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2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers Projections Week 10 | Start ‘Em Picks & Matchup Plays

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2023

Week 10 of the NFL season is here. While there is a lot more time left in the NFL regular season, the Fantasy Football regular season is winding down.

In most formats, the fantasy playoffs will begin in either Week 14 or Week 15. In other words, the postseason is extremely close.

While some fantasy teams are trying to hold on to their playoff spot or fighting for that bye, others are making an attempt at a run to get in.

No matter how you slice it, you will probably need to rely on a few of my sleepers to accomplish whatever feat you are trying to attain.

Don’t let injuries and bye weeks bring you down. Read my sleepers, hope they hit, and let’s go chase a title.

Week 10 Byes: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Houston Texans

Please note that all NFL Week 10 odds and lines below are current as of 2:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 9.

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Quarterback

Ryan Tannehill, Tennesee Titans vs New Orleans Saints

  • Titans-Saints Total: 44.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 44.5 (-110), Under 44.5 (-110)

Ryan Tannehill has had his ebbs and flows this season. However, without Derrick Henry, Tannehill will need to step up his game to keep the Titans flying high in the AFC.

While Tannehill didn’t deliver like may think he would in a presumed shootout last week with the Rams, game-script dictated fewer throws. While Tannehill didn’t pop, he didn’t disappoint, either.

He ended Week 9 with 17.5 fantasy points. He’s now scored 17.1+ points in four consecutive games, including two games in the 20s. He’s also rushed for three scores in his past four games as well.

Tannehill is finding ways to accumulate fantasy points the way the Titans are finding ways to win.

In Week 10, Tannehill will get the Saints, whose defense ranks just outside the bottom 10 in FPPG allowed (22.8) to enemy passers. They’ve been a solid defense all season, but have let both Tom Brady and Matt Ryan top 32 fantasy points on them in the past two games.


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Deep QB Week 10 Sleeper: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys

  • Falcons-Cowboys Total: 53.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 53.5 (-110), Under 53.5 (-110)

No Calvin Ridley. No Julio Jones. No problem? Who needs them when you have Cordallrelle Patterson?

Welcome to fantasy football in 2021.

Like Tannehill, Matt Ryan is a veteran quarterback who has had his own share of ups and downs in 2021. However, also similar to Tannehill, Ryan has come on of late.

Since Week 4 against the Giants, Ryan has finished with 24.8+ fantasy points in five of his past six games. He is also coming off of his best fantasy outing of the year, dropping 32 on the Saints in Week 9 throwing for 342 yards and two scores while also adding a rare rushing touchdown as well.

Ryan has passed for 2+ touchdowns in six of his past seven games.

Look for Ryan to have another strong outing against the Cowboys on Sunday. Dallas’ defense is surrendering the fourth-most FPPG (25.0) to enemy signal-callers. Despite their Week 9 letdown, the Cowboys normally play with a lead or are in shootouts, which bodes well for Ryan’s fantasy outlook.

A 53.5 projected total helps his cause as well.

More Week 10 QB Sleepers To Consider

  • Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Running Back

Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders

  • Cheifs-Raiders Total: 52 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 52 (-110), Under 52 (-110)

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee, IR) sidelined another game, Darrel Williams will continue to operate as the Kansas City RB1.

While it looked like he was going to cede touches to Derrick Gore, let’s pump the brakes. Gore only had four touches for 21 yards in Week 9. Meanwhile, Williams had 22 touches for 77 total yards.

Williams has been solid sans-CEH and has finished with 10.7+ PPR points in four of his six games since Week 4. He doesn’t score a lot, only recording three touchdowns in that period, but Williams will bring a high floor thanks to his yards and opportunity-share, more so his receptions.

Williams has had 3+ receptions in five straight games.

Williams gets the Raiders on Sunday. Las Vegas’ defense is allowing 25.3 FPPG to enemy backs, ranking just outside the bottom 10 in the NFL. The Raiders’ defense has surrendered 10.3 PPR points to the opposing team’s lead back in every game this season.

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs Philadelphia Eagles

  • Eagles-Broncos Total: 45 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 45 (-110), Under 45 (-110)

Javonte Williams shares a backfield with Melvin Gordon, and both are productive in fantasy. While both Gordon (RB15) and Williams (RB24) are top 24 backs in PPR, the rookie may be overshadowed by the notably-named veteran.

