As if signing up for the Fantasy Alarm Assistant GM wasn't a good enough decision already, we present to you even more assistance in setting your lineups this week.
Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call, "Tough Decisions." In this article I will break down players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.
Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 10:
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton (vs. Texans) or Blake Bortles (@Ravens)
The Case for Dalton: Despite having names such as J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston defense hasn’t been as dominant as many had hoped. Quarterbacks have feasted off Houston, and the team has recorded just six interceptions in eight games. Well, Dalton will look to be the next quarterback to torch the Houston defense. Only two quarterbacks (Jameis Winston and Matt Ryan) haven’t been able to throw for multiple touchdowns in a game against the Texans this season. Dalton has been extremely good this season and even though I’m an avid Houston fan, it’s tough to see the Texans slowing down Dalton and the Bengals on Monday night. Dalton is a QB1 on Monday night and should throw for at least 300 yards and two scores.
The Case for Bortles: Bortles is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign. Sure, he is still turning the ball over too much (10 INTs) but he is throwing a plethora of touchdowns and racking up passing yards. The Jacksonville quarterback is a QB1 this week, and a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens is salivating for fantasy owners. The Ravens are allowing 283.9 passing yards per game, the fourth most in all of football. If Bortles can throw for 381 yards with two scores against the Jets’ defense, he should have a field day in Baltimore. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns are two quality weapons on the outside that should be able to consistently shake loose from Baltimore defenders. Bortles should have a big game and finish among the top seven quarterbacks in Week 10.
The Verdict: Bortles. If the Texans come to play, Dalton could have some struggles. Bortles’ matchup is too irresistible and needs to be exploited. Go with the Jacksonville signal caller.
Running Backs
Adrian Peterson (@Raiders) or Mark Ingram (@Redskins)
The Case for Peterson: Week 9 was the first time the Oakland Raiders allowed an opposing running back to run for more than 100 yards. Well, DeAngelo Williams gashed the Oakland defense for 170 yards and two scores, opening the door of optimism for Peterson. AP has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the past two games, and he’s also caught two or more passes in three straight weeks. Expect him to get plenty of usage in this one, upwards of 28-30 carries. Just because Williams scored twice last week doesn’t mean Peterson is a sure bet to get in the end zone, but we like his chances. When the team gets in the red zone, more often than not, Peterson is the running back getting the football. Inside the 20-yard line, he has almost 70 percent of the carries and when the team is at the goal line, his eight carries make up 72.7 percent of the team’s goal line rushing attempts. He’s found his groove and he’s looking good, go ahead and run him out there as a RB1 this weekend.
The Case for Ingram: Ingram saw a season-high 22 carries in Week 9 against the Titans, but he was only able to scamper for 54 yards. However, Ingram continues to be a large part of the passing game in New Orleans, which helps keep his fantasy value afloat when the ground game isn’t working. His 37 receptions are fourth most for a running back, trailing only Devonta Freeman (48), Danny Woodhead (46) and Theo Riddick (42). The Redskins have been slightly above average in terms of slowing down pass-catching running backs, but Ingram should get enough usage that it won’t matter in this one. The only thing that makes Ingram an annoying play is that sometimes the Saints won’t give him the ball at the goal line. However, with Khiry Robinson out of the picture, Ingram should be getting most of the goal line work, which boosts his already high fantasy value. Against the Redskins this weekend, Ingram is a RB1.
The Verdict: Peterson. After seeing what DeAngelo Williams did to the Raiders, you have to love Peterson’s chances this weekend. Expect a lot of AP early and often, en route to a big fantasy day.
Doug Martin (vs. Cowboys) or James Starks (vs. Lions)
The Case for Martin: Martin had a revival in Weeks 4, 5 and 7, but other than that, he’s been the same guy we’ve seen the past three years. He’s rushed for just 102 yards over his last 34 carries, an average of just three yards per carry. Don’t point to the matchups either, because both the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants rank in the top 12 of most fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. The “Muscle Hamster” is clearly struggling, and he saw his playing time decrease last week. After losing a fumble in the second quarter and the team falling behind, he saw one fewer play than teammate Charles Sims. Sims is the better pass-catching back for the Bucs, but if Martin can’t get it going on the ground, don’t be surprised if Sims starts stealing more and more carries. Sims rushed for 78 yards on just eight carries last week, so I’m staying away from Martin in Week 10 against the Cowboys.
The Case for Starks: What an epic failure this season has been for Eddie Lacy, a top-5 pick in most fantasy football drafts. Starks received 16 touches (10 carries, six receptions) last week, totaling 122 yards and scoring on a touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team announced that Starks would be the No. 1 running back for this game, but the team will still go with the one-two punch. With that in mind, Starks should be in line to see more touches this game, but if Lacy does play, he will swipe a few carries away from Starks. However, if Lacy doesn’t play because of his ailing groin, then Starks becomes a must play across the board. The Lions have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns on the season, the most in the league, so don’t be surprised if Starks sees his fair share of carries when the team is in the red zone. Starks is the Packers back to play.
The Verdict: Starks. He was solid last week and that trend should continue against the lowly Detroit Lions. Between these two backs, Starks is the play.
Wide Receivers
Allen Robinson (@Ravens) or Demaryius Thomas (vs. Chiefs)
The Case for Robinson: Robinson is enjoying a fantastic season. He has received 82 targets from quarterback Blake Bortles, hauling in 40 of them for 707 yards with six touchdowns. He is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver in Jacksonville, and teammate Allen Hurns is a formidable second wideout. Robinson hasn’t finished a game with less than 65 receiving yards since the first game of the season, displaying some solid consistency in recent weeks. Also, he has caught at least six passes in the last four games and the Baltimore Ravens don’t seem capable of slowing him down. The Ravens are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers per game this season. Bortles is throwing the football well and Robinson is in line for a big game in this contest.
The Case for Thomas: Despite receiving the fourth-most targets in all of football – behind only Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins and Antonio Brown – Thomas’ lack of touchdowns has really driven down his fantasy value. He has hooked up with quarterback Peyton Manning just once this season, not exactly the number fantasy owners were hoping for heading into Week 10. Like Robinson, Thomas has an extremely favorable matchup in this one. As I mentioned earlier while talking about Robinson, the Ravens have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Well, the only team they are trailing are the Kansas City Chiefs, who just so happen to be Denver’s opponent in Week 10. This weekend seems to be the perfect time for Manning and Thomas to reestablish their touchdown chemistry.
The Verdict: Robinson. His touchdown potential in this game is high and he’s displayed a knack for finding the end zone this season. Thomas should have a good game against the Chiefs, but Robinson can put up monster numbers against the Ravens with Blake Bortles.
Brandon LaFell (@Giants) or Davante Adams (vs. Lions)
The Case for LaFell: LaFell was solid last week against the Redskins, catching five passes for 102 yards. Over the last three weeks, LaFell has seen 24 passes thrown his way, just five targets behind Rob Gronkowski and one behind fellow wideout Julian Edelman. The Giants are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, setting up a nice matchup for the third option in the New England offense. The injury to Dion Lewis will open up a few extra targets for the wideouts, which should help LaFell’s fantasy value this week. LaFell will look to stretch the New York defense this weekend, and given his role in the offense, don’t be surprised if he gets behind the Giants’ defense a couple times. I like LaFell a lot in Week 10 as a solid WR2.
The Case for Adams: FINALLY. His performance in Week 9 was the type of outing many fantasy owners were hoping for when Jordy Nelson went down with the knee injury. He caught seven passes on 11 targets for 93 yards against the Carolina Panthers. Adams goes up against the Detroit Lions in Week 10, a team allowing the 13th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Rodgers and Adams displayed some solid chemistry last week, and that should carry into Sunday and weeks to come. Randall Cobb is the No. 1 receiver in Green Bay, but Adams should be viewed as the No. 2. With this matchup against the lowly Detroit Lions, expect Adams to have a day similar to his Week 9 performance.
The Verdict: LaFell. I like both of these guys this week, but given New York’s defensive struggles, LaFell could easily go over 100 yards again. Sure, Edelman and Gronk are in town, but the Giants may shift so much attention toward them that LaFell slips between the cracks.
Tight Ends
Delanie Walker (vs. Panthers) or Travis Kelce (@Broncos)
The Case for Walker: If anyone continues to doubt Walker’s legitimacy as a TE1, they are crazy. He has the eighth-most fantasy points among tight ends and he is going to get his fair share of looks, no matter who is under center for Tennessee. However, his fantasy value seems to be at its highest when rookie Marcus Mariota is under center. Against a porous New Orleans defense last week, Walker hauled in seven passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. While one long catch may have been fluky, there is no doubting that Mariota is going to look Walker’s way early and often. Walker and the Titans will face the undefeated Carolina Panthers in Week 10, a matchup that isn’t going to be easy by any means. The Carolina defense has been stiff this season, but Walker won’t be covered by Josh Norman, so there is hope for him. Carolina has been right around league average in terms of stopping opposing tight ends, so things won’t come easy for Walker, but Mariota continues to look Walker’s way. He is a low-end TE1 this week.
