Backfield Breakdowns and Target Shares - Fantasy Football Week 10 Outlooks for Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and More

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Throttle the Broncos' Defense

Heading into Week 10, Lamar Jackson has fantasy managers buzzing--no surprise, right? He put on an absolute passing clinic against the Denver Broncos, a defense that’s been as stingy as they come, ranked No. 1 in EPA per play. And yet, Lamar went out there and carved them up anyway. This wasn’t his usual run-first, break-your-ankles style. Nope, this was pocket-passer Lamar, and it was a beautiful sight to see.

Jackson went 16-of-19 passing, racking up 280 yards and three touchdowns without breaking much of a sweat. Usually, we’re used to seeing him pile up points on the ground, darting past defenders and leaving linebackers looking foolish. But against Denver? He barely had to use his legs! Instead, he methodically picked apart their secondary, showing just how dangerous he is even without his trademark scrambling.

I don’t think people realize how crazy this actually is 🤯 pic.twitter.com/G1In9Fe73O

— Ravens Tattoo Guy (@RavensTattooGuy) November 4, 2024

Jackson is maturing into an even more versatile threat, and if he can continue to hit these marks as a passer, lord have mercy. Denver’s defense was supposed to be the one to slow him down, but Jackson made them look average at best. He’s proving he can adapt to what defenses give him, and when they key in on stopping his running game, he’s fully capable of burning them through the air.

Looking ahead, if Lamar’s arm stays this hot and the Ravens keep letting him sling it, he’s going to win the NFL MVP for a third time. And the best part? With this kind of efficiency, you know he’s going to bring that high floor even in tougher fantasy matchups. Lamar and offensive coordinator Todd Monken seem to be clicking in Year 2 with each other and are getting to a level that defenses soon won’t know how to handle.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Shines Against the Rams

Seattle’s second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN for short) is making some serious noise in fantasy circles. With D.K. Metcalf sidelined, JSN seized the moment and went off for 13 targets, hauling in seven receptions for a whopping 180 yards and two touchdowns. Talk about a statement game! This kid didn’t just fill Metcalf’s shoes; he made his mark.

The Seahawks’ offense hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders this season, and that 4-5 record tells the story. Their O-line is… well, let’s just say it’s been rough. Quarterback Geno Smith has been under constant duress, and it’s made the Seahawks' entire offensive unit feel disjointed. But in the middle of all that chaos, JSN emerged as a bright spot, showing exactly why the Seahawks took him in the first round.

JAXON SMITH NJIGBA🔥🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/3oNMypdDd0

— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) November 4, 2024

For fantasy managers, JSN’s production has been hit-or-miss at times, but a game like this reminds us just how good he can be. With Metcalf likely coming back soon, JSN’s targets may dip a bit, but a performance like this shows that Seattle might just need to make him a bigger part of the offense going forward.

JSN's breakout potential is obvious, and if he continues to get a steady share of targets, he’s got WR2 upside written all over him. Even with Seattle’s struggles, he’s showing he’s a difference-maker. JSN's route running, hands, and ability to find space were on full display, proving he’s not just a name on the depth chart but a serious weapon who can deliver when called upon.

Saquon Barkley Continues His Impressive Season

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley deserves his due as the undisputed Fantasy MVP of 2024. Seriously, if you’re lucky enough to have him on your roster, you’re probably in first place. This guy is putting on a show every single week, and his latest outing. Electric. Barkley put up 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown, then added another 40 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.

And let’s talk about that backward hurdle. Who does that? Most players struggle to clear a defender going forward, but Barkley just took it to a whole new level, showing off the kind of athleticism that we rarely get to see even in the NFL. It’s this combination of power, speed, and finesse that makes Barkley so deadly in the open field. Whenever the Eagles offense needs a big play, Barkley always seems to give it to them.

SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.

📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

This season, Barkley has been nothing short of incredible, and it’s hard not to think about all those wasted years with the Giants. For so long, he was stuck on New York offenses that couldn’t capitalize on his talent, and fantasy managers knew the pain of watching his potential go unfulfilled. Now? He’s thriving in Philly, putting up monster performances every week.

Barkley is on pace for a historic season, and with Philly’s offense firing on all cylinders, there’s no sign of him slowing down. Barkley’s making a strong case for fantasy MVP and showing exactly why he’s the kind of generational talent who went No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. It feels like Barkley finally where he belongs on a team that can maximize his gifts and truly let him shine.

Wide Receiver Target Share Data from Week 9

A few important notes regarding the wide receivers heading into Week 10.

Quentin Johnston, WR - Los Angeles Chargers

Once written off as a rookie bust in 2023, Johnston’s silencing those doubters in a big way this season. With 18 catches for 282 yards and four touchdowns, he’s thriving in a Chargers offense that’s hitting its stride under Justin Herbert. Herbert’s playing lights-out football, and Johnston’s stepped up as a go-to deep threat downfield.

