Week 10 fantasy football advice: Key starts, sits, and top matchups to consider

As we dive into Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season, fantasy football enthusiasts are feeling the crunch. Injuries are piling up, and with four teams on a bye—Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas, and Seattle—key players like David Njoku, Josh Jacobs, Brock Bowers, and Kenneth Walker III are unavailable. It’s a challenging week, and if you’re feeling the pressure to fill out your fantasy lineups, you’re not alone!

Expert Guidance for Week 10

Fear not! Vinnie Iyer is back with another edition of the Decider, blending positional rankings with essential start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. This week, we’ll break down the best and worst plays, focusing on matchups, usage, and other critical factors. Plus, we’ll highlight some great price values to target in DFS. Let’s get started!

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Regular starts

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at BAL)
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at IND)
5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
6. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
7. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. PIT)

Stronger starts

8. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at JAX): Darnold is thriving in his current system, and this matchup offers plenty of opportunities for the passing game.

9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at HOU): While the Texans can contain the run, they struggle against wide receivers downfield.

10. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at NO): The Saints’ defense is faltering, making Cousins a solid high-floor option.

11. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN): Herbert has been sharp lately and can exploit the Titans’ defense at home.

12. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN): Mahomes is heating up and has a great track record against the Broncos.

13. Daniel Jones, New York Giants (vs. CAR): Jones should be able to use both his arm and legs effectively in this favorable matchup.

14. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (at ARI): Rodgers is building chemistry with his receivers, and the Cardinals’ defense can be generous.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

15. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYJ): After a rough outing against a tough Bears defense, it’s hard to trust Murray against the Jets.

16. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. MIA): The Dolphins can be vulnerable to the run, but they can also contain Stafford’s receivers.

17. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at LAR): The Rams’ defense has improved, and they could cause problems for Tua.

18. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. DET): The Lions’ pass rush could make things uncomfortable for Stroud this week.

19. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. NE): While home games have been better for him, the state of the offense makes him a risky start.

20. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS): Without a reliable running game, Wilson is a tough stream this week.

21. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at KC): Another tough road matchup for the rookie; it’s best to avoid him.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Regular starts

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
2. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. MIA)
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
5. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
6. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at LAR)
7. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL)
8. Breece Hall, New York Jets (at ARI)
9. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. NE)
10. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (vs. DET)
11. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at HOU)
12. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. BUF)
13. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at IND)
14. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYJ)
15. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at JAX)
16. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. WAS)
17. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN)
18. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at HOU)

Stronger starts

19. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at CHI): The Bears struggled against the run last week, making Stevenson a great play.

20. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN): Dobbins is expected to have a solid game with better rushing production.

21. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at BAL): He’s the lead back in a tough matchup but can still be effective.

22. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. NYG): Hubbard has been hot, and the Giants are vulnerable to the run.

23. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at LAC): Despite a tough matchup, Pollard is still getting key touches.

24. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS): Harris can find success against the Commanders’ defense.

25. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI): Dowdle should be a focal point in the offense, especially in a negative game script.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Weaker starts

26. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS): Warren may see more touches, but the matchup doesn’t favor him.

27-28. Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. PIT): Both are in a tough spot, with Ekeler needing more work.

29. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at KC): Williams needs a touchdown to be relevant in this matchup.

30. Devin Singletary, New York Giants (vs. CAR): He’s falling behind the emerging Tracy.

31. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at LAR): Mostert’s role is diminished with Achane taking the lead.

32-33. Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. MIN): This backfield split is hurting both players’ value.

34. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (at NO): His usage is unpredictable, making him a risky start.

35-36. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF): Neither inspires confidence this week.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Regular starts

1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at JAX)
2. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (at BAL)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at HOU)
4. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at LAR)
5. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs. MIA)
6. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at ARI)
7. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (if he returns, vs. DET)
8. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
9. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
10. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. CAR)
11. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
12. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)
13. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
14. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. PIT)
15. Davante Adams, New York Jets (at ARI)
16. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (if he plays, vs. PHI)
17. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS)
18. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. MIN)
19. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (vs. MIA)
20. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. DET)
21. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN)
22. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)

Stronger starts

23. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at TB): Jennings is expected to step up in Aiyuk’s absence.

24. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at HOU): He’s primed for a big game against a vulnerable secondary.

25. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYJ): Despite a tough matchup, he should see plenty of targets.

26. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at JAX): Addison is becoming a bigger part of the offense.

27. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, at IND): Cooper can exploit the Colts’ weak defense.

28. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. NE): Odunze is gaining trust and can make big plays.

29. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, vs. IND): He has potential similar to Cooper.

30. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at NE): Allen is a reliable target for Williams.

31. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN): He has a favorable matchup this week.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Weaker starts

32. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (at NE): Moore’s lack of chemistry with the QB makes him a risky start.

33. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at LAR): Waddle has struggled recently, making him hard to trust.

34. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at KC): Sutton is facing a tough matchup against a strong secondary.

35. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at LAC): The Chargers’ defense may frustrate him this week.

36. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN): He’s likely to be contained by the Titans’ coverage.

37. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (at IND): Shakir may not see enough targets this week.

38. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN): Worthy’s speed may not be enough against the Broncos.

39. Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. BUF): With Flacco struggling, both are hard to trust.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Tight Ends

Must starts

1. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
2. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN)
3. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)
4. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at JAX)
5. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYJ)
6. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
7. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
8. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. MIN)

Stronger starts

9. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (at BAL): Gesicki is in a great position to help Burrow and Chase.

10. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (at IND): This is a prime spot for him to shine.

11. Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (vs. ATL): Hill’s versatility makes him a valuable asset this week.

12. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. NE): Kmet should find plenty of opportunities against the Patriots.

13. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at CHI): Henry has been consistent and should continue to produce.

14. Theo Johnson, New York Giants (vs. CAR): Johnson is becoming a bigger part of the offense.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

Weaker starts

15. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at HOU): LaPorta has been inconsistent, making him a risky start.

16. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (vs. PHI): The Eagles are tough against tight ends, and no Dak hurts.

17. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at LAR): This game may favor Tyreek and Achane more than Smith.

18. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. PIT): Ertz might struggle against the Steelers’ defense.

19. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (vs. NYG): Sanders may cool off in this matchup.

20. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS): Freiermuth hasn’t been a focal point in the offense.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams

Stronger starts

1. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. TEN)
2. Minnesota Vikings (at JAX)
3. Chicago Bears (vs. NE)
4. Buffalo Bills (at IND)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DEN)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)

7. New York Giants (vs. CAR): Expect several sacks from them in Germany.

8. Detroit Lions (at HOU): They can capitalize on a struggling pass protection team.

9. Los Angeles Rams (vs. MIA): The Rams are trending up and could surprise at home.

10. New York Jets (at ARI): The Jets’ pass rush is looking formidable.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (at WAS): Despite a tougher matchup, T.J. Watt keeps them in play.

12. Washington Commanders (vs. PIT): This game could be more defensive than expected.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Atlanta Falcons (at NO): They haven’t been making enough plays lately.

14. San Francisco 49ers (at TB): Expect them to struggle against a solid Bucs offense.

15. Arizona Cardinals (vs. NYJ): The Jets are finding their rhythm.

16. Denver Broncos (at KC): Facing Mahomes is always a tough task.

17. New England Patriots (at CHI): The Bears’ offense is improving.

18. Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN): This matchup could turn into a shootout.

With all this information, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions for your fantasy football lineup this week. Whether you’re looking to start or sit players, remember that matchups and current form are key. Good luck, and may your fantasy team thrive in Week 10!