Week 10 fantasy managers face a mix of headline-grabbing starters and borderline options. This column focuses on the trickier WR decisions rather than the obvious plays—yes, elite starters exist, but the value is often in the margins. We evaluate matchup data, recent usage and quarterback situation to recommend who to start and who to bench for Week 10. All performance figures cited below come from league-tracking sources (see Sources).
Key Takeaways
- Chris Collins: 11 targets and 14.5 fantasy points last week; he has topped 100 receiving yards in each of his last four games versus Jacksonville and averaged 24.7 fantasy PPG in those contests.
- Tre McConkey: over the past five games he’s averaged 16.8 fantasy PPG and leads the Chargers in targets, catches, touchdowns, air yards and end-zone targets in that span.
- Zachary Odunze and Ainias Smith/other Rams targets (Rome/Odunze split): Odunze runs roughly 60% of his routes outside; Giants have allowed the 7th-most fantasy PPG to WRs and are vulnerable to deep passes (3rd-most yards on deep throws).
- Jalen Franklin and Courtland Sutton: Franklin leads the Broncos in target and air-yard share and end-zone targets; Sutton has hit 10+ fantasy points in seven games, ranking third among WRs behind Justin Jefferson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
- Zay Shakir: scored 14.5 and a touchdown earlier this season against Miami and has posted 11+ fantasy points in six of eight games, making him a playable WR3 in Week 10.
- DK Metcalf: averaging 5.9 targets per game with career lows in air yards per target and target rate; Chargers have allowed just one touchdown to outside receivers this season—bench if alternatives are available.
- Rookie/role concerns: Jakobi Meyers was traded late and has under a week to learn a new offense; avoid starting him this week due to timing and matchup difficulty.
Background
Start/Sit columns exist to translate matchup data, snap charts and injury reports into concrete fantasy decisions. By Week 10 the league picture includes several shifting variables: concussion protocols, midseason trades and spot starts at quarterback. Those factors often swing underlying receiver value more than season-long averages.
This week several quarterback developments affect receiver outlooks: C.J. Stroud entered concussion protocol earlier in the week (pushing Nick Collins’ usage into context) and Washington saw a serious elbow injury to Jayden Daniels, moving Marcus Mariota into the starting role. Those changes alter target distribution and touchdown upside for receivers tied closely to those QBs.
Main Event
Chris Collins (Start). Collins remains a recommended starter despite questions about quarterback continuity. He attracted 11 targets and produced 14.5 fantasy points last week even after Stroud left early; historically he has dominated the Jaguars, exceeding 100 yards in each of his last four games versus Jacksonville and averaging 24.7 fantasy PPG in those matchups. The Jaguars’ defense has been especially vulnerable to outside receivers—allowing the fifth-most yards and second-most touchdowns to that role—and Collins runs more than 80% of his routes outside, sustaining the case to start him even if Davis Mills draws the start.
Tre McConkey (Start). McConkey has taken over target share for the Chargers across the last five contests, averaging 16.8 fantasy PPG and pacing the team in major receiving metrics over that span. Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, and their issues against boundary/distribution receivers elevate McConkey’s ceiling. Quentin Johnston also profiles as a deep-value sleeper given the Steelers’ susceptibility to out-wide and boundary deep plays.
Zachary Odunze / Other Giants matchup (Start candidate). Odunze missed in Week 9 role-wise but remains in play versus New York, who rank seventh in fantasy PPG allowed to WRs and fourth in yards allowed to out-wide receivers—where Odunze runs roughly 60% of his routes. Terrace Moore (or the other named receiver) operates about 64% of routes out wide and has been used more frequently; the Giants’ allowance of the third-most yards on deep passes implies a high ceiling for these boundary-heavy targets.
Jalen Franklin & Courtland Sutton (Flex/WR3). Franklin currently leads the Broncos in target share, air yards and end-zone looks while Sutton offers steadier floor production—ten or more fantasy points in seven games, placing him third among WRs behind Jefferson and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to receivers and are susceptible to boundary receivers’ yardage, which nudges Sutton slightly ahead as the safer Week 10 option.
