Fantasy Football: Top 5 Start ‘Em Picks heading into Week 10
By Genna Preston
Heading into Week 10 Fantasy Football, make sure to start these top 10 sleepers who are entering favorable matchups.
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Before we begin, here are the Week 10 fantasy football bye teams so please take the time to adjust your lineups accordingly: Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders.
Related Story: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 10: WR Brandon Marshall
It’s Week 10 of fantasy football; where has the season gone? By now some of you have clinched a playoff spot and some of you are coasting through hoping to keep your top five positions.
What you do with your starting lineup is more important than ever this far into the season. You can’t afford to take too many risks but, you also want to take advantage of certain matchups.
For example, you might want to take a chance with whoever is playing the Cleveland Browns (look what the Baltimore Ravens did against them this week). On the other hand, you’re probably going to want to sit any receiver taking on the Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos.
Week after week the decisions become harder and harder. One wrong choice will end your season! But, that’s not going to happen this week. I have identified a few players whose matchups will result in the best outcomes and most fantasy football points.
Check out this week’s top performing fantasy football players. These players deserve a starting role in all leagues heading into Week 10.
Next: 5. A Jet that keeps scoring touchdowns
Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of their game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
5. Matt Forte, RB – New York Jets
With a name like Matt Forte, you would expect to be able to start him every week in your lineup. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, and his fantasy football ownership has dropped in the last week.
In the beginning of the season, Forte had back-to-back 20 plus fantasy point outings. After that, it wasn’t until Week 7 when he earned double-digits again. But, he just didn’t earn double-digits, he earned over 35 points against the Baltimore Ravens. And, although he has earned double-digits in his last two games, his fantasy football points have declined.
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Last week, Forte rushed 12 times for a little over 90 yards and a touchdown. He has scored a touchdown three times in his last four games and has over 270 yards. The Jets take on the Los Angeles Rams who, rank 12th in the league against the run. They are allowing a little under 100 yards per game.
The Jets are also struggling with their passing game. Ryan Fitzpatrick is injured and if he can’t play, Bryce Petty will be suiting up. An unknown quarterback situation could result in a run heavy game. This is the week Forte deserves a start on your fantasy football lineup. He’s a Week 10 must start.
Next: 4. This tight end will bounce back after being ejected
4. Travis Kelce, TE – Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is on fire. Hopefully, you have followed me all season and you had Kelce on your roster these last two weeks.
Yes, he was ejected in last week’s game after two personal fouls but, he still earned double-digits. And, up until that point, he looked like the old Kelce we all remember.
In Week 8, Kelce completed 7-of-10 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. It was his best fantasy week bringing in over 20 points.
Before being ejected last week, Kelce completed 5-of-7 targets for a little under 60 yards. The rate he was going, Kelce would have neared a 100-yard game. Kelce enters Week 10 hoping to put last week’s game behind him. His Week 10 Carolina Panthers matchup could be the game Kelce needs.
The Panthers have offered the position six touchdowns this season. Kelce could easily have an 80-yard game and a touchdown. Look for Kelce to be a TE1 option in Week 10. He deserves a start in all leagues.
Next: 3. He leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns
Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) gestures after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi
3. Mike Evans, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans has made a name for himself this fantasy football season. He leads the NFL in touchdowns and targets.
Week after week he earns above average fantasy football points. There has only been one week he didn’t earn more than 10 points. On average, Evans earns 20 or more points per game. He has even had five games where he topped 20 points for the past several weeks bringing in over 30 points per game.
Heading into this week’s game, Evans was going through the NFL concussion protocol but has since been cleared. Evans is the exception when it comes to starting a previously injured player.
His Week 10 matchup couldn’t have come at a better time. This week Evans takes on the Chicago Bears. The Bears secondary has surrendered the second most fantasy points in the league.
Next: 2. This quarterback earns over 20 points per game
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) celebrates after a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
2. Eli Manning, QB – New York Giants
For the most part, Eli Manning has been a fantasy football asset. He opened the season with a bang and earned owners 20 points.
He kept that performance going for the first three weeks. In Week 2, Manning finished with over 25 points. And, by Week 3 he threw for 350 yards and a touchdown bringing home almost 30 fantasy points.
Aside from his Week 5 and Week 7 fantasy football busts, he has consistently earned double-digit points. Not to mention, many of his weekly outings topped 20, even 30 points per game.
Manning’s Week 8 bye only helped him. Last week, he completed 22-of-36 passes for a little under 260 yards. His two interceptions didn’t hurt thanks to his four touchdowns!
Manning earned over 20 points last week. And this week, he has a great matchup on paper. The New York Giants play the Cincinnati Bengals, a game they’ve wanted since Week 5. Since Week 5, the Giants have played top 10 secondaries, and there is nothing to brag about the Bengals secondary.
The Bengals secondary ranks 21st in the league. In recent weeks, the Bengals gave Tom Brady over 35 fantasy points. They also gave Kirk Cousins over 450 passing yards and two touchdowns.
There is nothing keeping him from having over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Look for Manning and the Giants to have a great Monday Night Football game. Manning enters this week a QB1 and should start in all leagues.
Next: 1. This running back can't be stopped
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB – Dallas Cowboys
There is no reason Ezekiel Elliott shouldn’t be in your fantasy football starting lineup every week. I usually don’t add him to my lists because I assume owners know he’s a weekly starter. However, I wanted an opportunity to highlight the great season Elliott has had so far.
Elliott started the season with earning 10 fantasy football points in his first two outings. He shook off the NFL jitters and since then, hasn’t earned less than 15 points per game.
In some weeks, Elliott neared and topped 30 points. In Week 5, he had over 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns; he earned 50 points in some leagues!
Last week, he rushed 18 times for a little over 90 yards and two touchdowns. This week’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn’t seem as if it will slow him down. The Steelers rank 13th against the run. They gave LeGarrette Blount over 125 yards and two touchdowns for over 30 fantasy points.
Must Read: Fantasy Football: Top 5 sleeper picks heading into Week 10
Elliott was the No. 1 drafted fantasy football running back before he even played in the NFL. With numbers and statistics like his, I can assume he will remain at the top of the list for years to come. Elliott is the true definition of a weekly fantasy football starter. If you didn’t get an opportunity to draft him, better luck next season!