Welcome to smash starts, where the iron’s always hot and the picks are scorching. Last week, we had a solid week, but we are still looking for the elusive five-for-five smash selections. Of course, we started the week with Travis Hunter being placed on injured reserve (IR), and things only got marginally better from there. I hope to pick multiple smash players this week.
Last week, we selected Ashton Jeanty (RB5), Kyle Pitts (TE25), Daniel Jones (QB20), Kimani Vidal (RB48) and Travis Hunter. This week, I have another five smash starts, ranging from stars to waiver wire gems. Have a great week, everyone. Here are your Week 10 smash starts.
- Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 10
James Cook (RB – BUF)
Despite already having his bye week, James Cook is second in the league in rushing yards. This also makes him first in the league in rushing yards per game, averaging 108 each week. On top of this, he is also fourth in rushing touchdowns with seven in eight weeks. Despite barely being used in the receiving game, Cook is having a great season.
This week, the Bills face the Dolphins, who Cook dropped 19 carries for 108 yards and a score earlier this season. The Dolphins have had some massive performances against them. Over the last five weeks, we have seen Rico Dowdle record 234 total yards and a score, Derrick Henry went for 119 rushing yards and a score, Kimani Vidal rushed for 124 yards and a score and Quinshon Judkins had 84 yards and three scores. Needless to say, James Cook in this matchup is the definition of a smash start.
Cook missed practice on Wednesday, so monitor practice and injury reports this week.
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
Let me get this straight. The Bears scored 47 points, put up almost 600 yards of offense and Rome Odunze failed to record a catch? Despite not appearing on the box score, Odunze played the entire game. So what happened? Often overlooked due to the rest of the defense being invisible, Bengals cornerback DJ Turner has been having a great season and managed to get the best of Odunze. Plus, with the rest of the team doing whatever they wanted against the Bengals’ defense, there was no reason to force Odunze the ball.
That said, this is a perfect bounce-back spot for the breakout sophomore receiver. The Giants are allowing the fourth-most receiving yards and sixth-most catches to the position. Although 49ers receivers had a mediocre day last week, we saw A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combine for over 300 yards and three touchdowns the week before. Neither defense should be able to stop either offense, setting Odunze up for multiple opportunities to have a big fantasy day.
Rico Dowdle (RB – CAR)
Rico Dowdle currently leads the NFC in rushing yards. Yes, that stat is correct. Despite not starting the entire season, Dowdle’s 735 yards are more than Bijan Robinson, Josh Jacobs and Christian McCaffrey. After a decent breakout year with the Cowboys in 2024, Dowdle has become a dominant rusher under Dave Canales with the Carolina Panthers.
This week, the Panthers stay in the division and take on the Saints. The Saints threw Tyler Shough in the deep end last week, making his first start against the Rams and their elite defensive front. Thankfully, the Saints should be able to move the ball on the Panthers, keeping this game more competitive.
As a result, we know the Panthers are willing to lean on their run game, and Dowdle showcased last week that he is their guy. The Saints are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing backs, and were just dominated by both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Dowdle is in line for another nice day in a great matchup.
Jared Goff (QB – DET)
We are ignoring the one rule when calling Jared Goff a smash start this week. That rule is to only expect big games from Goff at home or in a dome. This week, they take on the Commanders on the road. Yet, it is a good enough matchup that I am choosing to overlook Goff’s golden rule.
This offseason, the Commanders bet on older players for their defense. Although we have seen this work in the past, this team does not have the speed or athleticism to keep up with today’s top talent. Last week, Sam Darnold completed 14-of-14 passes in the first half for over 200 yards and four passing touchdowns.
The Lions are coming off a disappointing divisional loss at home and will hopefully get back on track in this matchup. The Commanders are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the third-most passing yards per game. I expect this game may get out of hand quickly, and I believe Goff follows in Darnold’s footsteps with multiple first-half passing touchdowns.
Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU)
In Davis Mills we trust. Well, not actually. But I do trust him to get the ball to Dalton Schultz. Schultz is the Wheaties of tight ends; you don’t usually get excited about them, but they’ll get you through the day. Then, you try iced Wheaties, and it’s a game-changer for the first two days. That’s where we are with Schultz. Schultz and a matchup with the Jaguars is our version of iced Wheaties, and it should provide a nutritious dose of fantasy points this week.
Over the last three weeks, Schultz has had two top-eight fantasy tight end performances. He also has 60+ yards in three out of the last four games. Last week, when Mills came in for C.J. Stroud, Schultz finished with eight targets, six receptions and 77 yards. Calling Schultz a smash start is very reliant on him finding the end zone; however, he should be locked in for four receptions and 50 yards as a floor. Considering the Jaguars are allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position, Schultz is a smash streaming option this week.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
