Fantasy: Week 10 Rankings - Analysis

theScore's Justin Boone is currently ranked number one in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition and is the second-ranked pro over the last three seasons. Scroll down to see his rankings for Week 10.

A final rankings update will be available on Sunday morning.

Quarterbacks

• Aaron Rodgers hurt his hamstring in a Week 8 loss to the Saints, but the Packers are coming off a bye and Rodgers should be ready to dial it up versus a weak Bears defense. 

• I went on record last week talking about how fantasy owners often overvalue a player's performance from the week before and I used Ben Roethlisberger as a prime example. I said there was no way he would be able to repeat his six-touchdown performance, especially in what is normally a tough divisional matchup with the Ravens. Turns out Big Ben was the exception to the rule. Now he gets to face the Jets, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He might throw for 10 touchdowns this week. 

• Matthew Stafford is a low-end QB1 this week in a tough matchup with a Dolphins defense that rendered Philip Rivers completely ineffective last week. However, with Calvin Johnson set to return, Stafford's value is on the rise as the fantasy playoffs near. People aren't talking about the Lions offense coming off a bye, but everything changes with Megatron back.

• Depending on the size of your league, Mark Sanchez (yes, that Mark Sanchez) is a borderline QB1 this week. Perhaps we should have seen this coming: the man who brought us the butt-fumble becomes his team's starter the week of the butt-touchdown. Sanchez played well for the Eagles in the preseason and with Chip Kelly calling the shots, the former Jets quarterback could be a decent fantasy starter the rest of the way. 

• Tony Romo joined his team on the flight to London, where their Week 10 matchup against the Jaguars takes place, but there are still no guarantees he starts. Brandon Weeden was so bad last week that you can be sure the team is sparing no expense to get Romo healthy. Even if if Romo does play, there will be a risk of re-injury. I don't have Romo ranked because I don't think he will play, but I'd be staying away from the Cowboys quarterback regardless of who is under center this week.  

• With the weapons in the Buccaneers offense, career backup Josh McCown had a chance to be a fantasy relevant quarterback this season. Unfortunately, he was unable to move the offense with any consistency early in the year and an injury in Week 3 sidelined him, causing the team to start Mike Glennon. Sitting at 1-7, the desperate Buccaneers are turning back to McCown as they search for a spark to ignite their offense. McCown will once again be surrounded by talent, but I wouldn't start him this week, even in a decent matchup with the Falcons. 

Running Backs

• Quietly, LeSean McCoy has averaged 107.5 rushing yards per game over his last four outings. Shady has only found the end zone once this season, but with Jason Kelce and Evan Mathis back in the lineup, McCoy is set for a big second half. There is also a chance that Sanchez will be able to help the running game, since he is a little more mobile than Nick Foles. 

• The Browns defense has allowed seven running backs to post 85 total yards or more against them this season. That's seven running backs in eight games. Next up is Jeremy Hill, who will get the bulk of the carries for the Bengals, as Giovani Bernard sits out the Thursday nighter. Hill is an instant RB1 with Bernard sidelined and is a top-five play this week. 

• The Browns may be generous to running backs, but the Falcons are as charitable as they come. Atlanta is giving up the most fantasy points to running backs this season, including a league-worst 13 rushing touchdowns. Bobby Rainey should lead the team in touches once again, after his 121-yard performance a week ago. Rainey's value takes a bit of a hit with Charles Sims expected to see snaps, but it's unlikely the Buccaneers hand the keys to the rookie right away. Rainey is an RB2 this week, while Sims is more of a flex option. 

• Lamar Miller is practicing in full this week, so it appears the shoulder injury he suffered last Sunday won't cause him to miss any time. Even at full strength, Miller will have a difficult time carving out yards against the Lions defense. He's been an RB1 in recent weeks, but you'll need to lower your expectations for this one, on the road against a Detroit team coming off their bye. 

• Fred Jackson dressed up as a the Tin Man for Halloween, but showed he's as sturdy as they come when he returned to practice this week. It was initially believed Jackson may miss up to four weeks with a groin injury, but he was back on the field in just two weeks. His status for Sunday's game is still in doubt, but if he plays he will be an automatic RB2 with RB1 upside (understanding the added risk of re-aggravating the injury). If Jackson is unable to suit up, Boobie Dixon should lead the backfield, with Bryce Brown being sprinkled in. 

