Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 10 Matchups to Consider
Believe it or not, there are just FIVE regular-season fantasy weeks left to be played before the playoffs are locked in! That means just five more opportunities for fantasy managers to make those crucial decisions that will be the difference in how their fantasy season ends. Luckily for the fantasy community, I’m here yet again to walk through a handful of matchups at each position to help make lineup decisions!
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy (SF) at Tampa Bay
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| QB3 | QB2 | QB5 |
QB3 |
After finishing as the QB6 in 2023, Brock Purdy has had a tougher time being the consistent fantasy threat with many of his weapons struggling to stay on the field this season. Purdy has still been a good starting option most weeks for fantasy managers, finishing as a top-eight QB in five of his eight games played this season. Where Purdy has been able to provide a new boost to his fantasy value is in the running game. Last season, Purdy averaged just nine rushing yards per game, but in 2024 he’s averaging 26.3. Purdy has already had more games with 20+ rushing yards than he had in his first two seasons combined. With the receiving options in flux for the 49ers throughout the season, any extra fantasy production that Purdy can provide will be a plus for fantasy managers.
If Purdy is going to make a run for fantasy managers down the stretch of the season, he’ll have a great opportunity to get started in that direction with a matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay’s defense has been one of the best targets for fantasy QBs on the season. This year, the Buccaneers have allowed the third-most passing yards and second-most passing TDs. That has translated to a fantasy FEAST allowing the QB4 or better in four of their last five games. Purdy provides high-upside for fantasy managers who are looking for a strong streaming option this week.
Kurt would play Purdy over: Baker Mayfield (TB) vs. San Francisco
Daniel Jones (NYG) at Carolina
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| QB18 | QB23 | QB16 |
QB15 |
Despite some rough offense for the Giants, Daniel Jones has still been able to produce startable fantasy weeks given the right matchup. Through nine games, Jones has finished as a top-12 QB four different weeks, most recently just last week as the QB5. The common thread in Jones’ strong fantasy weeks has been his rushing production where he’s averaging 36 rushing yards per game in the games. Another mark that Jones has hit consistently in his best fantasy weeks is throwing TDs, where he’s averaging two TD passes per game in his top-12 finishes. Those are the only games that Jones has gotten into the end zone for the Giants, so the floor is extremely low for him whenever the offense struggles to score.
If there’s a time to play a hot and cold player like Jones, it’s when fantasy managers can get him in a matchup like he has this week with Carolina. The Panthers’ defense has been one to target for fantasy QBs this season. Carolina is one of just five teams in the league that is allowing eight or more yards per passing attempt all while allowing the second-most passing TDs in the league. For fantasy, in their last six games, the Panthers have allowed four top-10 QB finishes and half of those QBs finished with at least 30 rushing yards. There may not be many opportunities to stream Jones this season, but this is definitely one of them.
Kurt would play Jones over: Kyler Murray (ARI) vs. N.Y. Jets
Running Backs
Ray Davis (BUF) at Indianapolis
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB36 | RB37 | RB34 |
RB35 |
It may be surprising, but Ray Davis has been a real contributor for fantasy managers over the last month in the Bills’ offense. Since Week 6, Davis has finished as a top-24 in three of four games thanks mainly to the 10 opportunities he’s seeing per game during that stretch. Even though Davis was profiled mainly as a pass-catching RB coming into the league, he’s really been effective for Buffalo in the running game where he’s averaging 5.3 yards per carry during his increased usage. While it may be difficult for fantasy managers to wrap their heads around playing an RB who’s clearly playing second fiddle to James Cook, Davis’ 30% of snaps and the Bills’ willingness to use him in the red zone makes him a consistent flex option in such a powerful offense.
At first glance, it may seem like Davis has a great matchup this week against Indianapolis, but it may be tougher than it seems. The Colts sit in the middle third of the league in most rushing defensive categories, with the one exception being they’re one of just seven teams in the league that have allowed 10 or more rushes of 20+ yards. When it comes to fantasy, Indianapolis has been solid against opposing RBs. In their last six games, the Colts have allowed just three top-24 RB finishes so getting a strong RB week against them isn’t a sure thing. While there’s still upside to putting Davis into a lineup, there should be better flex opportunities this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Jaylen Warren (PIT) at Washington
Rachaad White (TB) vs. San Francisco
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB27 | RB24 | RB25 |
RB24 |
The start of the season was pretty ugly for Rachaad White, but the last three weeks have looked more like the player who finished as the RB7 in 2023. White has finished as a top-24 RB in two of his last three games and the one time he finished outside that mark he was the RB25. Maybe the biggest difference in White’s production has been in the passing game where he’s caught 14 passes in that three-week stretch, just three less than in his first five games of the season combined. The concern for White going forward will be his limited usage and ability to produce in the Tampa Bay running game, where rookie Bucky Irving has clearly become the preferred option. While White may not be getting rushing attempts, he’s still getting more snaps in the red zone over Irving.
