Week 10 brings the return of the byes, our final foreign game of the season (featuring two of the worst teams in the NFL), and six excellent offenses playing outside the main slate.
We can use Detroit and Houston on FD and FB. Otherwise, the player pool is pruning up with the rainy fall weather. This brings me to the most important element from now on: the weather. We had our first pair of weather-influenced games this past weekend, but neither stifled the elite offenses involved. Know that only the absolute worst wind and driving rain/snow truly affect the top talents, but still be alert and aware.
Recommended DFS lineups
*Note: FanDuel and Fanball include the Sunday night game on their Main Slate. DraftKings doesn’t include them, so the pricing is listed as N/A.
DK Lineup: QB Brock Purdy ($6.5k), RB Bijan Robinson ($7.7k), RB Aaron Jones ($6.7k), WR Jordan Addison ($5.3k), WR Jauan Jennings ($5.1k), WR Ray-Ray McCloud ($4.3k), TE George Kittle ($5.8k), FLEX Cade Otton ($5.5k), DST New York Jets ($2.9k)
FD Lineup: QB Sam Darnold ($7.8k), RB Rico Dowdle ($6.2k), RB D’Andre Swift ($7.7k), WR Justin Jefferson ($9.5k), WR Quentin Johnston ($5.9k), WR Jauan Jennings ($5.8k), TE Cade Otton ($6.4K), FLEX Travis Kelce ($7.0k), DST New England Patriots ($3.6k)
FB Lineup: QB Jalen Hurts ($7.5k), RB Aaron Jones ($6.3k) RB D’Andre Swift ($6.0k), WR DeVonta Smith ($6.8k), WR Tank Dell ($5.4k), WR/TE Cade Otton ($4.9k), TE George Kittle ($5.8k), FLEX Rhamondre Stevenson ($5.9k), SUPERFLEX C.J. Stroud ($6.3k)
*Note: Player salaries are color-coded based on expected output. Red = Less than 2.5x value, Black = 2.5x value, Green = Greater than 3x value.
| Quarterback | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts | $7,800 | $9,400 |
| Josh Allen | $7,700 | $9,200 |
| Jayden Daniels | $7,500 | $8,400 |
| Jared Goff | N/A | $8,000 |
| C.J. Stroud | N/A | $7,700 |
| Kirk Cousins | $6,700 | $7,400 |
| Patrick Mahomes | $6,600 | $7,900 |
| Brock Purdy | $6,500 | $8,100 |
| Baker Mayfield | $6,400 | $8,200 |
| Kyler Murray | $6,300 | $7,600 |
| Sam Darnold | $6,200 | $7,800 |
| Bo Nix | $6,000 | $7,000 |
| Russell Wilson | $5,900 | $7,500 |
| Drake Maye | $5,800 | $6,800 |
| Aaron Rodgers | $5,700 | $7,100 |
| Caleb Williams | $5,600 | $7,100 |
| Joe Flacco | $5,500 | $7,300 |
| Derek Carr | $5,300 | $6,700 |
| Justin Herbert | $5,200 | $6,900 |
| Cooper Rush | $5,100 | $6,500 |
| Mason Rudolph | $4,900 | $6,600 |
| Will Levis | $4,900 | $6,600 |
| Mac Jones | $4,400 | $6,000 |
Quarterback
Weekly strategy – If you go big, choose between Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. Both are solid plays. The high-dollar pivots would be C.J. Stroud or Kirk Cousins. The sweet spot for me would be Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, and Aaron Rodgers. Justin Herbert, Mac Jones, and Cooper Rush are the punt choices.
Fantasy four-pack
Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ DAL ($7,800 DK, $9,400 FD) Over the last four games, Dallas has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. Meanwhile, Hurts has 12 total TDs over that same four-week period.
Josh Allen, Bills @ IND ($7,700 DK, $9,200 FD) If I knew he would have all of his weapons, I’d have even more faith in Allen. Still, Allen has proven he can succeed without his usual posse, especially if he gets things going with his legs. Indy’s pass defense numbers look positive, but the QBs they have faced were Sam Darnold, C.J. Stroud (2x), and a clown car full of scrubs.
