It’s hard to believe it’s already Week 10 of the fantasy football season. With just five regular season games left, every game holds serious weight as we continue to make our push to the playoffs. There is a smaller margin for error when setting lineups. That said, my weekly decisions of which players I love and hate for the week ahead of carefully chosen to set us up for as much success as possible.
Sometimes you don’t have many choices as the bench options on your roster become scarce. If you do have options, though, I believe what I have to say about these players that I love and hate will help put you in a position to win your week. My track record, thus far, is pretty spot on as I continue to hold myself accountable, review each list every week on Twitter (@Colin_McT) and improve week-to-week! Let’s take a look at who deserves to start and who you should consider sitting this week.
Players I Love and Hate in Week 10 of the 2022 Season
Quarterback
Love: Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
With Week 10 byes, fantasy managers are without Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Mac Jones, and Zach Wilson at quarterback. Additionally, Josh Allen could miss this week with an elbow injury. Therefore, said managers may be looking for a one-week stopgap and I love Jimmy G. to be that guy.
Garoppolo will finally have his full compliment of weapons in Week 10. For the first time since trading for Christian McCaffrey, he, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle will all be available. Additionally, San Francisco is at home, off of their bye, with two weeks of preparation for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers are allowing 25.8 points per game, the third-largest average in the league. San Francisco are 7.0-point favorites and the Over/Under currently sits at 45.5 points. With McCaffrey in the backfield, the Chargers, like most teams, will do their best to game plan for him. This should free up Garoppolo to pick apart their secondary as he pleases. San Francisco’s talent on offense just overpowers most teams on paper and should on the field this Sunday night. Jimmy Garoppolo is probably the quarterback streamer I love the most for Week 10.
Some Extra Love:
Justin Fields is going to continue his rise to fantasy stardom in Week 10. He is getting back-to-back love in my weekly column and for good reason. The Chicago Bears are hosting the Detroit Lions who are allowing the second-most points to quarterbacks. Most importantly, quarterbacks are rushing at the fifth-highest rate and have the fifth-most rushing yards against the Lions, too. In Week 1, Jalen Hurts rushed 17 times for 90 yards and a score. Fields is averaging 12.15 rushing attempts in his last four starts. I think he can mimic Hurts’ stat line Week 10.
Hate: Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Like Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones has a home matchup after his bye week. However, Jones’ compliment of weapons is far less trustworthy than Jimmy G’s in San Francisco. Kenny Golladay could be returning, but even with him back, the group of pass catchers in New York does not come close to Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle.
Instead, Saquon Barkley should absolutely feast against the Houston Texans in Week 10. They’re allowing the most rushing yards and touchdowns to running backs this season. Two weeks ago, Derrick Henry rushed 32 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, the combination of Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell totaled 21 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns. It’s more than likely Saquon falls somewhere in between those two performances in the Giants’ Week 10 box score.
As a result of the above, Daniel Jones is probably going to be busier handing the ball off than dropping back to pass. Most quarterbacks that play the Houston Texans are. They’re allowing the fourth-least fantasy points to the position not because they’re an elite pass defense, but because it’s far easier to overcome them on the ground. The New York Giants game plan should be no different making Jones a quarterback I hate in most formats this week. His day is salvageable if he rushes into the end zone himself.
Running Back
Love: Jeff Wilson, Jr., Miami Dolphins
In his first game with the Dolphins, newly acquired trade piece, Jeff Wilson Jr., looked like he had been playing with the team all season. With just one more snap played than Raheem Mostert last week, Wilson logged just one more touch, but 46 more total yards. While both Wilson and Mostert each found the end zone, Wilson’s receiving score helped secure a game-winning lead over the Chicago Bears just past the halfway mark of the third quarter.
In Week 10, Wilson and the Dolphins will host the Cleveland Browns. He and Raheem Mostert both have opportunities to put up fantasy-friendly numbers in this one. Cleveland’s 10 rushing touchdowns allowed to running backs is tied for third-most in the league. They’re also just five yards shy of allowing the 1oth-most rushing yards to running backs, as well.
With Cleveland allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and Wilson’s immediate usage in Miami’s familiar offense, he has a good chance to put up double-digit fantasy points again in Week 10. Last week isn’t a fluke performance. Wilson will have a steady role that fantasy managers will love moving forward.
Some Extra Love:
Rachaad White is starting to mix in more in key situations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In fact, White’s usage on a 10-play drive at the end of the first half last Sunday reportedly left Leonard Fournette frustrated. On that drive, White had 18 rushing yards while Fournette totaled just 19 for the entire game. I don’t think Fournette will get phased out of this offense completely. I do think, though, White will continue to see more opportunities, especially in the passing game. In Week 10, the Bucs take on the Seattle Seahawks in Germany. Seattle is allowing the eighth-most points to running backs including the most receiving yards to the position. I love White to have his best statistical game yet overseas ahead of Tampa Bay’s Week 11 bye.
Hate: Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills
We’re all holding our breath as a result of the news that Josh Allen is dealing with an elbow injury. If he isn’t able to play, Case Keenum will likely get the start for the Bills. There’s a good chance that the Minnesota Vikings will stack the box against the Bills’ run game and force Keenum to beat them in the passing game.
Even before the Allen injury news, Singletary’s Week 10 matchup isn’t one I was in love with to begin with. The Vikings’ defense is a big reason for the team’s success this season. In their last three games, they’ve allowed less than 20 points per to opponents. Additionally, they’ve allowed just 613 rushing yards to running backs this season, the third-lowest total in the league.
