Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: Making the Call on Fantasy Football Fringe Starters

Your fantasy football team has likely seen a lot of changes over the first half of the NFL season. Don't expect that to change in the second half.

The key to running a championship team is being able to adjust to whatever happens. Whether there are injuries, role changes or just poor play, make sure you are always willing to switch things up to get the best lineup possible. Factor in the matchups as well to avoid a poor performance wherever possible.

Although you can't predict the future, you will have a better chance of winning if you make the right adjustments each week. Here is a look at some ideas to get you started heading into Week 10.

Start 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp
QB	Blake Bortles	Jacksonville Jaguars	BAL
QB	Derek Carr	Oakland Raiders	MIN
RB	Jeremy Hill	Cincinnati Bengals	HOU
RB	Charcandrick West	Kansas City Chiefs	DEN
RB	Antonio Andrews	Tennessee Titans	CAR
WR	Pierre Garcon	Washington Redskins	NO
WR	Jordan Matthews	Philadelphia Eagles	MIA
WR	Stefon Diggs	Minnesota Vikings	OAK
TE	Jordan Reed	Washington Redskins	NO
TE	Eric Ebron	Detroit Lions	GB

Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

With the Jacksonville Jaguars still losing games, few might have noticed that Blake Bortles has put up some impressive numbers this season. At the midway point he has 2,193 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, including multiple scores in six of eight games.

He discussed his improvement from last year with Sirius XM NFL Radio:

This is, of course, referring to Greg Olson the Jaguars offensive coordinator, not Greg Olsen, tight end for the Carolina Panthers. In any case, the quarterback has improved in downfield throws while finding Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns on a regular basis.

Although he still needs to work on his accuracy and avoid mistakes, this isn't much of a problem for fantasy owners. Stick him in your lineup and let him rack up the points, whether it helps his own team or not.

Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The numbers haven't quite been there lately for Jeremy Hill, who has just 11 fantasy points combined in standard leagues over the past two weeks. He remains an inefficient runner (3.3 yards per carry) and has only scored in two games this year.

However, the important thing is he is still a major part of the offense and has at least 15 carries in three straight games. Giovani Bernard is not going away, but the two backs have had a relatively even split in snaps over the past two weeks (68 for Bernard, 66 for Hill, per Pro Football Focus).

This opportunity should eventually lead to more production, hopefully against a Houston Texans defense that is ranked 27th in rushing yards allowed per game. 

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins

Although Pierre Garcon has only one double-digit game this season, anyone can look good against the New Orleans Saints defense. The unit has allowed 10 passing touchdowns over the past two games to Eli Manning and Marcus Mariota and can now make Kirk Cousins look like Sammy Baugh.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today summed up the unit easily:

Garcon finished with 70 receiving yards last week and tied for the team high with eight targets. As the team's primary receiver (even with DeSean Jackson back), he has a chance to find a lot of openings and see plenty of opportunities for big chunks of yardage.

If he gets into the end zone, it will be a nice sleeper start for fantasy teams.

Sit 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp
QB	Tyrod Taylor	Buffalo Bills	NYJ
QB	Ryan Tannehill	Miami Dolphins	PHI
RB	Ronnie Hillman	Denver Broncos	KC
RB	Alfred Blue	Houston Texans	CIN
RB	Eddie Lacy	Green Bay Packers	DET
WR	John Brown	Arizona Cardinals	SEA
WR	Martavis Bryant	Pittsburgh Steelers	CLE
WR	Ted Ginn Jr.	Carolina Panthers	TEN
TE	Heath Miller	Pittsburgh Steelers	CLE
TE	Charles Clay	Buffalo Bills	NYJ

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

The New York Jets defense isn't quite as scary as it was earlier in the season after Tom Brady and Derek Carr put up big numbers in recent weeks, but there is still a lot of talent both up front and in the secondary.

This could be bad for Tyrod Taylor, who appears healthy but is limited when it comes to weapons around him. Sammy Watkins returned from injury to post eight catches for 168 yards and a touchdown, but Taylor didn't complete a single pass to another receiver in Week 9. LeSean McCoy had two catches for seven yards, although he is questionable for Thursday. Tight end Charles Clay had the only other completion for Buffalo.

If Darrelle Revis and the Jets find a way to even slow down Watkins, Taylor will have few alternatives and could really struggle to move the ball.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

It seemed like Ronnie Hillman was set to take over as the primary running back in the Denver Broncos backfield, but now it appears to be a split with C.J. Anderson back in charge. Hillman certainly didn't help his case with just one rushing yard on seven carries in Week 9.

ESPN.com's Mike Clay broke down the committee situation:

"

After trailing Ronnie Hillman in snaps during each of the previous two games, C.J. Anderson paced the unit against the Colts. Anderson was on the field for 26 plays, while "starter" Hillman played 24. A 72-yard run by Hillman aside, the backs have been about even this season, but Anderson is a better blocker and the team's preferred option on passing downs. 

"

The Broncos were forced to play from behind in a rare circumstance this season, which limited Hillman to just seven carries after totaling 39 in the previous two games. Still, Anderson has been the better back over the last two weeks, and the coaching staff is clearly fine going with the hot hand.

Against a solid Kansas City Chiefs run defense, Hillman should remain on your bench.

John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Fantasy owners were certainly upset when John Brown was active two weeks ago but didn't play a down. He should be healthy coming out of the bye, although the starting job might no longer be his, per Britt McHenry of ESPN:

Head coach Bruce Arians explained Michael Floyd could get the nod, and it will definitely be deserved after totaling 215 receiving yards over the last three games with a touchdown in each. The former first-round pick finally appears healthy and ready to play a big role in the Arizona Cardinals offense.

While Brown should still have a role, it will at the very least be reduced. This is not good against an elite Seattle Seahawks defense that knows how to stop the deep ball. With a smaller role and a tough matchup, Brown is too risky to start.

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