Kirk Cousins, Falcons @ NO ($6,700 DK, $7,400 FD) Since Week 5, Cousins ranks second in both completions and passing yards. He also ranks third in passing TDs. New Orleans held him in check earlier this year, but now they will be without Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Stack Cousins with two of Drake London (hip), Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud III.
C.J. Stroud, Texans vs. DET (N/A DK, $7,700 FD) Only three teams allow more passing yards per game than Detroit. This will be the wake-up call needed to boost Stroud, who has struggled since losing his top two WRs to injury. Stroud will get an even bigger boost if Nico Collins (hamstring) returns here.
Sleepers
Aaron Rodgers, Jets @ ARI ($5,700 DK, $7,100 FD) In six of his last eight starts, Rodgers has thrown for multiple TDs. This includes five passing TDs over the last two games. Arizona’s pass defense has improved recently, but they still have allowed the sixth-most passing yards this year.
Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. TEN ($5,200 DK, $6,900 FD) This price seems disrespectful to Herbert. Over the last three weeks, no one has thrown for more passing yards than him. The return of Quentin Johnston, paired with the development of Ladd McConkey, has lit a new fire under him. The timing is right for a big game here as Tennessee has allowed eight of their 11 passing TDs over the last four weeks.
| Running back | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | $8,300 | $9,600 |
| Joe Mixon | N/A | $9,000 |
| Alvin Kamara | $8,100 | $8,500 |
| Christian McCaffrey | $8,000 | $9,400 |
| Bijan Robinson | $7,700 | $8,800 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | N/A | $8,400 |
| Breece Hall | $7,600 | $8,200 |
| Jonathan Taylor | $7,500 | $8,600 |
| Jordan Mason | $7,400 | $8,100 |
| David Montgomery | N/A | $8,000 |
| J.K. Dobbins | $7,200 | $7,300 |
| James Cook | $7,000 | $7,800 |
| Tony Pollard | $6,900 | $7,200 |
| Aaron Jones | $6,700 | $7,900 |
| Kareem Hunt | $6,600 | $8,300 |
| D’Andre Swift | $6,500 | $7,700 |
| James Conner | $6,500 | $7,600 |
| Isaac Guerendo | $6,400 | $6,700 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | $6,400 | $7,000 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | $6,300 | $7,500 |
| Najee Harris | $6,200 | $7,100 |
| Rico Dowdle | $6,100 | $6,200 |
| Javonte Williams | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Rachaad White | $5,900 | $6,400 |
| Austin Ekeler | $5,800 | $6,800 |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | $5,800 | $6,600 |
| Tank Bigsby | $5,700 | $6,500 |
| Braelon Allen | $5,500 | $5,700 |
| Ray Davis | $5,500 | $5,800 |
| Jaylen Warren | $5,300 | $5,500 |
| Kimani Vidal | $5,200 | $4,900 |
| Tyler Allgeier | $5,200 | $5,900 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | $5,100 | $5,600 |
| Dalvin Cook | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Dameon Pierce | N/A | $5,000 |
| Antonio Gibson | $4,900 | $5,200 |
| Trey Benson | $4,800 | $5,500 |
| Cam Akers | $4,700 | $4,800 |
| Sean Tucker | $4,700 | $5,100 |
| Tyjae Spears | $4,700 | $5,200 |
| Roschon Johnson | $4,600 | $5,600 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | $4,500 | $5,400 |
| Ty Johnson | $4,500 | $4,800 |
| Jeremy McNichols | $4,400 | $5,300 |
| Julius Chestnut | $4,300 | $5,100 |
| D’Ernest Johnson | $4,200 | $4,700 |
| Ty Chandler | $4,200 | $5,700 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | $4,100 | $4,900 |
| Kyle Juszczyk | $4,000 | $4,300 |
Running back
Weekly strategy – Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson are the best choices. Alvin Kamara should see a heightened volume because of injuries. I’m struggling with whether to use Christian McCaffrey. It is his first game back, and the matchup is prime, but this smells like a snap-count game. Just know that his DK price will never be this low again. Outside of this foursome, Aaron Jones and D’Andre Swift feel like the clear RB2 choices. After this group, it gets ugly. You can take a flier on James Conner or Rico Dowdle or punt with backups like Tyler Allgeier or Kenneth Gainwell … Ugh.