Last week against Dallas, Williams popped both on film and on the stat sheet. While he only ended the game with 11.1 PPR points, he rushed for 111 yards on 17 carries and dominated on the road. He’s gone for 11.1 PPR points in four of his past seven games.

While he failed to log a target last week, he had 3+ targets in each of the past six games leading into Week 9.

Williams has logged 10+ touches in every game this season and will look to maintain his success in a favorable Sunday matchup with the Eagles. Philly’s defense is yielding the seventh-most FPPG (26.8) to running backs. They’ve been gashed all season which will continue in Week 10.

The Eagles’ defense has allowed 11 different backs drop 10+ PPR points on them in nine games.

Deep RB Week 10 Sleeper: Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

  • Bills-Jets Total: 47.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 47.5 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110)

Zack Moss exited Week 9’s loss to the Jaguars with a concussion, putting him in danger of missing Sunday’s tilt at the Jets. If Moss is ruled out, Devin Singletary will operate as the Bills RB1.

Even if Moss plays, I am still in on Singletary, whose been more active in the past few games.

Granted, neither Buffalo rusher has been killing it in fantasy, but Singletary is coming off of his first double-digit point outing since Week 2. He ended Week 9 with 12.9 PPR points. He only had 13 touches for 59 total yards, but seven of those touches were receptions.

Singletary has drawn 5+ targets in two of his past three games, which raises his projected PPR floor. He takes that floor into a terrific matchup at the Jets, whose defense is allowing the most FPPG (37.4) to backs.

Singletary has been hit or miss, but the Jets have allowed a back to score in every game since Week 2.

More Week 10 RB Sleepers To Consider

  • A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahawks
  • Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Wide Receiver

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots

  • Patriots-Browns Total: 45 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 45 (-110), Under 45 (-110)

If orange is the new black, then DPJ is the new OBJ.

I am all-in on Donovan Peoples-Jones. Contrary to Odell Beckham Jr., Peoples-Jones has developed a rapport with Baker Mayfield. OBJ is the superior receiver, but sometimes two players just don’t ever gel.

In each of his past three games, Peoples-Jones has delivered 12+ PPR points, topping out at 26.1. In addition to drawing 3+ targets in each of those outings, he’s also scored three times in his past two games while going for 70+ receiving yards in all three while recording 101 yards once.

DPJ will get the Patriots in Week 10, a team that you can throw on. The Patriots’ defense has played better of late, but they can be exploited by the big play, especially if Nick Chubb can get going on the ground, opening up the play-action pass.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins vs Baltimore Ravens

  • Titans-Saints Total: 46.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 46.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110)

The Dolphins have been riddled by injuries to receivers all season long. Jaylen Waddle has been the last man standing, and for the most part, the rookie has delivered.

Waddle has accumulated 10+ PPR points in six of his nine games this season. He’s also drawn 8+ targets in those games as well, including four games with 10+.

I love his high floor in PPR, which he brings no matter who is under center for Miami.

On paper, this is not a terrific matchup with the Ravens. But I am anticipating the Dolphins playing from behind, which means ample targets for Waddle.

Deep WR Week 10 Sleeper: Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys

  • Falcons-Cowboys Total: 53.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 53.5 (-110), Under 53.5 (-110)

Now that Russell Gage is healthy, he is finally finding his way in 2021. In two of his past three games since returning from his ankle injury, Gage has put up 13.4+ PPR points.

He did blank in Week 8 against Carolina, but reports suggest he was dealing with a groin injury.

Gage will operate as the WR1 for the Falcons in Ridley’s absence. He’s drawn 6+ targets in two of his past three games with a season-high of eight last week. He caught a season-best seven passes in last week’s win over the Saints as well.

Gage will bring his high floor into a terrific Week 10 tilt facing a Cowboys defense that ranks No. 23 in FPPG allowed (38.9) to enemy wideouts. In a game with a projected 53.5 total, anticipate the Falcons in a shootout or playing within a negative game script, which bodes well for Gage’s fantasy outlook in PPR.

More Week 10 WR Sleepers To Consider

  • Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans
  • Marvin Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Tight End

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs Cleveland Browns

  • Patriots-Browns Total: 45 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 45 (-110), Under 45 (-110)

Hunter Henry is touchdown or bust, but he appears to be Mac Jones‘ top pass-catching weapon in the red zone. Henry has scored in five of his past six games, but because he is not garnering a ton of targets, he is not bringing the receptions or the yards to the table enough for him to pop.

