Start/Sit Week 10
Week 10 brings four teams to the bye-week buffet: Chicago, Denver, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. That means some fantasy managers will be scraping the bottom of the pigpen. Before you panic-start a familiar name, consider these matchup-driven Start/Sit options.
Start ’Em
DeMario Douglas, WR, Patriots at Lions
Douglas is quietly becoming one of Drake Maye’s most dependable targets, and his recent production deserves more attention. He has finished as a WR2 or better in four of his last five games, including last week’s five-catch, 102-yard performance against Green Bay. More importantly, Douglas ran a route on 88.4% of Maye’s dropbacks and led New England with nine targets. That kind of playing time gives him a much safer opportunity floor than a typical waiver-wire receiver. He also leads the Patriots with six end-zone targets, giving him legitimate touchdown upside.
The matchup against Detroit makes the case even stronger. The Lions have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and opposing offenses have found opportunities through the air against their defense. New England could be forced to throw frequently, which should keep Maye busy and Douglas involved. With A.J. Brown’s availability still uncertain, Douglas has an opportunity to remain a focal point of the passing game. He’s not necessarily a player to build your lineup around, but as a WR2/WR3, he’s a strong option with upside beyond his usual projection.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks at Raiders
Charbonnet is beginning to look like the lead runner Seattle hoped he would be before his injury. In Week 9, he handled 16 carries for 77 yards and added a reception, finishing with 86 total yards on 17 touches. More encouraging was the way he outproduced backfield partner Jadarian Price on the ground, earning seven more carries and averaging nearly two yards more per attempt. Charbonnet also ran more pass routes, suggesting Seattle is comfortable keeping him involved beyond early-down rushing work. While this is still a shared backfield, the workload trend is moving in Charbonnet’s direction.
The matchup against Las Vegas is about as inviting as a running back could ask for. The Raiders have allowed a league-worst 5.21 yards per carry to opposing running backs, creating an opportunity for Charbonnet to turn a reasonable workload into a productive fantasy afternoon. Seattle should be able to establish the run, and Charbonnet’s recent effectiveness gives the coaching staff a good reason to keep feeding him. Jadarian Price will still steal some touches, so don’t expect a 25-carry workload. But with a favorable matchup, growing involvement, and legitimate goal-line potential, Charbonnet belongs in the RB2 conversation.
Sit ’Em
Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers at Saints
Coker has gone from a promising fantasy option to a receiver managers should be seriously reconsidering. After opening the season with eight catches on nine targets in each of his first two games, a Week 3 quad injury appears to have derailed his momentum. Over his last three games, Coker has averaged just 2.3 receptions for 24.7 yards on 4.7 targets per game. That’s not exactly the kind of production you want in your starting lineup.
The bigger problem is competition for opportunities. Tetairoa McMillan continues to command a larger share of the passing game, while Darren Waller has emerged as another legitimate receiving option. Waller’s eight-catch, 90-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 9 only makes Coker’s path to consistent targets more difficult. Coker’s recent 10.8% target share tells the story: he’s simply not getting enough opportunities to be trusted. Even against a potentially favorable Saints matchup, the volume isn’t there. Don’t let those early-season numbers fool you.
Rachaad White, RB, Commanders at Giants
Rachaad White may be Washington’s most recognizable running back, but that doesn’t mean he’s earned a spot in your line up. His biggest issue is opportunity. Even with Jacory Croskey-Merritt sidelined, White is sharing the backfield with Austin Ekeler. Last week, White was out touched by Ekeler. He has averaged just over 10 touches per game across his last four appearances, hardly the workload you want from a dependable starting running back.
The production hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, either. White managed only 28 rushing yards on seven carries against the Rams last week, adding 41 receiving yards on two catches. That’s useful FLEX production, but it’s not the foundation for an RB1 or RB2 performance. Now he faces a Giants defense that has been stingy against opposing running backs, allowing the sixth-fewest PPR points at the position. White’s receiving ability gives him some value in deeper PPR formats, but relying on him for 15-plus touches or a touchdown is asking for trouble. Keep him in the FLEX conversation if necessary, but don’t mistake a depleted Washington backfield for a guaranteed fantasy workload.