Fantasy four-pack
Saquon Barkley, Eagles @ DAL ($8,300 DK, $9,600 FD) Normally, I would be concerned that Barkley and Jalen Hurts would cannibalize each other’s production. Still, both have dominated over the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Dallas allows an average of 150 combo yards and 1.4 total TDs per game to opposing RBs.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ NO ($7,700 DK, $8,800 FD) Over their last four contests, New Orleans is allowing 155 combo yards and two total TDs per game to opposing RBs. This coincides with the blossoming of Robinson. During that same stretch, he is averaging 23.5 PPR points per game.
Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. ATL ($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD) Kamara’s passing game usage has kept him relevant while the rest of the Saints are in the infirmary. Atlanta ranks in the bottom five in RB receptions and receiving TDs, so the opportunities will be there this week.
Aaron Jones, Vikings @ JAX ($6,700 DK, $7,900 FD) Jacksonville ranks second-worst in total TDs allowed to the RB position. They also are in the bottom three in both RB receptions and receiving yards. Jones should do damage through the air here as he ranks eighth among RBs in both categories.
Sleepers
Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. PHI ($6,100 DK, $6,200 FD) The matchup isn’t elite, but Dowdle has fared well since winning the lion’s share of the touches back in Week 4. During this stretch, Dowdle has nearly twice as many opportunities as Ezekiel Elliott, despite missing one of these games because of illness.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots @ CHI ($6,400 DK, $7,000 FD) Stevenson’s yardage numbers have been pedestrian all season, but he ranks sixth among RBs with seven total TDs. This includes two TDs in each of the last two games. Plus, Chicago is allowing five YPC to opposing RBs, so the yards may be here this week as well.
| Wide Receiver | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | $8,800 | $9,500 |
| CeeDee Lamb | $8,600 | $9,200 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | N/A | $9,000 |
| A.J. Brown | $8,200 | $8,900 |
| Nico Collins | N/A | $8,800 |
| DeVonta Smith | $7,800 | $8,500 |
| Terry McLaurin | $7,300 | $7,700 |
| Garrett Wilson | $7,200 | $7,900 |
| Davante Adams | $7,000 | $7,600 |
| Deebo Samuel Sr. | $6,900 | $8,300 |
| Tank Dell | N/A | $7,200 |
| George Pickens | $6,800 | $7,000 |
| Drake London | $6,700 | $7,800 |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | $6,600 | $7,300 |
| Darnell Mooney | $6,500 | $7,500 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | $6,400 | $6,800 |
| DJ Moore | $6,300 | $6,500 |
| Josh Downs | $6,200 | $7,100 |
| Xavier Worthy | $6,100 | $6,900 |
| Jameson Williams | N/A | $6,300 |
| Khalil Shakir | $6,000 | $6,200 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | $6,000 | $6,200 |
| Ladd McConkey | $5,900 | $6,300 |
| Amari Cooper | $5,800 | $6,100 |
| Calvin Ridley | $5,700 | $5,800 |
| Keon Coleman | $5,500 | $6,100 |
| Keenan Allen | $5,400 | $6,000 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | $5,300 | $6,000 |
| Jordan Addison | $5,300 | $6,600 |
| Rome Odunze | $5,200 | $5,900 |
| Jalen Tolbert | $5,100 | $6,400 |
| Jauan Jennings | $5,100 | $5,800 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | N/A | $5,600 |
| Robert Woods | N/A | $5,400 |
| John Metchie III | N/A | $5,300 |
| Brandin Cooks | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Kalif Raymond | N/A | $5,000 |
| Gabe Davis | $5,000 | $5,600 |
