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The Primer: Week 10 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

The Primer: Week 10 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets

Browns Players & Weekly Rankings

Jets Players & Weekly Rankings

Justin Fields QB QB1/2
Breece Hall RB RB2
Isaiah Davis RB RB4
Garrett Wilson WR WR1/2
Adonai Mitchell WR Out
Tyler Johnson WR WR5
Mason Taylor TE TE1/2

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Justin Fields (QB)

In the five starts, Justin Fields has played the entire game; he has finished as a QB1 four times (QB2, QB4, QB7, QB31, QB12). In those five games, he has averaged 45.2 rushing yards with three rushing scores. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks 29th in yards per attempt, 17th in highly accurate throw rate, 30th in catchable target rate, and 33rd in hero throw rate. Fields at this juncture is a valued fantasy play based upon his garbage time production and rushing output. Guess what…that production is all the same in fantasy football, so stop hating it. His Week 10 matchup against the Browns’ pass defense is average at best, so he’ll need to access his rushing skeleton key to be a QB1 again this week. Since Week 5, Cleveland has allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, but they have also ranked 15th in passer rating and CPOE and 19th in success rate per dropback allowed.

Breece Hall (RB)

Well, after all of that, Breece Hall remains a Jet. With Hall remaining in New York, I don’t see his workload changing moving forward, but maybe I’m wrong. We’ll have to see. Hall is the RB18 in fantasy points per game with 17.2 touches and 94.9 total yards per game. Among 62 qualifying backs, he ranks first in explosive run rate and 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Hall should have a nice game this week against a declining Browns’ run defense. Since Week 5, they have allowed the 11th-most yards before contact per attempt, the third-highest missed tackle rate, the 11th-most rushing yards per game, and the sixth-highest explosive run rate.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

David Njoku (TE)

With Dillon Gabriel starting, Njoku has been the TE12 in fantasy points per game with a 15.8% target share, 44 receiving yards per game, 1.83 yards per route run, and a 21.3% first-read share. In the three games he has played with Gabriel starting, he has had five red zone targets. He could easily be a TE1 for fantasy again this week. Across the last five weeks, the Jets have allowed the 12th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE)

With Dillon Gabriel under center, Fannin Jr. has been the TE11 in fantasy points per game with a 19.6% target share, 48 receiving yards per game, 1.86 yards per route run, and a 20.5% first-read share. He has three red zone targets in his last four games. Across the last five weeks, the Jets have allowed the 12th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends. Fannin will flirt with TE1 production again this week. Fannin popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue. He didn’t practice on Thursday but had a limited session on Friday and has been listed as questionable. He is active for Week 10.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Dillon Gabriel (QB)

Dillon Gabriel hasn’t finished higher than QB19 in any of his starts this season. Maybe he breaks that trend this week, but I won’t be shocked if he doesn’t. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Gabriel ranks 41st in yards per attempt, 39th in passing yards per game, 33rd in catchable target rate, and 40th in hero throw rate. Toss all of the Jets’ pass defense metrics out the window. They just traded arguably their two best defensive players, so all bets are off for this week. The glass-half-full approach is to look at this as a neutral matchup for Gabriel, but I don’t think he’s good enough to even take advantage of that.

Jerry Jeudy (WR)

In Dillon Gabriel‘s four starts, Jeudy has finished higher than WR72 in weekly scoring only once (WR35). It has been a tough season for Jeudy. With Gabriel under center, Jeudy has had a 15.9% target share, 18.8 receiving yards per game, 0.57 yards per route run, and a 21.6% first-read share. In those four games, he has had six red zone targets and two deep targets. Jeudy could have success this week against a secondary that now doesn’t include Michael Carter or Sauce Gardner, but Gabriel’s lackluster play will still likely cap his production and upside. Jeudy is a dice roll flex play only. Since Week 5, the Jets have ranked 17th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Mason Taylor (TE)

Since Week 4, Mason Taylor has been the TE19 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 outings (TE8, TE11, TE7) in weekly scoring. In those five games, Taylor has had a 20.4% target share with 39.8 receiving yards per game, 1.26 yards per route run, and a 22.6% first-read share. In those five games, he has also amassed seven red zone targets. I’d consider streaming options over Taylor for this week. The Browns have been tough against tight ends, giving up the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game and the ninth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game.

LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB

Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks

Cardinals Players & Weekly Rankings

Seahawks Players & Weekly Rankings

Sam Darnold QB QB1/2
Kenneth Walker III RB RB2
Zach Charbonnet RB RB3
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR WR1
Rashid Shaheed WR WR3
Cooper Kupp WR WR4/5
Tory Horton WR Doubtful
AJ Barner TE TE1/2
Elijah Arroyo TE TE2

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

*Jacoby Brissett could have a slightly easier time moving the ball this week. Seattle’s defense will be without Josh Jobe, Ernest Jones, and Jarran Reed this week.*

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Sam Darnold (QB)

Sam Darnold is the QB15 in fantasy points per game, but don’t let that fool you. He has QB1 outings in three of his last four games (QB2, QB9, QB5) and has been one of the most efficient passers in the NFL on a per-dropback basis. Among 41 qualifying passers, Darnold ranks first in yards per attempt, seventh in passing yards per game, fourth in CPOE, and second in highly accurate throw rate and hero throw rate. Since Week 5, Arizona has been a middle-of-the-road pass defense, ranking 14th in success rate per dropback, 13th in EPA per dropback, and allowing the tenth-highest CPOE. Don’t rule out Darnold for another QB1 week. The Cardinals will be without outside corners Will Johnson and Max Melton this week. Arizona will trot out Denzel Burke (2025: 57.1% catch rate and 57.8 passer rating allowed) and Kei’Trel Clark (2025: 71.4% catch rate and 107.7 passer rating allowed) on the outside this week. Bump up Sam Darnold’s outlook for Week 10.

Kenneth Walker III (RB)

I don’t know if it’s a one-week fluke or a sign of things to come, but last week Kenneth Walker finally got the red zone work over Zach Charbonnet and led the way with a 56.9% snap share. Walker had a 54.2% red zone snap share (Charbonnet, 37.5%) and had all three of the team’s red zone rushing attempts. We’ll see if it continues, but it was nice to see. Since Week 4, Walker has averaged 14.4 touches and 72 total yards. He still is crushing Zach Charbonnet in per-touch efficiency. Among 62 qualifying backs, Walker ranks seventh in explosive run rates and sixth in missed tackles forced per attempt. This week, he gets to face an Arizona run defense that, since Week 5, has allowed the eighth-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and has had the lowest stuff rate.

Rashid Shaheed (WR)

Rashid Shaheed should immediately be Seattle’s starting wide receiver opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba weekly. He’s familiar with the offense working with Klint Kubiak in New Orleans. I expect him to play starter level snaps this week. With New Orleans, he was the WR38 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 21% target share with 55.4 receiving yards per game, 1.75 yards per route run, and a 23.4% first-read share. In nine games, he had seven red zone targets and 12 deep targets. Among 110 qualifying wideouts, he ranks 40th in separation score. Shaheed will have plenty of strong flex-worthy weeks, but this isn’t one that I’m trying to wedge him into a flex spot. Since Week 5, Arizona has allowed the fewest PPR points per target and the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Zach Charbonnet (RB)

We’ll see if this usage pattern holds, but last week Zach Charbonnet didn’t lead the team in snapshare for the backfield overall (35.3%) or in the red zone (35.4%). Kenneth Walker had all three of the team’s red zone rushing attempts. Since Week 4, Charbonnet has averaged 12 touches and 46 total yards. Charbonnet has had only a 14% missed tackle rate and 2.06 yards after contact per attempt this season. Neither of those numbers will blow your socks off. He’s a flex play with a good matchup this week. This week, he gets to face an Arizona run defense that, since Week 5, has allowed the eighth-highest explosive run rate, the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and has had the lowest stuff rate.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the WR34 in fantasy points per game with an 18.3% target share, a 35.5% air-yard share, 61.5 receiving yards per game, 1.95 yards per route run, and a 22.1% first-read share. Harrison Jr. is second on the team in red zone targets (six) while leading the way with 11 deep targets. This week, he faces a Seattle pass defense that has utilized two high at the second-highest rate (60.7%). Against two high, Harrison Jr. has only a 19% target per route run rate and 1.41 yards per route run, and a 20.2% first-read share. I’m not expecting a huge game from him this week. Since Week 5, Seattle has allowed the 14th-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers while ranking 19th in receiving yards per game.

AJ Barner (TE)

AJ Barner is nursing a calf injury. He had limited practice sessions this week until logging a full session on Friday. He has been listed as questionable. If he’s going to run his usual allotment of routes this week, he’s a nice streaming option at tight end. Barner is the TE18 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 weekly finishes this season (TE1, TE8, TE9). Barner has a 10.9% target share, 29.5 receiving yards per game, 1.62 yards per route run, and a 10.1% first-read share. Barner has six red zone targets and two deep targets this season. Arizona has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game and the seventh-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Jacoby Brissett (QB)

Jacoby Brissett has finished as a QB1 in each of his three starts (QB7, QB12, QB10). Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 11th in yards per attempt, 24th in highly accurate throw rate, 35th in catchable target rate, seventh in hero throw rate, and 19th in fantasy points per dropback. This week’s matchup with Seattle will arguably be his toughest test to date. Since Week 5, Seattle has allowed the 13th-fewest yards per attempt, the eighth-lowest CPOE, the sixth-lowest success rate per dropback, and they have generated the ninth-best pressure rate. Brissett is best viewed as a mid-range QB2 this week.