Zay Shakir & Christian Robinson (Start for volume plays). Shakir continues to provide a reliable floor—he has reached 11+ fantasy points in six of eight games and has seen seven-plus targets in three of his last four contests—making him a playable WR3 despite a middling matchup on paper. Robinson has emerged as a primary target for Jaxson Dart, posting 11+ targets in two of his last three games and 13+ fantasy points in three of four; the Bears have conceded the second-most touchdowns and third-most fantasy PPG to receivers, with particular weakness in the slot—where Robinson runs about 60% of his routes.
Analysis & Implications
Quarterback clarity matters. Players tethered to uncertain or backup quarterbacks typically see compressed target distribution and scoring opportunity; the shift from Stroud to Davis Mills or the replacement of Jayden Daniels with Marcus Mariota directly lowers touchdown odds for some pass-catchers and raises them for others. Managers should favor receivers whose routes and target shares are less QB-dependent.
Matchup nuance—slot vs. boundary, deep-target vulnerability—drives upside. Several defenses allow disparate production depending on where a receiver lines up. For instance, teams that surrender lots of yards to outside receivers or on deep throws magnify the ceiling for boundary speedsters. Conversely, teams that clamp down on outside targets can neutralize high-profile names who run most of their routes out wide.
Volume remains the clearest predictor of consistency. Receivers with sustained target share and end-zone involvement (e.g., McConkey, Franklin) present lower variance than boom-or-bust athletes whose season totals hinge on one long play. For managers deciding between a shaky WR2 and a high-floor WR3, target share and red-zone usage should be prioritized.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Player/Defense | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Collins vs. Jacksonville (recent) | Chris Collins | 4 games, 100+ yards; 24.7 fantasy PPG |
| McConkey Last 5 Games | Tre McConkey | 16.8 fantasy PPG |
| Chargers defense vs. out-wide TDs | Chargers | 1 TD allowed to out-wide WRs |
| Giants deep-allowed yards | New York Giants | 3rd-most yards on deep passes |
The table isolates a few of the most actionable matchup numbers referenced above. Collins’ streak against Jacksonville and McConkey’s recent volume explain their starting recommendations; by contrast, Metcalf’s reduced target rate and the Chargers’ tight limit on outside touchdowns justify benching him despite name recognition.
Reactions & Quotes
“Nope — start him.”
NFL Fantasy Football Show (analyst exchange)
“We saw increased target volume and air-yard responsibility that pushed him into weekly-start territory.”
Team analytics summary (season usage note)
Both remarks reflect a synthesis of show commentary and usage charts: short, pragmatic justifications for the starts recommended above rather than emotional endorsements.
Unconfirmed
- The final quarterback decision for the Texans could change late in week depending on the concussion protocol result for C.J. Stroud; Davis Mills was described as the likely starter but the situation remained fluid.
- How quickly Jakobi Meyers will integrate into Jacksonville’s playbook after the trade is uncertain; chemistry and route-tree usage are not guaranteed this week.
- Target redistribution in New Orleans after personnel moves (Shaheed trade) is an ongoing trend and the full impact on Chris Olave’s snaps and targets is not yet finalized.
Bottom Line
Prioritize players with sustained volume and favorable matchup splits this Week 10. Start Collins, McConkey and the slot/boundary receivers who run most of their routes in the defenses’ weak areas; prefer Sutton over Franklin for floor reliability but consider Franklin’s upside in a matchup that yields points to receivers.
Bench name recognition when usage and matchup data contradict it: DK Metcalf’s low target rate and the Chargers’ tight allowance to out-wide TDs make him a bench candidate if you have viable alternatives. Monitor late-week QB and injury reports (see Unconfirmed) and use target share and red-zone looks as tiebreakers between close decisions.