When fantasy managers have a player who’s on an offense that is forced to throw the ball as much as the Bucs, matchups don’t matter nearly as much but are still worth looking at. San Francisco’s defense has been tough against the run this season, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards but they have allowed 10 rushing TDs on the season. While White still may be able to break through against the 49ers in the passing game where he’s most effective, in their last four games prior to their bye, San Francisco allowed just four receptions for 26 receiving yards to opposing teams’ RBs. It may be tempting to ride the hot streak this week with White, but fantasy managers should temper expectations for Week 10.
Kurt would prefer to play: Raheem Mostert (MIA) at L.A. Rams
Rico Dowdle (DAL) vs. Philadelphia
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| RB25 | RB23 | RB27 |
RB27 |
It’s been a strange path to get here, but Rico Dowdle may finally be making headway in taking over the Dallas backfield. Dowdle’s return to the lineup in Week 9 turned into his highest fantasy point output of the season where he combined for over 100 yards on 18 total opportunities. What’s most encouraging about Dowdle’s big day for Dallas was the season-high 71% of snaps he saw. Dowdle’s potential emergence in the Dallas backfield may be coming at the wrong time though, with both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb banged up and set to potentially miss time. At the very least, Dowdle may be leaned on more for the Cowboys down the stretch of the season, though his ceiling could be capped without the full host of talent on the field with him.
If Dowdle is going to keep his positive momentum going, he’ll have a tough matchup against the Eagles to do so in Week 10. Philadelphia’s defense has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards on the season and has really limited opposing RBs from producing over the last month. Since their bye in Week 5, the Eagles have allowed just 11.9 fantasy points to opposing teams’ RBs as a whole. On the season, Philadelphia has only allowed a top-24 RB finish three times, so Dowdle’s upside may be limited this week. It’s tempting to ride the hot hand in an offense that’s going to have more opportunity this week, but fantasy managers should consider Dowdle as a flex option at best this week.
Kurt would play Dowdle over: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) at Chicago
Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton (DEN) at Kansas City
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR30 | WR30 | WR30 |
WR30 |
Don’t look now, but Courtland Sutton is currently the WR20 on the season in a Denver offense that has been a pleasant surprise of fantasy relevance this season. Over the last month, Sutton has emerged as a strong fantasy option, finishing as a top-24 WR in three of his last four games with his best finish coming just last week against the Ravens as the WR7. The name of the game for Sutton has been the massive volume he’s seen for the Broncos as rookie QB Bo Nix’s favorite target. Over the last two weeks, Sutton has seen a combined 21 targets and eclipsed 100+ yards in each game, marking the first time he’s gotten over the century mark in consecutive games in his career. What could limit Sutton’s week-to-week production possibilities is the lack of passing TDs that could come his way. Denver has thrown just nine passing TDs on the year, so unless there’s a large uptick there, Sutton will be very reliant on volume to remain fantasy-relevant.
For Sutton’s hot streak to continue, he’ll have a decent opportunity against the Chiefs this week. Kansas City’s defense has been the backbone of their wins this season, though they’ve allowed 20+ points to be scored in consecutive weeks for the second time this season. For fantasy though, they’ve been tight against opposing WRs. After starting the year allowing a top-24 WR in four of their first five games, things have tightened up on the Chiefs’ defense. Kansas City hasn’t allowed a top-24 WR in their last three games and limited the Bucs’ WRs to just eight receptions for 91 yards on Monday night. Sutton being the clear main target for the Broncos is helpful, but with one of the lowest point totals of the week, fantasy managers may need to look elsewhere based on this matchup.
Kurt would prefer to play: Jauan Jennings (SF) at Tampa Bay
Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI) vs. NY Jets
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR25 | WR24 | WR24 |
WR24 |
It might be surprising to see Marvin Harrison Jr. sitting this low in the rankings, but the hot and cold ride that fantasy managers have been on this season warrants it. Harrison has been on the field plenty for the Cardinals, but it’s the long stretches of him not being overly involved in the passing game with Kyler Murray that have frustrated fantasy managers who invested such high draft capital in him. Over his last five games, Harrison has finished as the WR58 or worse four times. What should be encouraging for fantasy managers though is that he’s still averaging five targets per game during that stretch, so the involvement is still there for him to be a strong fantasy play. When you compare Harrison to his rookie peers, he’s still third in targets per route run among rookie WRs just behind Malik Nabers and Ladd McConkey.