Emari Demercado (RB)

Last week, Emari Demercado led the way on the ground for Arizona with 14 of 23 running back rushing attempts. He had two of the five running back red zone rushing attempts while playing 40% of the snaps with an 18.9% route share (3.2% target share). Demercado finished with 15 touches and 78 total yards. He has a 13.6% explosive run rate but only a 9% missed tackle rate and 2.09 yards after contact per attempt. This isn’t the week to look to his backfield for a flex play. Since Week 5, Seattle has remained an elite run defense, giving up the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, the second-lowest explosive run rate, the fifth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the third-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Sit Demercado.

Zonovan Knight (RB)

Last week, Zonovan Knight led the backfield with a 56.9% snap rate, three red zone rushing attempts, and a 45.9% route share (6.5% target share). He finished with only 11 touches and 47 total yards. Knight hasn’t been good on a per-touch basis with a 5% missed tackle rate and 1.58 yards after contact per attempt. This isn’t the week to look to his backfield for a flex play. Since Week 5, Seattle has remained an elite run defense, giving up the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, the second-lowest explosive run rate, the fifth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the third-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Sit Knight.

Cooper Kupp (WR)

Cooper Kupp isn’t fully healthy. He has been listed as questionable as he’s still dealing with hamstring and heel issues. Kupp’s route share this week is up in the air with Rashid Shaheed on the roster and likely to play a full-time role out of the gate. Sit Kupp this week. We need to see what his role looks like this week with Shaheed in town before we can have any confidence in him as a flex play.

LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB

FantasyPros Fantasy Football Trade Finder

Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders

Lions Players & Weekly Rankings

Commanders Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Jared Goff (QB)

Jared Goff got destroyed last week as he was pressured on 45.2% of his dropback. This week should be a different story for Goff against a Washington defense that, since Week 5, has ranked 15th in pressure rate. Goff still is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on a per-dropback basis, but the passing volume has held him back in fantasy. Goff ranks only 15th in passing yards per game and 22nd in dropbacks. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, he does rank eighth in yards per attempt, fifth in CPOE and catchable target rate, and 11th in highly accurate throw rate. This week, he faces a pass defense that, since Week 5, has allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game, the most yards per attempt, the second-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the eighth-highest CPOE.

David Montgomery (RB)

David Montgomery is the RB23 in fantasy points per game, averaging 12.7 touches and 62.7 total yards. Among 62 qualifying backs, he ranks 25th in explosive run rate and 15th in yards after contact per attempt. This week, he has another strong matchup. Since Week 5, Washington has allowed the tenth-highest explosive run rate, the eighth-most rushing yards per game, the third-most yards after contact per attempt, and they have had the fourth-lowest stuff rate.

Jameson Williams (WR)

Jameson Williams came through last week as the WR19 in fantasy, which was his third top-20 weekly finish of the season. In two previous games, he had finished as the WR12 for the week. Williams has another stellar matchup again this week. Williams has a 14.9% target share with a 34.7% air-yard share, 44.4 receiving yards per game, 1.54 yards per route run, and a 14.9% first-read share. This week, he faces a Commanders secondary that has utilized single high at the ninth-highest rate (55.9%). Against single high, Williams has had a 20% target per route run rate with 1.96 yards per route run. Washington has also been vulnerable to the deep ball. Williams leads the team with ten deep targets. Washington has allowed the fifth-highest deep ball completion rate and the third-most deep passing yards per game this season. The cherry on top is that since Week 5, Washington has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Williams should cook again in Week 10.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Deebo Samuel (WR)

Deebo Samuel is the WR21 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 24.6% target share with 45.9 receiving yards per game, 1.68 yards per route run, and a 29.9% first-read share. He leads the team with seven red zone targets and six deep targets. This is a horrible coverage shell matchup for him this week. Detroit has the seventh-highest single high rate (58%). Against single high, Samuel has had a 23% target per route run rate and only 1.32 yards per route run. Detroit has been allowing a lot of production to slot receivers, so maybe that helps to boost Samuel’s outlook. Since Week 5, Detroit has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to slot receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Marcus Mariota (QB)