• The Browns miss Alex Mack even more than anyone may have realized, but last week their running game got a bit of a boost when the club gave Terrance West more carries. Ben Tate had been unproductive for a couple weeks, but his 10-carry, three-yard performance last Sunday will likely cost him even more snaps moving forward. Isaiah Crowell remains the most talented back on the roster, but the team has been reluctant to give him carries. The Bengals have struggled against the run, making West a low-end RB2 Thursday night. 

• Tre Mason looks like the back to own in St. Louis, but we also thought that a couple weeks ago after he posted 85 yards on 18 carries, only to come out the next week and see seven carries.  If the Rams can stay in the game, Mason should see enough touches to be worth consideration in fantasy, but the Cardinals don't give up much to opposing rushers. 

• Both fantasy owners and Giants fans are begging Rashad Jennings to get healthy and return to action. Andre Williams has been a disappointment, but he did score a touchdown last week to save some value. Williams isn't used in the passing game and is facing the Seahawks defense in Seattle. Hopefully you have other options. 

Wide Receivers

• Calvin Johnson is going to play Sunday. If you were able to remain in the playoff hunt during his absence, your team is about to get a huge shot in the arm down the stretch. Antonio Brown is having an amazing year, Demaryius Thomas has been on a tear, but make no mistake: Megatron remains the best receiver in the NFL and in fantasy.

• That sound you hear is the buy-low window on Brandon Marshall closing. Make an offer for him before it's too late. 

• A.J. Green looked good in his return from injury last week. He scored a touchdown and had another called back on a penalty. This week he has to tangle with Joe Haden in a battle that has seen mixed results in the past. Green gets a slight bump down, but you can't bench elite talent regardless of the matchup.  Even with Green back in the lineup, Mohamed Sanu continued to produce. He is a low-end WR2 against the Browns. 

• No one is happier about Kyle Orton's presence in the Bills offense than Sammy Watkins, who has flourished since the veteran took over under center. The only thing that can hold Watkins back now is his health and it just might this week. The rookie injured his groin in practice and despite reports that he will be able to play, he did miss Thursday's session. His status will need to be monitored, but if he's on the field, he's a high-end WR2. 

• Just when Mike Evans appeared to be breaking out, the Buccaneers decide to make a change at quarterback. McCown was unable to power the offense in his first couple starts, but Evans has improved over the course of his rookie season and should be able to succeed regardless of who is throwing the ball. Evans and Vincent Jackson should deliver low-end WR2/high-end WR3 numbers this week.  

• Martavis Bryant hasn't seen more than seven targets in any of the three games he's played this season, but he's done the most with the looks he has received. Bryant is threat to score every week, evidenced by his five touchdowns in three games. With the Steelers offense humming, he's locked in as a WR3. 

• Sometimes wide receiver teammates can be tough to rank, especially as offenses evolve over the year. It's worth noting this week I have Odell Beckham Jr. higher than Rueben Randle, Anquan Boldin over Michael Crabtree, James Jones ahead of Andre Holmes, and Justin Hunter before Kendall Wright. 

• If Andrew Hawkins (questionable) is unable to play Thursday night, Taylor Gabriel will get a significant bump up the rankings. Taylor had five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown last week, and would become Brian Hoyer's most dangerous weapon if Hawkins were sidelined. 

• Cecil Shorts is dealing with a hamstring injury, and while he is confident he will play Sunday, he missed practice on Thursday. Fantasy owners need to keep an eye on Allen Hurns. 

Tight Ends

• One week removed from a knee scope, Owen Daniels played the majority of snaps for the Ravens and was his regular productive self, catching six passes for 53 yards. His Week 10 opponent is the Titans, who are middle-of-the-pack against tight ends, but will struggle to slow the Ravens offense down. Expects some red-zone targets for Daniels in this one. 

• Zach Ertz saw just two targets, while playing on a season-low 24 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. It was by far his worst fantasy outing of the season and the optimist in me thinks there is nowhere to go but up. If Sanchez can move the Eagles offense, Ertz should get opportunities, and his schedule is excellent down the stretch.  

• Travis Kelce is in a similar situation to Ertz, but has been more productive with his playing time and now has four touchdowns on the season, after catching another one last week. While the Eagles have a plethora of receiving options, the Chiefs have no choice but to give Kelce targets. he should remain a low-end TE1 the rest of the way. 

• A week removed from a seven-catch, 112-yard, one-touchdown performance, Heath Miller came up with just one catch in Week 10. The Steelers' offensive success doesn't require Miller to be involved, so he will remain a TE2 even in a good matchup with the Jets. 

Defense/Special Teams

Kickers