The Case for Kelce: Like Walker, Kelce’s matchup this weekend is a tough one. The Denver defense has been superb this season, and when it comes to stopping tight ends, the Broncos have been slightly above league average. With that being said, is there anything going for Kelce this weekend? You bet there is. The Denver corners are extremely tough, so quarterback Alex Smith might not look Jeremy Maclin’s way as much. Also, Charcandrick West will likely struggle to find some holes on the ground against a stout Denver run defense. However, dinks-and-dunks from Smith to Kelce could be in full effect in this one. The Chiefs tight end may be able to get open in the middle of the field on a seam route, but that might be his best bet to get open for a big gain. Things will not come easy for Kansas City in this one, so temper expectations for all Chiefs in Week 10.
The Verdict: Walker. With Mariota under center for Tennessee, Walker is extremely capable of having a big game. This one will likely be very close, but Walker should emerge as the better fantasy play in Week 10.
Player News
Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on OT Charles Cross.
Cross now remains tied to the organization through the 2026 season. PFF gave the towering 24-year-old tackle exemplary marks in 2024, ranking him 10th of 140 qualified tackles, including 15th in pass protection and 16th in run blocking. The Seahawks extend the negotiating window on one of the key pieces of their offensive front.
Browns signed WR Diontae Johnson to a one-year contract.
The former Steeler wasn’t able to carve out a significant role with the Panthers, Ravens, or Texans in 2024 after seemingly breaking out in Pittsburgh. The Browns apparently saw enough during his visit with the team Monday to sign him to a one-year contract, the details of which have yet to be released. Expect Johnson to start opposite Cedric Tillman on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy works the slot.
ESPN’s Field Yates reports Browns placed the unrestricted free agent tender on WR Elijah Moore.
Moore visited the Bills on Monday and then saw the Browns place the unrestricted free agent tender on him. Per Field Yates, this means that Moore will count against the compensatory free agent formula should he sign with another team. He’ll play on the tender if he returns to the Browns, which carries a value of $3.428 million for wide receivers in 2025.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Szhultz reports Packers signed LB/S Isaiah Simmons, formerly of the Giants.
The former first-round hybrid linebacker and safety has yet to live up to his No. 8 overall selection in the 2020 draft, but brings the unique ability to fill multiple positions over the middle of the field to a Packers defense that prefers to play a more inside-out style. There is upside in his athletic profile and versatility - perhaps another change of scenery will serve to unlock some of that potential.
Steelers signed WR Robert Woods, formerly of the Texans, to a one-year, $2 million contract.
The 33-year-old wide receiver has long since seen his days of 100-target seasons fall by the wayside, but he still adds a veteran presence to a relatively young wide receiver room in Pittsburgh. Woods played over 60% of the offensive snaps for the Texans just twice in 2024 after doing so 13 times in 2023, indicating a high likelihood he was brought in for his locker room presence and veteran savvy rather than as a consistent contributor to the offense. The low risk signing makes sense for both parties considering Woods’ age and the state of the Pittsburgh pass-catching corps.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the Browns met with free agent WR Diontae Johnson.
Johnson had a forgettable 2024, to put it mildly. The former Steelers receiver saw himself traded to the Panthers last offseason only to later be traded to the Ravens, where his lack of playing time eventually led to his release. He then found his way to the wide receiver-needy Texans, who rostered him for just over three weeks. He was then claimed off waivers by the Ravens but was not eligible to play during the postseason. Now a free agent, Johnson, 28, has not enjoyed the market many expected him to see this time last year. He’s a productive receiver who has amassed 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns in his six-year career, but it goes without saying that he’s likely in brand rebuilding mode as far as this offseason is concerned. It’s hard to imagine any team giving him a lucrative contract after last year’s disastrous campaign. That said, Johnson could still still provide help to plenty of needy teams and could prove to be a valuable contributor at a cost-efficient price. This is the first visit we’ve heard of for Johnson, who may meet with other teams before signing.