After Jayden Daniels‘ unfortunate injury in Week 9, Marcus Mariota will get another start this week and could be the team’s starter for the rest of the season (we’ll see). In his three starts this season, Mariota has weekly finishes as the QB6, QB17, and QB19. He has averaged 5.3 rushing attempts and 29.3 rushing yards in his starts. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Mariota ranks 16th in yards per attempt, 22nd in highly accurate throw rate, 29th in catchable target rate, and 27th in hero throw rate. His passing accuracy hasn’t been there, which is partially why he has been a QB2 in fantasy in most of those starts. Since Week 5, Detroit has fielded a strong pass defense despite its injuries, giving up the second-fewest yards per attempt and the fourth-lowest CPOE and success rate per dropback. They have also generated the second-best pressure rate in this span. Mariota will have a long day in Week 10.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB)

Bill’s season has been wrecked with the Commanders falling apart. Their defense hasn’t been good enough to put them in a ton of positive game scripts, and he hasn’t had enough of a passing game role to save him in fantasy. He hasn’t had more than two targets in any game this season. Since Week 6, Bill has averaged 13.6 touches and 41.6 total yards. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5. Since Week 6, his efficiency stats have also tanked with zero explosive runs, a 12% missed tackle rate, and only 2.12 yards after contact per attempt. His offensive line hasn’t done him any favors with only 0.96 yards before contact per attempt during that stretch. He’s a sit again this week. Since Week 5, Detroit has allowed the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game, the sixth-lowest explosive run rate, and the fifth-fewest yards after contact per attempt.

Zach Ertz (TE)

Zach Ertz isn’t on the streaming radar this week. Detroit has utilized single high at the seventh-highest rate (58%). Single high has been Ertz’s kryptonite. Against single high, he has had only a 15% target per route run rate and 1.03 yards per route run. Add in that Detroit has allowed the 13th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends, and it makes Ertz an easy sit this week.

LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Rams Players & Weekly Rankings

49ers Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Matthew Stafford (QB)

Matthew Stafford is poised for another QB1 week. He’s the QB9 in fantasy points per game as he’s playing at an MVP level. Stafford ranks ninth in yards per attempt, second in passing yards per game, and first in hero throw rate and passing touchdowns. He should cook again this week. Since Week 5, San Francisco has allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game, the ninth-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-most passing touchdowns (tied), and the third-highest success rate per dropback.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Blake Corum (RB)

Blake Corum is a viable flex option this week. Over the last two games, he has averaged 13 touches and 50.5 total yards. In those two games, he had a red zone rushing attempt. Corum looks to be fully back to his early college form, ranking 16th in explosive run rate and 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt. This week, he faces a 49ers’ run defense that, since Week 5, has ranked 18th in rushing yards per game, 15th in yards before contact per attempt, 11th in rushing success rate allowed, and has the third-lowest stuff rate.

Jauan Jennings (WR)

Since Week 7, Jauan Jennings has had a 23.2% target share, a 33% air-yard share, 39 receiving yards per game, 1.60 yards per route run, and a 35.8% first-read share. In those three games, he has had four red zone targets and three deep targets. This week, he faces a Rams’ secondary that has utilized single high at the eighth-highest rate (56.6%). Since Week 7, against single high, Jennings has had a 27% target per route run rate, 1.78 yards per route run, and a 42.3% first-read share. Since Week 5, the Rams have allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers, but they haven’t allowed a single receiving touchdown and held the position to the sixth-fewest PPR points per target. Jennings is still a nice flex this week if he can rack up yardage and sees a strong target share again.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Mac Jones (QB)

Mac Jones will draw the start again for San Francisco this week. Jones is the QB23 in fantasy points per game and hasn’t finished as a QB1 since Week 5, which was the last time he faced the Rams (QB10). Jones has played well this season, ranking 15th in yards per attempt, 14th in highly accurate throw rate, 12th in catchable target rate, and eighth in hero throw rate. Jones is a QB2 again this week with a touch matchup. The Rams’ pass defense has been playing outstanding football. Since Week 5, they have held quarterbacks to the third-lowest yards per attempt, the second-lowest passer rating and CPOE, and the seventh-lowest success rate per dropback.

LV vs. DEN | ATL vs. IND | NO vs. CAR | NYG vs. CHI | NE vs. TB | BUF vs. MIA | BAL vs. MIN | JAC vs. HOU | CLE vs. NYJ | ARI vs. SEA | DET vs. WAS | LAR vs. SF | PIT vs. LAC | PHI vs. GB

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