NFL Fantasy 2024: Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Guide

Navigating the fantasy football landscape can often feel like walking through a minefield, especially when it comes to choosing the right players for your lineup. As we approach Week 10, the stakes rise and fantasy managers must make crucial decisions. Fear not, this guide is here to illuminate the paths to potential stardom and the traps to avoid this week. Let’s dive into the quarterbacks and wide receivers you need to consider.

Quarterbacks to Start

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jayden Daniels has firmly established himself as a must-start quarterback, having crossed 19 fantasy points in most of his games this season. He has displayed impressive rushing ability, exceeding 30 yards rushing in nearly every contest he’s played. With the Steelers ranking in the bottom tier for fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, Daniels is primed to facilitate a high-scoring game. Facing a defense that struggles against the pass, all signs point to a strong performance from him this week.

A young quarterback showcasing his skills.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brock Purdy’s season has been a rollercoaster ride, but he’s trending in the right direction, especially since he’s become more mobile. With Christian McCaffrey yet again back to full health, they form a formidable duo. The Buccaneers have struggled against the pass, permitting the third-most passing yards and touchdowns, making this a potentially lucrative matchup for Purdy and the 49ers.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Darnold has provided consistency, averaging around 18 fantasy points since Week 2. His ability to throw multiple touchdowns and exceed expectations in matchups against higher-tier quarterbacks makes him a player to roll with against a Jaguars defense that pours in the fantasy points. Embrace Darnold as a solid streaming option.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots vs. Chicago Bears

Drake Maye is one to watch, demonstrating incredible potential reminiscent of a young Josh Allen. His ability to gain rushing yards (averaging 49 yards in his starts) and make plays downfield indicates his fantasy upside is significant. While the Bears present some challenges, Maye’s dual-threat capabilities make him a worthy gamble.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans

Goff’s previous struggles were amplified by weather conditions, but playing indoors could revive his fantasy fortunes. The Texans have allowed the most passing touchdowns this season, setting the stage for Goff to capitalize with the Lions’ explosive offense. Expect him to make a significant bounce-back this week.

Quarterbacks to Sit

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams vs. Miami Dolphins

Stafford has shown glimpses of brilliance, but this matchup against the Dolphins could be troublesome for him. The Rams’ offense has yet to fully click this season, and the Dolphins’ defense has been increasingly tough against the pass. With a potential shootout on the horizon, Stafford might struggle to produce sufficient fantasy points.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos

Despite a stellar performance last week, Mahomes faces a Broncos defense that has historically stifled him. His matchup this week is treacherous, given his mixed results against Denver in the past. It might be wise to consider alternative options this week.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions

Stroud is in a slump, having not thrown a touchdown in recent games. Facing a Lions defense that has allowed few touchdowns all year complicates matters. Unless there’s a sparkling change in form, Stroud could likely underwhelm your fantasy roster.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams

Tagovailoa’s reality has not matched the hype this season. With the heavy weight of the Dolphins’ run game, his fantasy prospects appear dim against a Rams defense that’s sealing its ranks lately. Look elsewhere for quarterback production.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Nix has shown promise, yet facing the Chiefs is a steep challenge. Their stout defense limits quarterback yards and touchdowns, making a successful day unlikely for Nix.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots

Though the Patriots may not seem imposing, Williams’ struggles to find consistency in recent games cannot be ignored. Without a tangible uplift in performance, he is someone to bench this week.

Wide Receivers to Start

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings

Thomas has been a standout player despite a recent dip in production. His ability to put up impressive numbers against zone defenses is noteworthy, and the Vikings’ porous pass defense could turn this into a breakout game for him.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Commanders

Pickens has thrived with Russell Wilson at quarterback, combining a high ceiling with a reliable floor. If the game turns into a shootout, he could see a heightened volume of targets, making him a risky yet enticing start.

A wide receiver ready to make a catch.

Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills

Downs has had a remarkable amount of targets recently, reflecting his growth within the offense. The Bills’ struggles against slot receivers may lead to a high-volume game for Downs, solidifying his start status this week.

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts

Shakir’s role against zone coverage could thrive against a Colts secondary that frequently plays zone, giving him the potential for significant yardage this week.

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Mooney is quietly emerging as a reliable fantasy option. Given the Saints’ vulnerabilities, particularly if London is less than 100%, Mooney’s production is likely to remain robust.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Ridley’s target volume combined with recent performances makes him worth keeping an eye on. Despite being up against a tough defense, his role in the offense continues to expand, affirming his start potential.

Wide Receivers to Sit

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets

Harrison has not lived up to the lofty expectations this season, plagued by inconsistent quarterback play. Facing the stingy Jets defense, switching away from him might be in your best interest.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams

Waddle’s struggles are hard to overlook. Until he shows signs of a turnaround, it’s probably best to keep him on the bench this week against a Rams team that has tightened their pass coverage.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Sutton has performed well recently, but his track record against the Chiefs raises alarm bells. With a difficult matchup looming, it would be wise to avoid him this week.

Diontae Johnson, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Given Johnson’s limited role early on in his Ravens tenure, a wait-and-see approach is warranted. It’s better to steer clear until he is more integrated into the offense.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos

Worthy is facing a troublesome matchup against the Broncos. His inconsistency could have him tagged as one to sit this week, as the projections do not paint a bright future.

In summary, Week 10 presents a myriad of opportunities and pitfalls alike. Balancing player potential against matchup history is crucial for fantasy success. Remember to keep an eye on injury reports and weather conditions leading up to game day. Best of luck!