How are we already at Week 10? Or if you're struggling, "Why isn't this season over?" As long as you haven't been eliminated from playoff contention, you've got a shot. If you started Jaxon Smith-Njigba last weekend, you netted Week 9's #1 fantasy scorer. If you were desperate enough to start Demarcus Robinson or Mike Gesicki, you collected 27 points. Daniel Jones was the QB4. Anything is possible.
So heading into tomorrow's contests, let's break down the top fantasy storyline I'm following for each team, with a greater focus on intriguing streamers rather than great players who might tank.
Panthers -- Xavier Legette has scored in four of his last six games. The rookie has been a deep-league stash all year. Now he's well-positioned to become Carolina's #1 WR the rest of the way.
Giants -- Another rookie: Theo Johnson. With Darius Slayton sidelined, New York's once again thin at receiver. Johnson has 3+ catches in four of his last five games, and even when he caught nothing three weeks ago, he still played on 90% of the team's offensive snaps. Johnson is shaping up to be, at minimum, a solid second-tier option on a team frequently playing from behind.
Bears -- DJ Moore's stock couldn't be much lower. As highlighted this summer, this is the first time he's not the clear-cut alpha, and that could have an impact. Well, it has, and he's clearly frustrated. If your trade deadline hasn't passed, with Keenan Allen's career clearly winding down, this is the time to pounce on Moore.
Patriots -- Will Hunter Henry slow down, and/or will DeMario Douglas ramp up? The latter rebounded a bit this past Sunday, but is truly on the streamer/benching fence in deep leagues.
Colts -- This will be Joe Flacco's first home start since Week 17 last season, when he beat the Jets to (almost inexplicably) help secure a postseason bid for Cleveland. Before last weekend's debacle in Minnesota, he'd thrown 2+ TD passes in eight straight games. Can we still call Flacco a receiver-elevating QB?
Bills -- With Keon Coleman out, Amari Cooper has an opportunity to shine, as long as he's not hindered by a wrist injury. Can he operate as Josh Allen's unquestionable #1 WR?
Chiefs -- The last undefeated team, and a mostly four-headed offense. That leaves me wondering if -- somehow -- Justin Watson or Mecole Hardman can be relevant, especially if head coach Andy Reid eases up on Travis Kelce's usage. The all-world TE has seen 28 looks these past two games, and his snap count this season is at a three-year high. I'm hard-pressed to believe Kelce will continue anywhere close to this clip, and that should create an opening for Watson or Hardman, especially if JuJu Smith-Schuster remains sidelined.
Broncos -- Is this the week Audric Estime pushes Javonte Williams for at least a share of #1 duties?
Saints -- Beyond Alvin Kamara and presumably Taysom Hill, who will contribute to this offense with Chris Olave ailing? Juwan Johnson is a terrific dart throwthis week, especially against an Atlanta D yielding the fourth-most TE receiving yards.
Falcons -- Even with Drake London on the right side of questionable, should we view Darnell Mooney as a must-start?
Buccaneers -- This backfield battle remains fascinating if you're not rostering any of them, and frustrating if you are. Still waiting to see if it clears up, and each passing week that seems less likely.
49ers -- The return of Christian McCaffrey: How much volume will he receive, and assuming Jordan Mason's out, can Isaac Guerendo play well enough to remain even semi-relevant when Mason returns? Remember, Guerendo has looked mostly unbenchable while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Commanders -- If Brian Robinson returns, will he get more fantasy points than Austin Ekeler? The latter is having a bit of a resurgence and is becoming hard to keep out of deep-league lineups.
Steelers -- Last weekend, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin combined for a 7-116-1 receiving line. The acquisition of Mike Williams might cancel everyone out and even cap George Pickens. Or . . . maybe Williams is more of a name these days than a weekly impact receiver.
Jaguars -- Should managers try to trade for Travis Etienne at, say, 50% of his preseason value? It really could go either way.
Vikings -- The ramping up of T.J. Hockenson: Is he a safe start?
Chargers -- Can we trust both Quentin Johnston *and* Ladd McConkey?
Titans -- I don't like to chase touchdowns, but Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has scored in four straight along with steadily increasing targets and yards.
Cowboys -- Is Cooper Rush streamable in a seemingly plus offense that in actuality has been operating as a sub-par offense?
Eagles -- In his last three games, Kenneth Gainwell has secured 25 touches. With Saquon Barkley on pace for 376 touches -- and potentially 400+ if Philly reached the playoffs -- we might expect Gainwell to remain at least semi-involved in the short term.
Cardinals -- Trey Benson had nine touches last weekend. Perhaps more importantly, four of those came in the first half. Even more important, after James Conner rushed six yards to the opposing Bears' 1-yard line, Arizona turned to Benson to punch it in on 3rd-and-goal. Bookmark that, and let's see if it's a sign of things to come.
Jets -- Aaron Rodgers has produced 17+ fantasy points in three of his last four games, after doing that only once in his first five games. Is he now a locked-in streamer?
Texans -- C.J. Stroud has been going in the opposite directly, largely due to WR injuries. But he's also absorbed 30 sacks and leads the league with 229 yards lost on sacks. Assuming Nico Collins remains out, should Stroud remain on most benches?
Lions -- Maybe Sam LaPorta will have a couple of great performances the rest of this year. But with Detroit cooking at 7-1, there's probably not much urgency to shake things up. He averaged 7.1 targets as a rookie. This year it's 3.3. The Lions are averaging the third-fewest pass attempts per game, down from 9th last year. In real terms, it's 8.2 fewer throws per game. Barring a dramatic shift, it's almost impossible to envision LaPorta becoming a consistent fantasy starter this season.
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