Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 10 vs. Steelers
By Seth Jones
The Pittsburgh Steelers boast arguably the toughest test for the Washington Commanders offense yet in 2024, especially for fantasy purposes. The New York Giants were a challenge last week, yet they pulled through and had a solid fantasy performance as a whole. This should create optimism going into Week 10.
After a 7-2 start, the offense has proved to be one of the best in the league. They are likely going to put up good numbers, no matter the match-up.
Let's get into the starts and sits from a Commanders' perspective in Week 10 at Northwest Stadium.
All stats are courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 10
Starts
Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels continues to dominate fantasy, putting up 20-plus points in all but three matchups thus far. It's also worth noting that one of those came after he went down after the opening drive versus the Carolina Panthers. The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU sits at QB3 on the season.
He has proven he is match-up proof. Even though the Steelers are allowing the third-least points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy, Daniels should still be started as a high-end QB1 this week.
Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler had a little uptick in volume with Brian Robinson Jr. out last week. The No. 1 running back has been ruled out for a second contest in a row, giving the veteran free-agent signing another game to take the lead back role.
Even with a tough match-up against the Giants, Ekeler put up an RB13 finish with 17.3 points in PPR (points per reception) format. Eleven carries and four targets, along with a touchdown, helped out that finish. Don't expect him to be a workhorse, as Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will both be involved as well.
There could be several moments when the Commanders are down. With Ekeler being the primary passing down back, this could lead to a lot of targets. Start him as a flex play this week.
Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin had a rough game when you look at the big picture last week, only earning three targets and 19 receiving yards on the day. Luckily, two touchdowns saved his fantasy performance.
Nobody should worry about McLaurin. In the games where he does not have a big yardage total, the wide receiver seems to always come down with a touchdown. There likely will not be another game this season where his target share is so low.
This has been a dominant fantasy year for McLaurin. He is currently the WR7 on the season, and still the WR3 since Week 3. Commanders fans knew what he was capable of with a real quarterback, and he is proving them right.
This is a tough one for McLaurin, The Steelers are currently conceding the 11th-least fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will also likely be covering him for the majority of the game. With that being said, he should be in for another good outing.
Start McLaurin as a high-end WR2 this week.
Noah Brown
This is a start specifically for deeper leagues.
Noah Brown has now truly solidified himself as the WR2. He has earned six targets in both the last two games for the Commanders, showing that he has a role in the offense. McLaurin bringing in double coverage on most plays, the pass-catcher will have an easier time getting open.
Start Brown as a flex play in deeper leagues this week.
Sits
Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Both of these backs will likely serve as the RB2-A and RB2-B for the team with Ekeler getting the lead-back role. Even though that will convert to some work for Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr., it will not be enough to play them in fantasy, even in deep leagues.
Keep both McNichols and Rodriguez on your benches this week.
Other Commanders' wide receivers
Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Dyami Brown are still in this constant cycle every week. Neither gets enough targets or snaps to have consistent production. Once in a while, one of them will have a big week, but it is not even close to consistent.
Leave McCaffrey, Zaccheaus and Brown on your benches.
Zach Ertz
Last week Zach Ertz only earned one target and 48 percent of the snaps against the Giants. This could mean he is starting to get phased out of the game plan to allow room for rookie Ben Sinnott and young tight end John Bates.
After the major lackluster Week 9, leave Ertz on the bench.
Commanders Defense
Even though the defense has been solid as of late, this is not a match-up to play them in fantasy. The Steelers offense has had a new life under veteran Russell Wilson. If Marshon Lattimore was playing it would be a better match-up, but with the newly acquired cornerback out, this is not the week for the defense in fantasy.
Leave the Commanders defense on waivers this week.
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