Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 10
This week the Browns, Seahawks, Packers, and Raiders will be on bye. This means fantasy managers will be without the services of Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, Josh Jacobs, Kenneth Walker, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cedric Tillman, David Njoku, and Brock Bowers. But there are options either off the waiver wire or sitting on your bench that can help. Every name below is someone I believe is poised for good things in Week 10, although to varying degrees. There are even a couple that I feel almost spill into must-start territory. Regardless, if you are short a position or two, look no further. Here are my Week 10 sleepers.
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SAM DARNOLD (QB)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ JAX (55% START)
Through nine weeks, Darnold has scored under 20 fantasy points just once. Last week against the Colts, Darnold scored nearly 30 fantasy points (in six points per passing touchdown leagues) while turning the ball over three times. Even though those giveaways are the difference between a top-10 week and a top-five one, anyone who started Darnold had to be happy with the results. This week should be more of the same. The Vikings offense will come face-to-face with a reeling Jacksonville defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position. They have given up a league-high 19 touchdowns while only grabbing two interceptions. They have also allowed a top 12 QB every week but one, and that one was Jordan Love, who got hurt and only played 62% of the snaps as a result. Jacksonville is a matchup to target no matter who your QB is, but when it’s someone playing as well as Darnold, it’s a no-brainer.
NAJEE HARRIS (RB)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ WAS (52% START)
Najee Harris has looked much better this season than last season. Harris has hit double-digit fantasy points in every game but one this season and has been over 16 points in the last three games. In those games, he eclipsed 100 yards rushing every time. His explosiveness has been on full display over the last month and he continues to get a bellcow workload. His role in the passing game has diminished since teammate Jaylen Warren returned from his knee injury, but he’s still the preferred choice as a runner and with how he’s been running, he should be able to continue to produce. His Week 10 opponent, the Washington Commanders, allow 5.1 rushing yards per play, the second-highest mark in the league. There is a possibility that the 7-2 Commanders put up points in a hurry forcing the Steelers to throw more than they’d like, but the Steelers will look to control the tempo through the ground game, so I expect Harris to handle another 20+ opportunities and to produce as an RB2.
RICO DOWDLE (RB)
DALLAS COWBOYS VS. PHI (41% START)
This is less about the talent of the player and more about the opportunity awaiting him. This past week, the Dallas Cowboys were dealt a series of blows when Dak Prescott suffered a hamstring injury that is set to sideline him for multiple weeks and CeeDee Lamb hurt his shoulder, the extent of which is yet to be determined, although he has been practicing in a limited fashion. Even if Lamb is good to go, the Cowboys will be forced to rely on Cooper Rush under center who, in turn, will likely have to rely on Rico Dowdle. Dowdle was a preseason sleeper pick by many but started the season very slowly. Still, over the last three weeks, Dowdle has had two top-10 finishes. The Cowboys are currently 3-5 and trying to save their season. The best way to do that against their division rival is to turn to the run and hope that Dowdle can get the job done. The Eagles are a top-three defense in fantasy points allowed to running backs, but Dowdle should see an increase in touches which could help make up for a lack of efficiency. Dowdle is a low-end RB2/high-end flex this week.
PARKER WASHINGTON (WR)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS VS. MIN (5% START)
Christian Kirk is on injured reserve with a broken collarbone. This has forced second-year wide receiver, Parker Washington, to take on a larger role. In the last two games, Washington is second in targets (behind Evan Engram) and has a team-high 87 receiving yards. Washington has done most of this damage in the short to intermediate part of the field. The Jaguars also lost Trevor Lawrence this past week with a shoulder injury and he is unlikely to suit up in Week 10. That means Mac Jones will get the start and while they may allow him to take some shots downfield, his skillset is more in line with what Washington brings to the table. Jacksonville will try to slow the game down by controlling the tempo with Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby but the Vikings may make that difficult. As good as the Vikings’ defense has been, one spot where they’ve been vulnerable is against the mid-range passing game. With a negative game script on tap, Washington should see enough work to produce flex-worthy numbers.
JAUAN JENNINGS (WR)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ TB (18% START)
Early in the season, Jauan Jennings was a top waiver wire pickup, then almost immediately upon being scooped up, Jennings came crashing back down to Earth before suffering a hip injury and missing the last two games. He is now coming out of his bye week and is trending toward playing. Of course, if he sits out another game then his sleeper status is non-existent, but if he plays he could be in a good position to reward those who take a chance on him. With Brandon Aiyuk gone for the year, there are targets up for grabs, especially in the slot, which is where Jennings has run over half of his routes. The Buccaneers allow the sixth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and are particularly vulnerable against slot receivers. Jennings has proven he can be a playmaker when given the chance. This week, he should get that chance.
JONNU SMITH (TE)
MIAMI DOLPHINS @ LAR (17% START)
When Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion earlier in the season he was out for four games. But in losing him it felt like we lost Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as well. Tua’s return has moderately helped Hill, but Waddle hasn’t been the other consistent pass catcher in this offense. That honor goes to tight end Jonnu Smith. While his fantasy numbers don’t jump out at you, his usage is what I find interesting. In the two weeks prior to Tua’s return, Smith had 15 total targets. In the two games since Tua’s return, Smith has received six targets each time. Smith also has at least four receptions in both games. This week, the Dolphins will take on the Rams. The Rams’ defense has improved against the pass, but still has trouble against tight ends, giving up the eight-most fantasy points to the position. Smith has a good chance to be a top-12 tight end this week.
