Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 10 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include Bijan Robinson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Will Levis

November 12, 2023

Scott breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 10 (2023). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

Welcome back RotoBallers to my Week 10 Lineup Spotlights - Key Starters and Tough Calls for fantasy football. Every week, I zoom in on some of my favored players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These choices are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the 2023 fantasy football season.

We feature players that you should lean to in tough calls and guys who may exceed expectations this week are also highlighted, so you can feel even more confident about starting or adding them. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

When considering each player for your lineup, also consult our fantasy football rankings to see exactly where they are positioned when compared to your other possible lineup choices.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 10

Javonte Williams

Before their Week 9 bye, the Broncos started to look like an improved team, winning two consecutive games, including a decisive victory over the Chiefs. Williams finally started to capture his best form in both of those wins.

In Week 7 against the Packers, Williams averaged 5.5 yards per attempt, rushing for 82 yards on 15 carries. In the victory over Kansas City, he operated like a true feature back for the first time in his career, totaling 98 scrimmage yards on 30 touches. It was apparent that Sean Payton was more willing to lean on his second-year man, which may be the frequent plan from now on.

Javonte Williams is a MUST-START in Week 10 against the Bills.

50 touches over the last 2 games! 🤯

🎥 https://t.co/g8mrIvN6Lm pic.twitter.com/j2ToR6IIeH

— Alfredo Brown (@ThePretendGM) November 10, 2023

Over his past three games since returning from a quad injury, Williams has run with more authority, and he has an important role in the Denver offense. A reliable running game can ease pressure on Russell Wilson and set him up for play-action passing, which is still one of his strengths as a passer. Ball control will be the key for the Broncos against a Bills defense that has been dealing with notable injury issues, so expect another sizable workload for Williams that translates into back-end fantasy RB1 production.

Bijan Robinson

The perceived misuse of the highly promising rookie has been one of the biggest sources of fantasy frustration this season. Robinson has 11 rushing attempts in each of his past two games, with only two receptions. While fantasy players openly beg for more touches because it seems sensible for the Falcons to utilize their most explosive offensive player more, Smith has dismissed any external noise and there is no apparent solid reason to think he might see the error of his ways any time soon.

This can be a week, however, where Robinson can rise above his situation and make the most of his touches in a great matchup. The Cardinals rank 30^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Over the last four weeks, they have allowed the second-most rushing yards to the position. Bank on efficiency and start Robinson as a higher-end fantasy RB2 in Week 10.

Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery

Fantasy players who benefitted from Gibbs starting to realize more of his potential while Montgomery missed time are now hoping that the Detroit backfield does not revert to its early-season look, when Montgomery dominated the touches. The rookie performed well enough when Montgomery was out and should at least maintain a prominent part in a timeshare starting this week, when the former Bear returns to action against the Chargers.

In his first game back since Week 6, it is very possible that Montgomery won’t be pushed back into heavy duty, and both Detroit RBs can be useful for fantasy purposes in what may be a high-scoring affair. The Chargers rank 26^th in FPPG allowed to RBs, so Gibbs and Montgomery each can be started as RB2 types. I project Gibbs to outproduce Montgomery, though, because of his versatility, upside, and no recent missed time.

Zach Charbonnet

I featured Charbonnet in this space last week, because I thought he might start to make his presence felt more in an important game for the Seahawks to evaluate where they stood against other top-level teams. Seattle failed the test, but I still have confidence that Charbonnet can begin to become a bigger contributor in the offense. I may have just been a week early on anticipating when it would happen.

There have been indications from Pete Carroll and suggestions from those who cover the team that re-establishing the running game is a key to achieving better offensive balance and easing pressure on an inconsistent Geno Smith.

Charbonnet has averaged 5.3 yards per carry this season, and a Washington defense that ranks 25^th in FPPG allowed to RBs over the past four weeks has been further weakened up front by recent trades of two top defensive linemen. Expect increased production from Charbonnet this week, and he is a worthy option as a deeper RB fill-in or flex streamer.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 10

Tank Dell

Dell has been up and down in recent weeks, but he is coming off his second 100-yard game and the first two-TD outing of his career. Checking in at 165 pounds, the exciting rookie is never going to be a regular source of possession catches. But he has emerged as the top big-play threat for C.J. Stroud.

The Texans are without No. 1 WR Nico Collins (calf) this week and Stroud must throw often to keep up with Joe Burrow. Dell should deliver more splash plays in a game that has the second-highest projected total in Week 10 (47 points on DraftKings Sportsbook).

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

I am featuring both of Seattle’s top rookies this week, as they were drafted early to help the team develop more continuity on offense. This is the week where they will both show why they were targeted by Carroll and GM John Schneider in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Smith-Njigba has caught TD passes in two of the last three games. Washington has allowed the second-most TD receptions (13) and yards to WRs this season. The 2023 first-round pick is starting to become a more integral part of the Seattle passing game after putting an early-season wrist injury behind him, and he can be started as a WR3 or flex spot.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba's yards per target ...

First 4 games: 3.1

Last 4 games: 9.1

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) November 6, 2023

Kyle Philips

Heavy credit goes to the team at Pro Football Focus for highlighting Philips as a potentially productive fill-in play for Week 10. I did think about picking Phillips up based on a good matchup with Tampa Bay, but spending a few hours on PFF fully convinced me to add him for spots in deeper leagues where I need a lineup plugger.

Tampa Bay ranks second in FPPG allowed to WRs this season. PFF’s Nic Bodiford featured more on Philips here.

“Tennessee slot receiver Kyle Philips is on the WR3/flex radar, thanks to quarterback Will Levis’ aggressive playstyle and the winnable matchup against Tampa Bay slot cornerback Christian Izien”.

“Among 35 NFL cornerbacks with at least 40 slot coverage snaps, Izien’s 85.7% catch rate and 2.30 yards allowed per coverage snap rank 31^st.”.

Quarterback And Tight End – Fantasy Football Week 10

Will Levis

Even before I happened upon the PFF recommendation of Philips, I was preparing to slot the new director of the Tennessee offense in here as a Week 10 starting option. Yes, he struggled at times under heavy pressure from the Pittsburgh defense last week, but he still made some good throws and the skies are much clearer for Levis against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the most FPPG to QBs over the past four weeks. The Buccaneers have six sacks in their last three games and won’t bring as much heat on Levis, allowing him to toss at least two TD passes while functioning as a quality fantasy streamer.

.@Titans @will_levis a MNF “6 Pack” of completions. Lots to like and build upon in the Music City. #TitanUp #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/9QJO1Ew1CW

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 3, 2023

Trey McBride

Kyler Murray makes his long-awaited return at QB for Arizona this week, which is good news for those who roster McBride. Atlanta ranks 22^nd in receiving yards allowed to TEs, and even though Murray is coming off a long layoff, he should at least perform respectably enough to revive McBride’s outlook. Expect the second-year TE to resume on a path to establishing himself as a back-half fantasy TE1. Murray does need to lean on another reliable target other than Marquise Brown, and McBride is a good candidate.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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