RADIO
As crazy as it may seem, the NFL season is already into the second half of its new 18-week schedule. For fantasy managers, this means starting to plan for the playoffs, as weekly matchups become that much more important.
Three players that managers have had trouble with this season are Zay Flowers, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett.
How are their Week 10 outlooks shaping up? Which of these players should you start? Let's take a look.
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Should I Start Zay Flowers for Fantasy Football?
Flowers has been really hard to pin down for fantasy this year. There's no doubting his ability, being one of the shiftiest WRs in the game in just his first season, but Flowers has been anything but consistent so far. The Boston College product has been seeing decent volume, having hit double-digit targets in 30% of his games thus far, and is No. 20 league-wide in total targets received.
However, Flowers has only finished as a top-20 WR twice (WR15 and 20), with four finishes outside the top-50. The past two weeks against wonderful matchups in the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, Flowers was WR74 and WR86. Outside of the offense masterclass against the Detroit Lions in Week 7, the Ravens passing game has been a huge disappointment under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. The former two-time National Champion OC was supposed to rejuvenate Baltimore's aerial attack, but we have not seen that come to fruition.
Couple this with the fact that Flowers now faces the Cleveland Browns who have been shutting down opposing WRs this year, ranking as the No. 2 toughest matchup for opposing wideouts. Fantasy managers should leave Flowers on the bench for Week 10.
He is the WR32 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start DK Metcalf for Fantasy Football?
While DK Metcalf is one of the most physically imposing specimens at the wide receiver position in the history of the league, he hasn't truly lived up to expectations since his monster 2020 season. The fifth year for Metcalf was undoubtedly been his worst, currently sitting at WR45 on the year. While the Seahawks are tied atop their division with the 49ers at 5-3, the offense has looked gross at times, toggling between identities and marred by inconsistent QB play.
This has negatively affected Metcalf, who has zero finishes inside the top-20 WRs. That is simply ridiculous for a player of his stature. Things should turn around for Metcalf and the 'Hawks in a big way for Week 10, though. The Seahawks host the Commanders, who are second to last in the NFL at stopping opposing fantasy wideouts this year. Washington has been simply atrocious against the pass, and they did just trade away two of their best defensive lineman which should give quarterbacks even more time to pick them apart.
The volume has also been there for Metcalf, with 27 targets in his last three games. Geno should start cookin' early and often in this one, which should also lead to a big day for Metcalf. He's a smash play for me this week.
Metcalf comes in at WR15 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Tyler Lockett for Fantasy Football?
Lockett has dealt with similar issues to Metcalf in 2023, but he's been a slightly better fantasy play especially given his much later ADP. The former Kansas State star has seen more volume than his running mate, which has led to two boom weeks of WR12 or greater finish. This week he faces a Washington secondary giving up the most yards to opposing WRs over expectation and to the perimeter, a place where Lockett lines up over 60% of the time.
The Commanders have not been good at covering the slot either, so regardless of where Lockett lines up on Sunday, he should be able to eat. Both of these top-tier pass catchers were able to coexist last season, and a choice matchup against a porous pass defense can get them both back on track. Lockett should be in lineups everywhere. He's WR23 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings for Week 10.
Unfortunately, Lockett finds himself on the injury report for Week 10, logging a limited practice session on Wednesday. He doesn't seem to be in danger of missing the game, having been on and off the injury report for the past month but never missing time. Managers should still be sure to monitor the reports as we get closer to Sunday.
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