We’re heading into Week 10 of the NFL season and this is the first fantasy football article I’ve written this year. So, as one could assume, things aren’t going too well for my fantasy team. I’ve had a history of unlucky fantasy teams: an injured AJ Green in his prime, an injured Adrian Peterson coming off a First Team All-Pro season, a constantly injured Jordan Reed, an upset Le’veon Bell, and more. Coming into this year, however, I was determined to break the curse and make my league’s playoffs for the first time in three years. So, with that in mind, I drafted Saquon Barkely, Keenan Allen, Antonio Brown, David Montgomery, and Cam Newton as my first five picks. As you could expect, my squad is under .500 and Saquon is the only remaining player on my team.



Although my team has been struggling, it won’t stop me from handing out helpful fantasy tips. Last season, I didn’t incorporate my own suggestions onto my team and it turned out my predictions constantly came true. So, for the rest of the season, I’m going all in with my advice. Now, I can’t turn your 1-8 team into a playoff contender but I can surely tell you who is a must add to your squad for Week 10.



QB Pick-up: Kyler Murray, Ari



In this new generation of the NFL, mobile quarterbacks are a team’s most prized possession and there aren’t many who have the same impact as Kyler Murray. Don’t let the “rookie” label fool you, Murray is averaging 18.5 fantasy points a week and has gone five straight games without turning the ball over. Against San Francisco’s top tier scary defense, Murray passed for 24l yards and two touchdowns along with 34 yards on the ground for 23 fantasy points and a near win versus the last unbeaten team in the NFL. His talent unquestionably has defenses running all over the place and sets up an enormous upside matchup against Tampa Bay. Murray hasn’t been as effective getting into the endzone, but the Buccaneers defense has let up an average of 34 points and three quarterback touchdowns per game in their last six matchups (not to mention Russell Wilson’s five TD outing last week).



If Murray’s still on the waiver wire, I HIGHLY recommend picking him up and slotting him in your lineup this week. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 300 yards in the air, 50 yards on the ground, and four touchdowns from the Texas native against a weak Bucs defense.



FLEX Pick-up: WR Zach Pascal, IND



The Colts offense is banged up. Jacoby Brisset, T.Y. Hilton, and Paris Campbell have all been ruled out for Sunday’s game against Miami. Although it may leave some anxiety for Colts fans, it leaves a ton of opportunity for undrafted receiver Zach Pascal. After a quiet start to the season, Pascal has picked up the pace in light of the injuries to the receiver corps. He’s averaging 16 fantasy points in the past three games which includes a 28.6 point performance against Houston. Pascal did slow down in Week 8 against Denver, but bounced back with a strong 18.6 point performance against Pittsburgh.

Pascal and the Colts also have a heavily favorable matchup this week against Miami. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the Dolphins have been struggling real bad this season. So far this year, Miami has given up a league worst 14 receiving touchdowns and allowing 14.9 yards per catch to receivers. Considering his recent production, a new place on the depth chart, and the defense he’ll be lining up against on Sunday, Pascal is a sleeper in Week 10 and the guy you need to fill up your flex spot with.



D/ST Pickup: Indianapolis Colts D/ST, vs. MIA



While we’re on the Colts and Dolphins game, we might as well talk about the Colts defense. Now, this defense isn’t as explosive as the 49ers or the Patriots, but they’ve consistently scored an average of 8.5 points over the last four games. They haven’t scored a defensive touchdown yet this season, but Indy is ranked ninth in the league in both yards and points allowed. With many of the top defenses already taken, and yours potentially on their bye week, the Colts defense is a safe option this week.



But, wait! They’re playing the Dolphins! So, let me rephrase. With many of the top defenses already taken and yours potentially on their bye week, the Colts defense is a must add for this week. Not to trash Miami again, but the Dolphins give up the second most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses with 14.13 ppg. Over only eight games, Miami has given up a total of 12 interceptions and 32 sacks, third most in the league. The Colts are primed for a huge game Sunday on both sides of the ball and especially defensively. Don’t be intimidated by Miami’s win last week against a sloppy Jets team. Start the Colts defense, win your fantasy match against your cocky friend, and thank Miami in the Dolphins subreddit.



-Mateo Gutierrez



Photo Courtesy of The Athletic

