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Quarterback
Start of the Week: C.J. Stroud (v DET)
Detroit has been extremely opportunistic with a 6:11 touchdown-interception ratio allowed this season, but they have ceded the fourth-most passing yards per game in the league (250.8)—and Stroud should get Nico Collins (hamstring) back ahead of a huge Sunday Night Football matchup. If so, the Texans have all the firepower they need with Collins and Tank Dell as the top weapons for Stroud, and his ability to extend plays could also lead to some success as a runner because of all the man coverage played by the Lions. Despite the struggles this season, we have Stroud as a top-eight option at quarterback.
Start: Aaron Rodgers (@ ARI)
Rodgers and the Jets essentially rose from the dead on Halloween after a sluggish first half, and now the passing attack appears to be in a great spot this week and moving forward with a more favorable schedule. Arizona has won three games in row, but they still rank in the bottom 10 in terms of passing yards per game (228.6) and yards per attempt (7.6) allowed, and I don’t see their cornerbacks being able to stick with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson—making Rodgers our overall QB9 for Week 10.
Start: Russell Wilson (@ WAS)
The Commanders might be a tougher matchup this week if the newly acquired Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) plays, but Wilson has been excellent in two starts and will get reinforcements of his own as Mike Williams joins George Pickens as a big-time vertical threat on the perimeter. Plus, Washington controlling the ball and draining the clock should be less likely against an elite Pittsburgh defense, and Dan Quinn’s secondary has allowed a 14:3 touchdown-interception ratio this season. Consider Wilson a high-end QB2.
Start: Daniel Jones (@ CAR)
Jones played very well in the loss to Washington last week, and he continued to show a willingness to make plays as a runner—including a powerful touchdown where he ran through two defenders. The Panthers may have some confidence after beating the Saints, but they were ripped by Bo Nix a couple of weeks ago, and Sunday morning in Germany feels like a spot where Malik Nabers could re-emerge with a monster game. There is always risk for Jones based on the state of the Giants, but he has quality upside as a streaming option.
Sit of the Week: Patrick Mahomes (v DEN)
Perhaps last week’s breakout with 291 yards and three touchdowns will lead to Mahomes’ upside being unlocked on a more permanent basis, but Denver is a challenge both based on how they’ve played in 2024 (with the NFL’s sixth-best pass defense) and against the Chiefs in particular last year (14.0 points per game allowed). I would even argue the Broncos showing holes last week in Baltimore could lead to them being more focused for a battle in Kansas City, so Mahomes is more of a midrange QB2.
Sit: Kyler Murray (v NYJ)
Murray struggled from a fantasy perspective last week with just 4.76 fantasy points despite the win over Chicago, and now he gets another difficult matchup versus a Jets defense that is allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game (158.2) and passing touchdowns (six) in the league. New York should also be energized (and rested) from last Thursday night’s win, and Murray has done less as a runner over the past two weeks with a combined seven carries for 25 scoreless yards. I’d look for alternatives if possible.
Sit: Justin Herbert (v TEN)
Tennessee is the lone defense that ranks better than the Jets in passing yards per game allowed (155.8) heading into Week 10, and Herbert—even with 279+ passing yards and multiple touchdowns in each of the past two games—could be back in a spot where Los Angeles isn’t quite as aggressive through the air. Overall, I’d say Herbert is trending up the QB2 ranks and could have QB1 value in better matchups down the stretch, but he’s a borderline top-20 play for this week.
Sit: Drake Maye (@ CHI)
Maye has upside every week considering what he’s done as a runner with 19 carries for 197 yards (10.4 YPC) and one touchdown in four starts (one of which he left in the first half)—but it’s difficult to see that kind of efficiency being sustained. That’s doubly true for a road matchup versus a Chicago defense that should be focused to break out of their struggles as a team, and the Bears have allowed just five touchdowns through the air (fewest in the NFL). Leading an offense that lacks talent, Maye has a low floor if he doesn’t produce on the ground.
Running Back
Start of the Week: David Montgomery (@ HOU)
Montgomery has slowed down slightly since a hot start to the campaign, but he’s kept an extremely high floor with 70+ total yards in all but one game—and I’m not worried about the matchup versus a Houston defense that is allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (16.0). Last week, Detroit rode Montgomery to 96 total yards on 20 touches in a rainy divisional win, and I feel good about his chances of finding the end zone as a borderline RB1/RB2.
Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (@ CAR)
The Commanders did a nice job bottling up Tracy with 17 touches for 69 scoreless yards last week, but the opportunities were encouraging—and the rookie should remain around the 20-touch mark with the Giants heading into a very favorable matchup versus a Carolina defense that has allowed a whopping 29.3 fantasy points per game to running backs. While I still would like to see Tracy used more in the passing game like we saw against the Bengals last month, he should be ranked as a top-15 option.