Johnston missed a few games with injury but had a solid outing in Week 9 with five receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown came on a broken coverage play between Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and the safety, but it was still a nice play. If QJ’s out there on waivers, snag him ASAP as he’s looking like a solid flex play with upside.

Zay Flowers, WR - Baltimore Ravens

Flowers put on a show against the Broncos’ top-ranked defense, torching them for 127 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches. He’s a must-start in all formats right now, and his chemistry with Lamar Jackson is undeniable. Sure, Diontae Johnson’s recent trade to Baltimore could bring some target competition his way, but Flowers has been too explosive to fade. Until we see otherwise, he’s a set-it-and-forget-it WR2 with WR1 upside.

Garrett Wilson, WR - New York Jets

Wilson’s been an absolute workhorse for the Jets, finishing Week 9 with 10 receptions, 90 yards, and two touchdowns. It’s been a brutal season for the Jets at 3-6, but with Aaron Rodgers slowly working his way back, there’s a faint glimmer of hope that they can pull off some late-season magic. For now, Wilson’s production is rock-solid, and he’s one of the few Jets you can confidently start every week.

Cedric Tillman, WR - Cleveland Browns

Since the Browns sent Amari Cooper packing to Buffalo, Cedric Tillman’s been taking full advantage of his shot, racking up 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns over his last three games. And let’s be real—he’s looking every bit like the breakout star we hoped he could be. No more dealing with Deshaun Watson’s noodle arm holding him back either.

Now, let’s not get carried away, but Jameis Winston brings a spark and a level of aggressiveness that makes this offense feel more dangerous, even if he’s not the most predictable playmaker out there. Tillman’s a second-year guy out of Tennessee, drafted in the third round last year, but up until now, he’s been mostly buried on the depth chart.

The Browns, though, look ready to unleash him, and if the target share keeps up, he’s primed for some solid fantasy production. Tillman should be rostered in all formats.

Cedric Tillman since the Amari Cooper trade...

8/81/0
7/99/2
6/75/1 pic.twitter.com/Lir1YCCrxA

— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) November 3, 2024

Which Running Backs Saw Bell-Cow Usage in Week 9?

Alright, let’s talk about those backfield breakdowns. If your main guy didn’t light up the fantasy scoreboard, look at the bigger picture. Imagine this: his team’s already down three scores before you can even blink, and he’s not exactly the go-to option in the passing game, then it's no surprise his stats ended up more snooze than splash! Just a reminder that the game flow can explain a lot about those quiet weeks sometimes.

Here were the running backs who saw at least a 60% snap share in Week 9.

These are the important takeaways regarding running backs heading into Week 10.

The Latest Injury Updates

Saints' wide receiver Chris Olave left the game with a concussion, his second in three weeks, and could miss some time.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hand injury and then a pulled hamstring. He is expected to miss several weeks.

Falcons' wide receiver Drake London suffered a hip pointer and missed most of the game versus the Dallas Cowboys, but he isn't expected to be sidelined long.

Here are all the important injury details you need below from Dr. Deepak Chona below.

#NFL Injury Updates:#Eagles AJ Brown - Video suggests no severe mechanism. Unclear diagnosis. Suspect short term injury but TBD. Practice = key#Cowboys CeeDee Lamb - AC sprain. Often played thru but w/production dip. Re-injury = high concern if he falls on it again

1/8

— Deepak Chona, MD. SportsMedAnalytics (@SportMDAnalysis) November 4, 2024

Top Waiver Targets for Week 10

• Tyler Allgeier, RB - Atlanta Falcons (41% rostered)
• Cedric Tillman, WR - Cleveland Browns (53% rostered)
• Ricky Pearsall, WR - San Francisco 49ers (31% rostered)
• Mike Gesicki, TE - Cincinnati Bengals (15% rostered)
• Quentin Johnston, WR - Los Angeles Chargers (33% rostered)
• Ray Davis, RB - Buffalo Bills (20% rostered)

Conclusion

We’re right in the thick of it, folks. Midseason crunch time, where every game is that much more important for our fantasy squads. It feels like the haves in the NFL have separated themselves from the have-nots. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the Detroit Lions? I say this every week it seems, but that offense is something else. The people of Detroit deserve a winner.

There will be four teams on a bye in Week 10: the Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers. Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks. Keep that fantasy radar on high alert and look out for those sneaky waiver wire gems. Trust me, these midseason pickups can be absolute game-changers. Just a heads-up, though: Weeks 12 and 14 will be brutal with six teams on a bye in each, so start prepping for those.

Thanks for hanging with me for this week’s fantasy rundown! Keep checking in for those weekly insight drops to give you that extra edge. Do you have questions or need a little advice? You know where to find me on X. Let’s keep those lineups dialed in and ready to go. Here’s to making every week from here on out count!

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