| Alec Pierce | $4,900 | $5,300 |
| Quentin Johnston | $4,900 | $5,900 |
| Joshua Palmer | $4,800 | $5,800 |
| Jahan Dotson | $4,700 | $5,000 |
| Cedrick Wilson Jr. | $4,600 | $5,500 |
| Michael Wilson | $4,600 | $5,500 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Mason Tipton | $4,500 | $5,700 |
| DeMario Douglas | $4,400 | $5,100 |
| Ricky Pearsall | $4,400 | $5,700 |
| Noah Brown | $4,300 | $5,300 |
| Ray-Ray McCloud III | $4,300 | $5,900 |
| Jalen McMillan | $4,200 | $6,100 |
| Jalen Nailor | $4,200 | $5,200 |
| Mike Williams | $4,100 | $5,000 |
| Sterling Shepard | $4,100 | $5,700 |
| Trey Palmer | $4,000 | $5,300 |
| Troy Franklin | $4,000 | $5,100 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Parker Washington | $3,900 | $5,400 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | $3,800 | $5,400 |
| Justin Watson | $3,700 | $5,200 |
| Rakim Jarrett | $3,600 | $4,800 |
| Tim Patrick | N/A | $4,800 |
| Tim Jones | $3,600 | $4,700 |
| Van Jefferson | $3,600 | $5,100 |
| Calvin Austin III | $3,500 | $5,300 |
| KaVontae Turpin | $3,500 | $5,600 |
| Kayshon Boutte | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Tyler Boyd | $3,500 | $4,700 |
| Adonai Mitchell | $3,400 | $5,200 |
| Devaughn Vele | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Mecole Hardman | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | $3,400 | $4,900 |
| Curtis Samuel | $3,300 | $4,900 |
| Dyami Brown | $3,300 | $4,800 |
| Ja’Lynn Polk | $3,300 | $4,700 |
| Mack Hollins | $3,300 | $5,100 |
| Kendrick Bourne | $3,200 | $5,000 |
| KhaDarel Hodge | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Lil’Jordan Humphrey | $3,200 | $4,600 |
Wide receiver
Weekly strategy – Justin Jefferson should be high-dollar chalk. To save money and achieve variance, use DeVonta Smith or Davante Adams instead. You also can use Tank Dell on FD and FB, especially if Nico Collins (hamstring) remains out. At WR2 use Darnell Mooney or Khalil Shakir, or take a flier on George Pickens, Josh Downs, or DJ Moore. Jauan Jennings (hip) will be my WR3 unless he suffers a setback. In that case, sub in Rome Odunze, Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston, or Calvin Ridley. If you don’t use Mooney, consider Ray-Ray McCloud as a punt. You also can consider Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Parker Washington in this role.
Fantasy four-pack
Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. JAX ($8,800 DK, $9,500 FD) Jefferson is expensive, but he has scored and/or topped 100 total yards in all but one game. We will see more of this as Jacksonville ranks bottom-six in WR receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs.
DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ DAL ($7,800, $8,500 FD) Dallas’ injuries have piled up, leaving this defense debilitated. Plus, A.J. Brown (knee) is on the wrong side of questionable. This should allow the Eagles to feature Smith once again. Even if Brown plays, Smith will score.
Davante Adams, Jets @ ARI ($7,000 DK, $7,600 FD) The Lambeau East Connection travels down to Arizona to face a Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh-most WR receptions and the eighth-most WR receptions. Adams’ usage has grown in each game since the trade to the Jets. This feels like the game where he scores multiple TDs.
Tank Dell, Texans vs. DET (N/A DK, $7,200 FD) Despite facing the top-ranked pass defense against WRs last week, C.J. Stroud finally peppered Dell with targets. The result was 6-126. Expect even more out of the Houston speedster against the third-worst defense against the opponent’s WRs.