Start: Rico Dowdle (v PHI)
Dowdle benefitted from Ezekiel Elliott being inactive last week, and he was the clear lead back in his return to the lineup—rushing 12 times for 75 yards and catching five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. Philadelphia won’t be an easy matchup and Dowdle has yet to find the end zone as a runner, but Dallas should play through him with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out, and the starter has a high floor with 55+ total yards and 10+ touches in every game since the opener.
Start: Jaylen Warren (@ WAS)
For what it’s worth, the Steelers are 6-0 with Warren in the lineup this season, and he’s been steady when given double-digit touches—going for yardage totals of 61, 59, and 59. The presence of Mike Williams will only create lighter boxes for Najee Harris and Warren, so I like the FLEX outlook of the change-of-pace option with the hope that he can produce in the passing game and/or rip off a chunk gain or two—though we’ll have to see if Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) returns.
Sit of the Week: Chase Brown (@ BAL)
Brown had a career day last week with 32 touches for 157 yards and a touchdown in the first game without Zack Moss (neck) in the lineup, and his stock as an upside RB2 is undoubtedly boosted the rest of the way. That said, Baltimore is a tough draw as the NFL’s best run defense (75.7 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry allowed), and it’s interesting that Joe Burrow said new acquisition Khalil Herbert should be able to play on Thursday night because he can “tell him what to do” since he’s “standing right next to me.” Even if he’s given another big workload, Brown could be more of a low-end RB2.
Sit: Rhamondre Stevenson (@ CHI)
Touchdowns have kept Stevenson afloat, but he’s been limited to 37 carries for 82 yards (2.2 YPC) over the past three games, and the Bears being a turnover-seeking defense creates some concern about them forcing a fumble because of the vulnerability shown by Stevenson there to begin 2024. In general, New England’s offensive line might be a bit overmatched this weekend if Chicago comes to play, so you’re likely banking on a short score for Stevenson to pay dividends; we have him outside the top 24 at the position.
Sit: Javonte Williams (@ KC)
Williams did his best to hold off Audic Estimé with a solid 84 total yards (splitting 42/42 on the ground and through the air) in a difficult draw versus Baltimore last week, but the rookie did end up showing well with five carries for 35 yards—and this Sunday won’t be easy with Kansas City being a top-three run defense (83.9 yards per game allowed). If Estimé sees more work with Jaleel McLaughlin also involved, Williams could be in too much of a committee to reach RB2 expectations after being featured with 30 touches (for 98 total yards) in the win over the Chiefs last year.
Sit: Raheem Mostert (@ LAR)
Mostert followed up a two-touchdown performance in Week 8 with 12 touches for 88 yards in the loss to Buffalo—but he put the ball on the ground for the second time in three games, and Miami has no shortage of backfield options with rookie Jaylen Wright showing juice behind De’Von Achane and Mostert. The hope would be the veteran retaining the goal-line role, but there is definite uncertainty, and he’s more of a risky FLEX with Achane clearly established as the feature back.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: Tank Dell (v DET)
Dell paid off last week with six receptions for 126 yards, and the impending return of Nico Collins shouldn’t scare off fantasy owners from using him on Sunday night—as there will be more than enough targets up for grabs in a potential shootout. If anything, Dell should see more single coverage without a safety routinely over the top with Collins back, and the speedster has the trust of C.J. Stroud as an intermediate target as well. Start him as a high-upside WR2 that carries a nice floor, too.
Start: Jameson Williams (@ HOU)
Dan Campbell says that Williams is “ready to roll” after a two-game suspension, and I’m optimistic about his chances of hitting on a shot play after Houston left their cornerbacks on an island quite a bit in the loss to the Jets last week. Perhaps he’ll see a lot of Derek Stingley Jr. outside the numbers, but Williams can beat anyone, and Houston might have much of their focus on stopping the running backs and Amon-Ra St. Brown as they try to get back on the winning track. We have Jamo as a borderline top-20 play.
Start: Jaylen Waddle (@ LAR)
The good news is that Waddle found the end zone for the first time last week, but the bad news was that he somehow finished with negative-four yards thanks to losing 23 yards on the final play—and he’s not gone for more than 46 yards in a game since Week 1. However, I get the feeling he could have a breakout game in Los Angeles on Monday night with his speed being a challenge for their cornerbacks, so it’s a good time to check in on Waddle as a possible buy-low target that could be an upside low-end WR2/FLEX if he can build on the score from Week 9.
Start: Jauan Jennings (@ TB)
Jennings (hip) was back at practice and will have had an entire month to heal up since his last appearance, and he’ll be the clear No. 2 wideout for San Francisco down the stretch—with a chance to start hot versus an attackable Tampa Bay cornerback group. There will probably be some disappointments because of all the weapons in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but Jennings has gone for lines of 11/175/3 and 3/88 in two games with more than five targets this season. I like him as a strong FLEX.
