The Thursday Night Football showdown between the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos brings plenty of intrigue for fantasy managers in Week 10. The Broncos are tied at the top of the NFL with a 7-2 record and look to continue their winning streak against the Raiders, who have won one of their last six games. Below, I’ll explain who you can trust in your lineups, who should stay on the bench, and which players fall into that tricky gray area for Thursday night.
Lock Them into Your Lineup
Brock Bowers TE (LV)
Ashton Jeanty RB (LV)
Strong Starts
Bo Nix QB (DEN)
Bo Nix should remain a confident start for fantasy football managers in Week 10 as he continues to shine at home, where he’s been nearly unstoppable. Over his last two home games, Nix has combined for 75.6 fantasy points, and he’s maintained over a 20 PPG average at home over his career. His dual-threat ability has been on full display recently, producing 699 passing yards, eight total touchdowns, and 83 rushing yards across his last three contests. Nix faces a Las Vegas defense that has surrendered 21 or more fantasy points to three of the last four opposing quarterbacks, setting up another favorable matchup.
Fantasy managers should start Nix confidently in all formats this week. Despite his rough outing against Houston last week, he typically cashes in on favorable matchups. The Broncos are favored to win at home, and Nix’s ability to extend plays with his legs raises his fantasy floor. Facing a Raiders defense that struggles to contain dual-threat QBs, Nix projects as one of the safest and highest-upside fantasy options of the week. Expect another 20+ point performance from the second-year QB.
Courtland Sutton WR (DEN)
Courtland Sutton enters Week 10 as a strong fantasy start in a get-right matchup against the Raiders. While Sutton’s production dipped recently, scoring 10.7 PPR points or fewer in three of his last four, he has found the end zone to salvage some bad performances from being worse. Although Troy Franklin has emerged as the team’s target leader in recent weeks, Sutton typically draws the most attention and only struggles in tough matchups.
Sutton has a strong track record against Las Vegas, posting at least 13 PPR points in three of his last five meetings. The Raiders’ defense has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and at least one receiver has scored 17+ PPR points against them in consecutive games. Sutton could easily deliver his second multi-catch touchdown game of the year if Nix continues his hot streak. Expect a bounce-back performance and WR2-level fantasy production in Week 10.
Troy Franklin WR (DEN)
Troy Franklin continues to establish himself as one of the most important weapons in Denver’s offense and is a worthy start in fantasy football for Week 10. Over his past three games, Franklin has commanded 28 total targets, the most on the team, and has become Bo Nix’s go-to receiver in key situations. Although his Week 9 stat line (4 receptions for 27 yards) was modest, his 10 targets showed his role remains secure. He’s leading Denver in target share, air yards, and end-zone targets, and his growing chemistry with Nix makes him a strong flex option the rest of the season.
The Raiders have struggled to contain high-volume passing attacks, allowing the 12th-most passing yards per game this season. While the Raiders have kept most receivers under 90 yards, they’ve recently been exploited by slot and motion-heavy offenses, two areas where Franklin benefits from most. Start him with confidence in PPR formats, as his volume alone should translate to double-digit fantasy points with the potential for more.
Players to Sit
Geno Smith QB (LV)
Fantasy managers should sit Geno Smith in Week 10 despite his best performance of the season last week against Jacksonville. Smith’s four-touchdown, 284-yard outing was an encouraging sign, but it came after weeks of inconsistency, as he’s still averaging just 13.0 fantasy points per game on the season. The Raiders’ quarterback now faces a Denver defense that ranks top five in defensive DVOA and allows only 14.0 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Smith’s turnover issues remain a major red flag, with 11 interceptions through nine weeks. Against a relentless Broncos pass rush that leads the league in pressure rate, Smith’s floor is dangerously low.
Fantasy football managers should avoid starting Smith in any traditional formats this week. Denver’s secondary has been elite at limiting passing touchdowns, and with the Raiders’ offensive line ranking near the bottom of the league in pass protection, it’s unlikely his line keeps him upright against the league’s best pass rush. Expect regression from last week’s outlier performance, which will result in turnover-prone results. Sit Smith in Week 10 unless you are completely desperate at the position.
Tre Tucker WR (LV)
Tre Tucker steps into the WR1 role for the Raiders after Jakobi Meyers’ trade to Jacksonville, but fantasy managers should sit him in Week 10 against Denver. Tucker has flashed big-play potential earlier this season, including his three-touchdown explosion against Washington, but he has not scored or caught more than five passes since that game. The Broncos have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game and just two touchdowns to opposing receivers all year. Even with star corner Patrick Surtain II sidelined, Denver’s scheme has smothered receivers and limited yards after the catch. Tucker’s expanded role is promising long-term but comes with significant short-term risk.
In fantasy football terms, Tucker should remain on benches this week until his usage becomes more stable. While he played 97% of offensive snaps in Week 9, his four targets were hardly screaming consistency. Denver’s defense ranks fourth in defensive efficiency and has been particularly stingy against vertical threats, which is where Tucker makes his living. Expect a modest stat line with limited scoring opportunities as the Raiders likely lean on the run and short passing game. Tucker’s rest-of-season upside is intriguing, but he’s not worth starting against one of the toughest defenses in football.
Tyler Lockett WR (LV)
Tyler Lockett is an easy sit in Week 10 after an extremely limited debut with the Raiders. The veteran receiver played just 19 offensive snaps last week and saw only one target, operating behind both Tre Tucker and the tight ends in the pecking order. Las Vegas’ offense has been one of the least efficient units in football, ranking 30th in DVOA, and they now face a Denver defense ranked fourth overall. Lockett’s lack of involvement, combined with the Raiders’ poor passing volume, makes him a non-factor in most fantasy leagues. Even if he sees a small bump in snaps, his chemistry with Geno Smith has not yet materialized in this new system.
Fantasy managers should sit Lockett this week and monitor his usage in future games. Denver’s defense has limited opposing wideouts to just 22 combined fantasy points per game, suffocating both slot and boundary receivers. Lockett’s best-case scenario involves 5–7 targets, which likely won’t translate into meaningful production given the matchup. Unless Las Vegas dramatically increases his role, he offers no reliable floor or ceiling for fantasy purposes. Keep him on your bench until he proves capable of commanding volume in this new offense.
Evan Engram TE (DEN)
Evan Engram has fallen off the fantasy radar in recent weeks and should be benched for Week 10 against the Raiders. Once expected to be a centerpiece of Denver’s short-passing attack, Engram has seen his role get even smaller, totaling just seven targets over the past two games and going catchless in Week 9. The Raiders have been elite against tight ends, allowing only 6.0 fantasy points per game and just two touchdowns to the position all year. Denver’s offense has shifted toward featuring Troy Franklin and RJ Harvey on screens, leaving Engram as an afterthought. His snap share has also dipped below 60%, further limiting his upside.
Fantasy football managers should sit Engram in Week 10 unless desperate at tight end. The Raiders’ linebackers and safeties have excelled in coverage, holding tight ends to minimal yards after the catch. Even if Engram sees a few short targets, his lack of red-zone usage makes it nearly impossible for him to hit double-digit points. Denver’s offensive scheme has not favored tight ends since the early part of the season, and there are far better streaming options available.
Other options to consider sitting:
- Marvin Mims Jr WR (DEN)
- Jack Bech WR (LV)
- Michael Mayer TE (LV)
- Pat Bryant WR (DEN)
On the Fence
JK Dobbins RB (DEN)
J.K. Dobbins remains a borderline start in Week 10 despite modest recent production. He’s averaged over 15 touches per game and remains the primary ball carrier in Denver’s offense, giving him valuable volume-based upside. While he hasn’t scored since Week 5, his workload keeps him in RB2 territory against a Raiders defense allowing more than 20 fantasy points per game to running backs. Las Vegas has struggled to stop power runners, and Dobbins’ physicality could prove critical in short-yardage and red-zone situations. With Denver expected to control the game script at home, Dobbins should have multiple scoring opportunities.
Fantasy managers should view Dobbins as a solid RB2 or flex play this week. Three running backs in the last two games against Las Vegas have scored 12+ PPR points, signaling an exploitable matchup. Dobbins’ efficiency metrics have dipped slightly due to tough defenses, but his consistent workload keeps his floor stable despite three straight frustrating performances. If he can find the end zone, he’ll return solid fantasy value in all formats. Start him if you believe he will cash in on his volume and find the end zone for the first time since Week 5.
RJ Harvey RB (DEN)
RJ Harvey continues to make noise as one of the Broncos’ most dynamic offensive weapons and is a strong start in fantasy football for Week 10. The rookie has scored five total touchdowns in his last three games, showcasing his explosiveness as both a rusher and receiver. Despite being out-touched by J.K. Dobbins last week, Harvey’s efficiency remains elite, highlighted by his 27-yard game-tying receiving touchdown in Week 9, while also ranking 4th among RBs in points per touch. His growing involvement in Denver’s passing game gives him steady PPR value, especially against a Raiders defense that struggles against running backs in space. Harvey’s ability to score from anywhere on the field makes him a legitimate flex or low-end RB2 option if he gets more volume.
Fantasy managers should take a look at Harvey this week. He’s averaging over four receptions per game across his last four outings and continues to see red-zone usage in key moments. The risky part for Harvey is, his snap share has been hovering right around 30% over the past few weeks, and Tyler Badie still has a role. Taking a risk on him means you are betting on him scoring a touchdown in this one. In a game Denver should control, Harvey offers a perfect boom or bust option this week.
