Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Smart Matchup Plays, Sleepers and More

We've officially reached the halfway point in the 2025 NFL regular season. This means, of course, that the fantasy playoffs are just over the horizon.

Every week is important, of course, but managers in playoff positioning or close to it cannot afford to slip up now. Unfortunately, the injuries keep piling up, and three of this week's four bye teams are very fantasy-relevant.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans will be off this week.

Playing the matchups will be critical. We'll dive into some of the best and worst of Week 10, along with a few sleepers to consider targeting on the waiver wire.

Start: Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

The Chicago Bears were without starting running back D'Andre Swift in Week 9 because of a groin injury. With Swift sidelined, rookie Kyle Monangai got an opportunity to shine.

The Rutgers product gashed the Cincinnati Bengals for 176 yards on the ground. He added 22 passes on three receptions and rewarded managers who took a flier on him even without finding the end zone.

It's hard to imagine Swift keeping Monangai on the bench after that sort of performance, even if he's back to 100 percent. And this week's matchup with the New York Giants is almost as favorable as Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati.

Only the Bengals have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs than New York.

Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

We've listed Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a sit before, and now the rookie is approaching drop territory. He may still be a decent matchup-based flex play, but there are reasons for serious concern.

The biggest is the fact that Jayden Daniels suffered a potentially season-ending elbow dislocation on Sunday. The Washington Commanders simply aren't going to find as much running room with Marcus Mariota behind center.

The other issue is that Croskey-Merritt's inefficiency has led to Washington trying other options. Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. each received 12 carries against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Rodriguez averaged 2.2 yards more per rush and scored a touchdown.

Against a Detroit Lions defense that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, this is not a week in which to trust Croskey-Merritt.

Start: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Ladd McConkey entered Week 9 with a calf issue but still played a significant role for the Los Angeles Chargers. Though he finished with a relatively modest four catches and 56 yards, McConkey was targeted seven times.

The second-year receiver has been targeted at least seven times in five straight games.

This week, the Chargers may need to rely on McConkey and the passing game more than they did against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Chargers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just dropped 27 points on the Indianapolis Colts while holding Jonathan Taylor to 45 rushing yards.

While Pittsburgh's defense looked as good as it has at any point this season in Week 9, it struggled to contain Indy's passing game—which has been a trend. The Steelers have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Sit: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/David Becker

With rookie receiver/corner Travis Hunter going on injured reserve, managers might have expected a breakout from second-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr. However, he tallied just three catches for 55 yards against a suspect Las Vegas Raiders secondary on Sunday.

While Thomas' numbers were at least respectable, they don't suggest that he's about to return to his 2024 Pro Bowl-caliber production. Parker Washington, who racked up eight catches for 90 yards, appeared to be the biggest beneficiary of Hunter's absence.

Managers shouldn't expect things to be any different this week against a terrific Houston Texans defense. The Texans may or may not have quarterback C.J. Stroud, who exited Week 9 with a concussion. However, they will have a secondary that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Thomas had just two catches for 55 yards when these teams last met in Week 3.

Sleepers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars may not get much offense going against the Texans this week, but Bhayshul Tuten is worth some consideration in deeper leagues. He caught a pass, logged nine carries for 29 yards and reached the end zone against Las Vegas.

Tuten will probably need to see a bigger workload to pay off, but there just aren't many options this week. Tuten is rostered in only 31 percent of Yahoo leagues and 21 percent of ESPN leagues.

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. had a mini breakout on Sunday, tallying 53 yards and a touchdown on five carries while spelling Christian McCaffrey.

Robinson is little more than a desperation play this week against a Los Angeles Rams defense that has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs. However, he's worth a flier based on handcuff value alone.

Robinson is available in over 75 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will face a talented Atlanta Falcons defense in Berlin on Sunday morning. The opponent and the venue are not ideal, but Alec Pierce should still be a top add-and-play this week.

Pierce caught six passes for 115 yards against the Steelers and has topped 60 yards in three straight games. He's rostered in just 26 percent of Yahoo leagues and 12 percent of ESPN leagues.