Week 10 DFS Showdown: Navigating the Stars' Absence on DraftKings and FanDuel
Picture this: Your favorite NFL superstars are sidelined, leaving you to craft a winning fantasy lineup from a thinned-out pool – that's the thrilling (and frustrating) reality of Week 10 Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) on platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel. For beginners diving into DFS, it's a game where you pick real players, set salaries, and aim to rack up points based on their performance, all within a budget. But with key players missing, creativity reigns supreme!
The DFS landscape this week demands innovation because several elite talents are unavailable on the primary Sunday schedule. The early matchup featuring Germany has eliminated Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson from play, along with some skilled pass-catching options. Additionally, the Packers versus Eagles game on Monday night further depletes the top running back ranks by removing Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. We're talking about twelve of the top 25 wide receivers out of commission, plus six of the top 12 quarterbacks. It's a puzzle that tests your strategy!
But here's where it gets controversial: How do you balance high salaries with hidden gems when the usual big names are MIA? Some fans swear by stacking on undervalued players, while others cling to proven performers. Let's dive into four players poised to anchor your lineups, breaking down their stats, matchups, and projections to help you decide.
Christian McCaffrey (DK: $9,000/FD: $9,700)
Christian McCaffrey bounced back strongly in Week 9, delivering his second standout performance of the year – 28 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown, plus five receptions for 67 yards and another score. The 49ers loaded him with a season-high 33 opportunities, boosting his total touches to 229 for the campaign. At this rate, he's heading toward 432 touches, 2,308 total yards (1,126 rushing and 1,182 receiving), 115 catches, and 15 touchdowns. Just look back to Week 5 against the Rams: he amassed 139 yards from scrimmage with a score and eight grabs.
He's exceeded 22.00 fantasy points in PPR scoring (where receptions add extra value) in eight of his nine games. For newcomers to fantasy, PPR means each catch is worth a point, making receivers and versatile backs like CMC even more valuable.
Facing the Rams, who boast the second-strongest run defense in PPR (allowing just 130.90 fantasy points), they'll limit backs to 3.8 yards per carry and 6.2 yards per reception. Their only rushing touchdown surrendered went to Tyler Warren, and McCaffrey's the sole player with a receiving score against them.
Past performances against this defense include:
- Saquon Barkley: 55 yards combined with four catches
- Jonathan Taylor: 96 yards combined with five catches
- Derrick Henry: 24 carries for 122 yards plus one catch for eight yards
Despite this tough matchup, McCaffrey's potential for heavy usage and solid minimum in the passing game keep him competitive as a top running back option on the Sunday slate. His salary might not scream value in DFS terms, but his consistency could surprise you.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills (DK: $7,500/FD: $9,200)
James Cook stands out as a top-tier running back value in Week 10, especially on DraftKings for their high-stakes Millionaire Maker contest. He's hit over 100 rushing yards in five of his eight starts, including a blockbuster against the Panthers: 19 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 3, he dominated the Dolphins with 118 yards from scrimmage, a score, and three receptions.
The Bills handed him a career-high 28 touches last week (27 rushes for 114 yards and one catch for 11 yards), though he exited early with an ankle concern – always a risk to monitor.
The Dolphins rank dead last in run defense (allowing 230.00 fantasy points), giving up 5.10 yards per carry, 8.2 yards per catch, and five touchdowns. They've seen backs score over 20.00 points multiple times:
- James Cook: 19/108/1 with three catches for 10 yards – 20.80 points
- Rico Dowdle: 23/206/1 with three catches for 28 yards – 32.40 points
- Kimani Vidal: 18/124 with three catches for 14 yards and a score – 22.80 points
Last week, Derrick Henry piled up 119 rushing yards on 19 carries with a single catch.
