Week 10 Free Agent Focus
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%
We highlighted Garoppolo here last week, but he remains available in about two-thirds of ESPN leagues. He was excellent in Thursday night’s win over the Cardinals, completing 28 of 37 passes (76%) for 317 yards (8.6 YPA) and 4 TDs.
Garoppolo gets a Seahawks defense next Monday night that entered Week 9 ranked 19th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. That’s followed by a rematch vs. the Cardinals.
Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
Blind-bid recommendation: 100%
We’ll give Singletary a mention because he’s still available in about a third of ESPN leagues. Singletary took control of Buffalo’s backfield in the win over the Redskins, carrying 20 times for 95 yards and a score and hauling in 3 of 4 targets for 45 yards. Frank Gore totaled just 15 yards on 11 carries and wasn’t targeted. The rookie is clearly the most explosive player in the Bills backfield and deserves a significant role the rest of the way.
Jaylen Samuels, RB, Steelers
Blind-bid recommendation: 40-60%
Samuels is surprisingly still available in 50% of ESPN leagues. He was stymied on the ground by the Colts on Sunday, mustering just 10 yards on 8 carries. But he hauled in all 13 of his targets for 73 yards. That gave him a solid day in non-PPR leagues and a monster day in PPR formats. It’s worth noting that Samuels lost 12 carries to Trey Edmunds, who ripped off 73 yards. But Samuels will remain the best fantasy bet in Pittsburgh’s backfield if James Conner misses Week 10, which is reportedly possible.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
Blind-bid recommendation: 25-35%
He’s eligible to return from his suspension in Week 10. It’s completely unclear what Hunt’s role will be behind (alongside?) Nick Chubb, but he’s worth stashing as we wait to find out. At worst, he’s a high-end handcuff. Hunt is available in 41% of ESPN leagues.
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
Blind-bid recommendation: 25-35%
Parker’s solid stretch continued against the Jets on Sunday with 4 catches, 57 yards and 1 score. He has now tallied 11+ PPR points in 5 straight. Preston Williams was carted off late with a knee injury, and his absence would raise Parker’s ceiling going forward. A Week 10 matchup against the Colts also looks friendly.
Zach Pascal, WR, Colts
Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%
Jacoby Brissett departed in the 1st quarter of Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh with a likely MCL sprain. Brian Hoyer stepped in and held his own, helping Pascal tally 5 catches, 76 yards and 1 score. There’s no sizzle to Pascal’s game, but there’s a real chance he remains in the starting lineup with T.Y. Hilton looking likely to miss Week 10. That game just so happens to be against the fantasy-friendly Dolphins.
Darren Fells, TE, Texans
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%
Fells caught just 1 ball in Sunday morning’s win over the Jaguars — but it went for a score. That gives Fells 3 TDs in his last 2 games, 5 in his last 5 and 6 on the season.
The Texans have a Week 10 bye but have neutral TE matchups in Weeks 11 and 12 and positive draws in Weeks 15 and 16.
Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%
A week after setting season highs with 9 targets and 5 catches, Fant set a season high with 115 yards in the win over the Browns. The majority of that came on a 75-yard, catch-and-run TD, but his 4 targets ranked 2nd on the team (behind Courtland Sutton) in QB Brandon Allen's 1st start.
Denver has a Week 10 bye and a rough TE schedule the rest of the way. But Fant’s expanding role makes him worth adding if you need help at the position.
Colts D/ST
Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%
The Colts delivered top-6 fantasy numbers on defense in Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh, their 4th straight solid outing on that side of the ball. Week 10 brings to town the Dolphins, which remain the clear top scoring matchup for fantasy defenses even after Sunday's win over the Jets.
Ravens D/ST
Blind-bid recommendation: 2-3%
The Ravens head to Cincinnati in Week 10 to face rookie QB Ryan Finley in his 1st pro action. The Bengals head toward Week 10 as the 6th-friendliest scoring matchup in the league for team defenses with veteran QB Andy Dalton in the lineup. We'll see if Finley improves on Dalton, but it's tough to expect him to make this a negative matchup his 1st time out.
Deep-League Options:
Kyle Allen, QB, Panthers
Blind-bid recommendation: 4-7%
Allen has struggled over the past month. But he played well in Sunday’s win over the Titans, completing 17 of 32 passes for 232 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. QB Cam Newton (foot) is expected to miss several more weeks and might be done for the season. So Allen is at least worth owning in 2-QB and deep 1-QB leagues for his 2 remaining matchups against the Falcons in Weeks 11 and 14.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders
Blind-bid recommendation: 10-20%
He hauled in 6 balls for 54 yards and the game-winning TD against the Lions on Sunday. Renfrow’s 6 catches and 7 targets both led Oakland. That followed a 4-88-1 line last week and has the rookie creeping onto the radar in deeper PPR leagues.
WR Devin Funchess, WR, Colts
Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%
Funchess is eligible to come off IR this week. It’s unclear if he's ready to return from his broken collarbone, but he might be worth stashing in deeper leagues.
Funchess opened the season as Indianapolis’ #2 WR and could quickly regain a significant role, especially with T.Y. Hilton expected to miss at least a couple more weeks with his calf injury.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
Blind-bid recommendation: 8-12%
After a quiet Week 8, Gesicki woke up with 6 catches for 95 yards against a pitiful Jets defense. Both marks led the Fins.
A secondary piece on this offense is tough to trust, but Miami does get a fine Week 10 matchup at Indianapolis. Gesicki might also see an extra look or two if Preston Williams — who departed Sunday with a knee injury — is out.