Yahoo DFS Football: Week 10 Picks

Yahoo DFS Football: Week 10 Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Football series.

The Week 10 NFL main slate begins Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST and features 11 games. The Bears, Bengals, Giants and Texans are on bye, while three games fall outside the main slate this week. The action kicks off Thursday at 8:20 p.m. with the Ravens and Dolphins, while west coast Kansas City-Raiders (Sunday night) and Rams-49ers (Monday night) clashes wrap up the slate. Even with a few high-profile offenses playing outside the main slate, there are still plenty of enticing options to pick from in Week 10. Among the suggested plays are a prominent quarterback-wide receiver stack, a couple of running backs who usually operate in timeshares but could have the lead role to themselves this week, and a pair of rookie teammates.

TOURNAMENTS (GPP – GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL)

QB: Trevor Lawrence, JAX at IND ($25): You have to go back to his three-touchdown NFL debut to find the last time Lawrence tossed multiple touchdown passes in a game, and he will likely have his practice reps capped this week due to the low-ankle sprain he suffered in last week's win over the Bills. So why would anyone deploy the rookie first-overall pick in their lineup? Well, for starters, Lawrence comes cheap, with backup quarterbacks such as Taysom Hill ($29) and Cooper Rush ($26) valued above him. More importantly, he'll benefit from a highly favorable matchup. The Colts have allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league (23), and Washington (20) is the only other team that has given up more than 17. If journeyman Jets third-stringer Josh Johnson can carve up the Indianapolis secondary for 317 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters, then Lawrence should be able to outperform his modest valuation.

RB: James Conner, ARI vs. CAR ($21): After Chase Edmonds picked up an early ankle injury in last week's win over the 49ers, Conner proceeded to rumble for 173 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He's up to 11 touchdowns on the year despite splitting snaps with Edmonds, and with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown last week, Conner showed he's capable of carrying the mail in the passing game. Edmonds is expected to sit this one out, leaving Conner with a three-down role against a Panthers defense that has been reasonably stout but will likely get worn down if Carolina's offense continues its struggles from recent weeks.

WR: Julio Jones, TEN vs. NO ($20): If there was ever a time for Jones to snap out of his funk with the Titans, this is it. He has topped 60 yards only once — a 128-yard performance back in Week 2 — and is still searching for his first touchdown with Tennessee, but Jones' hamstring injury seems to be behind him, and the Titans will likely go with a pass-heavy approach against a Saints defense that's allowing the fewest rushing yards and sixth-most passing yards per game in the league. A.J. Brown has pulled away from Jones as the top option in Tennessee's passing game, but that means shutdown cornerback Marshon Lattimore should spend most of his time shadowing Brown, leaving Jones free to wreak havoc on a familiar New Orleans defense against which he compiled 1,615 career receiving yards during his time in Atlanta — only the Buccaneers have allowed more yards to the veteran wideout.

Other Against-the-Grainers

QB: Jalen Hurts (PHI, $33), Aaron Rodgers (GB, $30), Taylor Heinicke (WAS, $23)

RB: Michael Carter (NYJ, $14), Christian McCaffrey (CAR, $31), Jordan Howard (PHI, $17)

WR: Stefon Diggs (BUF, $24), Tyler Lockett (SEA, $20), Elijah Moore (NYJ, $16)

TE: T.J. Hockenson (DET, $20), Josiah Deguara (GB, $10)

DST: New England Patriots (vs. CLE, $17), Carolina Panthers (at ARI, $14)

CASH GAMES (H2H, 50/50s and DOUBLE UPS)

QUARTERBACK

Tom Brady, TB at WAS ($40): Brady has never been shy about piling it on against overmatched opponents, and he has an appetizing matchup coming out of the Bucs' bye against a Washington secondary that's allowing a league-high 286.8 passing yards per game. Even with both Antonio Brown (ankle) and Rob Gronkowski (back) potentially sidelined again, Brady still has two elite wide receivers at his disposal in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, though the latter is now dealing with a foot injury as well. Brady has mustered more than 24 fantasy points in six of his first eight games this season and should be worth paying up for again.

RUNNING BACK

Najee Harris, PIT vs. DET ($31): Harris' three-down role has resulted in 25-plus touches in five of the past six games, and 21 touches in the sixth. The rookie workhorse's usage should translate to plenty of production at home against a Lions defense that's been incapable of stopping running backs. Detroit's 16 scrimmage touchdowns allowed to the position are tied with the Jets for the most in the league, with four of those touchdowns coming in a blowout 44-0 loss to Philadelphia the last time the winless Lions took the field.

Devin Singletary, BUF vs. NYJ ($17): Not only are the Jets tied with the Lions for the most scrimmage touchdowns allowed to running backs (16), they've also allowed the most scrimmage yards (1,577) to the position. Four different running backs have scored multiple touchdowns against the Jets in the last three weeks, and the Colts got 200 scrimmage yards from Jonathan Taylor and another 108 from Nyheim Hines in last week's win. In other words, there's room for multiple running backs to thrive here as Buffalo looks to shake off its inexplicable loss to Jacksonville. While Singletary should still be effective if used in his usual timeshare role, he'll be even more productive if thrust into lead back duties should Zack Moss, who exited last week's game with a concussion, fail to suit up.

