- Quarterback START/SIT Advice: Week 10 of CHANGING THE CALL
- Running Back START/SIT Advice: Week 10 of THE CUTBACK
- Wide Receiver START/SIT Advice: Week 10 of THE SLANT PATTERN
- Tight End START/SIT Advice: Week 10 of THE 12 FORMATION
- IDP START/SIT Advice: Week 10 of THE BLINDSIDE
- FANTASY PREVIEW for NFL Week 10: EXPLOIT THE MATCHUP
Welcome Back, to the Week 10 IDP Start/Sit! In this weekly start and sit guide, we’ll highlight the best options at each position, helping you make those crucial lineup decisions. Whether deciding between an established star or debating over a rising waiver-wire standout, here’s who you can confidently start—and sit—in Week 10.
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord Sunday morning before the games, exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
WEEK 10 IDP START/sit
Defensive Line (DL)
Jonathan Cooper | Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos’ defense has been a massive part of the team’s success this season. Jonathan Cooper is helping lead a dangerous defensive line that ranks 2nd in the NFL in sacks at 3.4 per game. The former Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE rusher is coming off the best season of his career, totaling 70 tackles and 8.5 sacks. According to Fantasy Points Data Suite (FPDS), Cooper finished as the DL18 in fantasy points per game in 2023 and is off to a great start in 2024 as DL25 through the first 9 games.
Jonathan Cooper and the Denver Broncos defense will try to ruin the undefeated season of the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper has had success against the Chiefs lately, collecting 6 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2 games against them last season (FPDS). The Chiefs surrender the 4th-most tackles per game to the defensive line position. For more data on tackles allowed per position, follow the great @PFF_Macri on Twitter (X); he releases this excellent data for free every Thursday.
Linebacker (LB)
Christian Rozeboom | Los Angeles Rams
In our featured waiver wire article, Christian Rozeboom was the top linebacker addition ahead of Week 4. It may have taken some time and a Troy Reeder injury, but the small-school LB has played 94% of snaps or more in the past 2 games. He is coming off his first 20-point fantasy performance of his career, which allowed him to finish as LB9 last week.
The South Dakota State alum is on pace to have a career year with 64 tackles through 8 games—just 13 tackles shy of matching his previous high. As our writer Brad Custer mentioned this week in his Positional Matchups article Christian Rozeboom has a great matchup this week against the Miami Dolphins, who allow the 4th most tackles to the LB position. The Dolphins have surrendered an average of 22.3 tackles per game to the LB position over the past 3 games. We should see Christian Rozeboom have a chance to finish as a top-12 LB in back-to-back weeks.
Also, check out the Positional Matchups with IDP matchups to focus on by staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
Defensive Back (DB)
Tykee Smith | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The love for rookie defensive backs continues! Tykee Smith makes it two consecutive Georgia Bulldogs to earn the start recommendation. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary has been dealing with injuries all season, and Smith has played a much more significant role than many IDP analysts could have predicted. Tykee Smith recorded his 2nd game of 9 tackles or more, and in both games, he finished as a top-12 DB.
We’d love for Tykee Smith to keep his hot streak going. The San Francisco 49ers allow the 3rd-most tackles to the safeties this season and are 1 of only 4 teams to surrender 130 tackles or more to the position. He is the DL39 in FPPG this season; the rookie’s 85% defensive snap share in Week 9 was the 2nd highest of the season (FPDS).
Defensive Tackle (DT)
Gervon Dexter | Chicago Bears
Gervon Dexter is DT16 in FPPG this season. Per FPDS, he’s already set career highs in tackles (24), sacks (4), and fumble recoveries (1). Dexter’s 78% defensive snap share is the most among all Bears interior defensive linemen this season. The data points to a big week for the former Florida Gator, who faces a New England Patriots offense who have surrendered a top-12 DT performance in 6 consecutive games.
Streaming Options | Week 10 IDP START/sit
Sebastian Joseph-Day is a solid streaming option this week. He has 6 tackles and 0.5 sacks over his past 2 games. According to Brad Custer’s Positional Matchups series for Week 10, Joseph-Day has the most decisive positional advantage matchup at positive 33%. Osi Odighizuwa also drew a favorable matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has the massive advantage of having Micah Parsons return to the lineup to help create more one-on-one matchups.
Please check out the great Brad Custer’s Positional Matchups to ensure you get the most out of our Week 10 IDP start/sit content:
Cornerback (CB)
Starling Thomas | New York Jets
Starling Thomas is one of the names on the rise at the cornerback position. The 2nd-year pro has been a high-volume tackler as of late. Thomas has collected 14 tackles over his past 3 games, accounting for 50% of his season total. The Arizona Cardinals secondary will face a significant challenge with a matchup against the Jets passing attack, who rank 4th in the NFL at 36 attempts per game (FPDS).
