NFL Start/Sit Week 10
By: Andrew Ferguson
Week 9 was a little rough but I’ve learned a couple of things: The NFL is literally the hardest thing in the sports industry to predict (particularly fantasy). Also, I learned that if I were to pick names out of a hat, I’d probably have better results for these start/sit articles. That’s what I get for going hail marys and not taking the easy way out. We’re looking at the tough decisions here every week, and I’ve never had a losing week. We have some new faces in new places this week so let’s see how that changes things. We also have a game in Germany. If the Patriots and Lions are anything like the Bengals, these offenses will be just fine. The Falcons flew across the world to get smoked then start fire saling. Typical Atlanta. Also, I want to list the difference in organizations on how Kirk Cousins was handled:
Falcons: Guaranteed Kirk $100 million. Draft a QB after signing him 8 overall. Runs his mouth at a presser and loses us a 4th round pick for tampering. Plays poorly, gets benched and cut with a $35 million cap hit.
Raiders: Sign Kirk to $1 million. Get great QB play from him then trade him for a 3rd round pick.
Holy shit! Are the Raiders a better run organization than the Falcons now? I can’t help but roll my eyes. But I digress. Let’s get into week 10!
QBs to Start
Brock Purdy- A lot of you are probably starting him no matter what. But he did have a 4 week stretch where he went for only 6 TDs and 3 Ints. He bounced back after the bye by having a rushing TD. He gets the Cowboys historically bad defense against opposing QBs so if you were debating on Purdy given his recent performances, now's the time to start him.
CJ Stroud- Stroud is coming off his biggest game of the year after throwing 5 TDs. He’s QB 8 on the year and we’re seeing what he was in his rookie season. We’ve been waiting for this! Even with a tough matchup in Cleveland, I’m rolling with Stroud. Houston’s run game still is non-existent so this team’s offense is entirely dependent on the passing game.
Drake Maye- Maye has gone berserk since week 4 showing his slow start was a fluke and reminding people he was the MVP runner up last year. The Patriots are traveling to Germany this week and get the worst defense in the league for opposing fantasy QBs. Drake is getting it done with whatever weapons are available to him and he always has rushing upside. Feel good about him in your lineups.
Jayden Daniels- Daniels has had an up and down year and his career overall is looking that way. He gets a Giants bottom 5 defense to opposing QBs this week. The Commanders are coming off a bye and Daniels was able to rest and get healthy to hopefully use his legs more. I like this matchup for him and to start.
QBs to Sit
Kirk Cousins- How fun this was. But starting on a new team in a week isn’t exactly a recipe I’m willing to bank on. There are other QBs out there to stream with more confidence. The Packers secondary is also top tier so I don’t like this matchup even if he’s been on the team for a while. Let’s wait and see what we get before we’re starting.
Jordan Love- I was wrong last week on this one. But I can’t be wrong twice in a row with him. I hate starting any QB against Minnesota. They even made Josh Allen look somewhat human on Monday Night. Love is having an outstanding year but I’m looking elsewhere this week.
Cam Ward- I’m sure we’re all excited after what Cam Ward did against the Bengals a couple of weeks ago. However, Jacksonville’s defense is starting to turn into one of those avoid defenses and they just went ALL IN at the trade deadline. I’m passing on Cam, especially if Carnell Tate is still hurt.
Carson Beck- Beck was officially named the starter in Arizona after Brissett was traded and Gardner Minshew got hurt. They’re facing the Rams in his first start which is a horrible matchup for any young QB. If you’re trying to pull a fast one in your league, this isn’t the QB to do it with, there are much better options out there for a plug in QB. Michael Wilson is also done for the year so this offense is going to rely on funneling Trey McBride targets and that’s about it.
RBs to Start
Zach Charbonnet/Jadarian Price- I might be okay with both of these guys starting but I’m leaning towards Charbonnet as my preferred choice. Darnold is out again and Lock seems to be banged up so I expect a heavy run script against the Raiders bottom 3 defense. Solid flex or RB2 choices for both of these guys.
Ollie Gordon II- Gordon has a very friendly schedule coming up against defenses that don’t know how to stop the run. He gets the Colts this week that just cleaned house so what better time to put Gordon in your lineup? The Dolphins also have some rando starting at QB so I expect Gordon to get 20+ touches easily.
Jordan Mason- I think the Vikings will ease in Cousins to this offense so I wouldn’t get too excited if you’re a Jefferson or Addison owner. Cousins' ability to play QB though should allow better running lanes and I expect Mason to benefit. He’s a solid RB2/Flex play this week.
Kaelon Black- Black’s usage is slowly increasing every week. If you need a dart throw, he’s your guy. CMC is not going anywhere but Black’s emergence has given the coaching staff confidence to deploy him in situations to get CMC a breather and even goal line opportunities. You can do a lot worse at the flex spot as Black has back to back games with 60+ rushing yards and gets the Cowgirl’s awful run defense.
RBs to Sit
Ashton Jeanty- Does anyone else but me actually have them on their team and ready to just be done with him? He can’t run, he splits the backfield, he’s going against Seattle’s tough defense. Trade or bench, I just can’t anymore.
