🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

10 Lineup Busts and Avoids for Week 10

Top 10 potential lineup busts to avoid starting in fantasy football. Justin lists NFL players to consider sitting or benching as Week 10 lineup disappointments.

We're getting closer to the end of the season--we've reached the double-digit weeks now!--which means that the decisions you make become amplified. That can be good if you make some good choices, but it can also come back to bite you if you make some bad ones.

Here at Rotoballer, we want to give you a chance to avoid making those bad decisions. One of my key tenets of fantasy football is this--I'm willing to either play it safe with my lineup or take some big risks, but I'm not willing to play a guy whose numbers + the numbers of the defense he's up against scream SIT SIT SIT, and I'm willing to live with those times I'm wrong, although sometimes it really hurts to be okay with those moments. I lost a game two weeks ago in the Rotoballer Dynasty League because the data all said to sit Jack Doyle and I sat him, but I've also won games because I did bench the players that were trending downwards.

All that is to say this: as the season goes along and you leave players on your bench that blow up, don't panic. If you're winning most weeks, don't radically change your game plan just because you made a bad call and lost an important game. Keep at it. Do what got you this far, unless what got you this far has left you with two wins. Then think about making changes.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Recap of Last Week

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins didn't throw for any touchdowns against the Seahawks, but Marcus Mariota performed a lot better than I expected against the Ravens. Ehh.

Running Back: C.J. Anderson was bad. Frank Gore wasn't efficient, but he ended up with 7.7 points in Standard. Kenyan Drake was good in both the run game and the passing game and finished with 10.4 points--plus his six catches helped PPR owners a good amount.

Wide Receiver: Will Fuller came crashing back down, but I was very wrong about Alshon Jeffery (six catches for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns) and Rishard Matthews (four catches for 70 yards and a score).

Tight End: Tyler Higbee was as close to a bust as a player with a touchdown can be--just that one catch for eight yards. Then my two-for-one: Darren Fells had one fantasy point and Eric Ebron had three catches for 35 yards.

Alright. Let's look at 10 dudes who will disappoint you this week now!

 

Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 10

Kirk Cousins (Quarterback, Washington Redskins)

Hey, it's Kirk again! The Vikings are allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and Cousins is going to continue to suffer from a weak supporting class. I know Cousins is ranked in the top ten in fantasy points so far, but his best games have come against teams in the bottom half of the league in terms of points allowed to QBs.

Philip Rivers (Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers)

The Jacksonville Jaguars Effect is real. They're allowing, on average, LESS THAN TEN POINTS-PER-GAME TO QUARTERBACKS. Quarterbacks average 0.5 touchdowns-per-game against them. I'm not even going to list any Rivers stats because they don't matter here--the Jaguars defense might, potentially, be susceptible to mobile QBs, but Rivers isn't that. Sit him.

Rob Kelley (Running Back, Washington Redskins)

The Vikings allow the least points to opposing running backs. Rob Kelley isn't a great running back. Washington is going to be down early and probably will look to the air, which is a place where Chris Thompson will take over, leaving Kelley with a limited amount of touches.

Isaiah Crowell (Running Back, Cleveland Browns)

If I did an end of season award ceremony for this column, Crowell would be the MVP. He is still, inexplicably, the Browns starting running back. He found the end zone against a good Vikings defense, but I don't see it happening against a Lions defense that has a possible weakness against backs that can catch. Duke Johnson in PPR this week? Sure! Crowell in any format? Nah.

Ameer Abdullah (Running Back, Detroit Lions)

A pair of fumbles last week? A game against a Browns team that is, somehow still surprisingly even though I've been looking at these numbers weekly, pretty good against the run? Only one game this season with double-digit fantasy points in Standard? Yeah, I'm going to pass.

Will Fuller (Wide Receiver, Houston Texans)

Just in case you weren't convinced to not start him after last week, I'll repeat: Tom Savage is a terrible quarterback and he can not get the ball to Will Fuller down the field. Sit Fuller for the rest of the season unless Houston changes their starting QB.

Jordy Nelson (Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers)

Start your studs, unless that stud has Brett Hundley at quarterback and has a combined five catches for 48 yards over the past two games. Things don't get easier against the Bears (huh? Am I saying this in 2017?), who have been really stingy against wide receivers over the past few games.

Davante Adams (Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers)

And just in case you decide to start the other Packers receiver because he's been slightly better under Hundley, I'll remind you that the Bears last allowed a wide receiver touchdown since Week 4 and that Brett Hundley is the Packers quarterback.

Jason Witten (Tight End, Dallas Cowboys)

Speaking of the MVPs of this column, Jason Witten has been here a lot. I'm not just doing it because I'm from the Houston-area and currently am stuck living in the Dallas-area. I promise! I'm doing it because Witten looks bad from the eye test and the stats test, and because he plays the Falcons this week, who are tough against opposing tight ends.

Austin Hooper (Tight End, Atlanta Falcons)

Let's grab the other side of this game! Hooper has been incredibly inconsistent this season and the Cowboys are allowing just 6.7 points to tight ends per game. He's not the worst option because he has some big-play ability, but he's the kind of risk that I don't advise taking.