If Harrison is going to get back on track for fantasy managers, he’ll have a tough task against the Jets this week. New York’s defense has been great against the pass this season, allowing the third-fewest passing yards and second-fewest passing TDs this season. For fantasy, it’s been a tough matchup for WRs to get a productive day. The Jets have only allowed four top-24 WR finishes all season, though two have come in their last three games. Harrison will get a lot of Sauce Gardner’s attention in this game, who’s only allowed 16 receptions all season in coverage. While it may be hard for fantasy managers to sit Harrison, he should only be viewed as a flex play this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Jordan Addison (MIN) at Jacksonville
Jaylen Waddle (MIA) at L.A. Rams
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| WR31 | WR31 | WR30 |
WR29 |
The 2024 season hasn’t been kind to Jaylen Waddle, who’s having his worst season as a pro. While all of Waddle’s struggles aren’t necessarily his fault with Tua Tagovailoa’s injury setting the entire Dolphins offense back for a month, he still hasn’t found his way back into fantasy relevance. After a strong start to the season finishing as the WR17 in Week 1, Waddle has averaged just 5.4 fantasy points in his last seven games despite being on the field for 80% of snaps during that stretch. In fact, Waddle somehow finished Week 9 as the WR46 while catching a TD, which seems hard but he somehow managed just 6.6 points total.
For fantasy managers needing the Dolphins’ offense to fully get back on track, there should be hope this week against the Rams. Los Angeles’ defense has allowed the eighth-most passing TDs on the season and is giving up the most yards per passing attempt in the league at 8.5. In just the last two weeks, the Rams have allowed three top-20 WR finishes including the WR1 overall just last week. If there’s any hope of Waddle producing for fantasy down the stretch of the season, it would have to start this week or it might be time for fantasy managers to let him perform on their bench before putting him back in their lineups.
Kurt would play Waddle over: DJ Moore (CHI) vs. New England
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki (CIN) at Baltimore
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| TE10 | TE9 | TE8 |
TE8 |
Not only are we getting a fun new fantasy option at TE, but a new nickname with Mike “Sticky” Gesicki. The hope for fantasy managers is that Gesicki’s TE1 overall finish from Week 9 can stick in their lineups again after he put up just his second 100+ yard receiving game in his career against the Raiders. What will be interesting to see is if Gesicki is used more in the Bengals’ offense with rookie TE Erick All Jr. out for the season with an ACL tear. While All wasn’t the primary TE, Gesicki has only played more than 50% of snaps twice this season and with the Bengals needing more receiving options with Tee Higgins also down due to injury, the receiving TE could see an uptick in usage going forward.
Usually starting a streaming TE on Thursday night isn’t prescriptive, but when the matchup is one of the juiciest for opposing passing attacks, it’s hard to turn down. The Ravens have given up the most passing yards in the league and the second-most passing TDs. While Baltimore’s defense has given up plenty of fantasy production to opposing WRs, getting TE production has been a little trickier, but they’ve still allowed 10+ fantasy points to the position in five games this season. In three of their last four games, the Ravens have allowed a top-10 TE finish so the upside is definitely there for Gesicki to be an option on fantasy teams this week.
Kurt would play Gesicki over: Dalton Kincaid (BUF) at Indianapolis
Dalton Schultz (HOU) vs. Detroit
| Consensus | Andy | Jason | Mike |
| TE18 | TE19 | TE20 |
TE18 |
After a surprising TE10 finish in 2023, Dalton Schultz just hasn’t found his groove in the Texans’ offense so far this season. While Schultz is still on the field plenty for Houston, he’s only eclipsed 50 receiving yards once this year, a mark he hit six different times in his first season with the team. The addition of Stefon Diggs made a difference in Schultz’s usage, but even since the injuries to Diggs and Nico Collins, Schultz hasn’t been able to make an impact. The bright spot that may make some fantasy managers hold out hope that Schultz can contribute for fantasy this season is the fact that he’s seen 12 targets over the last two weeks. In fact, Schultz ranks 10th among TEs in the league in total targets on the year, so it’s a matter of him being able to convert those opportunities into actual production.
If Schultz is going to get going in the Houston passing game, he’ll have a tough task against the Lions’ defense this week. While Detroit is a team that’s worth targeting with receiving options for fantasy, they’ve been particularly stingy against opposing TEs. On the season, the Lions have only allowed 10+ points to opposing teams’ TEs once. Any hope Schultz could even catch a TD to boost his fantasy week is bleak since Detroit has only allowed one TD to TEs on the season. Unless it’s out of complete desperation, Schultz shouldn’t be in consideration this week.
Kurt would prefer to play: Pat Freiermuth (PIT) at Washington