Braelon Allen- Party is over. This is Hall’s backfield and Allen fumbled last week. Buffalo’s defense is actually playing better lately so even if Allen does get some carries, it’ll only be a half capacity and the Jets will most likely be playing from behind.
Tony Pollard- Pollard is on fire right now but I’m benching everyone on the Titans against the Jaguars. This is a matchup I hate and the Jaguars are blowing people out these days. The Jaguars are the top team in the league against the run. I know it’s tempting but play smart and bench him.
Kaleb Johnson- I’m sure many of you are desperate at the RB spot but I wouldn’t look to Johnson to save you this week. They’re playing against the Vikings and Green Bay’s run game has been a mess all season with the exception of a few Josh Jacobs games. Bad matchup and bad talent overall. I don’t see it happening two weeks in a row.
WRs to Start
Parker Washington- Washington isn’t a set it and forget it guy in my opinion. He’s putting up pretty solid numbers overall as he’s WR16 on the year which is great for where he was drafted but I’m keeping an eye on how it all ends. At the end of the day, he only has 3 catches in his last 2 games. The Jaguars are a good running team that’s blowing people out so Lawrence and the passing game can sometimes be the victim to this. Love the talent, but tough to predict his fantasy output some weeks. Tennessee is the worst team in defending WRs for fantasy which proves my point that it could get out of hand for them but I’m definitely starting him this week.
Jameson Williams- Both Williams and the Lions are starting to heat up. Let’s see if that travels across the pond against the Patriots bottom 3 secondary. What happened to that defense? Williams just needs one big play to return investment on a fantasy football day and this can be the day to do it.
Malik Nabers- Nabers can be hot and cold but I like this Thursday night matchup against the Commanders. The run game for New York is injured and Skattebo will be playing on a hobbled hammy. I expect McCarthy to play and feed Nabers. Start.
Jordan Watkins- Purdy has to throw to somebody and Watkins has stepped up when the options are limited. Evans is not expected to play so he’s worth a start against Dallas’s defense. Do I need to bash them any more than I already have?
WRs to Sit
Jalen Coker/Tet McMillan- Bryce put up respectable numbers against the Broncos defense last week but I’m still not sold on him. I don’t think he’s capable of providing enough support for two WRs and between McMillan and Coker, it’s a toss up as to who will have a good day. I’m not confident starting either of these two against the Saints on the road.
Tutu Atwell- This seems to be the favorite to inherit Puka’s open targets now that he’s on the shelf for the foreseeable future. I think the TEs will get a lot more looks and the run game will be leaned on even heavier than it has been. Atwell is a dart throw/boom or bust flex play that I’m not willing to gamble on.
Ladd McConkey- Enough with this guy. He’s always hurt, and when he does finally play, he gets hurt again. The team is awful and Herbert isn’t slinging the ball around enough for me to feel confident in anybody on this team.
Reggie Virgil- Who? Technically, this guy is the top WR in Arizona now that Wilson is done for the year. Same thing I said about Beck, don’t try to pull a fast one here and say you’re some fantasy genius. McBride and the run game will be the feature for the Cardinals for the rookie’s first career start. The Rams are a tough defense and I’m not playing around with that.
TEs to Start
Hunter Henry- Drake is playing great, Henry is getting targets and the Lions suck at defense. This is a great matchup and chance for Henry to sneak one in the endzone in Germany.
Tyler Warren- Downs and Allen have departed and I can’t name one other receiver on the team that’s healthy. Warren should be the main source of targets for Jones and he’s a volume play. The Colts just need to feed JT and Warren the rest of the year and get this year over with. Miami also ranks bottom 5 in defending TEs on the year.
Tyler Higbee- Rams TEs are the hardest to predict. However, with Puka gone, Stafford needs more help with underneath options and Higbee is more than capable. The Cardinals don’t defend TEs well either so I think Higbee is worth a TE streamer if you’re needing it.
Darren Waller- Waller has had more startable games in fantasy this year than not and I like him again this week. He just had 10 targets and a big day that included finding the endzone. I’m willing to put him in as my starter in hope the momentum keeps rolling against the Saints who rank bottom 10 in defending opposing TEs.
TEs to Sit
Brenton Strange- Strange hasn’t scored a TD since week 1 and nothing tells me it’s going to happen this week. I’m worried the Jaguars will run all over the Titans and it turns into a blowout and the pass catchers see little volume and targets. Passing on strange this week.
Dalton Schultz- Even with how crazy Stroud is playing, Schultz isn’t getting many looks. He’s a serviceable tight end in real life and if you want a guaranteed few points, go ahead and play him but he’s not a priority in the passing game. I’d pass on him for other streaming options against the Browns.
Mike Gesicki- Gesicki is TD dependent and the Steelers defense is middle of the road. Burrow had another massive game last week and Gesicki was hardly involved. He’s a dice roll and I’m not gambling on it this week.
Sam LaPorta- There has been a weird fall off with LaPorta. I’m a big fan of the guy but for how he’s being used is disrespectful and deserves better. Goff is playing well but it’s the Gibbs and ARSB show in Detroit. New England plays solid defense against the TEs but if you leave him in your lineups, I completely get it. I’m just not confident he’ll put up much for you.
