Week 10 brings a wave of quarterback changes across the NFL, with Kirk Cousins (Minnesota), Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas), Carson Beck (Arizona), Jacoby Brissett (Baltimore) and Kyle McCord (Miami) making their first starts of the season for their new teams. Four teams are on bye, removing Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Baker Mayfield and Joe Milton III from fantasy lineups. Patrick Mahomes (elbow) is expected to play at Atlanta and remains a viable No. 1 option, especially after the Chiefs acquired Josh Downs from Indianapolis.
Quarterbacks to Start
Jared Goff (Detroit) faces the Patriots in Germany. Despite cooling off with 11.1 and 5.3 fantasy points in his last two games, Goff has top-five upside against a New England defense that has allowed two of the past three opposing quarterbacks to score at least 26.1 points. He is projected for 21.1 points.
C.J. Stroud (Houston) rebounded spectacularly in Week 9 with 384 passing yards, five touchdowns and 45.4 fantasy points. He has scored at least 20.5 points in six of eight games, including five straight, and faces a Cleveland defense that just allowed 21.7 points to Tyler Shough. Stroud is projected for 19.7 points with top-10 upside.
Jordan Love (Green Bay) rematches Minnesota after scoring 23.5 points in Week 1. Love has topped 20.9 points in five consecutive games and has hit 20+ points in 23 of 34 career games with 30+ pass attempts. He is projected for 17.6 points but carries top-10 potential.
Dak Prescott (Dallas) enters a potential shootout against San Francisco having scored at least 21.8 points in three straight games. Prescott has passed for 234+ yards and two touchdowns in three of four career meetings with the 49ers. Projected for 23.4 points.
Bryce Young (Carolina) broke a slump with 26.3 points against Denver and faces a New Orleans defense that has allowed three of the last four opposing quarterbacks to score 20.3+ points. Young is projected for 21.4 points as a borderline top-10 option.
Sleepers
Tyler Shough (New Orleans) posted 21.7 points against Cleveland in Week 9 and has rushed for 32+ yards in two of his last three games. Carolina has allowed four quarterbacks in the past six games to score 19.7+ points. Shough could be a top-10 play.
Geno Smith (N.Y. Jets) draws a Buffalo defense that has struggled against lesser competition recently. Smith has scored 22+ points in two of his last three games and is a low-end starter in all leagues, especially if Garrett Wilson returns from concussion.
Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh) faces Cincinnati again after a 28.7-point outburst in Week 3. The Bengals have allowed two quarterbacks in their last four games to score 20.9+ points. Rodgers is a low-end starter in all leagues.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Matthew Stafford (L.A. Rams) lacks Puka Nacua and Davante Adams against Arizona. Stafford has scored 13.2 points or fewer in his last two games and should only be used in Superflex/two-QB leagues.
J.J. McCarthy (N.Y. Giants) plays through a hip injury against Washington. Despite a favorable matchup, McCarthy has yet to reach 20 fantasy points or throw multiple touchdowns in three appearances. Only for Superflex/two-QB leagues.
Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta) has combined for just 13.6 points in his last two games and faces a Kansas City defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Only for Superflex/two-QB leagues.
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota) returns to the Vikings but faces a Green Bay defense that has held all but three opposing quarterbacks under 20 points this season. Cousins is only a Superflex/two-QB play, especially if Micah Parsons (knee) is active.
