Welcome back to Fanduel Picks Week 10, your one-stop-shop for the best FanDuel player picks. Last week was a little wonky given the late week injury to Deshaun Watson and the un-suspension of Ezekiel Elliott. But the Week 9 picks still came through in the clutch. With great, cheap Sleepers like Jared Cook (16.6 FanDuel points), Christian McCaffrey (17.9) and Ted Ginn (13.9), you could save up for top players like Todd Gurley (23.4) and Russell Wilson (25.58). As you’ll see below, the Zeke suspension issue will continue to play a pivotal role in FanDuel lineups until we reach a resolution, so finding ways to get cheap and save for those big money, high upside options will be the key to success in Week 10. As a note, these picks are based on Sunday only leagues, so players on Thursday and Monday night will be ignored, as well as London games.
Quarterbacks
The Locks
Let’s not call this a punt. Let’s just call this a suggestion to pass on the highest profiles quarterbacks (aka, a punt). Do I like Matt Stafford Week 10 against one of the worst secondaries in the league? Yes. But c’mon, we can find a Matt Stafford doppelgänger at a much lower price. And does Dak Prescott intrigue me? Always does. But if Ezekiel Elliott plays Week 10 then his value drops significantly. I like Dak the most and would play him at QB in a large majority of my lineups if Zeke can’t go. Only time will tell.
Sleeper
- Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers ($7,600) – With the above in mind, we turn our attention to Ben Roethlisberger facing a hapless Colts secondary. With an implied team total of 27 points, Big Ben finds himself in a great position to put up a ton of points against a Colts defense allowing the second most passing yards per game. Sure, this should be a blowout, and Le’Veon Bell (see below) should be featured heavily in the gameplan. But do not sleep on Ben and his ability to push the ball down the field.
- Josh McCown, QB, New York Jets ($7,400) – I said it in the Stream Team Week 10 article and I am saying it here now: Josh McCown is a startable, trustworthy fantasy commodity. There I said it! Responsible for multiple touchdowns in each of his past five games, McCown has not dipped below 16.9 FanDuel points since Week 5 and has only once scored below 14.4 FanDuel points since Week 1. This week McCown gets a Bucs secondary allowing the third worst completion percentage (69.0%), third most passing yards and fourth worst QB rating (101.9).
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($6,100) – Oh, oh Fitzmagic! You know-oh-oh! Mike Evans lost his appeal and will not play Week 10, but Ryan Fitzpatrick is a near must start at his low price of $6,100. Let’s not forget his relief appearance in Week 6 where Fitzmagic threw for 290 yards and 3 touchdown passes, good for 22.8 FanDuel points. While a great risk, excellence is never achieved without taking a few chances and his pricing alone justifies using him.
Running Backs
The Locks
I really like the top end running backs this week and highly recommend you spend most of your resources here (and SPOILER at tight end, see below). Along with the two names mentioned, if Zeke plays I will likely be rocking lineups with combinations of these three running backs.
- Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers ($9,400) – It is really self-explanatory at this point. No justifications really needed. Bell’s volume and usage rates should remain high in a projected blowout in Indianapolis. Couple that with a Colts defense allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs and the most rushing touchdowns and Le’Veon might be in line for one of the best games of the year Sunday. Don’t miss out, cause other will not.
- Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars ($8,700) – The normally angry, ferocious and brutalizing Leonard Fournette just got a heck of a lot scarier Week 10 after his one game suspension Week 9 for violating a team policy. I would not want to tackle this beast at all this week. Fournette’s low point total came Week 2 (a mere 13.1), but besides that his low is 15.5. I’d call that solid RB1 floor production. At a minimum. The Chargers allow the second most rushing yards per game and the fifth highest yards per carry. Don’t hesitate as Fournette and his owners will be by you in a flash.
Sleeper
- Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets ($5,600) – Another Stream Teamer! And one on the same team as the previous Stream Teamer. And the face of it no less. Slowly becoming a vital cog in the passing game, Matt Forte receives a steady diet of handoffs to nicely compliment his large receiving workload to provide consistent RB2 production. And for the price of $5,600. Pinch me, I must be dreaming. Facing a weak run defense (and overall defense for that matter) I expect Forte to remain heavily involved even as the 1B to Bilal Powell‘s 1A.
- Orleans Darkwa, RB, New York Giants ($5,300) – Orleans Darkwa continues to impress as the leader of the Giants backfield, but FanDuel continues to not notice his potential. Darkwa has eclipsed 70 total yards in 3 of his 4 last games, with the lone exception coming against the Seattle Seahawks. Luckily, Darkwa does not face the Seahawks vaunted defense Week 10. Rather, Darkwa faces a limping 49er defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Separating himself as the lead dog, Darkwa should continue getting the lions share (maybe even the large majority) of the handoffs in the Giants backfield and profiles as a great floor, high-uspde play.
Wide Receivers
The Locks
This one is less of a punt suggestion than the Quarterbacks section. Let’s call this a semi-punt of the Lock wideouts. Sure Antonio Brown should have a great day against the Colts, but Bell could the real horse there. And Julio Jones could have a day against a bad Cowboys pass defense, but will his lower leg injury hamper him? And A.J. Green coming off suspension could be in line for a monster day, but he has not eclipsed 41 yards since Week 5…I feel the value this week is at running back and the tight end suggested below, so here are a few cheap names at wide receiver to get you by.
Sleeper
- Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions ($6,400) – With 19 catches on 36 targets for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns over his past 3 games, Marvin Jones could be Stafford’s new primary receiving target. Sure, Jones had a stretch like this last year to begin 2016 and then faded fast, but this feels different. Golden Tate is not going anywhere, but neither is Jones. Facing a Browns team allowing the fourth least rushing yards per game and the lowest yards per attempt (2.9, only team under 3.0), look for Stafford to air it out early and often.
- Roberts Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams ($6,200) – Looking more and more like the number one wideout on the highest scoring team in the league, Robert Woods leads the Rams in targets, receptions and receiving yardage. In Week 10, the Rams face a Texans team allowing the 6th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the third most passing touchdowns in the NFL. Look for this speedster to remain heavily involved as Jared Goff continues to pepper him as his favorite passing target.
- Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons ($5,900) – I referenced Jones’ injury above. The situation appears murky, but what is not it Mohamed Sanu‘s consistent role in the Falcons passing attack. Besides Week 1, Sanu has recorded at least 9.5 FanDuel points and notched at least 65 yards in every game this year he has started and finished. Facing a poor Dallas defense, look for Sanu to remain heavily involved, with a potential extra uptick if Jones is hobbled or can’t play.
Tight End
The Locks
- Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots ($8,100) – Use the numbers to your advantage ladies and gentlemen. You do not need me to tell you Rob Gronkowski is the straw that stirs the Patriots drink on offense (besides the GOAT, Tom Brady, obviously). And with the Broncos boasting one of the strongest secondaries in football, look for TB12 to exploit Denver’s inept tight end coverage (3rd most fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends). If the deadly combination of Brent Celek and Trey Burton can put up a 5/80/1 touchdown line, what can New England’s freakish monster do. He’ll be worth every penny spent.
Sleeper
- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings ($5,400) – The Washington Redskins allow the 4th most points to opposing tight ends. So with Kyle Rudolph finding his stride, he makes for a very interesting high-upside play Week 10. Over the past 4 games, Rudolph has not seen less than 7 targets and has not caught less than 5 balls, so his volume in this offense has been consistently high for quite some time. With that type of usage, if Rudolph finds the end zone he could make for a top 5 play at tight end this week.
Kicker
The Locks
- Matt Prater, K, Detroit Lions ($5,100) – Since joining the Lions back in 2014, Matt Prater is 66/74 indoors (89.2%). Not too shabby huh. With the Lions projected to blow out the Browns, look for Prater to be kicking often and putting up points in bundles Sunday.
Sleeper
- Mike Nugent, K, Dallas Cowboys ($4,700) – Cheap kicker in the highest scoring game of the week (50.5, only total over 50 points). Love it. Mike Nugent disappointed last week kicking just 4 extra points. But just one field goal turns a bad day into a mediocre one. Let’s hope for one or two FG attempts this week to make up for last week’s dismal performance.
Defense
The Locks
- Los Angeles Rams DST ($5,400) – Tom Savage. Enough Said. The Texans just allowed the Indianapolis Colts to put up their second highest defensive fantasy point total of the season last week, and they really suck on defense. The Los Angeles Rams DST (second highest scoring defense) may have a field day.
Sleeper
- Pittsburgh Steelers DST ($4,600) – Not really sure what FanDuel is thinking here. The Pittsburgh Steelers DST average the 8th most points per game for defenses and now face a Colts team allowing the most points per game to opposing defenses. The Steelers unit has recorded multiple sacks in every game this year and forced at least one turnover in all but one game. In what will be a blowout victory for the Steel Curtain, expect them to wreak havoc onto Jacoby Brissett.
And that’s a wrap for Fanduel Week 10 analysis. Remember to always look at the matchups and Vegas totals, which are always telling, and do not be afraid to admit they know more than you, because they usually do. Until next time, good luck and don’t forget to tip me 10% of your earnings. Thanks in advance.
To contact me with any questions or general fantasy football discussion, please email me at redsocker45@gmail.com or tweet me @AJGamballer.
