Reminder! I always have some fun ranks! This can be anything from cartoons to players from the 80s to things not to do when you’re over 30 — feel free to suggest yours. Also, I try to answer as many comments as humanly possible… however… if it’s a simple WDIS within a position or “Who should I trade for?” type question, those are 99% covered with the ranks and link to the trade charts. Let’s duckin’ go!
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Week 10 Waiver Wire
Week 10 SOS Ranks
Fantasy 101 (weather, start/sit, trading, more)
🎙️All in Fantasy Podcast🎙️
WEEK 10 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
BYES: CLE, GB, LV, SEA
Bengals at Ravens, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Bengals have allowed the lowest percentage of plays to go 10+ yards (16.9%).
- The Ravens have the highest percentage of plays going 10+ yards (26.1%).
- If Tee Higgins plays, you play him as a Top 20 option. If not, Mike Gesicki is a great streaming tight end, as he goes from 10.6 TGT% to 29.7, 0.84 YPRR to 3.10, and he has both of his touchdowns without Higgins.
Giants at Panthers, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)
- Even with his Week 7 stinker against the Eagles, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is T-11th in YPC (5.4), T-9th in RBTouch% (75.0), and 12th in fewest rushes of 0 or negative yards (13.0%).
- If Jonathan Brooks plays, I’d consider both he and Chuba Hubbard as RB3s with Top 15 upside against the Giants run defense. Brooks would rank higher, but we have the risk that the Panthers might only feed him a handful of times.
- Jalen Coker has Jonathan Mingo out of his way, but David Moore is still clearly ahead with 27 routes (93.1%) last week, the same as Xavier Legette and 10 more than Coker. Stash Coker for the upside, but it is likely wise to wait another week or more before using him.
Patriots at Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Patriots force 3-and-Out (3&O) just 21.7% of the time (the league average is 32.2%).
- The Patriots also have the fifth-best APA for opposing RBs (23.5), which gives D’Andre Swift a great rebound opportunity, though, consider selling high after this game if you can (the Bears have one of the worst remaining RB matchup schedules).
- Caleb Williams has a 46.0 Comp% (25th), 1.6 TD/Att% (30th) and is sacked on 31.5% (14th highest) of his dropbacks under pressure, but the good news is that the Patriots are fifth-lowest in getting QB pressure (29.6%).
Bills at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- If Keon Coleman plays, he’ll be in the WR3 conversation — the Colts are vulnerable, particularly to outside routes. If Coleman is out and Amari Cooper plays, Cooper would be a WR3 with a ceiling for more with the risk of still having some limited use. If Coleman and Cooper are out, Dalton Kincaid gets a boost, and Mack Hollins becomes a Hail Mary play. All the while, Khalil Shakir remains his WR3/4 self no matter who’s in or out.
- Josh Downs has 28.8 TmTGT% and 2.49 YPRR with Joe Flacco — Michael Pittman Jr. is at 17.4 and 1.12, respectively.
- James Cook has 10 G2G rush attempts and 5 GL rushes after having 12 and 5, respectively, all of last year.
Broncos at Chiefs, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Chiefs have allowed the lowest percent of plays to go 20+ yards (3.7%) and fourth-lowest of 10+ yards (17.4%).
- The Broncos have the lowest percentage of 10+ yard plays (16.3%).
- Week 9 was DeAndre Hopkins’ second-highest First Read% of the season at 28.0 — highest was Week 3 with the Titans (33.3), which happened to be his only other double-digit tally and game with a touchdown this year.
- Week 9 was the third time (and first since Week 3) Javonte Williams failed to have 50% of the RB touches.
- The Chiefs have allowed just two double-digit RB scores — 10.6 to Derrick Henry in Week 1, and 11.2 to Bijan Robinson in Week 3.
Falcons at Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- If Drake London is out, Darnell Mooney is a must-start and Ray-Ray McCloud would be a Wan’Dale Robinson-like WR4. If London plays, you start him, and Mooney is his WR3 high upside/risk self.
- Mason Tipton led the Saints in routes but didn’t catch any of his three targets. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (yep) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. are up next. MVS played his first game with the Saints, so maybe he’s the top option now, but this is a major avoid situation without Chris Olave.
- It may sound crazy, but that was Alvin Kamara’s first 200-yard game of his career (came close with previous efforts of 190, 194 and 197).
- Taysom Hill led the Saints wideouts and tight ends with a 17.9 TmTGT%, the highest for his career (hit 17.4% in Week 6 last year) and will likely be in the weekly mix with no Olave.
49ers at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- If Christian McCaffrey plays, he’s back in all of my lineups. If he’s out and Jordan Mason is good-to-go, Mason would be in the RB1 conversation. If both are out and Isaac Guerendo gets the start, he’d be pushing the RB1 convo as well.
- Without Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard battled through an injury and led the wideouts in targets (and production). McMillan would be a WR3/4 if active, and Shepard a WR4 gamble again if McMillan can’t go.
