Fantasy football owners continue to face tough start ’em, sit ’em decisions, and things stay difficult in Week 10. Injuries keep piling up (Jonathan Taylor, Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, David Njoku, etc.) and four offenses filled with plenty of top fantasy performers (Bengals, Patriots, Jets, and Ravens) are all off for their bye weeks. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 10 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
At quarterback, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson won’t be available. In the backfield, Joe Mixon, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Michael Carter are not in play. We also lose top pass-catchers Mark Andrews, Tee Higgins, Jakobi Meyers, and Garrett Wilson, among others. Although this bye isn’t as bad as the one in Week 9, it’s still important to make the right calls for your starting lineups.
Navigating through a smaller-than-usual collection of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start ’em sit ’em recommendations for Week 10. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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WEEK 10 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. JAX)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. MIN)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Justin Fields, Bears (vs. DET)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
Stronger starts
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. CLE). Tua should play off the run well for some big plays to his speedy wideouts.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at GB). He should be more like his high-upside self after the bye, and the Packers’ pass defense has been now ravaged by injuries.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (at TB in Munich). He still has a high floor of around 250 yards and two TDs opposite the GOAT.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. SEA in Munich). He got revved up late against the Rams, and that will carry over here in a good matchup for his inside receivers.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at KC). The game script should be negative and allow for passable garbage stats, both throwing and running.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. HOU). The Texans’ pass defense can be tough, but he’ll get it done with a combination of scoring and rushing yards.
Russell Wilson, Broncos (at TEN). You need to throw often to move the ball on the Titans, so this is a volume-based play in a strong secondary matchup for his weapons.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (at ARI). If Stafford (concussion) plays, he can work over this pass defense for a couple of scores with Cooper Kupp dominating inside.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Justin Fields, Bears (vs. DET, $8,300). The running floor and the passing matchup say he has the best value in terms of price per point.
DraftKings tournament pick
Russell Wilson, Broncos (at TEN, $5,900). He’s cheap and might be forgotten or overlooked after a bad first half, but the volume can help him produce as a pivot play.
Streamer Special
Jacoby Brissett, Browns (at MIA). The Dolphins now give up the most fantasy points to QBs, and Brissett, who was Tua’s backup last season, will deliver with running and just enough passing in a revenge game.
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Justin Herbert, Chargers (at SF). The lack of downfield weaponry is a concern in this tough road matchup in prime time.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at BUF). The Bills simply don’t give much in the passing game, so this is likely to be a lower-volume day with a lot of power running from Dalvin Cook.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (vs. LAC). The Chargers don’t give much through the air because they have become so easy to run on, so the volume won’t be there for Jimmy G.
Jared Goff, Lions (at CHI). Goff on the road is a trap against a defense much weaker against the run.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. DAL). You can’t go here against this defense, especially given how shorthanded the Packers’ offense is.
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. IND). The Colts are rather stingy against the pass, so this is a Josh Jacobs overcorrection game.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (at CAR). Here’s to not feeling him putting up pleasing numbers on the road in prime time.
Andy Dalton, Saints (at PIT). His AFC North reunion tour hasn’t gone all that great, and the Steelers should play better overall defense after the bye.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. HOU
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. LAC)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at SF)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. DEN)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (at MIA)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at TB in Munich)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. IND)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at PIT)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at LV)
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at KC)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (at NYG
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at BUF)
- D’Onta Foreman, Panthers (vs. ATL)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs SEA in Munich)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (if he plays, vs. DAL)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at GB)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (at CAR)
Stronger starts
Jamaal Williams, Lions (at CHI). Williams will stay productive against a porous run defense with an even game script.
Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins (vs. CLE). They both scored last week in this speedy committee, and the Browns aren’t capable of slowing down either much.
David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, Bears (vs. DET). The Lions will have their hands full trying to slow down Justin Fields and these two behind a strong run-blocking unit.
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (at CAR). He’s right there in the 1-2 punch for a great rushing attack with Cordarrelle Patterson.
AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. DAL). He’s underwhelmed but could get more touches than usual at home with Aaron Jones (ankle) hurting.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. HOU, $9,500). He’s definitely worth the pay-up as the surest thing on the board at home after a bye.
David Montgomery, Bears (vs. DET, $6,700). Monty should be busy in a cakewalk matchup for their run-heavy offense.
DraftKings tournament picks
Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. NO, $4,900). Watch out for him starting and sparking for Najee Harris.
Travis Etienne Jr. Jaguars (at KC, $7,100). He keeps on delivering big games as a dual threat and is a tough draw for the Chiefs’ defense.
WEEK 10 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
D’Andre Swift, Lions (at CHI). Questions about his healthy and potential snap count relative to Jamaal Williams make him tough to trust.
Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. NO). Harris’ usage is about to fade in this tough spot in favor of rookie Jaylen Warren.
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at PHI). You are fading just about everything on this offense.
James Conner, Cardinals (vs. LAR). This offensive line is shot in the interior, and that’s not good news for his run blocking.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. MIN). He continues to be an uninspiring play with little TD or receiving chances.
All Broncos (at TEN). The matchup sucks and the usage is unpredictable.
All Chiefs (vs. JAX). The matchup rocks but the usage in unpredictable.
All Rams (at ARI). Who knows what will happen here? Bank on not much.
WEEK 10 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. CLEI
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (at ARI)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. MIN)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at BUF)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. ARI)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. CLE)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. IND)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at KC)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at GB)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. LAC)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. SEA in Munich)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. SEA in Munich)
- D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks (at TB in Munich)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at TB In Munich)
- Allen Lazard, Packers (vs. DAL)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (at MIA)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. LAC)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at PHI)
- D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. ATL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at DET)
- Chris Olave, Saints (at PIT)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. WAS)
Stronger starts
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (vs. JAX). He’s got good mojo as their top target, and the Jaguars don’t have coverage answers for him.
Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. MIN). He’s been boom or bust this season, but the Vikings’ coverage sets him up for a big-play payoff.
Joshua Palmer, Chargers (vs. SF). He’s the clear new No. 1 for L.A. with all their injuries, and that will continue against depleted corners.
Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at TEN). The Titans will struggle to handle either of them working better with Russell Wilson after the bye.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (vs. DET). Mooney has a great history in this matchup and is heating up with a TD last week.
George Pickens, Steelers (vs. NO). He’ll get revved up by Kenny Pickett with no Chase Claypool.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (vs. LA). The Rams can struggle in the slot, and he’s operating as a top-three target for Arizona.
Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers (vs. ATL). He’s feeling it the past two weeks as a promising future star, and the Falcons gave it up to him in the first meeting.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at GB). The Packers will be without Eric Stokes (knee, ankle), and Jaire Alexander is probably staying more with CeeDee Lamb, so that gives Gallup a chance.
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. HOU). The Texans’ cover-2 means a lot of short passing when not running Saquon Barkley or Daniel Jones, so Robinson is a solid PPR play.
Allen Robinson, Rams (at ARI). He has a shot to put up decent WR3 numbers if they can scheme him open vs. Marco Wilson.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. MIN, $9,100). He’s worth the investment given that he’ll be highly motivated in a revenge game with a great matchup.
Amari Cooper, Browns (at MIN, $7,800). They should scheme him open inside in a good spot for a negative game script.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at CHI, $6,900). He should see a bump in volume, and the Bears cannot cover the slot now.
DraftKings tournament picks
Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. MIN, $8,300). You can save some money compared to FanDuel and still smash.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at TEN, $5,600). He can always explode for some big plays and TDs, and the matchup is sweet outside.
George Pickens, Steelers (vs. NO, $5,000). Check on Marshon Lattimore’s health, but Pickens the cheapest way to get big-day potential.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, Colts (at LV). The matchup is great, but the QB “throwing” them the ball stinks.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. NO). Johnson has struggled to get open, and the chemistry between him and Kenny Pickett will remain off.
Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at PHI). Extending to him behind Terry McLaurin doesn’t feel good against Philadelphia’s secondary.
Brandin Cooks, Texans (at NYG). Who knows if he’ll come back to do anything in this tough matchup?
Adam Thielen, Vikings (at BUF). Here’s not feeling it against this secondary away from Justin Jefferson.
Drake London, Falcons (at CAR). The last time we saw London do anything of note … was long ago.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (at KC). There’s been a little more Marvin Jones of late.
DeAndre Carter, Chargers (at SF). He’s a very low-upside fill-in play.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. JAX)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- George Kittle, 49ers (vs. LAC)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at BUF)
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
- David Njoku, Browns (if he returns, at MIA)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (if he returns, vs. IND)
Stronger starts
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (at TEN). He’s been used plenty already, and the rookie steps into another great matchup.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CAR). He did work in the first meeting, so you can try to trust his talent again.
Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. DET). He’s red hot, and the matchup is cake at home.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. SEA in Munich). He can score again this week, as the Seahawks give it up plenty to the position.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (at ARI). He blanked last week, but tight ends just keep racking up points on the Cardinals, too.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (at KC). Watch the injury, but if he can go, he would be busy working against their linebackers and safeties.
Noah Fant, Seahawks (at TB in Munich). He saw the right usage in Week 9 and can build on that here.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. DET, $5,300 and $3,400). He’s shown he can put up multiple scores, and the matchup is sweet while he remains well undervalued.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Gerald Everett, Chargers (at SF). His targets are hit-or-miss, and the 49ers aren’t a TE defense to roll the dice against.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. NO). The Saints remain stingy, as Likely got lucky on Monday night.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at GB). They’ve grown less dependent on him with healthier other options.
Taysom Hill, Saints (at PIT). He’s not reliable when not running enough.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. CLE). He won’t get the TD he needs.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. DAL). It’s suddenly a wacky committee in a tough spot.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Cowboys (at GB)
- Giants (vs. HOU)
- Bills (vs. MIN)
- 49ers (vs. LAC)
- Broncos (at TEN)
- Titans (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
Raiders (vs. IND). Points can be had vs. Sam Ehlinger even for a bad D.
Rams (at ARI). The Cardinals’ offensive line will give up sacks.
Cardinals (vs. LAR). The Rams’ offensive line will give up sacks.
Seahawks (vs. TB). They’re playing well overall getting to the QB, too.
Steelers (vs. NO). They can get after Andy Dalton.
Saints (at PIT). They can get after Kenny Pickett.
Panthers (vs. ATL). It’s not bad given weather and emotional home prime-time bump.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Steelers (vs. NO, $3,600 and $2,800). Expect better defense after the bye under Mike Tomlin, and he’ll get some sacks and takeaways from old foe Andy Dalton.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Chiefs (vs. JAX). You can’t trust them to make enough plays.
Buccaneers (at SEA). The Seahawks have played very clean offense minus the pick-six last week.
Dolphins (vs. CLE). They’re not good enough vs. Nick Chubb and Jacoby Brissett.
Bears (vs. DET). Jared Goff hasn’t been great of late, but you can’t go here.
Colts (at LV). It’s a road trap
Falcons (at CAR). It’s a road prime-time trap.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 10 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
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