasn't lost a fumble or thrown a pick since week four and won't kill you with mistakes. He can also exploit weaker secondaries like he did against St. Louis and Indianapolis. With his next two games against the Titans and Bills -- two teams that were eviscerated by opposing QBs last week -- Tannehill offers some upside as a plug-and-play option.

RB Joique Bell, ---

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A third-down specialist, Bell was tagged as a player to watch in PPR leagues. His role has gradually expanded and he probably deserves to be owned in 12-team leagues -- especially now that Jahvid Best has been placed on the PUP list. Last week we had our first chance to see what Bell was capable of if given a steady workload. His touchdown on 75 yards rushing confirmed that he was able to do more than be simply a situational receiver out of the backfield.

RB Taiwan Jones, ---

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We're still waiting for the smoke to clear in Oakland after their crushing defeat at the hands of Tampa Bay and the even more crushing fact that both Darren McFadden and backup Mike Goodson were knocked out of the game with what have since been diagnosed as high ankle sprains. To cloud matters even further, Oakland opted to feature fullback Marcel Reese for the remainder of the game instead of their speedy third-string tailback. Reese hauled in eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, though he didn't carry the ball once. So where does that leave us? Dazed and confused, most likely. Jones had been dealing with a knee injury of his own. That, compounded with the fact the Raiders were playing from behind on Sunday could account for his minimal usage. As one of the last men standing, he should figure more prominently in Week 10. A timeshare going forward is likely, but Jones has far more rushing upside than Reece. This homerun hitter deserves a speculative add.

RB Daniel Thomas, ---

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Thomas has been splitting carries with Reggie Bush and neither player has been particularly effective over the past two weeks. Expect that to change this Sunday against a Titans defense that is in complete disarray. During their last three games they gave up 166 rushing yards to the Bills, 171 to the Colts and 160 to the Bears. Ugly numbers that portend plenty of opportunity for Miami backs who will be salivating at the chance to pick on one of the league's softest rush defenses.

WR T.Y. Hilton, ---

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Donnie Avery, who also had himself a 100-yard game on Sunday, suffered a hip injury and could miss more time because of it. Hilton stepped up big in his absence with six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. He could find himself in the number two role when his team travels to Jacksonville this week. Reggie Wayne continues to be far and away Andrew Luck's favorite player to throw to, but Sunday's air show against Miami proved that the Colts offense can sustain multiple fantasy commodities. It should be noted that Indianapolis doesn't play another top ten fantasy defense this season. All Colts receivers should continue to thrive down the stretch and Hilton will undoubtedly have an important role even after Avery heals up.

WR Jeremy Kerley, ---

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Leading up to the bye week Kerley had been a hot waiver pickup. While the buzz may now have cooled, his prospective value hasn't changed. He remains the best weapon the Jets passing game has and he should continue to be the focal point when his team takes to the air. The young receiver faces a stiff challenge this week against the Seahawks, but looks forward to juicier matchups against the Patriots in Week 11 and the Rams in Week 12.

TE Dwayne Allen, ---

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It's a good time to be a healthy part of the Indianapolis passing game. Allen, one of several Colts rookies making waves lately, had been sharing the load with Coby Fleener until the latter was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder after Week 8. With the position all to himself in Week 9, Allen set career highs in targets (seven), catches (six) and yards (75). Fleener has already been declared out for this weekend, meaning Allen should again enjoy a healthy boost in targets. He makes a solid TE2 or bye week replacement.

TE Brandon Myers, ---

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Myers is Oakland's leading receiver. His catch and yardage totals put him in the top five among the league's tight ends, so it was only his inability to find the end zone that has kept fantasy owners from calling his number. On Sunday he smashed through that barrier with two scores. And if owners think his performance was fluky, consider that the Raiders just lost their first and second-string running backs to ankle sprains. While we've recommended Taiwan Jones as a pickup this week, we don't expect he or Marcel Reese to be primary options in the red zone. Instead, the talented Myers should see a big boost in scoring chances.

PK Dan Carpenter, ---

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Carpenter seems to have put his early season inaccuracy behind him. Lately he's been busy with five field goals and five points after touchdowns over the past two games. He'll have the chance to break through in a big way against Tennessee this Sunday. No team has conceded more soccer tallies than the Titans, who are allowing nearly 11 points per game to opposing kickers. Don't hesitate to pick Carpenter up if you're stuck with a bye week.