While Henry has drawn fewer than four targets in each of his past four games, his red-zone opportunity is difficult to pass up in fantasy. He should get another one against the Browns in a middle-of-the-pack matchup.

Deep TE Week 10 Sleeper: Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

  • Colts-Jaguars Total: 47.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 47.5 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110)

If you need a high-floor tight end in PPR, Dan Arnold is your guy. Arnold has drawn 5+ targets in each of his past four games, including three games with 7+.

In the games where he’s had 7+ targets, Arnold has delivered 10+ PPR points. He’s drawn 7+ looks and 10+ PPR points in back-to-back games.

Arnold will look to maintain his recent run in a plus Week 10 matchup against the Colts, whose defense has been gashed for 16.2 FPPG by enemy tight ends, good for sixth-most in the NFL. The Colts are allowing the second-most receptions (55) to tight ends as well along with the eighth-most yards (544) and the second-most scores (6).

More Week 10 TE Sleepers To Consider

  • Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angles Chargers

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Kicker

Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys

  • Falcons-Cowboys Total: 53.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 53.5 (-110), Under 53.5 (-110)

Younghoe Koo entered 2021 with a ton of hype, but he failed to deliver early on due to the struggles of the Falcons’ offense However, now that the Atlanta offense is getting on track, we’ve seen Koo follow suit.

Koo has managed 9+ kicker points in three of his past four games. He enters a game with the Cowboys with a projected 53.5 point total. Koo could have his best game of the year in Week 10.

More Week 10 PK Sleepers To Consider

  • Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos vs Philadelphia Eagles
  • Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals

2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 10: Defensive Team

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions

  • Lions-Steelers Total: 43.5 via Caesars Sportsbook
  • Over 43.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110)

The Steelers’ defense has been disappointing in fantasy, but they have the right matchup to get on track in Week 10 against the Lions. While the Steelers were in a good spot last week against the Bears, Chicago employs Justin Fields, who can open the game up with his legs.

Jared Goff won’t do that.

Look for the Steelers to pop for their most productive fantasy outing of the year in Week 10. If it doesn’t happen against the Lions, it’s not going to happen in 2021.

Other Week 10 D/ST To Consider

  • Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
  • Philadelphia Eagles @ Denver Broncos

Want more Week 10 fantasy football advice? Check out our Week 10 Fantasy Football Best Waiver Wire Adds.


NFL Week 10 Injuries to Monitor

  • QB Trevor Lawrence (ankle)
  • QB Sam Darnold (concussion)
  • RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee)
  • RB Chase Edmonds (ankle)
  • RB Damien Harris (head)
  • RB Zack Moss (concussion)
  • RB Devontae Booker (hip)

Anthony’s Accountable: Sleeper Pick Success Rate

This is a recap of my plays from Week 9 (skill position players only). I consider a sleeper a hit if the player scores 10-plus PPR points (15-plus for QBs):

Anthony’s Sleepers are 59-48-1 this season.

  • QB Daniel Jones (8.10)
  • QB Carson Wentz (24.18)
  • RB Myles Gaskin (15.7)
  • RB Boston Scott (4.0)
  • RB Michael Carter (9.6)
  • WR Jaylen Waddle (16.3)
  • WR Tyler Boyd (2.1)
  • WR Jamison Crowder (8.8)
  • TE Jared Cook (10.8)
  • TE Pat Freiermuth (21.3)
  • K Brandon McManus (13)
  • DST Steelers (7.0)

Author

Anthony Cervino

Anthony Cervino is an NFL Writer and Betting Analyst for The Game Day. He is also a lifelong NFL savant and self-proclaimed league historian. In the industry, Anthony has excelled in both the fantasy football and sports betting space with fantasy his proverbial bread and butter. Anthony has made appearances on SiriusXM, amongst other publications. He is also the co-creator of the FF Faceoff (Faceoff Sports Network) and the FF Faceoff Mental Health Podathon partnered with the Hayden Hurst Foundation. Industry Clout: 15th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for both draft and in-season accuracy (2019) | 8th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for sleepers (2020) | 13th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for in-season accuracy, including 2nd at quarterback and 3rd at tight end (2021).

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