Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Will Stroud’s slump continue?

The fantasy soccer common season is shortly drawing to a detailed, and one lineup choice may make all of the distinction in whether or not your workforce reaches the playoffs. 

With that in thoughts, here is what to do about a number of flex choices, streaming candidates and different gamers you possibly can be on the fence about plugging into your beginning lineup in Week 10.

Quarterbacks

Begin: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers 

49ers at Buccaneers / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Purdy has been inconsistent this season however seems to have hit his stride from a fantasy soccer perspective, topping 20 points in every of his final three outings. It is price noting that three speeding touchdowns over that timeframe have helped Purdy accomplish this feat. Whereas Purdy will lose that upside with the potential return of Christian McCaffrey, the operating again’s receiving skill ought to stability issues out in opposition to Tampa Bay’s protection, which has surrendered the third most passing yards and touchdowns in 2024. 

Different begins: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings; Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Sit: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Lions at Texans / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the 12 months is experiencing a sophomore droop due partially to the array of accidents the Texans offense has suffered. Stroud has been held beneath 200 passing yards in two of his final three video games, throwing one landing in that span whereas shedding two fumbles.

Houston is hoping WR Nico Collins (hamstring) returns for its pivotal “Sunday Evening Soccer” conflict with Detroit, however that appears unlikely since he nonetheless hasn’t practiced this week. The Lions are already a difficult matchup for quarterbacks, having allowed the second-fewest landing passes (six) whereas rating second within the NFL in interceptions (11). No matter whether or not Collins fits up, it is most likely greatest to look elsewhere for a quarterback this week. 

Different sits: Drake Maye, New England Patriots; Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets 

Operating backs

Begin: Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants 

Giants at Panthers (in Munich, Germany) / 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday

Tracy, a fifth-round choose, leads all rookie operating backs with 442 rushing yards even if he took over the lead position in New York’s backfield throughout Week 5. Whereas the 24-year-old posted simply 7.9 PPR factors throughout final week’s loss to Washington, Tracy’s upcoming matchup is just too interesting to go up.

Carolina’s protection has been the worst unit within the NFL at defending operating backs this season. Along with permitting essentially the most speeding yards (1,196) and touchdowns (13) to the place, operating backs are averaging 27.1 fantasy factors per sport in opposition to the Panthers, essentially the most amongst groups. Contemplating Tracy has at the very least 17 touches in 4 of his final 5 video games, he ought to have a excessive ground and the upside to complete as a top-10 operating again in Week 10. 

Different begins: Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys; D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears 

Sit: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans 

Titans at Chargers / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday

The RB19 general this season, Pollard is a troublesome participant to take a seat, seeing as if he is averaging 16.6 PPR factors over his final two video games. Nonetheless, there are a number of components that would result in Pollard having a disappointing outing in opposition to the dominant Chargers protection.

Los Angeles has had no hassle containing opposing operating backs by way of its first eight video games, permitting the second-fewest fantasy factors per contest (11.8) whereas surrendering one speeding landing. This does not bode properly for Pollard, who’s coping with a foot harm and will additionally lose touches to Tyjae Spears, assuming he’s out there to play after being sidelined by a hamstring injury. 

Different sits: Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins; Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Large receivers

Begin: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Payments 

Payments at Colts / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Shakir is amid a breakout season in Buffalo, posting at the very least 10.2 fantasy factors in seven of his eight video games. The Boise State product has been significantly spectacular in current weeks, averaging 7.3 receptions and 74 receiving yards per sport over his last three contests.

Though wideout Amari Cooper must be lively after lacking final week’s win in opposition to Miami with a wrist harm, Shakir must be peppered with loads of targets since Keon Coleman (wrist/arm) may miss Sunday’s sport. Large receivers are averaging 22.2 fantasy factors per sport in opposition to Indianapolis this season, paving the best way for Shakir to make a big influence as soon as once more.

Different begins: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals; George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers 

Sit: DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 

Broncos at Chiefs / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Hopkins is one other participant who could also be too worthwhile to go away on the bench, particularly since he racked up 86 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions in his final sport.

Nonetheless, you probably have enough depth, it could be price sitting Hopkins this week, as he’ll line up throughout from Broncos star CB Patrick Surtain II for almost all of the sport. Surtain, broadly considered the NFL’s greatest cornerback, has allowed simply 12 catches and 116 yards in protection this season. These numbers are the second-fewest in every class amongst cornerbacks who’ve performed at least 400 snaps this season, elevating doubts about Hopkins’ potential to get pleasure from one other productive efficiency. 

Different sits: Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers; Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Tight ends

Begin: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings 

Vikings at Jaguars / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Hockenson made his long-awaited return from final season’s ACL harm throughout Minnesota’s Week 9 win over Indianapolis, however he wasn’t significantly efficient. The 2-time Professional Bowler scored 5.7 PPR factors and was out-snapped by fellow Vikings TE Josh Oliver.

Even so, with one other week of observe beneath his belt, Hockenson must be extra concerned in Minnesota’s offense. Consequently, Hockenson is well-positioned to ship a powerful efficiency in opposition to a Jaguars protection that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy factors per sport to tight ends during the last 4 weeks (18.6). 

Different begins: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots; Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Sit: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Lions at Texans / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

After ending because the TE1 general throughout his historic 2023 rookie season, LaPorta has established himself as one of many worst picks from fantasy drafts. LaPorta has solely scored double-digit fantasy factors twice throughout eight video games and is coming off one other lackluster efficiency, throughout which he caught two passes for 28 yards.

With wideout Jameson Williams set to return from his two-game suspension for this week’s street matchup in opposition to Houston, it appears unlikely that LaPorta’s goal share will improve a lot, if in any respect. To not point out that the Texans have been one of many hardest opponents for tight ends in 2024, giving up a mere 3.8 factors per sport to the place, the third-fewest amongst groups. 

Different sits: Tyler Conklin, New York Jets; Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys