Which rookie running backs to start and who to sit Week 10 for NFL fantasy football owners will focus on some interesting matchups this week.
One of the big games this week is a matchup between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This game could be a perfect opportunity for Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson to breakout in the passing game. With increased snaps, the Ohio State product has shown signs of being an impact on offense more consistently. He hasn’t been utilized much in the passing game, that may change in Sunday’s showdown in Tampa.
In another big matchup in Week 10, the Houston Texans will try to stay relevant in the AFC South without C.J. Stroud who has been ruled out due to a concussion. That puts some of the pressure on the running game, which means fourth-round pick Woody Marks could see increased snaps and more targets out of the backfield.
As for the top rookie in the 2025 NFL Draft class, it will take a massive game by Ashton Jeanty for the Las Vegas Raiders to have a chance against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Will he be up to the challenge?
Here’s a look at who to start and who to sit in Week 10 of NFL fantasy football.
NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
RB– Quinshon Judkins, RB15, Cleveland Browns (2-6) vs. New York Jets (1-7)
It’s a great week to start Quinshon Judkins. The Jets traded their best two defenders at the trade deadline, including Quinnen Williams. Coming off a bye week, Judkins is refueled after rushing for just 19 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 8. Prior to that, the Browns’ second-round pick rushed for over 80 yards in three of his previous 4 games and should have a big week against a Jets team that has appeared to have thrown in the towel for the 2025 NFL season. Those are two reason Judkins is a must-start in Week 10 for fantasy football owner.
RB– TreVeyon Henderson, RB20, New England Patriots (7-2) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
TreVeyon Henderson has been featured a bit more the last couple of weeks for the Patriots. In playing 75% of the snaps in the team’s win against the Atlanta Falcons, Henderson was effective earning 12+ fantasy points in Week 9. His biggest value has been outside runs and getting him into space and expect the Patriots to do more of that in a big Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An area and strength of Henderson that has not really been featured yet is him catching the ball. With the Buccaneers ranked 32nd in receiving yards allowed to running backs, this may be the game Henderson breaks out as a pass catching running back.
RB– Kyle Monangai, RB12, Chicago Bears (5-3) vs. New York Giants (2-7)
Go with the hot running back here. The Giants have a stout defensive front, but also a team that has tackling issues and for Kyle Monangai, who is 7th among running backs in forced missed tackles per carry, this services as a favorable matchup for seventh-round pick to put together a good game. In his rookie season, Monangai is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and is coming off a 176-yard rushing performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Can he put together back-to-back big performances?
To note: Monangai has been listed as limited due to an ankle injury and his status for Sunday is worth watching. If he’s a go, start him due to his dual-threat ability and his confidence riding off a 198-yard performance from scrimmage in filling in for D’Andre Swift.
RB– Woody Marks, RB28, Houston Texans (3-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
In this big AFC South showdown, look for Texans’ fourth-round pick Woody Marks to have a similar game as he had against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8. In that game, Marks rushed for 62 yards on 5.6 yards per carry and caught the ball for another 49 yards. If the Texans are going to get one at home against the Jaguars, it will take that type of performance. A lot of pressure to put on a rookie, but the Texans will be leaning on their running game with C.J. Stroud ruled out.
NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
RB– Ashton Jeanty, RB14, Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) vs. Denver Broncos (7-2)
If the Raiders are to go into Mile High on Thursday Night football and upset the Denver Broncos, it will take a heavy dose of Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders’ first-round pick rushed for just 42 yards in an overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Broncos present a much tougher defense, so this is not a good matchup for Jeanty unless the Raiders get him out in space with the pass. Jeanty did have 5 receptions for 47 yards against the Jaguars so if the Raiders can find ways to Jeanty the ball often he could get some decent fantasy points, but it’s a tough task against the Broncos’ top 10 rush defense.
RB – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB33, Washington Commanders (3-6) vs. Detroit Lions (5-3)
Jacory Croskey-Merritt hasn’t rushed for over 40 yards the last three games and it doesn’t look great for the Commanders’ rookie in Week 10. Croskey-Merritt is questionable going into the matchup against the Detroit Lions and if he does play, it could be a tough game for him to get going again as the Lions are ranked in the top 10 in rushing defense with 94.5 yards allowed per game. With Jayden Daniels out for Week 10, the Lions will put a lot of pressure on the Commanders’ offense in this divisional round rematch. That will include locking in on Croskey-Merritt if he is able to go.
NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Sleeper
RB– RJ Harvey, RB22, Denver Broncos (7-2) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
RJ Harvey is starting to make noise as a key contributor in the Broncos’ offense. In rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, Harvey is showing his value on the ground, but an area to watch when it comes to Harvey is his pass-catching impact. So far this season, Harvey has 23 receptions for 166 yards and four touchdowns. In a quick-passing attack, expect the Broncos to utilize their rookie more in this AFC West matchup against the Raiders. Lean towards starting him, but it would be mostly due to watch he can do in the passing game.
RB– Bhayshul Tuten, RB40, Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) vs. Houston Texans (3-5)
Another sleeper this week is Bhyshul Tuten who rushed for a touchdown and had a carry of 11 yards in an overtime victory against the Raiders. The rookie hasn’t flashed as expected, but as the season moves forward, he is getting more touches. He had 5 carries for 22 yards against the Los Angeles Rams and 9 carries for 29 yards in that matchup against the Raiders. As the Jaguars use him more, his potential will start to show more and more. Not a trusted must-start for fantasy football owners, but a rookie running back to keep your eye on towards the latter part of the season.