Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench

We're past the NFL trade deadline, which should limit the number of surprises faced by fantasy football managers. Most deadline-day deals involved defensive players, though, managers should note that receiver Mike Williams and running back Khalil Herbert joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.

Of course, while the risk of key players changing teams has passed, injuries and difficult matchups will still be obstacles during the playoff push.

"Must-start" players like Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley won't be coming out of lineups, but there will be tough decisions to make in Week 10.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the tougher decisions of the week, along with start-sit recommendations based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Bengals running back Chase Brown had his first 100-yard rushing performance of 2024 against the Las Vegas Raiders last week. He probably won't hit that number against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.

Baltimore ranks first in both rushing yards and yards per carry allowed. It has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

However, Brown should still provide a strong PPR floor in Week 10. He was targeted nine times over the past two weeks and caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas.

Brown should also see a high volume of work against the Ravens. Zack Moss is out indefinitely with a neck injury, and while Cincinnati acquired Herbert on Tuesday, the former Chicago Bears back may not see a substantial workload in his Bengals debut.

Sit: RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 17: Javonte Williams #33 of the Denver Broncos lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams finished with two receptions and 84 scrimmage yards against Baltimore on Sunday. While he does possess a decent PPR floor, we're less bullish on his Week 10 prospects.

The problem for Williams is that Denver has a fairly deep backfield rotation. Williams saw 12 carries in Week 9, while Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estimé and fullback Michael Burton combined for the same number.

McLaughlin also finished with one more reception than Williams. Add in the fact that the Broncos will use quarterback Bo Nix (six carries for 36 yards in Week 9) in the running game, and it's hard to envision Williams being a high-volume player against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.

Start: WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 13: Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) pulls in a pass during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on October 13, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Second-year receiver Quentin Johnston gained a lot of fantasy attention in his Week 9 return for the Los Angeles Chargers. He caught just four passes but turned them into 118 yards and a touchdown.

Johnston should be a serviceable start against the Tennessee Titans, though they have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Given the matchup, however, we're actually a bit higher on rookie receiver Ladd McConkey.

The Georgia product is beginning to establish himself as a clutch go-to target for Justin Herbert. He averaged seven targets over his last five games and caught no fewer than four passes in a contest during that span.

While McConkey wasn't as impressive as Johnston in Week 9, he still finished with five grabs for 65 yards. The previous week, he caught six for 111 yards and two scores.

The Titans will undoubtedly work to take away Johnston's deep-threat ability. Expect McConkey to deliver with a high-volume PPR outing.

Sit: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 21: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to be a hit-or-miss fantasy option. He followed an impressive Week 8 outing (6 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD) with an underwhelming Week 9 performance (2 catches, 34 yards, 1 fumble).

Week 10 could bring another down performance, as the Cardinals are set to host the New York Jets. The Jets have a solid defense but have been a bit more susceptible to the run than the pass—they rank 21st in rushing yards allowed, second in passing yards allowed.

New York has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receiver this season.

As was the case against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Arizona should look to take a run-first approach offensively. Running back James Conner should be a solid start, and quarterback Kyler Murray might overcome a tough matchup due to his scrambling ability. However, it's hard to trust Harrison to do the same.

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*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.