It’s already Week 10 and the regular season of fantasy football is almost over. There is still time for those teams on the cusp, but the moves made now can help push you to a championship. Let’s take a look at 10 things you need to know for Week 10.Â
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1. Buy Low (and start) Jared Goff.
It’s been a tough start to the season for Jared Goff, as he ranks as QB21 in points per game on the season. But there’s a reason for hope, and it starts this week against the porous Seattle secondary. The Seahawks give up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and rank dead last in passing yards allowed (2891). Goff still has tough matchups against Tampa Bay in Week 11 and New England in Week 14, but the rest of his schedule is appetizing. In Weeks 12 and 13 he’ll go up against the 49ers and Cardinals, and in the fantasy semi-finals and championship weeks he gets the Jets and the Seahawks. Goff is a perfect QB2 for Superflex leagues and someone who could be on a lot of championship rosters with the way his playoff schedule ends. Get Goff before it’s too late.
2. Brady to Brown is going to be a thing.
Although it’s only been one game (and an ugly one at that), it’s certainly looking like Antonio Brown is going to be involved in the Bucs offense. Brown lead the Bucs in average depth of target (19.8) and air yards (99) and only had one less target than Chris Godwin and Mike Evans (5 to their 6). Godwin is still the receiver that I want in this offense, and things could change as it’s only been one game, but it was obvious that Tom Brady was doing everything he could to get Brown the ball. Brown was right behind Godwin in weighted opportunity percentage (41.5% to 39.9%) and looked relatively good for only playing in his second game in two seasons. I believe the pecking order will be Godwin > Brown > Evans, but Brady is going to everything in his power to show signing Brown wasn’t a mistake.
3. DJ leaves us wanting Mo(o)re.Â
Many were touting DJ Moore as a WR1 this offseason after his break out 2019 season. Moore was consistent last year, scoring double-digit fantasy points in 12 games last season and finished as the WR15 in points per game. But this season is a completely different story. He has more games under ten points (5) than over (4), compared to Robby Anderson only having one game out of nine under ten points. Moore was on the field for 97% of snaps in Week 9 and only saw three targets. Moore is nothing but a boom/bust WR2 who can have big games (two games over 20 points) but has a rock bottom floor. He’s nowhere near a must start.
4. Start Mike Gesicki.
After a huge Week 2 that saw Mike Gesicki go for eight catches, 130 yards, and a touchdown for 27 points, it looked like his breakout was here. Since then, he’s only had one game over ten points and had more than three targets twice. But Gesicki has a few things going for him this week. First off, Preston Williams was placed on the IR with a foot injury, so there will be an opportunity for Gesicki to fill the void. Last season Gesicki saw a boost in production when Williams wasn’t in the lineup. In the seven games they played together, Gesicki averaged 6.5 PPR points, opposed to averaging 11.5 PPR points with Williams out of the lineup. Gesicki has a good matchup as well, facing a Chargers defense that gives up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and has allowed five touchdowns to the tight end position in their last five games.
5. Yes, you can drop Le’Veon Bell.
This isn’t to say that you should be actively looking to get rid of him, but it’s obvious that this is still Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s backfied. Le’Veon Bell is still worth the handcuff if you have CEH, but he likely won’t produce on his own. Bell will have a solid game here or there, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he even had a blow-up game. But with the lack of touches he’s getting, you’ll never feel comfortable starting him with CEH in the lineup. We’re at the point in the season that you can use your bench for stashes instead of bye week replacements, so you could do a lot worse than Bell. He’s one of the most valuable handcuffs in all of fantasy if there was an injury to CEH. Don’t hesitate to drop Bell if you need the roster spot, he’s not a must hold.
6. Drew Lock is volatile yet fantasy viable.
Yes, it may be ugly, and he may not be locked in (pun intended) as the quarterback of the future for the Broncos but Drew lock has put up some solid fantasy numbers the past two weeks. He’s had 40 or more attempts the past three weeks and thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of the past two games. He seems to be clicking with Jerry Jeudy and has a pretty decent schedule down the stretch, including this week against a Raiders defense that gives up the 10th most passing yards (267) and total points (28.6) per game. You won’t feel confident with Lock in your lineup, he’s got a rock bottom floor. But he’s producing as of late and has a decent ceiling. He’s a matchup dependent QB2 for Superflex leagues that I’m comfortable starting in the right matchups.
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7. Start Leonard Fournette.
No matter how much coach speak Bruce Arians spews declaring how much he loves Ronald Jones, actions speak louder than words. Leonard Fournette is taking over this backfield, as he’s had a higher snap percentage, more rushing attempts, rushing yards, targets, catches, and receiving yards than Ronald Jones over the past three weeks. Fournette has seen six or more targets over that period and scored double digits in each of those games as well. Tampa Bay travels to Carolina to play a Panthers defense that routinely gets shredded by running backs, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs and given up the second-most rushing touchdowns on the season (12). While I expect both Fournette and Rojo to be solid against the Panthers, Fournette is getting more opportunity, and I expect a big game from him this week. Start him where you have him.
8. Brandin Cooks is heating up.
Don’t look now, but after not doing much through the first four weeks, Brandin Cooks is picking it up in a big way. He’s had nine or more targets in each of Houston’s last four games, scoring double digits in each of those games, two games over 20 points, and three touchdowns. This week Cooks goes up against a Cleveland defense that gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, the 9th most passing yards (264.6) per game, and allowed 17 touchdowns through the air. Expect him to keep his solid string of games going this week, as he’s virtually tied with Will Fuller with snap percentage (Fuller 84%, Cooks 83%) and continues to build chemistry with Deshaun Watson.
9. Tyler Boyd continues to be disrespected.
AJ Brown. Chris Godwin. Will Fuller. Those are just three of the “big name” wide receivers that Tyler Boyd has a better point per game average than, yet you don’t hear the same hype surrounding Boyd. He leads the Bengals in target percentage (21%) receiving yards (584), targets (68), and tied with Tee Higgins for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (3). Boyd is an emerging WR1 and ranks as the WR14 in ppg this season. He’s got a solid schedule down the stretch, and simply isn’t getting the respect he deserves. As Joe Burrow continues to grow, so will Boyd’s production. He’s someone I’m trying to acquire everywhere I can.
10. Trade deadlines are approaching.
Be cautious of what your league’s trade deadline is, and see if you’re in a position to use it to your advantage. If you’re already locked in the playoffs or very close, you may be able to swing a deal to get a player who has yet to have their bye (or is on bye this week) at a discount. Don’t let it slip by without you knowing, make sure you check the deadline date. The Bills, Bears, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Giants, Jets, 49ers, and Dolphins all still have a buy coming up, and there are plenty of productive fantasy players among those teams. Try to pry one away from a team who’s on the brink and needs to win now to make the playoffs.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @GMenJay, and feel free to tweet or DM me any questions you may have. Good luck in Week 10!
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