The Bills might share carries with another back, and Josh Allen has been a goal-line hero lately, scoring four rushing touchdowns in his recent outings. Cook's receiving output lags behind past seasons (13/100 yards in 2022, 44/445/4 in 2023, 32/258/2 in 2024), but my projections (check out the spreadsheet here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mDiW0GnvEpYCMh9blZk2zKrsEQvFpmSf42-q6VvwUIE/edit?usp=sharing) have him at 140 combined yards, a strong scoring chance, and two catches. This makes him a savvy pick for those hunting bargains.
And this is the part most people miss: Cook's injury scare last week – do you trust him to bounce back, or play it safe? Some analysts argue his role is cemented, but others see it as a red flag in DFS where one bad game can sink your lineup.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (DK: $8,400/FD: $9,300)
Over his last seven games, Amon-Ra St. Brown has maintained a reliable baseline: at least six receptions and 13.70 PPR points each time. He exploded in Week 2 with 9 catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns, and performed solidly in five others (7/77/1, 7/70/2, 8/100, 6/86/1, and 9/97).
However, Jared Goff's passing volume has been modest, averaging just 27.3 attempts per game from Week 2 through 7, despite a solid 73.8% completion rate and 8.6 yards per attempt. This constraint caps St. Brown's upside, with the Lions managing only 11 passing touchdowns in their last six games.
After a Week 9 drubbing by Sam Darnold (330 yards and four touchdowns on 24 attempts), Washington has slipped to 31st in wide receiver defense (allowing 327.20 fantasy points), making the NFC East home to three of the weakest five teams against pass catchers. They give up 14.4 yards per catch and have been torched recently (DAL – 11/225/1, KC – 15/175/1, SEA – 13/237/3).
Examples of recent beatings:
- Tre Tucker: 8/149/3
- Drake London: 8/110/1
- CeeDee Lamb: 5/110/1
- Rashee Rice: 9/93/1
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 8/129
St. Brown tops my wide receiver projections for the week (see the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mDiW0GnvEpYCMh9blZk2zKrsEQvFpmSf42-q6VvwUIE/edit?usp=sharing), but he'll need more touchdown opportunities and pass attempts from Detroit to capitalize on this favorable spot. For fantasy novices, a 'favorable matchup' means the opposing defense is weaker, potentially leading to better stats.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (DK: $8,600/FD: $9,500)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba offers unmatched reliability in 2024, boasting a four-game run of over 100 receiving yards (8/132/1, 8/162/1, 8/123/1, and 8/140), catching 71.1% of his 45 targets. He's reached 90 combined yards in every start. The Seahawks, though, keep things conservative with an average of 27 passes per game.
Arizona's wide receiver defense is slightly above average (allowing 250.80 fantasy points), permitting only four touchdowns and 11.4 yards per catch.
Notable performances against them:
- Chris Olave: 7/54
- Tetairoa McMillan: 6/100
- Hunter Renfrow: 7/48/2
- Rick Pearsall: 8/117
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 4/79
- Calvin Ridley: 5/131
- Josh Downs: 6/42/1
- Romeo Doubs: 6/72
- CeeDee Lamb: 7/85
- George Pickens: 6/79
In the Seahawks' prior encounter with Arizona this season, they limited themselves to 26 attempts, resulting in 242 yards and one score. Smith-Njigba's versatility – getting open across the field and excelling in deep routes – sets him apart. Despite his steep price, he seems like a contrarian choice given the matchup, and he's arguably the hottest wide receiver right now.
Here's the controversy worth debating: Is Smith-Njigba worth the premium salary when the Seahawks play it safe with passing? Fans are split – some see him as a must-own for his streak, while others argue cheaper alternatives offer better bang for your buck. What do you think?
In wrapping up, these four players could be your lifeline in a Week 10 DFS slate full of absences. But with matchups like these, is sticking to 'safe' plays smarter than chasing upside? Do you agree that McCaffrey's floor makes him a DFS staple, or should we question Cook's health? Share your thoughts in the comments – I'd love to hear if you're going all-in on St. Brown or hedging with Smith-Njigba!
