Welcome to Week 10 of the fantasy football season. Today, we’re looking at six blowout starts for Week 10. First, let me explain how I differentiate a rookie player from a must-play player in fantasy football.
Must-have players are the superstars you always plug into your lineup, regardless of how well your backup option is playing this week. In comparison, smash starts aren’t superstars you have to play every week. Instead, these players, with a bad game and an effective backup option, could sit on the bench at some point during the season.
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 10
While some of these splashy starting calls may seem obvious, I’m determined to start these six players in Week 10.
Bryce Young (QB – CAR) against the New Orleans Saints
While he looked like a go-to quarterback earlier this season, Bryce Young struggled against elite defenses. He averaged 221 passing yards, one touchdown and 9.8 fantasy points per game against the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. However, Young showed last week that he can play well against elite defenses, totaling 276 passing yards, three touchdowns and 20.3 fantasy points against the Denver Broncos – his first game with more than 20 fantasy points since Week 4.
Plus, the former Alabama star had enjoyed some fantastic matchups. Fortunately, Young has a great game Sunday against the Saints. The division rival has given up 267.3 passing yards, 1.7 touchdowns and 18.6 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the past seven weeks, allowing more than 18.3 points in 66.7% of games. Last week, Shedeur Sanders threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 22.7 fantasy points against this struggling New Orleans defense.
Ollie Gordon II (RB – MIA) vs. the Indianapolis Colts
Unfortunately, the last two weeks have been difficult for Ollie Gordon II. The former Oklahoma State star averaged 97 rushing yards and 16.7 PPR fantasy points per game in his first three games without De’Von Achane, scoring a touchdown in each outing. In comparison, he’s averaged 62 rushing yards and 7.2 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks, failing to find the end zone in both games and scoring less than 7.5 fantasy points in both games.
However, Gordon goes from two talented run defenses to a struggling unit. The Colts have given up 25.3 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, eighth-most in the NFL. Since trading away DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis has allowed 168 rushing yards, 1.5 touchdowns and 37.1 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, including at least 158 yards and 30.1 fantasy points in both games. Expect Gordon to bounce back with over 100 rushing yards this week.
Audric Estime (RB – NO) against the Carolina Panthers
Head coach Kellen Moore told the media earlier this week that the team has not determined whether Travis Etienne Jr. will return from a hamstring injury and play Sunday against the Panthers. If the former Clemson star misses his sixth straight game, Audric Estime has a top-15 advantage against his division rival. Last week, the veteran had 15 rushing attempts for 72 yards, a touchdown and 14.7 PPR fantasy points against the Cleveland Browns.
More importantly, Estime was the Saints’ leading running back in Week 9, especially on the ground. He accounted for 61.5% of touches from the backfield and 68.2% of rushing attempts. Meanwhile, Carolina has given up 110.5 rushing yards and 27.6 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, the second most in the NFL. Additionally, the Panthers have given up 123 rushing yards, 1.7 touchdowns and 30.7 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs over their last three matchups.
Jameson Williams (WR – DET) vs. New England Patriots
Last week, the Lions had an ugly victory against the Miami Dolphins. However, Jameson Williams had been one of the hottest receivers in fantasy football heading into last week’s game. He had three receiving touchdowns in the previous two games. More importantly, the former Alabama star averaged 3.6 receptions on 5.8 targets for 68.2 receiving yards, one touchdown and 16.6 fantasy points per game over the past six weeks, totaling over 16.2 points in all outings last week.
After a quiet performance in Week 9, fantasy players should expect a bounce-back performance from Williams on Sunday in Germany. The Patriots pass defense has been horrible lately. They have given up 13 receptions for 189.1 receiving yards, 1.6 touchdowns and 41.4 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers over their last seven outings. Last week, New England allowed 20 receptions for 360 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 75.3 fantasy points to the Green Bay Packers wide receiving unit.
KC Concepcion (WR – CLE) against the Houston Texans
Although Shedeur Sanders totaled 297 passing yards, two touchdowns and 22.3 fantasy points last week, the Browns announced that Deshaun Watson would start in Week 10. Regardless of which quarterback starts for Cleveland, KC Concepcion has been productive as of late. The former Texas A&M star averaged five receptions on 6.7 targets for 83.7 receiving yards and 16.2 PPR fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, tallying more than 18.8 points twice despite just one touchdown.
Everyone expected the Texans to have an elite pass defense this season. Unfortunately, the exact opposite happened. Houston has given up 38.5 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers, second-most in the NFL. Additionally, the Texans allowed 129 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 31.4 fantasy points on just six receptions to the Los Angeles Chargers’ wide receiving unit, although Ladd McConkey did not play after suffering a back injury during pregame warmups.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE) against the Detroit Lions
Hunter Henry managed to play last week despite limited practice time following a foot injury in Week 8. Unfortunately, the veteran had a fantastic, quiet performance, totaling just 6.5 PPR points. However, he was playing at a high level before the foot injury, averaging 4.7 receptions on 5.3 targets for 54.3 receiving yards and 14.1 fantasy points per game from Week 5 to Week 7, totaling at least 13.4 fantasy points in each game.
Hopefully AJ Brown can play on Sunday against the Lions in Germany after missing the last two games with a knee injury. However, Henry is a go-to tight end, even if Brown plays because of the Detroit game. The Lions have been a fantasy gold mine for opposing tight ends this season. They allowed eight receptions for 88 receiving yards, 1.4 touchdowns and 25.1 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends – the most in the NFL.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. To learn more about Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
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