It’s time for Start Sit Week 10 in Fantasy Football! Which players should you be starting this week, and which players should you consider benching? We will cover it all in this weekly article!
Every week of the NFL season, fantasy gamers juggle players to insert into lineups at each position. Are you questioning which players face easy matchups and which players face tougher paths to production? You are in the right place! For seasonal leagues, DFS, and more, this week’s must-start and must-sit picks can give you some guidance on setting your lineups.
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Quarterback Start Sit Week 10
Start: Sam Darnold
After a short downswing in production, Darnold is back to being an elite producer, putting up his fourth 20-point game of the season in Week 9. Once again, he has a stellar matchup. This time, against the Jaguars. The Jags are a pass-funnel defense that allows the seventh-most pass attempts per game, the third-highest completion percentage, and the second-most yards per pass attempt (TeamRankings). They also allow 63-percent of their touchdowns through the air.
Justin. Jefferson. Good. At. Football.
📺: #INDvsMIN on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/45lcyDBb6c— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Darnold isn’t necessarily matchup-proof, but he’s an absolute must-start in these spots. He excels against poor pass defenses that struggle to put pressure on the quarterback. We saw that in action last week against Indianapolis, and we’ll see it again this week. Get ready for the “Doug Pederson gets fired” week.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins
Sit: Kyler Murray
I’m ready to be horrifically wrong about this one, but the stars are not aligned for an elite performance from Kyler Murray this week. After a horrid performance against the Bears, in a game which the Cardinals still controlled handily, Arizona plays the Jets in Week 10, who pose a similar defensive threat. The Jets are currently allowing the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game, the second-lowest completion percentage, the third-lowest yards per pass attempt, and the second-fewest passing touchdowns per game. On the other side, they’re ceding the fourth-most rush attempts per game while the Cardinals wield the second-most efficient run game in the league.
Murray has been relatively matchup-dependent this season, scoring less than 15 fantasy points in three of his last six matchups. This is another matchup that seems to point towards a big game from the Cardinals’ rushers, not Kyler. Murray’s rushing floor does help his “startability,” but there are higher-upside options available this week that I’d rather put my faith in.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Russell Wilson
Running Back Start Sit Week 10
Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The fifth-round rookie out of Purdue is making waves to kick off his career. He’s relegated teammate Devin Singletary to backup duties, racking up 40 opportunities over the last two weeks. Tracy has been undeniable as a rusher, with 4.6 (No. 16) True Yards per Carry and a 103 (No. 22) Explosive Rating. While we’d like to see the former wide receiver get more targets, he’s at least getting some involvement in that facet of the game.
This week, Tracy and the Giants will face the Panthers, the biggest run-funnel defense in the league. Teams absolutely decimate Carolina through the ground, as they allow the most rushing attempts and yards per game. Alvin Kamara just racked up over 200 all-purpose yards against them last week. Tracy, with two games over 125 all-purpose yards, has similar upside.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Brian Robinson, Najee Harris, Christian McCaffrey
Sit: Javonte Williams
Sitting any running back against the Chiefs is generally a smart strategy. They’re currently allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Additionally, they’re ceding the fourth-fewest amount of rush attempts and the second-lowest yards per carry total and have given up just three touchdowns to running backs this season. They’re the stiffest rush defense in the league (barring maybe the Ravens), going up against a bad rusher and a bad rushing team. Williams, ranking 51st in True Yards per Carry, 51st in Juke Rate, and 47th in Explosive Rating, certainly isn’t going to pose much of a threat as a rusher here.
Williams’ 13-percent target share could theoretically bail him out, but his involvement in the passing game isn’t enough to get me to like his spot. Williams will have to get around seven or eight points through the air to pay off this week. With the current state of the running back position, I understand if you don’t have any higher-upside candidates. However, if you have guys like the starts I’ve listed above, I would prioritize them over Williams.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Rachaad White, Chubba Hubbard, Travis Etienne
Wide Receiver Start Sit Week 10
Start: Ladd McConkey
The Chargers like to grind the clock and control the game through the run, but they’ve been letting Justin Herbert “open it up” as of late. They also are going against a Titans defense that cedes the 10th-fewest rushing attempts per game and yards per rush attempt. While the Titans have a solid pass defense as well, Ladd McConkey tends to come alive when the Chargers can’t get the ball moving on the ground, averaging 16 fantasy points per game when J.K. Dobbins earns less than 3.5 yards per carry.
This ROUTE by Ladd McConkey 😳
The Chargers rookie WR might be the BEST slant route runner in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/pmvRlSRdYb
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 3, 2024
Ladd’s box-score target numbers may not be the most enticing, but he’s the target leader in Los Angeles and carefully deployed out of the fantasy-friendly slot. Six or seven well-schemed targets per game is enough to be effective in fantasy. I like McConkey to put up a nice five-catch, 74-yard, one-TD performance.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Khalil Shakir, Josh Downs, Darnell Mooney
Sit: D.J. Moore
I didn’t have D.J. Moore quitting mid-play on my 2024 bingo card, but it happened. Not sure what’s happening between him and his new quarterback, but it’s clear there’s tension. The last time Moore got upset over his role, he got a “squeaky wheel” game against Carolina … I’m not expecting the same outcome this time around, particularly because Christian Gonzalez profiles to line up against Moore the most.
Gonzalez has allowed the 16th-fewest receptions among cornerbacks, giving up 3.6 per game. He also only allows 39 receiving yards per game. So, not only has Caleb Williams mightily struggled to connect with Moore, but Moore will also now see the toughest matchup in his offense. I expect most other Bears to have a solid day, but Moore may be walking off the field mid-play again.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Courtland Sutton, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Waddle
Tight End Start Sit Week 10
Tight ends are perhaps the most disgusting they’ve ever been for fantasy football. If you have one of these guys, you’re probably looking to just start them every week and hope for the best:
If not, consider these options:
Start: Taysom Hill
Without Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, Taysom Hill‘s package has never been bigger. Last week, he got back into his receiving role, corralling four of five targets for 41 yards. He washed that down with five carries and a rushing touchdown. The Swiss Army Knife is back in full force and facing off against his favorite opponent.
Hill averages 15.5 fantasy points per game against Atlanta dating back to 2019, scoring at least 15 points in six of 11 games. This is a matchup that Hill has circled on his calendar, you better have it on yours.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Cade Otton, Jonnu Smith, Kyle Pitts
Sit: Dalton Schultz
I’ll put him Schultz the sit section every week if I have to. He shows up highly in rankings all over the internet every week, and I can’t stand it. Even with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs out, Schultz couldn’t get involved last week, drawing a measly six targets. With his production, he’s actually unusable in fantasy football.
In the midst of the least target competition he’s had since his days in Dallas, Schultz has produced 35 receiving yards in a game just one time this season and has yet to find the end zone. Now his task is to put up a usable week against the Lions, the best defense against his position. There’s just not enough upside here to justify playing him.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Zach Ertz, Cole Kmet, Pat Freiermuth
Set Your Lineups!
It is time to set lineups! Fire up those fingers and plug in your productive players (and bench the sits!). Check back for weekly must-starts and must-sits based on the action that unfolds this season. Need some more options? Check out PlayerProfiler’s Upside Finder, or DM me on Twitter! It’s time again for a season full of ups and downs. Buckle up!
