Cracking FanDuel Week 10

Sunday Morning Update

Check back each Sunday Morning for final thoughts on the slate, as well as any changes to the Primary Cash Lineup. 

Week 9 Recap: Good win, but a bit lucky: 2-5-2

Week 9 got a bit scarier than it should have, after Matthew Golden had a fantastic game, but the lineup was able to hold on for a victory. It was a win that I absolutely had to have after some brutal luck to start the season. 

Fantasy football can be so funny at times. Week 9 in hindsight was not a great lineup. I said it on our DFS podcast that I didn't like Malik Willis, but ultimately was talked into him last week, and he was absolutely the wrong play at 50% rostered as he put up just 4.82 FanDuel points and ended up on IR after the game. I think that's the fourth quarterback who has been injured in the nine weeks, as even though Willis finished the game, he only had two rushing attempts, as he was clearly hampered by the groin injury. 

The rest of the lineup did not show up either, Jalen Coker (4.6), Adonai Mitchell (0.0), and Devin Singletary (4.9) all really struggled, but thankfully having a 37.3 point Ken Walker III overcame all of that as Walker was just 14% rostered. 

Injury Creates Opportunity

Week 10 has plenty of moving parts, with several running back situations that could change by Sunday morning.

• Ken Walker III III (groin) is doubtful after being added to the report Friday and missing practice. Andy Reid said simply that if he can go, he’ll go. If Walker sits, rookie Emmett Johnson should get most of the carries against an Atlanta defense that has allowed 100+ rushing yards in four of its last five games. That would make Johnson one of the top value plays on the slate.
• Josh Jacobs (finger) is out after surgery. The Packers’ backfield becomes a committee of MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Pierre Strong Jr., which is too unpredictable to trust. On the other side, Kyler Murray (hamstring) is out again, and Kirk Cousins is expected to start in his return to Lambeau. Minnesota is also without T.J. Hockenson and Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Addison (thumb) is questionable. Justin Jefferson should be heavily targeted.
• The Rams receiving unit is in rough shape. Puka Nacua is on IR with a knee injury, Davante Adams remains out, and tight end Terrance Ferguson has been ruled out. Colby Parkinson practiced fully Friday and should see an increased role. Arizona lost Michael Wilson (neck) for the season and Gardner Minshew II for the year, so rookie Carson Beck starts, and Trey McBride becomes the clear focal point of the passing game.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. (hamstring) is out, which makes Tank Dell the top Houston receiver to target after he practiced fully Thursday. David Montgomery (groin) is questionable but practiced fully Friday, which likely ends Woody Marks’ run as the lead back. If Montgomery plays, this backfield is a split that’s best avoided.
• Sam Darnold (rib/quad) is out another week, so Drew Lock gets the start against a Raiders defense allowing a league-worst 151.2 rushing yards per game. Lock is dealing with oblique and elbow injuries, and there are reports Jalen Milroe has taken first-team reps. Monitor this one through Sunday morning.
• Deebo Samuel Sr. is back after a full week of practice with no designation, while Mike Evans (Achilles) is out again. Dallas is banged up in the secondary, with P.J. Locke out, Juanyeh Thomas doubtful, and Joey Porter Jr. and DaRon Bland both questionable. Samuel upgrades in his first game back. For the Cowboys, Jake Ferguson (knee/ankle) is out, and George Pickens is fully healthy, which takes away most of Ryan Flournoy’s value.
• Miami’s receiving unit is thin, with Jared Wayne (quad) out and Chris Bell (knee) doubtful. Expect the Dolphins to lean on Ollie Gordon II, who has at least 16 carries in each of his last four games and gets a Colts defense allowing 137 rushing yards per game.
• Carnell Tate (shoulder) is out for Tennessee after missing practice all week, leaving the Titans with very little at wide receiver. Jonathon Brooks is doubtful for Carolina, so Chuba Hubbard keeps the lead role against New Orleans.
• Garrett Wilson (concussion) is questionable after limited practices. If he clears the protocol, he’s near the top of the board at his position. If he sits, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. move up, though Cooper is questionable himself with an ankle injury.

Week 10 Strategy: Fading Bijan Robinson