Without Josh Allen, the Bills roster is still capable of winning this game, especially at home backed by their fans. Keenum himself should be looking to connect with former Vikings teammate, Stefon Diggs, in a revenge game of sorts, as well. Singletary is much more touchdown dependent in Week 10 than usual which I hate. It’s hard to sit any Buffalo Bills player, but I’m expecting a flex-level amount of points from Singletary at best this week.
Wide Receiver
Love: Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Zay Jones is second in total targets for the Jaguars this season behind Christian Kirk. That’s with one less game played. Jones is averaging 6.87 targets per game played in comparison to Kirk’s 7.77 targets per game. Jones doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for his role, though, because Kirk has 47.6 more total fantasy points than him this season.
Ahead of Week 10, the Jaguars are heading to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. Last week, the Chiefs managed to allow just five completions to Tennessee Titans rookie, Malik Willis. Trevor Lawrence will present a more difficult matchup. Even with a lackluster (which is putting it kindly) performance from the Titans’ passing game, the Chiefs are still allowing the most passing touchdowns (17) this season.
Kansas City is leading the league in points per game (30.4) this season. In order for the Jaguars to keep up, they’re probably going to have to throw for most of the afternoon. Zay Jones has been on the field more than Kirk in every game since Week 6. Given the projected game script, Jones’ playing time, and his target share, I think he has just as good of a shot to produce in Week 10 as Kirk does. Both Jaguars receivers can be in starting lineups, though Jones isn’t as obvious of a player most would love to start.
Some Extra Love:
Chase Claypool should continue to see an expanded role with the Chicago Bears’ offense moving forward. In just his first game, after five days with the team, Claypool’s usage was mostly deep balls and screens. His six targets tied Cole Kmet for second-most amongst Bears. Claypool was targeted on 23% of his snaps played. Especially with Justin Fields presenting dual-threat capabilities as a runner, Claypool should continue to be a mismatch with less attention from opposing defenses. I love his chances to have a breakout game in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. They’re not only allowing the fourth-most points to wide receivers this season but the most points to opposing teams, period, across the league.
Hate: Michael Pittman, Jr., Indianapolis Colts
The Colts continue to sit at the bottom of the league in points scored per game. Things do not look much better ahead of Week 10. In the last few weeks, Indy has benched Matt Ryan, fired their offensive coordinator, and fired their head coach. Now, former Colts offensive lineman, Jeff Saturday is set to take over and lead this team. His only head coaching experience is at a high school level. While Saturday is familiar with how to succeed in the NFL, I especially hate his chances of doing so out of the gate against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sam Ehlinger is expected to remain the starter for the Colts. Even with him under center, Michael Pittman remains the top target. However, in Week 10, Jonathan Taylor is expected to return to the lineup.
Overall, I’m worried about the play calling under Saturday in relation to Pittman’s success. I think the Colts will do their best to run the ball and move down the field. When they have an opportunity to put points on the board, specifically with field goals, they will take it. Pittman’s ceiling is far lower in Week 10 than it ever has been. After his worst fantasy performance of the season last week, I hate his chances of turning it around this week. He’s a flex consideration, which is hard to believe it’s come to this season.
Tight End
Love: Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
As the Denver Broncos return to the field after their bye week, I love Dulcich’s rest of the season outlook, starting with a Week 10 matchup in Tennessee with the Titans. So far in 2022, the Titans are allowing the third most passing yards (275.6) per game. That comes after a Week 9 bout with the Kansas City Chiefs where they allowed Patrick Mahomes to toss 68 passes for a whopping 446 yards.
With two weeks of preparation, I’m anticipating an improved, however slight, Broncos offense. They’ll be operating with a committee backfield of Melvin Gordon, Latavius Murray, and newcomer, Chase Edmonds. Additionally, the Titans’ defense allows the second-least rushing yards (87.6) per game. That said, I expect Russell Wilson to be busy in the passing game to get the Broncos a much-needed win.
Rookie Greg Dulcich’s role continues to expand week-to-week. In the three weeks before the bye, he played more snaps each week than the week prior. As a result, he was second in targets to only Jerry Jeudy during that time. He’s averaging 12.06 points in those three games with no less than 11.1 in either. Slot receiver, K.J. Hamler, looks to be dealing with a hamstring injury which should keep the targets coming for Dulcich. Fire him up with confidence in Week 10.
Some Extra Love:
Cade Otton is coming off the best game of his rookie season. His 17.8 points from Week 9 get a boost from catching the game-winning pass against the Los Angeles Rams. Otton’s success is directly correlated to Cameron Brate’s absence. Otton has 16 total targets in the last three games. If Brate returns in Week 10, Otton becomes much more difficult to trust in lineups. However, if Brate sits out again, I love starting Otton against a Seattle Seahawks defense allowing the most points to tight ends this season.
Hate: Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are exiting their bye week and heading to Green Bay for a Week 10 matchup with the Packers. It’s no secret that Green Bay is starving for a win after dropping the last five games. However, in Week 9, the Packers’ roster took big hits to their roster from injuries. The most significant loss is linebacker Rashan Gary to a torn ACL.
Dallas is a 4.5-point favorite on the road against Green Bay. I think they will get out to a big lead and then control the clock with their run game. Not only does that decrease opportunities for Dalton Schultz in the passing game, but it’s a tough matchup for him to begin with. The Packers allow less than three receptions per game to tight ends. They’re also allowing the least amount of receiving yards to the position per game, as well. As a result, they’ve allowed the eighth-least fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. I hate Schultz’s chances of changing the narrative when Ceedee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Tony Pollard, and others are available to Dak Prescott when the Cowboys have the ball.
Also check out our Week 10 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings