By Andrew Doherty
Start your studs.
I make sure to mention that somewhere in this article each week. Mostly, it’s so people don’t get carried away and bench someone they drafted with a top pick who happens to have a tough matchup this week to start someone mentioned in this column. On top of that, no one gets it right 100% of the time, which is important to keep in mind. The purpose of this column is to point you in the right direction with some less obvious starts and sits, not to bench your studs for someone I mention in this column… unless otherwise stated. Every now and then, like we saw last week, there will be a matchup that’s worth sitting one of your studs for and I’ll always clarify that in those types of situations.
Obviously, those who took my advice to start Justin Fields over anyone not named Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts were thrilled when he went absolutely nuclear against Miami last week. As it turns out, starting him over Allen or Hurts would’ve been a good idea, too. When I’m right, I’m right. Those who followed my Deon Jackson advice were less than enthused when he exited his game due to injury after mediocre production. Like everyone else, I don’t always get it right… and that’s a big part of what makes this so fun. I’m not sure there’s a Week 9 Justin Fields type play out there this week, but here’s what I have for you in Week 10:
NFL Fantasy Start/Sit advice for Week 10
Quarterback to start:
Trevor Lawrence
He’s had an up-and-down sophomore season but this week’s matchup against the Chiefs provides massive upside for Lawrence. The Chiefs rank 30th in the league in points allowed per passing attempt and this game projects to be a shootout. Lawrence ranks 7th in the league in EPA per dropback, so we can expect plenty of opportunity for the Jaguars aerial attack.
Quarterback to sit:
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has thrown for over 260 yards just once this season and is yet to hit 300 yards in a game. There isn’t a tougher matchup for quarterbacks than the Dallas defense this year and you shouldn’t be starting Rodgers unless you’re completely out of options. Quite frankly, he should be on the waiver wire in most leagues.
Running backs to start:
Jeff Wilson
In his first game with the Dolphins after being traded, Wilson out-snapped and out-touched incumbent Raheem Mostert in Week 9 and finished as RB10 for the week. This week he gets a Browns defense allowing the league 2nd highest rushing touchdown percentage. It’s a smash spot for Wilson.
Jonathan Taylor
Before the season began, no one could have predicted JT would be featured in a Start/Sit column that doesn’t include obvious starts but here we are. With his ankle injury seemingly behind him, Taylor gets a juicy matchup against a Raiders defense allowing 27.1 PPR points per game to opposing running backs. He’s mostly disappointed so far this season, but this is a perfect spot for him to get things back on track.
Running back to sit:
D’Andre Swift
The talent is undeniable and the matchup is great. However, the usage and injury concerns are all too real. With Jamaal Williams getting 95% of the carries from inside the 10 this year, Swift doesn’t have much scoring upside on his limited snaps. With the Lions playing 3 games over the course of 12 days with Thanksgiving approaching, Swift will probably be on a snap count in this one.
Wide receivers to start:
Amari Cooper
Miami plays man coverage at the 4th highest rate in the league and what does Amari Cooper excel at above all else? Beating man coverage. Don’t worry about his home/road splits, you can start him with confidence in what projects to be a shootout in Miami.
Chris Olave
The clear-cut top option in New Orleans couldn’t ask for a better matchup this week. The Steelers’ defense gives up the most touchdowns in the league from outside the red zone, is last in yards per completion, and allows 20.7ppr points to opposing WR1s. Olave is a must-start against Pittsburgh.
Wide receivers to sit:
Brandin Cooks
It’s a tough matchup for Cooks and the Texans passing game against the blitz-heavy Giants defense. Cooks is also dealing with a wrist injury and some off-field questions. Cooks’ level of focus and commitment to Houston is anyone’s guess right now after allegedly being inactive last week due to frustration from not being traded at the deadline. It’s a wait-and-see scenario with Cooks going forward.
Terry McLaurin
It’s a brutal matchup against the best secondary in the league and McLaurin is very likely to be shadowed by Darius Slay. While McLaurin did put up decent numbers against the Eagles back in Week 3, nearly all of that production came in garbage time. McLaurin only saw one target in the first half the last time these teams played and banking on garbage time points is never a good strategy.
Tight ends to start:
Cole Kmet
Kmet has finally come alive over the last 2 games, notching 3 touchdowns in that span. The Lions allow the 4th most fantasy points to tight ends and Kmet should continue his breakout this week against them.
Greg Dulcich
It’s a small sample size, but Dulcich has done nothing but produces in the 3 games he’s played since coming off IR. He’s recorded either 50 yards or a touchdown in each game and gets a plus matchup against the Titans defense that’s struggled to defend tight ends this season.