Others: Xavier Legette (v NYG), Parker Washington (v MIN)
Sit of the Week: Terry McLaurin (v PIT)
McLaurin has been outstanding since a slow start to the year with a season-long pace of 83 receptions, 1,358 yards, and 15 touchdowns over the past seven games, but Sunday brings a potential shadow assignment against Joey Porter Jr.—and Pittsburgh has contained Malik Nabers (7/71), Davante Adams (3/30), and Garrett Wilson (5/61) recently. Last week, McLaurin was able to get Deonte Banks for a couple of touchdowns, but he was only targeted three times, and the Steelers might try to force others to beat them this weekend. If you have options, McLaurin is more of a low-end WR2.
Sit: DJ Moore (v NE)
Struggles for Moore in an underperforming Chicago offense continued last week, and he’s another wideout that faces a tough matchup in Week 10 with Christian Gonzalez sure to see a lot of Caleb Williams’ top target. Since a 5/105/2 explosion against the Panthers in Week 5, Moore has gone for lines of 4/20, 2/27, and 4/33, and the quiet games have really become the norm for him in 2024. With the Bears not showing well versus better defenses thus far this season, Moore needs to be downgraded outside the WR2 ranks.
Sit: Khalil Shakir (@ IND)
Shakir has somewhat quietly put up excellent numbers this season with an extremely high weekly floor, but this week could be a time where a share-the-wealth offense slants away from him—as slot cornerback Kenny Moore II is the most challenging draw among the pass-catchers. Keon Coleman (wrist) being out could keep the floor higher for Shakir, but Sunday could be a game where things center more around James Cook, Amari Cooper, and Dalton Kincaid.
Sit: DeAndre Hopkins (v DEN)
Although last week couldn’t have gone much better with an 8/86/2 line for Hopkins in what was really his first chance at a full-time role in Kansas City, this week could be a different story as he faces off with Pat Surtain II and a determined Denver defense. I would assume Andy Reid will try to move Hopkins around, but Riley Moss has played great across from Surtain, and Ja’Quan McMillian would probably get help in the slot—making Hopkins a FLEX despite the progress on Monday night.
Others: Courtland Sutton (@ KC), Michael Pittman Jr. (v BUF)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: Dalton Kincaid (@ IND)
As stated, we could see Buffalo focus the offense elsewhere this week, and Kincaid would be my pick as the standout option for them this weekend versus an Indy defense that has bled fantasy points to tight ends—including a touchdown allowed in five of the past seven games. Some might be frustrated with the lack of upside for Kincaid to this point, but we have him as the overall TE2 for Week 10 and someone you need to continue starting.
Start: T.J. Hockenson (@ JAX)
Hockenson was involved early in the first half and then caught a 19-yard pass to begin the third quarter in his season debut last Sunday night, but he ended up being eased in with 45% of the snaps played. I’d expect that number to grow, though, and the Jaguars are another defense that has struggled mightily against tight ends in recent games—allowing 12.8+ fantasy points to the position in five of the past seven weeks. Consider Hockenson a top-10 option.
Start: Mike Gesicki (@ BAL)
Tee Higgins (quad) is set to miss another game for Cincinnati, so Gesicki will again be primed for a featured role—which has led to lines of 7/73 and 5/100/2 over the past two weeks. Gesicki essentially handles a lot of the targets that would typically go to Higgins when on the field, and the first matchup versus Baltimore led to a 9/83/2 line for the big-bodied wideout; I think that bodes well for Gesicki as a borderline TE1/TE2.
Sit of the Week: Cole Kmet (v NE)
Taking his position into account, Kmet has been the most productive pass-catcher for the Bears this season—so it’s certainly understandable to roll with him with a couple of huge games this season (10/97/1 and 5/70/2). Unfortunately, last week showed the floor with one reception for 14 yards, and options like T.J. Hockenson, Taysom Hill, and Mike Gesicki emerging knocks Kmet down to be a risky TE2.
Sit: Jonnu Smith (@ LAR)
Smith has come on strong since the start of October with at least four receptions in every game, and his role seems fairly secure at this point based on how Mike McDaniel’s offense operates. But for this week, I get the sense things will slant more towards Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle to support De’Von Achane and the running game despite a good matchup for Smith, so we prefer other options in the top 15 at the position.
Sit: Grant Calcaterra (@ DAL)
A.J. Brown (knee) is already practicing to begin the week, so the chances of Calcaterra seeing an expanded role if Dallas Goedert (hamstring) remains out are certainly lessened—especially if Philadelphia doesn’t need to throw the ball around versus a Cowboys team without Dak Prescott. Look for Saquon Barkley, Brown, and DeVonta Smith to be featured on Sunday in the NFC East clash.