Sleepers
Jauan Jennings, 49ers @ TB ($5,100 DK, $5,800 FD) Jennings (hip) is on target to return this weekend against the Buccaneers. Deebo Samuel (oblique/ribs) will probably return as well. Hope they both return, because opposing WR2s have demolished this defense.
Quentin Johnston, Chargers vs. TEN ($4,900 DK, $5,900 FD) Tennessee has stumbled of late against the pass. Meanwhile, Johnston is coming off his best game of the season. Stack him and/or Ladd McConkey with Justin Herbert if you want to spend huge at RB.
| Tight End | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | $6,000 | $7,000 |
| George Kittle | $5,800 | $8,000 |
| Trey McBride | $5,700 | $7,200 |
| Cade Otton | $5,500 | $6,400 |
| Evan Engram | $5,300 | $6,200 |
| Jake Ferguson | $5,000 | $6,800 |
| Dalton Kincaid | $4,900 | $6,000 |
| Kyle Pitts | $4,800 | $5,700 |
| T.J. Hockenson | $4,700 | $6,500 |
| Dallas Goedert | $4,500 | $5,900 |
| Sam LaPorta | N/A | $5,800 |
| Dalton Schultz | N/A | $5,400 |
| Cole Kmet | $4,300 | $5,100 |
| Pat Freiermuth | $4,200 | $5,200 |
| Taysom Hill | $4,000 | $6,300 |
| Hunter Henry | $3,900 | $5,300 |
| Zach Ertz | $3,800 | $5,000 |
| Grant Calcaterra | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Tyler Conklin | $3,400 | $5,100 |
| Juwan Johnson | $3,300 | $5,300 |
| Josh Oliver | $3,200 | $4,500 |
| Will Dissly | $3,100 | $4,900 |
| Chig Okonkwo | $3,000 | $4,900 |
| Foster Moreau | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Elijah Higgins | $2,900 | $4,700 |
| Noah Gray | $2,900 | $5,200 |
| Brenton Strange | $2,800 | $4,800 |
| Austin Hooper | $2,700 | $4,800 |
| Hayden Hurst | $2,700 | $4,500 |
| Lucas Krull | $2,600 | $4,600 |
Tight end
Weekly strategy – Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Cade Otton are all elite plays this week. Seriously consider the double-TE play with two of them. Kyle Pitts (hamstring) and Dalton Kincaid are the discount pivots. You also can punt with Hunter Henry or one of the Saints.
Fantasy four-pack
George Kittle, 49ers @ TB ($5,800 DK, $8,000 FD) Over the last four weeks, Tampa is allowing an average of 23.7 PPR points to opposing TEs. Kittle leads all tight ends in touchdowns and ranks second in TE receiving yards. This has allowed him to score and/or top 90 total yards in six of seven games.
Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. DEN ($6,000 DK, $7,000 FD) TE is one of the few positions that Denver struggles against on defense. With Kelce blowing up for the last two weeks, 8-90-1 should be the floor.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. SF ($5,500 DK, $6,400 FD) Since losing their entire WR corps to injury, Otton has gone scorched earth on the league. Over the last three games, Otton is top-three among all offensive players in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TDs. His price is still low enough to lock it in here.
Trey McBride, Cardinals vs. NYJ ($5,700 DK, $7,200 FD) McBride should see a plethora of targets with the Jets shutting down the Cardinals’ outside WRs. Even though he scored the rushing TD, McBride underperformed last week. This could keep his ownership numbers down.
Sleepers
Hunter Henry, Patriots @ CHI ($3,900 DK, $5,300 FD) Henry hasn’t scored over the last three games, but he is averaging 7-64. At this price on DK, 3x is an absolute lock. If he gets into the end zone, 4x is on the table.
Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. ATL ($3,300 DK, $5,300 FD) With an injury-depleted WR corps, the Saints have turned to their TEs to make up the slack. Johnson, Taysom Hill, and Foster Moreau are all in play at discount prices. Build three different lineups, each featuring one of them.