There’s nothing like a good revenge game scenario to start our Week 10 IDP start/sit streaming options. Jalen Ramsey will return to Los Angeles for the first time since being traded. Ramsey has had at least 3 tackles in 87.5% of games this season. The Rams’ offense allows the 7th-most tackles per game to cornerbacks this season.
Kamari Lassiter rounds out our streaming options at CB this week. The rookie defensive back has double-digit fantasy points in 4 straight games and faces a Detroit Lions offense that has surrendered 13.2 tackles per game to the position in 2024.
Week 10 IDP start/SIT
Defensive Line (DL)
Will McDonald | New York Jets
The Arizona Cardinals have been a nightmare matchup for opposing defensive linemen this season. The Cardinals have allowed the 4th-fewest sacks in the league through the first 9 games. Will McDonald began this season with crazy efficiency. As the Week 4 Start/Sit column mentioned, 5 of his 8 tackles through four weeks were sacks. The Jets EDGE rusher has remained a sack-dependent fantasy option. He has 1 tackle or less in 4 of 9 games this season. Will McDonald is a big risk-reward play in Week 10, and with a bad matchup on paper, my Week 10 IDP start/sit advice is to look for a safer option.
Linebacker (LB)
Nate Landman | Atlanta Falcons
All good things end, and sadly, the Nate Landman hype train has been derailed. The 3rd-year linebacker is coming off his best season with 110 tackles in 2023. He missed time to start the season, and upon his return, he saw an 80% defensive snapshare with Troy Andersen dealing with a knee injury. Over his last 4 games, Landman has racked up 30 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. Since returning from injury in Week 6, Landman was LB28 in FPPG.
Troy Andersen has been cleared to play in Week 10 for the first time since Week 4. The Falcons LB is leading all players at the position in FPPG. He started the season off with 4 consecutive double-digit fantasy performances. Andersen was LB1 overall in Week 4—the last time he played. Ironically, that was against the New Orleans Saints, whom he will return against this week. The 2 LBs split snaps in Week 1, with Nate Landman and Troy Andersen healthy. There’s too much unpredictability, so this is a wait-and-see approach.
Defensive Back (DB)
Jalen Mills | New York Jets
Jalen Mills has taken over a full-time role for the New York Jets. He’s played 96% of snaps or more in the past 3 games. He has 21 tackles over that span and has been DB39 in FPPG. Unfortunately, the Arizona Cardinals offense has been a trap game for IDP fantasy managers this season. Much like Will McDonald, this matchup is unfavorable. The Cardinals offense has the 4th-fewest pass attempts per game and has allowed around league average in tackles per game (13.0) to safeties. You can find worse options this week, but if you’re debating between players, use this data to make the best decision possible for your team.
Six Pack of Facts | Week 10 IDP Start/Sit
- Season high 25 IDPs with 10 tackles or more in Week 9.
- Myles Garrett rewrites history with 3 solo sacks in a 4 play span.
- Rams Rookie DBs Kam Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough combined for 3 INTs and 1 Defensive TD.
- Jamien Sherwood started the season as a backup and is currently LB11 in FPPG.
- T.J. Watt is the only player averaging a sack a game since 2019.
- Nick Cross and Budda Baker are the only DBs on pace for 150 tackles or more.
Roster Management | Week 10 IDP Start/Sit
Tip of the Week | Week 10 IDP Start/Sit
This week, we will focus on a commissioner tip. I often receive questions on the best time to trade players in dynasty leagues. My suggestions usually revolve around leagues that do not have a trade deadline in the regular season. I wish more leagues, specifically IDP leagues, would adopt this thinking.
Fantasy managers hold out hope until the last minute to see if they can make the playoffs, so extending the deadline could give your league more flexibility and encourage trading engagement. The risk of collusion is a minor factor, and there are rules you can implement to prevent it. Allow teams to sell future assets for high-performing players to win it all. This helps rebuilding teams as much as it helps contending teams and prevents managers from checking out for the season.
Final Thoughts | Week 10 IDP Start/Sit
As we wrap up the Week 10 IDP Start/Sit, I am grateful for your honest and kind feedback this season. Choosing the right IDP players to start or sit can distinguish between securing a win or falling short in these pivotal matchups. You trust me with decision-making for your fantasy teams, and it means the world to me. Best of luck this week, and may your IDP choices lead you to a victory!
If you enjoyed reading the Week 10 Running Back Start/Sit, I encourage you to check out our other start/sit positional articles in the series using the navigation tool above.
Also, check out the Trade-Advice with Mychal Warno (@DynastyDadMike) for those who need more trade advice as we near the deadline.
