The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 10 (Fantasy Football)

Happy 1,500 Footclan! Welcome to Week 10 of the Start/Sit series, where we’ll discuss your most commonly asked “Who should I start?” questions for the week.

The projections between any two players on your roster may appear similar, but this “simple” choice could be the difference between your team’s victory or defeat. Luckily, the Fantasy Footballers have created an amazing Start/Sit tool to easily compare any two (or more) players with insight from the Ballers themselves, and trust me — it’s a precious asset that will help you make these crucial lineup decisions that could ultimately lead you to your #FootClanTitle.

In this article, you’ll find your most popular Start/Sit questions of the week, along with the Ballers’ projections and my personal opinions on the matter. Please note that the Footballers’ rankings are constantly being updated as news breaks, so make sure you check out the tool for yourself to catch any last-second changes.

So, without further ado, let’s kick things off with the biggest Start/Sit questions for Week 10:

QB:
Kyler Murray (ARI) or C.J. Stroud (HOU)?

It’s hard to bench Stroud fresh off a historically epic showcase, especially for a guy who’s had a nearly year-long vacation after a massive ACL injury. But this is Kyler freaking Murray we’re talking about here. Since 2020, he’s averaged over 40 yards and 0.5 TDs per game from rushing alone. With reports that he’s fully recovered and will be completely free to utilize his legs, Murray should remain a fantasy phenom right from the start.

Gotta be quicker than that @K1 x #RedSea pic.twitter.com/u29QBq0Prf

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 12, 2021

His pass catchers Marquise Brown and Trey McBride are both recommended DFS plays for a reason and they’ll need a strong performance from their QB in order to pay off. He’ll also be gifted a Charmin-soft matchup against the vulnerable Atlanta Falcons’ defense, making him Jason’s QB Start of the Week. The only qualms are whether he has any rust from the layoff or growing pains with the new coaching staff… which is a legitimate concern.

If you’d rather take the wait-and-see approach, then it’s perfectly sensible to stay in the red-hot flames with Stroud. The matchup disparity isn’t that wide at all; they’re actually neck and neck in the schedule-adjusted rankings. His five passing TDs last week proved that he’s capable of monstrous blow-up games. But his zero passing TDs in the week prior proved he’s capable of disappointment as well. There’s also the strange case of his home/road splits: 24.8 ppg at home vs 14.3 ppg on the road. He is still a rookie after all, so it’s still too early to declare him a surefire bet. But I’m confident he’ll make me sound like a fool for doubting him.

The Verdict
Kyler Murray

WR:
Tyler Lockett (SEA) or Tank Dell (HOU)?

Both these guys are as volatile as they come. But Hot Lockett is the unanimous winner by all three Ballers because he gets to square off against Washington’s weak secondary that just allowed JuJu Smith-Schuster to tally his best game on the season in yardage (51), receptions (six), and fantasy points (11.1). Lockett is averaging eight targets per game in non-divisional matches and should enjoy tearing up the Commanders who give up the second-most receiving yards and TDs to opposing WRs, making him Jason’s WR Start of the Week.

Like Stroud above, Dell is also proving to be a hot commodity for fantasy. He’s averaging the sixth most targeted air yards (minimum 30 targets) and may see an increased target share if Nico Collins is hobbled and Robert Woods is still inactive, though TE Dalton Schultz could end up being the main beneficiary. But Cincinnati’s coverage should pose a much larger threat, so Lockett gets the vote for this week.

The Verdict
Tyler Lockett

RB:
Alexander Mattison (MIN) or Jerome Ford (CLE)?

This one is ugly, but Mattison takes this one for now as he’s the presumed lone RB in the Vikings’ backfield with Cam Akers out for the season, though Ty Chandler looms in the distance. But unless Chandler becomes the surprise “hot hand” and takes over the reins, Mattison should see near bell cow usage in a close game.

Jerome Ford, meanwhile, continues to be in a timeshare with Kareem Hunt and will have an equally terrible matchup. But with a presumably negative game script and smaller workload, Mattison should be the pick. His usage in the red zone (16 carries vs. Ford’s three) helps as well, though it’ll be tough for either back to fall into the end zone.

The Verdict
Alexander Mattison

James Cook (BUF) or Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)?

Speaking of timeshares, these two are also in committees of their own that have hindered their fantasy production, particularly near the goal line. But Cook is the consensus favorite thanks to the Broncos’ defense, who have been the EASIEST matchup for opposing RBs. He’s also enjoyed healthy utilization with an average of 14.9 opportunities per game.

JAHMYR GIBBS BREAKOUT GAME #LVvsDET pic.twitter.com/RtKmG25Eeg

— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2023

However, that workload pales in comparison to Jahmyr Gibbs, who has averaged a whopping 26 opportunities since returning from injury. But, alas, that was without “lead” back David Montgomery on the field, who is expected to make his return this Sunday. We all remember how he soaked up every “Mopportunity” upon returning from his own injury in Week 4 by seizing 34 touches and leaving Gibbs with a paltry 12. Though Gibbs has clearly earned more work, he may be relegated back to his old role while Montgomery shines once again.

Both Cook and Gibbs should see enough looks — including in the air — to make them both startable in your lineups, but they’ll need to make the most of every touch as they’ve been unable to convert TDs, totaling only two scores each despite having multiple chances. The crew is split on this, and while I’d personally roll the dice with Gibbs (especially in PPR leagues), Cook is the “safer” option while we see how Dan Campbell divvies the workload between his two stud RBs.

The Verdict
James Cook

TE:
Dalton Kincaid (BUF) or Sam LaPorta (DET)?

If you have to ask this question, then congratulations on having two premier late-round (or waiver wire) TEs on what I can only assume is a championship-winning squad. Honestly, you could start both guys this week, and for most rosters, you probably should. Both rookies have been phenomenal and emerged as their team’s top two targets. LaPorta’s prowess for TDs gives him the slight edge over Kincaid (who is Mike’s TE Start of the Week), though there’s a chance that he may not see as many scoring opportunities with the aforementioned David Montgomery back to vulture goals. But, again, we’re splitting hairs here, and both guys are top options.

The Verdict
Sam LaPorta

FLEX:
Jahan Dotson (WAS) or Taysom Hill (NO)?

Jahan Dotson is the winner according to the projected points model…but to be honest, I’d prefer Taysom Hill. Sure, the former has a great matchup and should continue enjoying his midseason breakout in the absence of Curtis Samuel where he’s been the WR18 in expected fantasy points. And with the team’s defense in shambles, the Commanders will need to air it out ALL DAY, giving confidence that Dotson will maintain his boosted production.

But, man, Hill is the wildcard of all wildcards. Since Week 6, he’s seen 11.25 opportunities per game, being utilized as a receiving TE AND an RB. In that same time span, he’s averaged over five red zone touches per game and has had 15 in the last two weeks alone. That kind of TD upside is unbeatable.

I totally understand why Dotson should be the pick, and he’s certainly the smarter pick. But smarts go out the window when we’re talking about a 33-year-old undrafted backup QB who blossomed into an offensively dominant Inspector Gadget. Again, Dotson is the recommended option. But if you need upside (and especially if Samuel ends up playing), then I’d rather buy another ticket on the Taysom Hill Express.

The Verdict
Jahan Dotson

Good luck Footclan! If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter. And don’t forget to tune in to the Sunday Live broadcast where Mike will answer your last-second Start/Sit questions!