Week 10 is upon us. Thursday Night Football was an interesting affair, to say the least. Baltimore runs so hot or cold that knowing what to expect from them on any given night is a struggle. Tua Tagovailoa had a signature performance in relief of Jacoby Brissett and may have earned himself a look even if his future in 2022 and beyond does not lie with the Miami Dolphins or Houston Texans. On the IDP side of things, Patrick Queen made a case to be taken seriously again, Josh Bynes continued to produce, Xavien Howard was back to doing Xavien Howard things, Odafe Oweh notched another sack, and Jevon Holland had his national coming-out party. Let’s take a look at some other players who can help fantasy teams this week, and a few others who may do more harm than good.
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Start em
Yannick Ngakoue (DE – LV)
After a slow start to the season, Yannick Ngakoue has transformed back into the feared pass rusher fantasy managers have come to know and love. He has two sacks in three of his last four games, a time span in which he is the DL4 in fantasy points per game. He was excellent in Week 9, tallying two solos, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. He has a plus matchup in Week 10 against a still leaky Kansas City Chiefs offensive line and should continue to benefit from teams having to scheme to stop both Maxx Crosby and himself. Start him without reservation against the Chiefs as a DL1 option.
Jeffery Simmons (DT – TEN)
Simmons finally got a chance to put his immense talent on full display in Week 9, recording three solos, three assists, three sacks, and three tackles for loss on Sunday Night Football, making himself a household name in the process. Simmons has been one of the most talented at his position from the second he declared for the NFL Draft but may finally be coming into his own. We shouldn’t expect another three sack performance but Simmons looks like an elite play for Week 10 thanks to a tremendous Week 10 matchup against a Saints team surrendering the most fantasy points per game to the defensive tackle position. Simmons could have another monster game in store for fantasy managers. Start Simmons as an elite DT1 or strong DL2 option.
Ashtyn Davis (S – NYJ)
Despite a two solo, one assist outing in Week 8, Ashtyn Davis has been the DB8 since Week 7. He has racked up seven or more solos in two of his last three and has forced his way into the DB2 conversation for Week 10. He is coming off a scintillating performance that saw him record seven solos, three assists, and two forced fumbles, and is two weeks removed from a 10 solo outing. He should have more tackle opportunities with Marcus Maye out for the rest of the season and is a strong DB2 option for a plus Week 10 matchup against a Buffalo Bills team relinquishing the sixth-most fantasy points to the safety position. Start him with confidence where needed.
Nasir Adderley (S – LAC)
I am surprised that Nas is still someone fantasy managers need to be told to start but he simply does not get the respect that he deserves in IDP leagues, at least on Yahoo. His rostered numbers were still low enough for him to qualify for this week’s hot pickups column, so that also means that he is not being started in enough leagues. Nas is the DB22/S15 on the season and has been a rock-solid producer for most of the year. He is, of course, overshadowed by the fact that he plays on a team with Derwin James, but that is no reason to ignore his productive running mate. Nas posted six solos, one assist, and one pass defended in Week 9 and is one of the most consistent producers at his position. He should stay productive in Week 10 thanks to facing off against a high octane Minnesota Vikings offense that should offer plenty of tackle opportunities. Treat him as a DB2 option for Week 10.
Ernest Jones (LB – LAR)
Ernest Jones was elite in his first start for the Rams. He played so well that he forced his way into the LB2 conversation for Week 9. How did he respond? With a what can only be described as a clunker. Jones managed just three solos and one assist in Week 9. He did remain locked into starters snaps and should remain in that role when Von Miller joins the lineup. He is an LB2 option for Week 10 but will have the floor normally associated with LB3 types. Jones has an elite Week 10 matchup against a San Francisco 49ers team, surrendering the most fantasy points to the linebacker position and should be started wherever possible.
Sit em
Chase Young (DE – WAS)
Chase Young has been struggling in the sack department, but he is still generating pressures, a sign that he is going to turn it around sooner rather than later. He will be facing a tough offensive line for his Week 10 matchup, which makes him more of a DL2 option than the DL1 most view him as. The matchup itself is a good one as Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to the defensive end position. However, the bulk of those points come from the run game. Keep him benched if you are looking for a DL1/DE1, but you can roll with him if you are only looking for a DL2. His past success, overwhelming talent, and name recognition made it hard to even include him here, but what good would this column be if it only ever suggested to sit DL4 types and to start Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett.
Von Miller (DE/LB – LAR)
Von Miller should remain on fantasy benches for Week 10. There is still no definitive word on if he will be playing, and the Rams play on Monday night, complicating matters. Compounding the risk even further is the sentiment that he will see a limited snap count even if he does suit up. Miller is going to creep back into the DL1 conversation when he starts to see consistent snaps (and after he makes his debut), but remains a risky play until then, especially if he plays on Monday or even Sunday night. If you can add or currently have Terell Lewis on your roster, you can stick with Von and swap him out based on pre-game reports, but otherwise, it is suggested that fantasy managers wait at least one more week.
Matt Milano (LB – BUF)
Matt Milano started the season with a bang but has slipped back into LB3 territory. He makes for a fine LB2 when he is playing well, but he has been much too inconsistent lately. He had a strong six solos in Week 8 but had just one in Week 6 and two in Week 9. Keep him benched for the time being, and feel free to cut bait with him altogether if there is a Kyzir White, Damien Wilson, or Ernest Jones type still on your waiver wire.
Devin Bush (LB – PIT)
Devin Bush has been a massive disappointment this season. He has just two outings with five or more solos, recording three or fewer in his other five games. He is a high-level talent but is a better fit for a team that makes more use of even fronts. He remains a stash due to his LB1 upside but should remain on benches until further notice. Some may be tempted due to the tasty matchup against a Detroit Lions offense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the linebacker position. Keep him benched despite the appealing matchup.
Jamin Davis (LB – WAS)
Davis put up a dud in Week 8, and while we hope he got coached up during the bye to avoid similar letdowns in the future, it has become apparent that Davis is not an LB2 purely due to talent and role. The suggestion here is to wait for Davis to show more consistency before trusting him as anything more than a bye week LB3. He has a tough Week 10 matchup against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team, limiting the linebacker position to the second-fewest fantasy points per game. Tampa runs the ball enough for Davis, a strong run-stopper, to put up a strong outing, but trusting him as an LB2 is not recommended.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.