- Rachaad White saved his day with a touchdown against the fearsome Chiefs run defense, but he also had just 30.0% of the RB touches, as Bucky Irving and White had three receptions each, but Irving out-carried him 7 to 3. The Bucs were in contention for most of the game.
Steelers at Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- While the Steelers can be a tough matchup, they use Cover-3 the most (49.4%), and Terry McLaurin has dominated against it with 3.34 YPRR (eighth-best).
- Commanders allow the highest percentage of plays to go 10+ yards (23.4%).
- Russell Wilson attempted just 29 and 28 passes in his two starts, and George Pickens is the only player with over 14.8 TmTGT% (25.9), with Pat Freiermuth nearly falling out of the mix with just five targets (9.3%, same as Darnell Washington).
Vikings at Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- The Vikings defense is the only team both inside the Top 6 for Run Stuff% (22.4) and fewest allowed rushes of 10+ yards (15 — third) — the Broncos are the only other team in the Top 10 for both.
- The Vikings also have the second-highest sacks per dropback (9.8%), while Will Levis has the fourth-highest percentage for QBs (9.9%), but Mason Rudolph is just 36th (4.1%, out of 41).
Titans at Chargers, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- The Chargers allow the lowest TD/Drive% (11.1), and the Titans offense has the seventh-lowest TD/Drive% (15.6).
- If Tyjae Spears returns, Tony Pollard becomes a riskier RB2, as Spears could eat into the passing game work, and the matchup is already problematic.
- With Quentin Johnston on the field this year, Ladd McConkey still leads in TmTGT% (25.6) and TmAirYD% (30.4), with Johnston at 13.3 and 18.2.
Eagles at Cowboys, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- Over the past three seasons, Jalen Hurts attempts 3.2 more passes per game without A.J. Brown on the field but drops from 1.4 TD per game to 0.8 and 23.8 FPPG to 17.4.
- In that same Brown-less split, DeVonta Smith jumps from 7.2 targets to 10.7, 5.2 receptions to 7.3, 68.1 receiving yards to 101.0 and 12.0 FPPG to 15.8 (all per FTN Data).
- If CeeDee Lamb plays, he’s a WR2 despite the numbers from 2022 without Dak Prescott. As mentioned in waivers, that was a much better Cowboys team, and the Eagles pass defense has given up the fewest FPPG to wideouts since their bye (10.7, past four weeks). It wasn’t a gauntlet, but it also wasn’t a cake schedule — CLE-NYG-CIN-JAX.
Jets at Cardinals, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- The Jets force the highest 3&O (40.6%), and the Cardinals go 3&O at 33.3% (11th most).
- Only the Browns have a higher Pressure% (43.2 to 41.1), and Kyler Murray has 10.0 YD/Comp under pressure (34th out of 41).
- Week 9 was just James Conner’s third game this year with under 58% of the RB touches — he has three games with 95% or more as well. The Cardinals were well in control, and the other two instances came in big losses. It appears the Cardinals will look to rest Conner when given the chance.
Lions at Texans, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- The Texans allow the highest TD/Att% (6.9) with the Lions and Bears tied for the lowest (2.0), while the Lions offense also has the third-highest TD/Att% (7.3) — behind only the Ravens (7.8) and Vikings (7.6).
- If he plays, Nico Collins is worth the risk in his first game back and even in the WR1 conversation if the Texans say he’s ready. Not only is Collins a top-tier wideout, but he continues to dominate Cover-1 with only A.J. Brown having a higher YPRR (5.46 to 4.81) — the Lions use Cover-1 more than any team.
- Last week was just the second time Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t reach 42% of the RB touches or more, but I wouldn’t be overly concerned, as Gibbs has topped 56% just once, and yet, he’s scored double-digits in every game. Keep him healthy and effective.
Dolphins at Rams, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- The Dolphins went from the second-best TD/Drive% (30.6) last year to the third-worst (14.0) this year, and that’s with Tua Tagovailoa, as it’s a mere 3.5% without him.
- Raheem Mostert has just one game with more than 32% of the RB touches — Week 5 when De’Von Achane left with a concussion. Fantasy managers of Achane got their wish, but it’s turned Mostert into a touchdown-or-bust play.
- Week 9 was the first time Kyren Williams failed to score a touchdown this year, and the Dolphins have given up at least one RB touchdown in each game (10 rushing, 2 receiving).
WEEK 10 SLEEPERS
QUARTERBACK
- Sam Darnold, MIN — It may not feel like it, and it’s why I’m including Darnold, but he only has three games under 18 points and one of those was 16.3 versus the Lions. Sure, he’s not going bananas like in Weeks 3-4, but Darnold faces the Jaguars this week. Enough said.
- Daniel Jones, NYG — Desperation play, but Daniel Jones goes from 45.3 Comp%, 13.7 OffTGT% and 5.8 INT+Fumble per touch when under pressure to 71.8%, 8.6% and 1.1, respectively, and the Panthers have the lowest pressure rate (22.4%).
