Thursday Night Football had its moments but was far from a matchup to be excited about. The Carolina Panthers’ complete lack of outside receiver talent reared its head again in Week 10, and one has to wonder just what the Carolina Panthers were thinking in not getting Bryce Young a number one receiver to work with. Most of the conversation will revolve around D’Onta Foreman continuing to impress and Justin Fields’ future beyond the 2023 season, but there were also some IDP storylines to monitor. Derrick Brown racked up nine solo tackles, Jaquan Brisker showed signs of life, Yannick Ngakoue got back on the sack sheet, and Montez Sweat was held off of it for the second straight contest.  Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 10

Start em

Justin Madubuike (DT – BAL)
Madubuike has been sensational for the Baltimore Ravens this season. Currently tied for ninth in the league with 7.5 sacks, Madubike is pacing all interior defensive linemen not named Chris Jones (who is more of a hybrid DE/DT anyway). He finished Week 9 with four solos, one sack, and two tackles for loss and is someone to start taking seriously as not just a DL2 option but as a DT1 in the right matchup or with enough top names on bye. Madubuike, who has five sacks in his last four games and at least a half sack in seven straight, needs to be started universally. And with Chris Jones and Aaron Donald both on bye, he is hands down the top DT option for Week 10. Tap Madabuike as a DL1 where needed and as a DL2 everywhere else for a plus Week 10 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Demario Davis (LB – NO)
Demario Davis is starting to heat up for the New Orleans Saints and deserves some love as a borderline LB2 option. He has recorded six or more solos in two straight games and has a plus matchup on tap this weekend against a depleted Minnesota Vikings offense. The floor remains a concern as Demario has recorded more than four solos in just three of nine games, but he has been playing well enough to insert into starting lineups where needed. Tap him as an LB3 with LB2 upside for a plus Week 10 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tyrel Dodson (LB – BUF)
Tyrel Dodson is now locked into the starting lineup following Terrel Bernard suffering a concussion and may get the green dot if Bernard indeed misses Week 10 against the Denver Broncos. Dodson had been starting over Dorian Williams since the rookie got benched after being exposed by the New England Patriots, recording 12 solos over the last two games. He is a solid LB3 option if Bernard plays but jumps to an LB2 option if he gets tapped for Bernard’s role. Either way, he is someone you want to plug in lineups with so many good linebackers on bye. Start Dodson wherever possible for a terrific Week 10 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Kyle Dugger (S – NE)
Dugger has returned to his DB1 form over the last few weeks, most recently recording five solos, one assist, one interception, and one pass defended against Washington. He has recorded five or more solos in each of his last three games and has got hot at the perfect time for those dealing with injuries or bye weeks at other positions. He had dropped to the DB2 conversation while he was struggling but is now firmly back on the DB1 radar for a plus Week 10 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Start Dugger as a DB1 option everywhere.

Segun Olubi (LB – IND)
Olubi is set to get another start if Zaire Franklin is ruled out for Week 10. Zaire did return to a limited practice on Thursday, but without a full practice on Friday, he will likely be slapped with the questionable tag and will be a real risk for being inactive as the Colts have no reason to rush him back and risk aggravating the injury in what amounts to a lost season in a loaded AFC and with the Jacksonville Jaguars running away with the division. If Olubi starts, he will be an easy LB3 play. He finished Week 9 with four solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended, showing flashes of why he got the nod over former All-Pro Shaq Leonard.

Sit em

Cameron Jordan (DE – NO)
Cam Jordan remains a force on the edge, but his best days as a pass rusher are behind him. He remains elite against the run but no longer has the same bend, power, and explosion that made him one of the league’s best pass rushers for a decade. He flashed some vintage form in Week 9 in a plus matchup against the Chicago Bears, recording three solos, four assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss, but is not a recommended option for Week 10. The sack was his first full sack of the season, and even with some talented defensive linemen on bye this week, he should remain glued to benches until he starts to get hot. He is obviously good enough to stash where possible, but he is more emergency depth than someone to consider starting this weekend. Look elsewhere for your DL3.

Elandon Roberts (LB – PIT)
Elandon Roberts, who was trending as an LB2 option following the injury to Cole Holcomb, missed Thursday’s practice after being limited on Wednesday. He is now a legitimate question mark for Week 10 and may even be an early rule out if he cannot practice on Friday. The Steelers need him with Holcomb sidelined but have been playing well enough not to risk aggravation in a non conference matchup. Even if he does suit up, he is likely to be limited with Kwon Alexander playing the bulk of the snaps and Mark Robinson or Mykal Sanders playing beside him. Leave Elandon on benches for Week 10, regardless of whether he is active or not.

Antoine Winfield Jr. (S – TB)
Antoine Winfield Jr. has gone completely cold in recent weeks, topping two solos just once in four weeks, and he managed just four solos in that start. He is not listed on the injury report, so we are not sure why his numbers are down. Perhaps Lavonte David returning to his All-Pro form in front of him is leaving fewer tackles for the talented safety. Whatever the case, Winfield can no longer be trusted as a DB1 option, at least for now. He can be plugged in as a DB2 if you have other options on bye, but the level he is playing at suggests DB3 or bench. He is too talented for anyone to feel truly comfortable benching, but if you have a comparable producer with a higher floor, ignore brand equity and start your best bet for production. Tap him as a DB2 or DB3 if needed, but look elsewhere for Week 10 if possible.

Julian Love (S – SEA)
Love has seen his numbers dip in recent weeks. Jamal Adams being back in the lineup initially moved him to the slot, but with Devon Witherspoon now starring there, Love is a rotational option. He has played less than 50 percent of the snaps in two of the last four weeks, failing to start either of those games. He has topped three solos just once in the last four weeks. Leave him on benches for the time being, but keep him stashed where possible.

Dax Hill (S – CIN)
Dax Hill has slowed down after a scorching start to the year. He is still a DB1 on the season, but his last four weeks have dropped him from DB1 overall in fantasy points per game down to the DB8. Dax bottomed out in Week 9, recording zero solos, two assists, and one pass defended. He recorded just one solo in Week 5 but sandwiched two strong DB2 outings in between his two stinkers. Dax is still a solid DB2 option. You can’t just bench a DB1 in fantasy points per game because he has a couple of bad games, but the floor he has shown here is waiver wire level. Some growing pains are expected for a second year player in his first season as a starter, but for now, it is better to treat the talented safety as a DB2 as opposed to a DB1. Temper expectations if you are required to start two or more DB options, but those who are only required to start one may want to look elsewhere for Week 10.

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.