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Who should I start or sit for fantasy football in Week 10 of the 2025 season? Andrew's potential fantasy football busts to avoid in Week 10 fantasy football lineups.
Week 10 is a bummer - the two defenses we, as fantasy managers, like to attack the most are on bye. We'll see you soon, Cincinnati and Dallas. Please don't improve your defense too much during the break.
Without the cupcake matchups, it's not the most fun landscape this week. There are a few good ones, but there will be a lot of players you aren't excited to start this week, but must. For some, it will lead to disappointing results.
Below, we sort through the stats and find 10 fantasy football busts, or players that may disappoint, for Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DK Metcalf (WR, PIT) at Los Angeles Chargers
Throughout his career, Rodgers hyper-targeted one receiver, whether that was Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, or even Garrett Wilson before Adams arrived in New York.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is notorious for utilizing multiple tight ends and running backs to move the football.
The blur between Aaron Rodgers' offensive philosophy and Arthur Smith's version is clearing up, and it seems like Smith is the winner.
23 of Rodgers' 35 targets against Indianapolis went to tight ends or running backs. Two weeks ago, against the Bengals, wide receivers saw just nine of 33 targets. Against Cleveland? 10 of 29. The Green Bay game is the only one since the bye week that has opposed that trend.
It boils down to this: DK Metcalf is seeing a near career-low target rate (just 0.1% higher than last season), and thus has one game with double-digit PPR points when he didn't score a touchdown.
Arthur Smith says teams are making a concerted effort to double DK Metcalf, so he and Aaron Rodgers have adjusted and found ways to get others involved, such as Darnell Washington.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 6, 2025
Metcalf is seemingly a touchdown-or-bust wide receiver, which is unfortunate in this matchup against the Chargers. They're third in fewest points allowed to receivers, because they've only surrendered four touchdowns, tied for the second fewest in the league.
Jordan Addison (WR, MIN) vs. Baltimore
Jordan Addison busted with 8.4 PPR points last week against the Detroit Lions. It was his first game catching passes from J.J. McCarthy, so it's the smallest of sample sizes. McCarthy is why I'm pessimistic about Addison moving forward.
McCarthy has attempted 20, 21, and 25 passes in his three starts this season. His 22 attempts per game average would rank last in the NFL by a wide margin. His Week 10 opponent - the Baltimore Ravens - is currently the bottom dweller with 26 attempts per game.
Justin Jefferson is demanding a 30.9% target share this season and has exceeded that figure in two of three games with McCarthy under center, including last week when he saw 36% of the targets. Addison is the second option, but when T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones Sr., and a target or two for Jalen Nailor or Adam Thielen are added, there isn't a lot left for Addison.
The Ravens defense is improving (wild what happens when the unit isn't constantly on the football field) and hasn't allowed a passing touchdown since their bye in Week 7.
Chris Olave (WR, NO) at Carolina
Spencer Rattler didn't win many games (one, to be exact), but he did something wonderful for fantasy football: He peppered his top wide receiver, Chris Olave, with targets.
Tyler Shough often looked elsewhere with the football. Olave had four targets against the Rams, his lowest of the season. He averaged over 10 per game with Rattler.
Look, it's a small sample size, I get it. The Saints just traded Rashid Shaheed, whom Shough has targeted the most in his limited playing time. Plus, the Saints barely played offense against the Rams, with just 16 minutes of possession compared to almost 44 for Los Angeles. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum both averaged over 4.5 yards per carry. It's Rico Dowdle's time to shine (again).
It won't be as drastic - in either the target numbers for Olave or time of possession - against the Panthers in Week 10. But he will be the sole focus of Carolina's defensive game plan, and they're already strong against fantasy football wide receivers. The unit currently gives up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers (WR, JAX) at Houston
Let's start with the "star" of this group: Brian Thomas Jr. The sophomore has been the biggest bust this fantasy football season, sitting as the WR39 this season at 10.7 PPR fantasy points per game. Now, he's managing a "low-grade" high-ankle sprain that will, at best, hamper him on the field if he doesn't miss any time.
With Thomas ailing and Travis Hunter on injured reserve, the Jaguars made a splash at the trade deadline and brought in Jakobi Meyers. The former Raider went from what was a tough matchup (Denver) to an even tougher matchup (Houston) in Week 10. He also has to learn the playbook and develop chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence in just a few days.
Jakobi Meyers says he got the call about the #Jaguars trade and was on a flight to Jacksonville 2 hours later. After his first practice: “I'm honestly happy. I'm happy to be here, help the guys out. Do whatever I can to help make the team better and try to go win some games.” pic.twitter.com/PpXMX6RfE2
— Alessandra Pontbriand (@APontbriandTV) November 6, 2025
Washington, the slot receiver, could be the best Jacksonville wide receiver again this week, but he's still a worrisome start. The Texans have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The only one they've struggled to contain was Jaxon Smith-Njigba. We may have considered BTJ to be on JSN's level last season. He's not in the same stratosphere anymore.
If it isn't obvious at this point, Lawrence is also a sit this week, despite four straight games scoring inside the top 14. The Texans are the best defense against fantasy football quarterbacks.
Drake London (WR, ATL) at Indianapolis (Berlin)
Let's throw one bold prediction in here, and before you scroll or read any further, no, we're not benching Drake London.
Michael Penix Jr. (for the most part) understands the assignment: London gets double-digit targets, Bijan Robinson gets 20 touches, and you sprinkle a few looks to Kyle Pitts Sr. That's how it worked out against New England. There were only three targets not thrown to those three players.
It's not to say that every time London gets double-digit looks, it translates to fantasy football success. That was the case against the San Francisco 49ers. He also caught just over half of his 15 targets in Week 1 (although we'll take 13 PPR points on most occasions).
On paper, the Indianapolis Colts are a fantastic matchup. Fantasy managers on Sleeper will feel relief seeing a dark green matchup rating next to London's name. The unit, however, is improving. With the return of cornerback Jaylon Jones, they held the Pittsburgh receivers to 66 yards combined.
Then, of course, they went and added All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline. Gardner has cleared concussion protocol and will play with his new team on Sunday morning. He's a cornerback we typically want to avoid, as he's allowed just 10 receptions all season.
Sauce Gardner has faced opponent #1 receivers on 45.5% of his coverage matchups, the NFL's highest rate (min. 125 matchups).
When targeted, he has forced tight windows (<1 yard of separation) at a 52.0% rate, also leading the league (min. 20 targets).@Colts | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/88AAPXz8aI
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 4, 2025
We don't know how much Indianapolis will use Gardner, or how they'll use him. However, if he shadows London, it could be an international trip to forget for Atlanta's star receiver.
Rachaad White (RB, TB) vs. New England
With Bucky Irving still missing practice following Tampa Bay's bye week, we're trending toward another start for Rachaad White.
The Buccaneers' backup has been an RB2 in Irving's absence, averaging 14.3 PPR fantasy points per game, heavily weighted by a surprise boom game, the one instance Seattle's run defense didn't look like the best in the league. He scored two of the three rushing touchdowns the Seahawks have surrendered all season.
Speaking of touchdowns, the New England Patriots haven't allowed a running back to score since Week 4. That's the matchup White will draw on Sunday. It's not just touchdowns, either. The Patriots are the best rush defense in the NFL. allowing just 75.4 yards per contest. That's more than 11 yards better than Seattle, the second team on the list.
If Irving does return, I'd be just as wary, if not more, about starting him. The matchup and Tampa likely easing him into action take all Buccaneers running backs out of the equation this week.
Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC) vs. Pittsburgh
There's such a wide range of outcomes for Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal - and we've seen it all already.
Vidal has started four games in place of Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris. He has two games with 127+ scrimmage yards and a touchdown. In between and after those games, he has 65 total yards on 2.3 yards per attempt.
To put it bluntly, Vidal is an average, replacement-level running back. You can see it in the inconsistency and not taking advantage of a cupcake matchup (Tennessee). That's why we saw Jaret Patterson churn out 44 yards on nine carries when Vidal wasn't getting it done. Granted, Vidal still played 72.3% of the snaps, in line with his snaps in the explosive win over Minnesota.
Kimani Vidal adds 6️⃣ for the @Chargers!
MINvsLAC on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SFOfdtTTte— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2025
Another inefficient outing could lead to more touches for other running backs not named Vidal. It's a far tougher matchup than last week. The Steelers are the eighth-best defense against running backs, and outstanding left tackle Joe Alt won't be in the lineup to open holes for Vidal.
Conversely, the Steelers are the worst fantasy defense against wide receivers, third-worst against tight ends, and fifth-worst versus quarterbacks. The Chargers have Justin Herbert, three excellent wideouts, and an emerging young tight end. The game plan should be to put the football in their hands, and not lean on a third-string running back.
Jordan Love (QB, GB) vs. Philadelphia
Jordan Love was surprisingly bad against the Carolina Panthers. You can brush that off as a bad game, although we've seen how low Love's floor can go.
Love will have great games again this season. He has QB1 and QB6 finishes already this year and has some favorable matchups sprinkled throughout the remainder of the season. This isn't one of them.
The Philadelphia Eagles spent their bye week trading for talent on the defensive side of the football. Pass rusher Jaelan Phillips arrives from Miami and reunites with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (a former Pro Bowler) and Michael Carter (not that one) were also brought over via the Ravens and Jets, respectively. That gives flexibility to move Cooper DeJean outside, opposite shutdown corner Quinyon Mitchell.
Some interesting Cooper DeJean notes entering Week 10 from @NextGenStats.
DeJean has been targeted on 11.4% of his coverage snaps this season, the second-lowest rate among primary slot cornerbacks (min. 100 coverage snaps).
DeJean has allowed a 60.6% completion percentage on…
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) November 6, 2025
It all comes down to touchdowns for Love, who is only averaging 13 rushing yards per game. The Eagles allow the second-fewest scores to quarterbacks (eight), and Love just lost one of his best and most trusted targets, tight end Tucker Kraft.
Daniel Jones (QB, IND) vs. Atlanta (Berlin)
Was it all a facade? Is New York's Daniel Jones back on our TV screens?
It's not that drastic, but Jones finally showed signs of cracking in the Colts' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He turned the ball over five times, although he still managed 17 fantasy points (his third-lowest score of the season) in the comeback effort.
The Pittsburgh pass rush is to blame for his struggles. Jones folded under pressure from T.J. Watt and Co. The Steelers rank third in pass-rush win rate (48%), according to ESPN's analytics. Jones' worst fantasy game came against the Los Angeles Rams, another top-10 team in pass-rush win rate.
The Colts will meet the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, Sunday morning (yes, West Coasters, we're back to 6:30 a.m. kickoffs). Atlanta's offseason priority was recreating its pass rush, and it's done so to great results. They're the sixth-best in win rate, and it contributes to the defense allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Even Drake Maye struggled against the Falcons last week.
Zach Ertz (TE, WAS) vs. Detroit
This one is pretty simple: Zach Ertz doesn't get the same attention when Marcus Mariota is under center.
Washington's veteran tight end sees a hair over five targets in games that Jayden Daniels started. He loses about one target off his average in Mariota's starts. He can be counted on for 36 yards per game with Daniels. That's down to 25 with Mariota. Most importantly, all of his receiving touchdowns have been thrown by Daniels.
Mariota can deliver respectable, even above-average, fantasy points because of his rushing ability. But the offense as a whole is downgraded, including the skill-position players (at least the ones who are left). Even though it's basically the Deebo Samuel Sr. and Ertz show, I'm not liking the prospects.
The tight end pool is deep and full of streaming options. Theo Johnson, Juwan Johnson, Colston Loveland, and Cade Otton are some of the names I like better than Ertz this week.
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