WIDE RECEIVER

Mike Evans, TB at WAS ($30): Evans' volume has fluctuated in the stacked Buccaneers offense, but with the rest of the team's high-profile receiving options battling injuries, he should approach, or even surpass, his season-high total of 10 targets. The star wide receiver already has three multi-touchdown performances this season, including a three-touchdown game, and a Washington team that has allowed the sixth-most yards (1,576) and touchdowns (11) to wide receivers despite having already had its bye will have a tough time keeping Evans out of the end zone. Pair him with Brady and enjoy double the rewards every time they connect.

Michael Pittman, IND vs. JAX ($23): Pittman had been producing like a top-end wide receiver of late, yet the top target in the Colts' passing attack still has 19 other players at his position valued the same or ahead of him. He has five touchdowns in his last five games and four scores during an active three-game touchdown streak, in which Pittman has also secured 19 of 25 targets for 255 yards. The Jaguars have done a good job of keeping wide receivers out of the end zone, allowing just six touchdowns to the position, but Jacksonville's giving up the second-most catches (15.5) and fifth-most yards (192.4) per game to wide receivers.

Deonte Harris, NO at TEN ($17): Harris hasn't been on many people's radar, but he probably will be by the time he's through with the generous Titans secondary. He has led the Saints in targets each of the past two weeks, emerging as the favorite option for quarterback Trevor Siemian, who only took over as the starter under center the week before last. Harris hasn't made much of his 15 targets over the past two games, but he has twice delivered 72 yards and a touchdown in a game this season, flashing big-play ability thanks to his excellent speed. He should have no problem getting open against a Titans defense that has allowed the most receptions (153) and receiving yards (1,962) to opposing wideouts, and Siemian will likely continue to pepper Harris with targets given the lack of enticing alternatives in the Saints' receiving corps.

TIGHT END

Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. DET ($16): After taking a few weeks to get acclimated to the NFL, the Steelers' rookie second-round pick is starting to establish himself as a productive pass-catcher at tight end. Freiermuth has caught 16 of 20 targets for 145 yards over the past three weeks while finding the end zone three times in his last two games. The Lions have been too busy hemorrhaging touchdowns to running backs to allow too much production to tight ends, but there should be room for Freiermuth's ascent to continue against a Detroit defense that's allowing 30.5 points per game — second most in the league. Given his recent output, Freiermuth's salary should only keep climbing from here, so he's a nice value considering 14 other tight ends playing in Week 10 are at his salary or higher.

DEFENSE

Arizona Cardinals, ARI vs. CAR ($20): This unit has produced double-digit fantasy points five times through nine games, including three of the last four. With 10 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and 25 sacks, the Cardinals are capable of accruing value in a variety of ways. Meanwhile, Carolina will be starting backup P.J. Walker under center with Sam Darnold sidelined by a shoulder injury. As bad as Darnold's looked recently, Walker could be even worse, as he's completed just three of 15 pass attempts this season and has a career 1:5 TD:INT. The Cardinals should feast in this favorable home matchup.

Honorable Mentions

QB: Justin Herbert (LAC, $31), Derek Carr (LV, $33), Ryan Tannehill (TEN, $25)

RB: Jonathan Taylor (IND, $35), Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL, $22), Brandon Bolden (NE, $13)

WR: Davante Adams (GB, $32), CeeDee Lamb (DAL, $26), Marvin Jones (JAX, $16)

TE: Dan Arnold (JAX, $14), Noah Fant (DEN, $16)

DST: Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DET, $16), Tennessee Titans (vs. NO, $13)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Sasha Yodashkin plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Youngsash, DraftKings: Yashdogg,Yahoo: Sasha, Fanball: Yashdogg.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NFL Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NFL fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sasha Yodashkin
Sasha has been contributing NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and Tennis content to RotoWire since 2015, with an emphasis on DFS. He is a huge New York sports fan who has been playing fantasy sports since middle school.
Ryan Grubb and the History of College Coaches Headed to the NFL
Ryan Grubb and the History of College Coaches Headed to the NFL
10 Sneaky Tricks For Your Upcoming Rookie Draft (Video)
10 Sneaky Tricks For Your Upcoming Rookie Draft (Video)
NFL Draft Decisions: Navigating Make-or-Break Moments
NFL Draft Decisions: Navigating Make-or-Break Moments
Dynasty Startup Draft LIVE! Superflex; ROOKIES Included! (Video)
Dynasty Startup Draft LIVE! Superflex; ROOKIES Included! (Video)
NFL Reactions: Breaking Down the Stefon Diggs Trade for Houston and Buffalo
NFL Reactions: Breaking Down the Stefon Diggs Trade for Houston and Buffalo
Payne's Perspective: Players To Avoid This Season
Payne's Perspective: Players To Avoid This Season