 

More Week 10 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back in Action Against Toronto
Indianapolis Colts

Philip Rivers has a "Very Real Chance" to Start in Week 15
Jason Zucker

Added to Injured Reserve
David Pastrnak

Set to Return Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Back Between the Pipes Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Lands on Injured Reserve
Jamal Shead

Available on Tuesday, Entering the Starting Lineup
Jordan Kyrou

Out Week-to-Week
Immanuel Quickley

Ruled Out on Tuesday Night
Thomas Harley

Returns to Stars Lineup Tuesday
Martin Necas

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Available Tuesday
Cam York

Out on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Paolo Banchero

Remaining on a Minutes Limit Tuesday
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Dru Smith

Will Be Available Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Will Be Available Against Orlando
Davion Mitchell

Listed as Available for Tuesday
Tyler Herro

Will Be Available Tuesday Against the Magic
Aaron Gordon

Christian Braun Likely Out Until After Christmas
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
Immanuel Quickley

Downgraded to Questionable Tuesday
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Officially Sign Philip Rivers
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
DK Metcalf

"Moving in the Right Direction" for Week 15
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
Riley Leonard

Diagnosed With Grade 1 PCL Sprain
Jamison Battle

Unlikely To Suit Up Against Knicks
Derik Queen

Posts Massive Triple-Double In Loss To Spurs
Jacob Toppin

Out For Season After Shoulder Surgery
Ben Sheppard

Out At Least 10 Days With Calf Strain
Miles McBride

Ruled Out With Ankle Sprain Against Raptors
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
Victor Wembanyama

Travels For NBA Cup Clash Against Lakers
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
John Gibson

Secures Third Consecutive Win With Shutout
Nazem Kadri

Bags Three Points as Flames Offense Explodes
Joel Eriksson Ek

Ends Dry Spell With Three-Point Effort
Dennis Hildeby

Records First Career Shutout
Dakota Mermis

to be Evaluated Tuesday
Jacob Middleton

Hurt in Monday's Win
Mats Zuccarello

Exits Early Monday
Jamal Shead

Uncertain for Tuesday
Dru Smith

Questionable to Play Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Listed as Probable for Tuesday
Davion Mitchell

Expected Back Tuesday
Tyler Herro

Likely to Return for Cup Clash Against Magic
A.J. Brown

Continues Dominant Stretch With 100 Yards in Monday Night Loss
Saquon Barkley

Rips Off Long Touchdown Run in Monday Night Loss
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
Riley Leonard

"Week-to-Week" With Strained Knee
NFL

Patriots-Ravens Week 16 Game Flexed to Sunday Night Football
Omarion Hampton

Making his Return on Monday Night
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
Justin Herbert

Officially Active Against Eagles
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Bringing Philip Rivers in for a Workout
Justin Herbert

Expected to Start on Monday Night
Trey Benson

Cardinals Could Hold Trey Benson Out Another Week
Jack Roslovic

Not Close to Returning
Jake Walman

to Miss at Least Two More Weeks
Berkly Catton

Out Week-to-Week
Nils Hoglander

Set for Season Debut Monday
Elias Pettersson

Misses Second Straight Game
CFB

Anthony Hill Jr. Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Ryan Walters a Candidate for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Job?
Trey Hendrickson

Set for Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to Miss Around Six Weeks
Drake London

Considered Day-to-Day Going into Thursday Night
Jayden Daniels

No Long-Term Concerns for Jayden Daniels
Zach Ertz

MRI Confirms Season-Ending Torn ACL for Zach Ertz
Tee Higgins

Back in the Concussion Protocol
Riley Leonard

Week 15 Status Uncertain Due to Knee Injury
Mike Evans

Could Return on Thursday Night
De'Von Achane

May Require Rest This Week
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
CFB

Tennessee Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
Jan Blachowicz

And Bogdan Guskov Fight To Majority Draw
CFB

Texas RB CJ Baxter Entering Transfer Portal
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte
Kyle Schwarber

Pirates Make Four-Year Offer to Kyle Schwarber
CFB

Mississippi State, Rice Accept Bowl Bids as 5-7 Teams
CFB

Auburn, Florida State, Baylor Among Teams to Decline Bowl Bids
CFB

Rob Aurich Set to Become Nebraska's Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Notre Dame Opting Out of Postseason Amid College Football Playoff Exclusion
CFB

Kendal Briles a Candidate for South Carolina Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

James Madison Playoff-Bound After Duke Wins ACC Title?
CFB

Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama on College Football Playoff Bubble
CFB

Brent Pry Could Return to Virginia Tech as Defensive Coordinator
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Byron Buxton

Twins Not Planning to Trade Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
CFB

Emmett Johnson Leaving Nebraska for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Jam Miller Unlikely to Play in SEC Title Game
CFB

Penn State Expected to Hire Matt Campbell from Iowa State
CFB

Arkansas Targeting Ron Roberts for Defensive Coordinator Job

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP