RADIO
Welcome to Week 10, RotoBallers! It's hard to believe we're already in Week 10 of the NFL season. As we eye the back stretch of the year, our fantasy decisions become even more important.
Heading into the 10th week of action, we are well past the season's early stages, as fantasy managers who have gotten off to a slow start need to string some wins together from here on out. While things are fluid in fantasy football, some players simply "are who we think they are" at this point in the year. Our decisions should reflect those evaluations.
Here are some players I think will be in for a tough game in Week 10 and could disappoint their fantasy managers. However, there could be some managers out there who aren't in any position to bench these players given that we must deal with bye weeks and injuries to notable players. Here are some players that fantasy managers need to temper their expectations for.
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Should I Bench Aaron Rodgers In Week 10?
If it wasn't already clear before last week's "hit-rock-bottom" loss to the Detroit Lions, Aaron Rodgers and this Packers squad are in trouble.
Although they entered the year with Super Bowl aspirations, Green Bay now sits at just 3-6. While there are lots of organizational decisions that deserve blame, at least a share of the burden rests with Rodgers, who has disappointed by almost every measure in 2022.
Rodgers has failed to pass for over 300 yards in any game this season and has gone over 255 yards passing just once. Last year's MVP looked especially sluggish last week against Detroit and tossed three ugly picks against the lowly Lions.
As he heads into a difficult matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, Rodgers' average of 14 fantasy points per game ranks 26th in the NFL at the QB position.
Things aren't likely to improve against a rugged Dallas defense this week. In addition to Green Bay's injury-depleted receiving corps, Rodgers will face a Cowboys secondary that has allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the NFL this season.
Should I Bench Najee Harris In Week 10?
As we've reached the halfway point of the season, it's fair to label Harris one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of 2022.
Harris put forth a dazzling rookie campaign in 2021, tallying 1,667 total yards for the Steelers on a herculean workload that included 74 catches and 307 rushing attempts.
The Steelers' back has experienced a significant sophomore slump in 2022. Harris' 3.3 yards per carry is the lowest in the NFL among RBs with at least 100 carries.
While some of the blame must be placed on a spotty offensive line and issues at the QB position, Harris' backup, Jaylen Warren, has looked like the more dynamic back when given opportunities. With Pittsburgh currently sitting at 2-6, Harris' role could be reduced down the home stretch of the season.
Should I Bench D'Andre Swift In Week 10?
When it comes to D'Andre Swift's health, things are rarely black and white. Once again, fantasy managers seem to be stuck in a gray area with Detroit's star running back ahead of a Week 10 clash against the Chicago Bears.
By all accounts, Swift heads into Week 10 healthy. He was listed as a limited participant in Detroit's Wednesday and Thursday practices this week and managed to turn in a full session on Friday. Swift enters Week 10's game against the Bears with no injury designation.
Despite Swift's clean injury designation, things are still tricky in Week 10. He was reportedly frustrated with his minuscule usage last week, but Lions HC Dan Campbell has repeatedly said that they would take their time with their star RB.
The likeliest scenario is that Swift's usage falls somewhere between his tiny Week 9 volume and his normal workload - he averaged 13 total opportunities per game over the first three weeks of the season - but that still leaves fantasy managers in a bit of limbo. He'll be dependent on high efficiency and if you have Swift on your roster, you should consider him a boom/bust option.
Should I Bench Brandin Cooks In Week 10?
The Brandin Cooks saga continues ahead of the Houston Texans' Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. Cooks has expressed frustration with Houston's losing record, as well as their inability to trade him prior to the NFL's trade deadline earlier this month.
The talented wide receiver has battled a legitimate wrist injury throughout the season, but his Week 9 absence against the Philadelphia Eagles can be traced directly to his frustration with the Houston front office for failing to trade him ahead of the NFL's November 1st trade deadline.
While it looks as though Cooks will suit up against the New York Giants in Week 10 after logging limited practices for the squad Thursday and Friday, he's still making little effort to hide his frustrations with Houston's losing ways.
When Cooks has been on the field this year, he's performed below expectations. The veteran has scored just one TD this year and has failed to record more than 82-yards receiving in any game. Fantasy managers that have Cooks on their rosters are likely as frustrated as he is at this point.
Assuming the embattled receiver does play against the G-Men this week, he'll find a tough matchup. The Giants have allowed the NFL's fifth-fewest receiving yards (1,090) and receiving TDs (five) to opposing WRs this season.
Should I Bench Michael Pittman Jr. In Week 10?
Pittman is a holdover from last week's "Busts" article and he's against a sketchy fantasy candidate in Week 10.
Through little fault of his own, 2022 has turned into a disastrous season for Pittman, as he's been stuck on an Indianapolis Colts squad that has gone the way of the Titanic this year.
With offseason acquisition Matt Ryan benched and his replacement Sam Ehlinger averaging just 152 yards passing over his first two NFL starts, Pittman has had little opportunity to succeed and has finished as the fantasy WR33 and WR46 in Ehlinger's two starts for the Colts.
As if things weren't bad enough already, Indianapolis made the decision to fire head coach Frank Reich after last week's loss. The Indy brain trust has now made the shocking decision to bring in former Colts lineman Jeff Saturday as their interim HC. Saturday has no high-level coaching experience and his presence makes this Week 10 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders a totally unpredictable situation.
Should I Bench Mike Gesicki In Week 10?
After spending 2021 as one of the top targets in Miami's passing attack, Gesicki's role has diminished in new head coach Mike McDaniel's system.
He's currently sporting just an 11.2% target share in this Dolphins' passing offense, as star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are, understandably, the top priorities for this attack. Gesicki's been on the field for just 51% of Miami's offensive snaps this year.
The Penn State alum was targeted just twice in a Week 9 shootout win over the Chicago Bears and played fewer snaps than fellow Miami TE Durham Smythe. Week 10 presents a difficult matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have allowed the second-fewest TE receptions in the NFL this season and have held opposing TEs to just 367 receiving yards and a single TD in 2022.
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