Daily Fantasy College Football Week 10: DraftKings Optimum Lineup, Matchup Guide
Nearly every college football team across the country has already wrapped up eight games, with some of the toughest matchups still lying ahead for daily fantasy owners. Week 10 brings an enticing slate of games that features a showdown between Alabama and LSU that has massive implications.
So should owners trust Leonard Fournette or Derrick Henry against tough defensive matchups? Will Deshaun Watson repeat his success after a six-touchdown performance against NC State? Here's a look at our top picks and analysis at every roster position for early and late games.
| QB | Deshaun Watson, Clemson ($7,900) | Kyler Murray, Texas A&M ($7,400) |
| RB | Elijah Hood, UNC ($5,700) | Derrick Henry, Alabama ($7,800) |
| WR | Jakeem Grant, Texas Tech ($6,500) | Aaron Burbridge, Michigan State ($6,700) |
| FLEX | Mikel Horton, Kentucky ($4,100) | Adoree' Jackson, USC ($4,500) |
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QB Analysis
Why target a quarterback who simply rests in the pocket rather than a dual-threat signal-caller? With Kyler Murray and Watson, you can have your cake and eat it, too. That is, of course, if you like multitiered cakes.
Watson is the lead target for the early slate even against a solid Florida State team. We're not worried about the matchup here because Watson has proved he can destroy any defense this year.
His average of 27.4 fantasy points per game is hurt by slowing down in a shellacking against Miami and essentially mercy-ruling Wofford, Appalachian State and Georgia Tech. That won't happen against FSU. When forced to lead his team, Watson will do so in a massive way after accounting for 437 yards and six scores against NC State.
As for Murray, he'll carry owners in the nightcap against a porous Auburn defense. After rushing for 156 yards in his first start in the SEC, Murray will face a defense that ranks 93rd in the country against the pass and 98th against the rush. Murray is going to pick apart the Tigers in his second opportunity under center.
RB Analysis
We're going with one safe option and one that should shine despite his matchup at the running back position. Henry is obviously the player with a tough matchup, going against an LSU team that ranks sixth in the country against the rush.
So why go with a running back with that in mind? Because LSU hasn't faced a player as ferocious as Henry. Henry even earned praise from Leonard Fournette, whom he'll be facing on Saturday, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com.
"He's a great running back. I told the defense you got to get ready to tackle him. …
If I played defense, I wouldn't want to tackle him. But that's your job to tackle him, so I would have to make a business decision every time you go against him.
"
When LSU goes to tackle Henry on Saturday night, it won't be quite as easy as any previous back. Given his average of 155 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the last four games, there's no reason owners shouldn't target Henry over Fournette at $1,500 less on DraftKings.
In the safe-bet department, Elijah Hood is a solid choice against Duke. North Carolina's lead back missed time against Pittsburgh in the second quarter and still ended up with over 100 total yards. In a rivalry game at home, look for huge numbers for Hood on the ground.
WR Analysis
Jakeem Grant is an explosive option at the wide receiver position who comes at a high cost. However, his matchup and recent results warrant the price tag. Going up against West Virginia's 97th-ranked pass defense after piling up 13 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown his last time out makes him a no-brainer.
Aaron Burbridge comes at a higher salary, but he is equally deserving of our No. 1 receiver spot in the late games. Coming off three straight games with over 125 yards and over 26 fantasy points, the Michigan State wideout will be a massive component for the Spartans and DFS owners getting another win.
Flex Analysis
This is where we take our chances. Owners can either pick a safe player who puts up consistently decent numbers or a potential home-run hitter. In Mikel Horton and Adoree' Jackson, we have two targets who have a shot to break out thanks to injuries.
For Horton, an elbow injury to Stanley "Boom" Williams will keep him out of the Georgia game, per Jennifer Smith of the Lexington Herald-Leader. So why should you put faith in a backup? Because he proved himself in relief of Williams with 128 total yards against Tennessee. Facing a Bulldogs defense that has allowed 138 rushing yards and over one touchdown per game, Horton is a solid flex play.
Jackson, on the other hand, is already known as one of the most explosive players in the country. With JuJu Smith-Schuster suffering through a right hand injury, Ryan Abraham of Scout.com doesn't believe the Trojans' leading receiver will be a factor on Saturday.
Now it's time for Jackson to step up in Southern Cal's offense. Already having over 300 receiving yards this season and showing an ability to take the top off any secondary, Jackson is a perfect addition to late lineups.
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