RUNNING BACK
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL — The Saints roster is in contention for the worst, and the Falcons should have no issues controlling this game, giving us a chance to see Allgeier get his share, and maybe even a touchdown.
- Roschon Johnson, CHI — Similar to the Allgeier play, we’re attacking a poor defense, particularly against the run here. Johnson has five GL rush attempts to D’Andre Swift’s five, giving him a chance to score as well.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Jauan Jennings, SF — I’m assuming he’s back, and if not, you can turn to Ricky Pearsall. The Buccaneers defense is extremely weak against wideouts, and their offense hums enough to keep them competitive… most weeks.
- Gabe Davis, JAX — Similar to Jennings, if Davis plays, you can risk his ceiling as the No. 2 in a good matchup. If he’s out, Parker Washington would have a lower ceiling but enough upside to warrant a Wan’Dale Robinson-like play.
- Bills WRs — See the game preview — all three, if healthy, are in play against the Colts.
TIGHT END
- T.J. Hockenson, MIN — Mike Gesicki is the “true sleeper” if Higgins is out — per the game preview. As another option, I’ll say that I’m playing Hockenson as a TE1, even after his limited debut. I know it was disappointing, but Hockenson will see an uptick, and the Jaguars defense is something I will pick on weekly.
FUN WITH RANKS
Another reader suggestion and probably egregiously overlooked for having not done this yet. But, here we are with the Best 16-Bit Video Games of all time! Quick note (rule) is I didn’t want to double up in a series (Sonic, Mega Man, etc.), so if you’re wondering why one of those doesn’t make the Top 25 — as they might have — that’s the reason.
- “Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” — The best Zelda game, ever. Not up for debate.
- “Super Mario World” — Could be the best Mario game of all time. “Super Mario 3” is likely the only one that’s in the conversation, but either way, they are Tier 1 Mario games.
- “Chrono Trigger” — Terrific story and adventure. I would say more, but if you haven’t played it, find a way as it’s up there with “Final Fantasy VII.”
- “NHL ‘94″ — Still the best hockey game. Fight me! Which you can do in the game!
- “Street Fighter II Turbo” — Because my hands are awkward, I was significantly better with a gamepad versus an arcade stick and loved playing this endlessly.
- “Super Metroid” — Another game on this list where the best version was the “Super” version.
- “Final Fantasy VI (III)” — Changed the landscape of RPGs with a great cast and story.
- “TMNT Turtles in Time” — This is one where I was good enough at the arcade, but you didn’t have to drop a ton of quarters to play this still-great-to-this-day Turtles game.
- “NBA Jam TE” — Arcade or at home, this game is ON FIRE!
- “Super Mario Kart” — There are way better versions, but it’s the OG, and has spawned a history of friends and families fighting, and others trying to rip it off. It’s ONLY not Top 5 because it really doesn’t hold up well to all the improved iterations.
- “Donkey Kong Country 2” — Soundtrack to boot! Challenging and fun, and I’m not sure why Rare couldn’t make more hits like this.
- “Sonic & Knuckles”— You could argue for “Sonic 3,” or even “Sonic 2,” but I’ll give Knuckles the slight edge because, well, Knuckles.
- “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” — Had no idea what to expect, and it was a blast. Even played the remake because it was so good.
- “F-Zero” — Tell me Mute City music didn’t just enter your head. One of the few games I took the time to master and beat the hardest difficulty setting.
- “Streets of Rage 2” — Almost as fun and as good as TMNT, but just a slight step behind.
- “Mortal Kombat II” — Possibly the best in the series, even though it was just the second, but even if you disagree, it’s in the discussion at the top of MK games.
- “Mega Man X-2” — Takes “Mega Man X” and makes it even better, just like “Mega Man 2” did to “Mega Man.”
- “Super Castlevania 4” — Only downside is no other characters or paths, but still a terrific game.
- “Secret of Mana” — Take an RPG and coat it with some “Legend of Zelda” and you have this classic.
- “Gunstar Heroes” — If you’ve never played it, you don’t know what you’ve missed. Difficult? Yes. A rip-off of “Contra”? Yes. Fun as hell? YES!
- “Super Mario All-Stars” — Technically, it should be higher based on its collection of greatness, but the games aren’t all inherently 16-bit, so kind of cheating too.
- “Earthbound” — Funny, but some people didn’t enjoy it because it was “so different” from your typical RPG, but its originality and charm are what make it good.
- “Star Fox” — Does not age well! But while the N64 version is superior, this was the original and fun in its own right.
- “Super Punch-Out” — One of the rare ones where I like the original better, but it’s still a blast.
- “Golden Axe” — Maybe because I still remember playing this in the arcade, but I was excited when I finally got to save quarters (again) and play this whenever I wished at home.
WEEK 10 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
Download Link Added Thursday
WEEK 10 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
(Top photo of Daniel Jones, Tyrone Tracy Jr.: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
