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

We're officially past the midway point in the 2026 NFL season, which means, of course, that fantasy football playoffs are in the not-too-distant future. Week 10 will be an important one for managers on the fringes of contention, and it will open with a Thursday night NFC East showdown between the Washington Commanders and New York Giants.

Another 13 games will follow, as the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be on bye.

In addition to bye week, managers will have to navigate numerous injuries. Here, you'll find early start/sit recommendations for the sort of second-tier stars many managers will need to consider in Week 10.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Drake Maye

Start: Drake Maye, New England Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback was drifting back into must-start territory before Sunday's disaster against the Green Bay Packers. The third-year signal-caller had another three-interception game, though he did do enough in garbage time to top 20 fantasy points.

Managers should trust Maye to come through again in Week 10, even if he gets a little reckless with the football again. The Patriots will need to put up points against the Detroit Lions, who haven't been particularly good defensively.

No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing QBs than Detroit.

Sit: Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a reliable streamer for most of the season. He has six games of at least 19.5 fantasy points in 2026 and is worth keeping as a matchup-based spot starter.

However, Cousins is coming off a disappointing 15.6-point outing against the San Francisco 49ers. He also faces another tough matchup against an NFC West contender in Week 10.

The Raiders will host the Seattle Seahawks, who have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Back

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

Jadarian Price

Start: Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks running back Jadarian Price has been back from injury for two games now, and while he didn't do much in Week 8, he flashed his receiving ability in Week 9.

Price caught four passes for 54 yards against the Arizona Cardinals and finished with 11.8 fantasy points on Sunday. He's a solid flex option this week against the Raiders.

Las Vegas has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Sit: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals put on an offensive display against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. However, running back Chase Brown was only a bit player.

Brown did catch three passes and finish with 10.5 fantasy points. However, Samaje Perine actually led the Bengals in carries. This wasn't the first time in 2026 that Perine has led the ground attack. Given Cincinnati's shifting backfield situation, it's impossible to trust Brown against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs this season.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Jameson Williams

Start: Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown is the centerpiece of the Lions' passing attack and is a weekly must-start in all fantasy formats. However, he's likely to face standout cornerback Christian Gonzalez when Detroit hosts the Patriots in Week 10.

Gonzalez didn't have a great game against the Packers on Sunday, but he could still force Detroit to look in other directions. That bodes well for No. 2 receiver Jameson Williams, who will also be looking to bounce back in Week 10.

Williams had just two touches and five fantasy points on Sunday. However, he topped 16 fantasy points in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues in each of his previous four games.

Sit: Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

While tight end Brock Bowers is a de facto No. 1 receiver, Tre Tucker is the Raiders' top perimeter option. While his production has been a bit up-and-down this season, Tucker has topped 20 points three times and had a solid 9.5 points in Week 9.

However, Tucker is likely to disappoint managers against Seattle. The Seahawks have surrendered an average of only 20.3 fantasy points to opposing receiving corps this season.

Bowers will remain a must-start against Seattle, but managers should eschew Tucker for WRs with better matchups.

Tight End

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Eli Raridon

Start: Eli Raridon, New England Patriots

Part of the issue for Drake Maye has been a lack of healthy options at wide receiver. A.J. Brown has been in and out of the lineup, while Romeo Doubs remains on injured reserve.

If the Patriots are going to keep pace with the Lions in Week 10, they'll probably need a big game from rookie tight end Eli Raridon.

Raridon caught three passes for 52 yards against the Packers, and he has a terrific matchup against Detroit this week. No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Sit: Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

With Shedeur Sanders in at quarterback, Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin was largely ignored in the passing game until the very end of Sunday's game. He caught a 39-yard touchdown pass in overtime, but he was only targeted twice on the afternoon.

Fannin should see a bigger role in Week 10 if Deshaun Watson is back behind center. However, trusting him against the Houston Texans will be difficult.

Houston has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs this season.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.